Traditional forest dwellers instrumental to growth, preservation of green wealth: Rana

Calls for war against organised timber smugglers

JAMMU: Minister of Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today directed for fast track settlement of FRA claims and engagement of tribals in forest management.

“Traditional forest dwellers are instrumental to growth and preservation of green wealth”, maintained the Minister.

Javed Rana was chairing a meeting held to review functioning of Forest department at Civil Secretariat here.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Forest, Ecology & Environment, Shailendra Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, J&K, Director Social Forestry J&K, PCCF/Chief Wildlife Warden J&K, Chairman JK Pollution Control Committee J&K, Director JK Forest Research Institute, Director Forest Protection Force, Managing Director FDC, Director Ecology Environment & Remote Sensing Department, Chief Executive Director WUCMA, Director Soil & Water Conservation Department, Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir and Jammu, Director Finance, Forest Department and others senior officers of the department.

The Kashmir based officers attended the meeting through video conferencing.

A PowerPoint Presentation was given by the Additional Secretary briefing in detail the roles and functions of the Forest department and contribution of forests to J&K’s GDP.

The Minister took a detailed assessment of traditional as well as modern ways in which forest department provides services to the people dependent on forest resources including protection of forests & forest land, scientific management of forests, afforestation and allied activities for ecological restoration, meeting local requirements of timber, firewood, fodder and other forest produce, wildlife conservation in forest areas outside Protected Area Network and enforcement of various laws (Protection & Regulation) besides related services.

The Minister also directed for fast-track green clearances for projects of significant public interest and aggressive compensatory afforestation without exceptions. He instructed the senior officers to ensure that projects of vital sectors such as R&B, Education, Health and Water Supply are processed and cleared without delays.

Javed Rana directed the concerned officers to develop and promote more services for tourists like Forest Rest Houses, eateries, and other amenities to preserve and promote the beautiful forests of J&K.
The Minster enquired about the soil and water conservation works in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Minister was also informed about the target and achievements under CAPEX Budget 2023-24, besides Monitoring & Evaluation of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA) works, Green J&K Drive 2023-24, and Digital Services being provided to the people by the department.

The Minister discussed the ongoing projects besides reviewing infrastructure and services of forest Department. He directed the officers to ensure completion of all the pilot projects within the stipulated time .

He instructed for regular inspection of CSC’s while asking for further strengthening of the mechanism regarding CSCs.

Principal Secretary, Department of Forest, Ecology, and Environment, Shailendra Kumar, briefed the Minister about the training and awareness programs being held on implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006 with constitution of Sub Division and District level committees and implementation of Biological Diversity Act, 2002.