SRINAGAR: Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology, and Environment, Sheetal Nanda, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of ongoing development works across Jammu and Kashmir in the Forest and allied sectors.
The meeting reviewed initiatives under key schemes including CAPEX, CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority), Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), and the Green India Mission (GIM).
During the detailed review, district-wise physical and financial achievements for 2024–25 and 2025–26 were discussed threadbare. The Commissioner Secretary also took stock of fund utilization, expenditure status, and submission of utilization certificates under various Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes. Progress on Annual Plans of Operation (APOs) for 2025–26 and work-wise physical and financial performance under the UT CAPEX budget were also reviewed, along with updates on budget announcements and the status of projects approved under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Nanda directed officers to ensure that all schemes—especially the Centrally Sponsored ones—are implemented in letter and spirit. She emphasized the need to intensify plantation drives and expedite financial bookings under the CAPEX budget across all districts.
She issued strict instructions for the timely completion and quality delivery of departmental projects, directing all Forest sector departments to achieve at least 70% completion of planned works—including infrastructure development, afforestation, and conservation—by December 2025.
Highlighting the importance of seasonal preparedness, the Commissioner Secretary directed that winter plantation activities commence immediately in temperate zones of the UT, covering degraded forest areas, urban green spaces, and community lands.
She also instructed implementing agencies to expedite installation of Boundary Pillars (BPs) to demarcate forest and wetland boundaries, ensuring legal protection and clear jurisdiction of forest lands.
Recognizing the potential of Ecotourism for sustainable livelihood generation, Nanda called for the early completion and operationalization of all Nagar Van (Urban Forest) projects by December 2025, to create accessible green spaces and enhance community participation in biodiversity conservation.
Stressing the need for inter-departmental coordination, transparency, and modern monitoring tools, she urged departments to actively engage local communities in plantation and conservation efforts.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to ecological preservation, sustainable development, and climate resilience, Nanda said that community-driven forestry initiatives remain a key focus area.
The meeting was attended by Suresh Kumar Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & Head of Forest Force (HoFF); Sarvesh Rai, Chief Wildlife Warden; Vasu Yadav, Chairman, Pollution Control Committee; Sandeep Kujur, Director, Social Forestry; besides all Chief Conservators of Forests (CCFs), Directors, Conservators of Forests (CFs), Regional Directors (RDs), and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) from both regions.
