Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh, today said that protection of forests will ensure conservation of biodiversity and environment, adding that in this regard people’s participation is vital.This was stated by the Minister while addressing a huge gathering after inaugurating International Biodiversity Day at Government Degree College, Mahanpur in Basholi of district Kathua.In a message on International Biodiversity Day, the Minister emphasized the need of collective efforts to conserve and promote green wealth on earth for survival of mankind.“Our state is blessed with abundant natural affluence and resources and it should be moral responsibility of all of us to contribute collectively for its preservation,” he asserted. He emphasized the need to make people aware about the importance of saving forests for larger interest of the society.Underlining need for expanding the ambit of activities of State Diversity Board, the Minister asked the members of the Board to work wholeheartedly so that the purposes for which it was constituted are accrued.
Singh directed the officers to immediately start the fencing work of the Forest land and plant saplings of fruit plants, mulberry, Sisso, Tun, Amla, Guava, Jamun etc to avoid and check encroachments. He directed the concerned forest officers to develop view points at the potential locations so that people can enjoy there.The Minister directed to ensure proper grafting on pyrus species. He said that the steps taken up by the Government to curb encroachment of forest land have proved very fruitful.Later, the Minister laid foundation stones for upgradation of 3-kilometer Mahanpur link road, construction of 8-kilometer road from Mahanpur Morh to Athalta via Kaloa and Gujjar Basti Harta. He directed the Engineers to gear up their efforts in completing the started projects within stipulated time frame.Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A K Singh, Chairman State Pollution Control Board Ravi Kesar, Director Ecology and Remote Sensing O P Sharma, Director Forest Protection Force, Muhammad Asif, Director Soil Conservation, J A Punjoo, Director SFRI, B M Sharma, Director Social Forestry A K Gupta, Member Secretary Pollution Control Board, Sameer Bharti, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Romesh Kumar besides other senior officers of Forests, Civil and Police administration accompanied the Minister.