Seeking people’s cooperation in conserving rich biodiversity of the state, Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology, Mr Bali Bhagat today said that Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with 5 National Parks, 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 35 Wildlife Conservation reserves spread over an area of about 16,000 Sq KMs. He said there is also a huge protected are in the State with wide variety of flora and fauna. Speaking at a function here at the launch Wildlife Week, Mr Bhagat said forests and wildlife play vital role in maintaining environment balance. He said that protecting environment is most important issue, adding that change in environment is happening due to degradation and depletion of forests. The survival of man is dependent on forests and wildlife, he added.Asking the authorities of Wildlife Department to take concrete measures for containing man-animal conflicts, Mr. Bali underscored the need for sensitizing the people, living near the forests, about the precautions needed to be taken whenever there is any such conflict.
Referring to retrieval of encroached forest land, Mr. Bhagat said that 9,000 kanals of forest land has been retrieved so far from the encroachers, adding that efforts afoot to retrieve the rest of the land. He said that fencing of forest areas is being done with missionary zeal to avoid the future encroachment of forests.The theme of the Wildlife Week this year is “Living with Wildlife”.The Minister of State for Forest Mr. Abdul Majeed Padder was also present on the occasion.Mr. Paddar, in his address, appreciated the enthusiasm and interest of young generation towards preservation and protection of wildlife and biodiversity. He appealed the stakeholders to make the state green and safe haven for its rich biodiversity. He asked the concerned for preparing more projects for conservation and preservation of wildlife and wetlands. He said laying barbed wires along the forests can also be helpful in saving the lives of wild animals.
PCCF, A K Singh and Chief Wildlife Warden also spoke on the occasion and briefed about the steps taken by the department with regard to Eco-Tourism activities, besides research, survey telemetry and placement of high definition cameras.Chairman, National Society for protection of Water Resources, Wetlands and Forests Nazir Benazir called for constituting eco-development Committees, Environment club and Honourary wildlife Wardens, saying that these would go a long way in conservation and preservation of wildlife, forests and wetlands.The Ministers distributed prizes among the winners of inter-school essay and painting competitions.The students presented colorful cultural programme and skits on conservation of wildlife, man-animal conflict which was highly applauded by the audiences.Among others Principal Secretary Mr. R K Gupta, Senior officers of forest and allied wing, representative of NGOs and students were present on the occasion.