Minister for Forest, Environment & Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh today said that water bodies, especially ponds maintain climatic balance in extreme weather conditions.The Minister visited and took stock of ponds and other eco-tourism sites in Birpur and Bantlab area in Jammu region. He stressed on taking requisite measures to streamline the functioning of Forest Department, adding that laboratory infrastructure needs to be strengthen for achieving tangible results in a time bound manner.The Minister said that the Forest Department is directly connected with the health of the people and the functionaries of the organization must put in their best efforts to achieve the objective. He stressed the need for evolving innovative mechanism to implement the Central and State Sponsored Schemes by the Forest and its allied Departments to maintain a healthy environment in Jammu and Kashmir. He called upon the functionaries of the Organization to ensure complete transparency, accountability and efficiency at all levels and improve the delivery system on ground.
Stressing the need for close coordination between various agencies to achieve the common goal, Singh said that collective efforts between the departments like industry, local bodies, and transport can ensure better results. He said these agencies must work in synergy and review the progress of various common issues periodically to address these expeditiously.The Minister directed the officers to revive and strengthen the defunct nurseries by developing ornamental species. He directed to remove bushes, proper landscaping, irrigation of parks and forests. He asked for constructing small ponds in forests and nurseries for irrigation purpose. He also directed for proper patrolling on check posts to avoid theft of timber.He also said that efforts are afoot to rejuvenate various ponds inside various sanctuaries besides strengthening the walls covering the wildlife sanctuaries.”Ponds have always been the lifeline of the area and are useful for harvesting rain water for various needs. Ponds help avert drought and maintain climatic balance in extreme weather conditions,” Lal Singh said and directed the concerned officers to excavate and rejuvenate water bodies for general benefit which are relevant for the rural life.