Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today reviewed the functioning of Forest Protection Force (FPF), State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) and Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) department here today.The Minister took detailed appraisal of activities of the FPF and called upon the functionaries to adopt a pro-active and coordinated approach in protecting forest wealth in a more professional manner to achieve better results. He directed developing a well-knit mechanism to deal with timber smugglers and those involved in illegal acts relating to forest protection.Director FPF Suresh Gupta, Director SWC Ravi Kumar Kesar, Joint Director FPF Kh Qamar-ud-Din, Joint Director SFRI Nassir Kitchloo, Conservator SFRI Naveen Shah, Deputy Directors, Divisional Forest Officers besides other senior officers of the departments were present in the review meeting.
Choudhary Lal Singh called for devising a comprehensive plan to develop adequate number of green pastures across the State to meet grazing requirements of the cattle population in the State. He stressed for developing barren lands, preferably near populated localities, for producing fodder based plants and special species of grasses suiting the climate and which are useful for catering local needs. He also directed developing mother nurseries for producing fodder based species of grasses and trees to enhance fodder production in the State.Choudhary Lal Singh directed for digitalisation of Forest land and asked for regular patrolling of Forests by FPF guards in evening hours. He directed to provide necessary safety equipments in line with forces. He directed to set up one helpline number across the State for use of general masses.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed the Deputy Directors, Inspectors and FPF Guards to have of refresher courses so that they could fully aware with their duties towards FPF department.Choudhary Lal Singh directed the executing agencies to gear up their men and machinery in completing the ongoing projects under FPF projects.Responding to the demands of the employees, the Minister assured that the Government is working on a comprehensive plan for re-structuring the functioning of the FPF and SFRI departments.The Minister also inspected seed testing research laboratory, nurseries, germination units, male popular coppice garden, shade, poly and green houses during the visit.He directed the concerned officials to identify the land in the forest area for planting saplings produced in the institute.
The Minister was further informed by Director SFRI that over 16 lakh seedlings and plants of conifer and other forest spices were provided to people and other allied wings of the forest department.It was given out in the meeting that the department has retrieved 911 kanals in 2013-14 from encroachers, 451 kanals in 2014-15 and 4233 kanals in 2015-16 and demolished illegal structures from forest land occupied by illegal occupants. He informed that the FPF has saved 49526 kanals of forest area during fire fighting activities in last three years with the help of FPF Personnel.In another review meeting of Soil and Water Conservation Department,Minister said that the department has been tasked with a very important role to conserve the natural resources which are directly connected with the life of human beings and other living creatures and it is mandatory on the part of every functionary to secure better future.
He stressed the need for a coordinated effort with the involvement of various stakeholders to minimize loss to the natural resources. He said the department should keep close watch on the activities of executing agencies to ensure that the natural resources and soil erosion chances are minimized.The Minister asked to develop the nurseries on modern lines by planting particularly fruit plants, mulberry, Sisso, Tun, Amla, Guava, Jamun, Apple and Walnut, Punica (Anardhana) etc. He directed to ensure proper grafting on pyrus species.Earlier, Director Soil and Water Conservation Ravi Kesar briefed the Minister about the achievements and initiatives taken to prevent soil erosion, flood threats and conservation of water and other natural resources across the State.He informed that the department has constructed three artificial recharge to ground water structures funded by Ministry of Water Resources, two in Kathua district at Phangeri and Dabbie and one in Chinota in Jammu district.