Biodiversity Management Committees meeting held at Gool

RAMBAN, July 26: Divisional Forest Officer Ramban, Dr Rajan Singh, today convened a meeting with Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) of Gool Range. The meeting was attended by the Sarpanchs, chairpersons of BMCs and secretaries of different Panchayats.

The DFO sensitized BMCs about the new Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) policy notified recently by the UT Government for sustainable collection of minor Forest products and creating livelihood opportunities for the locals. 

The BMCs were asked to register depot owners (Traders) who store and trade NTFP gathered by collectors in Panchayats. They were also asked to share details for opening bank accounts in the name of the BMCs. Further, the Range officer Gool was directed to submit the availability of MFP compartment wise. 

They were also informed about levy to be charged and ABS under the Biodiversity Act 2002. Among others Range Officer Gool Rajinder Singh Parihar, Foresters and Beat Guards of Gool Range attended the meeting.