Forest Department organizes J&K UT Foundation Day at Environment Park Raika

JAMMU, October 31: Forest Department organized J&K UT Foundation Day celebrations at Environment Park Raika under the chairmanship of Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Forest, Ecology & Environment.

Suresh Kumar Gupta, PCCF & Director Social Forestry Department; Sarvesh Rai, PCCF & Chief Wildlife Warden; Sanjay Kumar Sinha, Director SFRI; Vasu Yadav, Chairman J&K Pollution Control Committee; Sandeep Kujur, Director FPF; J. Frankoi, APCCF Jammu, other Regional Heads and other senior officials along with representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions, School children participated in the event. PRI members including BDC Chairperson Bajalta Sh. Rehmat Ali also participated in the event.

During the event, to mark the 5th Foundation Day, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge was administered and ceremonial plantation drive was carried out by  Dheeraj Gupta  and participants.

Additional Pr Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu extended warm welcome to the participants and senior officials of the department in celebration of UT foundation day and requested the participants to strive hard for excellence in delivery of UT governments schemes and programs among the public and requested the PRI members and school children to participate whole heartedly in ensuring the wholesome progress of the UT.

The event was organized to commemorate various achievements in Forestry and Wildlife sectors during last four years.

Dheeraj Gupta while addressing the event highlighted various policy initiatives of the government in improving the transparency and accountability as well as welfare of the staff. He emphasized the tremendous scope for improving the working of Forestry and Wildlife sectors and a progress in terms of budgetary allocation, human resource optimization being carried out in the last four years.

Principal Secretary reiterated that welfare of the citizens shall be the focus of government for which government servants shall strive hard to enhance the productivity and output in executing various government schemes.

Suresh Gupta in his address highlighted the Jan Bhagidariinitiatives in the Social Forestry schemes where benefit sharing mechanism of usufructs is being implemented and nearly Rs. 6.00 crore benefit has been shared with Village Panchayat Plantation Committees. It aims at improving the ecological security in rural areas along with delivering the economic benefits to local population at their door step.

During the event various publications highlighting achievements of Forest, Wildlife and Social Forestry Departments were released by Dheeraj Gupta. The publications include Hindi version of Social Forestry Rules, Jan Bhagidari Booklet, Amla pamphlet, compilation of Sacred Groves in J&K, Census Report on Snow leopard, booklet on Soil Conservation works. E compendium regarding achievements of the Forest Department was also released during the event.

A Nature Trail Walk inside the Environmental Park was flagged off by the Chief Guest and students from Higher Secondary School Bahu Fort participated in the excursion.