Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh today inspected the plantation drive launched on national highway along Samba- Kathua stretch and its peripheral areas.He asked the forest functionaries to personally monitor the ongoing plantation drive and take good care of the saplings in their respective jurisdictions. He stressed on covering all road side strips, forest compartments and open spaces.The Minister asked the Social Forestry Department to launch massive campaign to spread awareness on the need and importance of plantation among the general masses. He asked the officers to grow seasonal and fruit plants in all the nurseries to meet the demand of trees for next monsoon. He said that Government is planning to cover all the left out open spaces with green gold, adding that instructions have been issued to the Forest functionaries of the state to develop nurseries with seasonal and ornamental plants to meet the target of planting two crore plants during next year monsoon.
Meanwhile Choudhary Lal Singh warned the functionaries against any laxity in protection of forests and forest land. “Strict action under the Forest Protection Act will be taken if any officer of the Forest and its allied department is found involved in encouraging encroachment on Forest land”, he asserted.The Minister asked the officers of different wings of the department to work in coordination to facilitate effective implementation of schemes so that benefits reach to the targeted populace. He exhorted upon the department to further intensify their efforts for increasing green cover and meeting the requirements of the people especially in rural areas.
Later, a deputation of families of Gujjars displaced during Kargil conflict from Ramgarh area and presently settled in temporary sheds at Rakh Brootian of Vijaypur met the Minister and sought permanent rehabilitation at safer place.Interacting with them Choudhary Lal Singh said that the government is committed to provide decent place for their proper rehabilitation. He said that for this purpose instructions have been issued to the District Development Commissioner Samba for identification of State land in Vijaypur and its adjoining areas. He assured that the displaced families would be rehabilitated properly under revenue department norms.