Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Bali Bhagat reviewed the functioning of the J&K Forest Protection Force (FPF) and Agrostology Wing of the Forest Department at a meeting held here today.Principal Secretary Forest, Mr. Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Mr. A.K. Singh, Secretary Animal Husbandry, Mr. Satesh Nehru, Director Forest Protection Force, Mr. Suresh Kumar Gupta, Special Secretary Agriculture, Ms. Leena Padha and other senior officers of FPF and Forest Department attended the meeting.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 for developing a well-knit mechanism to deal with timber smugglers and those involved in illegal acts relating to forest protection.To enhance professional efficiency and capability of the force, the Minister called for organizing regular refresher and training courses within and outside the State. He also stressed for highlighting the achievements, aim and objective of the organization through media for information of general masses, so that they can support the organization in protecting forest assets across the State.
He directed for developing a strong network of sources for inputs about timber smugglers and all such elements involved in different illegal forest related activities so that timely and result oriented actions are conducted.Director FPF while briefing the meeting about the achievements during the current year (ending November) said that the organization has seized 17400 cft illicit timber, 213 qtls of firewood, 12 vehicles involved in forest offences, 143 qtls of charcoal, assisted forest staff in eviction of 3971 kanals of encroached land and saved over 47000 kanals of land from fire at different places in the State. To avail information regarding various illegal acts by unscrupulous elements, the Organization has established helpline numbers at district/divisional levels which has proved to be useful and information has been constantly pouring in, thus helping the department to act swiftly, he added.Mr. Suresh Kumar Gupta also projected some important issues relating to improvement in functioning of the organization.While reviewing functioning of the Agrostology Wing, the Minister 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 for developing mother nurseries for producing fodder based species of grasses and trees to enhance fodder production in the State.