The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests J&K, Suresh Chugh along with Director State Forest Research Institute, N.P Singh today visited Forest Research Station Dagapora Haran.He expressed his satisfaction over the work carried out by State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) in the Forest Research Station and urged to carry out research on the species mentioned in the latest notification by MoEF wherein 30 animal and plant species have been placed in the list of species that are on the verge of extinction in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) said that the Forest Research Station will be upgraded to the Centre of Excellence in J&K. The visit was organized in order to finalize the proposed site for establishment of the Biodiversity Park at Dagpora Soura in Kashmir valley.The PCCF said that establishing of Biodiversity Park with endemic species in Srinagar within the vicinity of Anchar Lake and Sindh River will be the most logical approach to enrich the respective areas with the wealth of flora & fauna that they have lost or are in line to lose in very near future, if no such conservation step is taken. The area will boost in flourishing all types of fauna, flora, and micro-organisms to enrich the biodiversity besides attracting migratory bird guests.
The PCCF stressed to preserve the native germplasm to improve the biodiversity. A database of flora and fauna of the concerned areas will be generated to monitor the sign of changes. The Forest Research station which has got a production capacity of 20 lac plants will serve as the Production unit of quality germplasm for Biodiversity Park, will serve as sales counter for sale of plants exhibited in the Biodiversity park. Protection and conservation of biodiversity is not only a matter of existence or aesthetics but it is very important for all forms of life and entire ecosystem as well. Our state has already lost many species that once flourished in this environment. If not properly conserved, the present biodiversity will be drastically reduced in the face of the rapid development that is taking place.This park will serve the objectives of all the ecosystem issues of the area. The main objective of such kind of park is to conserve the biodiversity of the specific area and to maintain the genetic stock available therein. In biodiversity Park, special thrust will given for the conservation of rare, threatened and endangered species.