Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology Ch Lal Singh today called upon students to contribute in spreading awareness about the protection of wildlife. “Your contribution will go a long way in supplementing the Government’s endeavours towards conservation of wildlife when the message will be taken to every household” The Minister said.He said on its part government has taken series of steps for further streamlining the functioning of the Wildlife Department. “But tangible results can be achieved by taking all stakeholders on board, especially the young generation who are future custodians of state’s rich legacy” he added. “Our endeavours are directed towards taking urgent steps to save and protect state’s wildlife and prevent extinction of endangered species” he informed.The Minister was speaking at a function organized here at Government Degree College (GDC) Kathua to observe Wildlife Week 2017, where he was Chief Guest. MLA Kathua, Rajeev Jasrotia was the guest of honour.
The aim of the programme was to make the students aware about importance of forests and wildlife and their protection. The week is celebrated every year from October 2 to October 8. This year the Department of Wildlife Protection is celebrating the event in association with Government Degree College.
The Minister said that state government has taken a series of measures for conservation of forests and the wildlife. “The Forest department has planted 2 crore saplings in the State to maintain and restore the green cover. Plantation has been carried out all along National Highway and other roads, while 30% of plantation are fruit plants”, Lal Singh added. He said widespread forest cover especially planting of fruit trees in jungles and animal habitats would also help in containing increasing man-animal conflict. He further said that stressed was laid on involving the people particularly youth in environment conservation measures.The minister also directed the Principal of the College to prepare a comprehensive plan for plantation inside the college premises for its beautification. He said that the college management will also be provided Chinar saplings for growing this heritage tree of the state on the campus.MLA Kathua, Rajeev Jasrotia in his address said state’s biodiversity and the rich gene pool resources are a priceless treasure that needs to be conserved. He said the conservation of wild life has immense socio- economic, ecological and bio- aesthetic importance for man-kind.MLA Kathua also appreciated the work done by the Forest Department viz. plantation along the Kathua roads, development of park at Kathua Canal and removing encroachment from forest land.
As a prelude to the Wildlife Week celebrations an inter College symposium was held on “Wildlife conservation need of the hour” in which several college students participated.Regional Wildlife Warden, Dr V S Senthil Kumar said that there are five National Parks, fourteen Wildlife Sanctuaries and thirty seven Conservation Reserves being looked after by the department. He said that Wildlife Week celebrations began on October 2nd and department held series of debate, painting and clay modeling competitions for students to encourage them for conservation of wildlife.Later, the minister also took part in prize distribution ceremony of Inter- Collegiate Kabaddi (Men) Tournament organized by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, Jammu University. Earlier, the final match was played between Commerce College Jammu and Degree College Paloura. Commerce College team registered resounding win over its rival Paloura College team by 22 points. The programme was attended by PCCF, Ravi Kesar, MD SFC, Suresh Gupta, Director Social Forestry, A K Gupta, Director SFRI, B M Sharma, CCF Jammu, Farooq Gillani, Member Secretary PCB, Sameer Bharati, RD Social Forestry, Roop Avtar Kour, CF(East) Jammu, Khawaja Qamardin, ACR Kathua, DFOs, Principal, staff members and students of host college and District Officers.