Making a strong pitch for active public participation in preserving the green wealth of the state the Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh said that Government ‘s initiatives need to be strengthened by involving all stakeholders.The Minister said this while conducting an extensive tour of Akhnoor, Nowshera and Sunderbani today.
MLA Ravinder Raina besides senior officers of Forests and its allied departments accompanied the Minister during the visit.
The Minister directed the revenue and forest authorities to ensure that forest land is not encroached upon and proper records are maintained to protect the forest cover in the area .He directed for maintaining proper check to curb smuggling of timer and other activities which are adversely affecting the forests..The Minister visited Nadpur, Nadyala, Bagla and other areas and inspected the nurseries of the Social Forestry, Soil and Water Conservation and Forests department at Bakhar. He also visited a Forest Closure at Doongi Agrathi in Rajouri Forest Division established under the Chief Ministers participatory Scheme.
The District Forest Officer Rajouri apprised him about the functioning of Rajouri Forest Division.Choudhary Lal Singh exhorted upon the officers to make concerted efforts to preserve the green wealth of the state and ensure local people are actively involved in protection of Forests. He said that developmental activities should be planned in a manner that they donot affect the environment of the area.Calling for mass awareness campaign to educate the people about the importance of environmental conservation and saving the natural resources, the Minister said that all stakeholders should be actively involved in this campaign. He called upon the NGOs, educational institutions, social and religious organizations to play their role in this noble cause and save the earth from further damage. He said, that adequate steps will be taken to promote eco-tourism in Rajouri district.Later, several deputations of the district met the Minister and projected their demands pertaining to construction of roads, augmenting drinking water and power supply, improving mobile connectivity providing employment avenues to the people. The Minister gave a patient hearing to the people and assured them their genuine demands will fulfilled in time bound manner.