PCCF tours Jammu, Kathua Districts; reviews progress on Forest & Environment works, interacts with PRIs, field officials

JAMMU, DECEMBER 16: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, J&K, Roshan Jaggi conducted an extensive two-day tour of Billawar Forest Division and held a series of co-ordination and review meetings with the field officials of Forest Department and its sister wings like Forest Protection Force, Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation, Agrostology, Forest Development Corporation and Social Forestry.

 During the meeting with the field officials of Billawar, Basohli, Kathua and Samba Forest Divisions, the PCCF stressed upon the need for better co-ordination among different wings of the department especially in prevention of damage and forest fires.

He directed the field officials of Forest and FPF for joint patrolling and establishing nakkas in vulnerable forest areas. He also listened to the genuine demands of the field officials. He reviewed the physical and financial progress of territorial forest Divisions, Demarcation Division, FDCL, and implementing agencies of sister wings like Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation & Social Forestry. He directed the DFOs to exercise strict vigil and monitoring in order to ensure the development works are completed on time.

The PCCF (HoFF) visited various on-going development works and recently upgraded Dungara Forest Nursery in the field. He inaugurated the Bio-Diversity Eco-Park at Sukrala where he interacted with the DDC Billawar, Vikram Singh, Sarpanches & Panches, eminent citizens, local people and school children.  And in order to improve the eco-tourism based amenities and to harness public participation in eco awareness among the public, he issued directions to prepare a comprehensive DPR for development of facilities at the Bio-Diversity Park. Biomass to wealth initiative to address the fire incidents in sensitive forest areas was also decided that target groups especially women SHGs will be created to utilize the dry biomass in forest towards energy and other livelihood initiatives.

At Sukrala in Billawar Forest Divisions, PCCF (HoFF) took stock of various development work including development of Biodiversity Park at an area of 100 Kanals near famous Sukrala Mata Shrine which attracts large no. of pilgrims.  The parkis being developed to promote ecotourism in the area. The PCCF (HoFF) directed for preparing DPR under Nagar Van Scheme to develop further facilities like track routes, sitting places and appropriate signage.

The PCCF inaugurated the Joint Forest Control Room at Range Office Complex, Nagrota Gujru where he was apprised of the equipment and facilities at the newly inaugurated Joint Control Room. He interacted with Sarpanches and Panches of Lakhri, Kah, Kasher, Kandharnoo, Makwal, Rajwalta and Salore Panchayats led by the DDC NagrotaGujroo, Narayan Dutt Tripathi. The PCCF interacted with the PRIs and solicited their support in prevention of forest fires in Ramkot Range which is prone to forest fires.

During the extensive tour, the PCCF was accompanied by the Conservator of Forests, East Circle, B. Mohandass, DFOs of Billawar, Kathua, Basohli& Samba territorial divisions, DFOs of non-territorial wings including Wildlife, Social Forestry, Agrostology & Demarcation and District Soil Conservation Officer, Kathua.