An Online Workshop on “Law Governing Forests, Wildlife and Environment” organised by J&K Judicial Academy and J&K Forest Department, was e-inaugurated today by Justice Ms Gita Mittal, the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, in presence of Justice Sanjay Dhar; Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K, Dr. Mohit Gera; Chief Conservator of Forests, Central, T.Rabi Kumar; and other senior officials of the Forest Department.The 3 day online module on laws governing forests, wildlife and environment has been developed on the initiative of the Chief Justice and the Forest Department involving experts in forest and environmental laws from across the country including officers from JK Forest Department.The online workshop is being conducted in collaboration with Judicial Academy of Jammu and Kashmir for the Judicial officers, trainee judicial Officers from Telengana, and public prosecutors and law officers from J&K and Ladakh.Justice Gita Mittal, while inaugurating the online workshop, spoke on sensitization and empowerment of judicial officers and other stakeholders in justice delivery system, on various laws and legislations on forest conservation and environment protection. She also stressed on generating awareness among judicial officers on various important topics like Sustainable Development Goals, global warming, carbon footprint, CAMPA and its related terms such as CA and NPV, and various other Acts such as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1960, Wild life Protection Act, 1972 etc.
She said that J&K is endowed with rich Biodiversity which needs to be preserved. She complimented the efforts of the Forest Department in protection of this natural wealth. She also emphasised on the need for more such programmes addressing basic issues on environment and biodiversity. She also called for concerted efforts of all the stakeholders and society in preservation and protection of environment for the future generations.PCCF , Dr Mohit Gera, gave an overview of forests, wildlife and environment sector and said that the role of judiciary has been tremendous in conservation of forest and protection of the environment. Dr. Gera also cited examples from several landmark judgements given by the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal.CCF Central, T.Rabi Kumar, gave an overview of 3-day module which is being held on Web platform. The module was attended by close to 225 participants from various states/UTs viz. J&K, Ladakh, Delhi, Tamilnadu, Telangana and Chandigarh. On the first day, comprising two technical sessions, Principal CASFoS, Dehradun Kunal Satyarthi, and Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, spoke on the Forest Legislation in India and J&K. They highlighted various provisions of law and judicial pronouncements of the Supreme Court, various High Courts and National Green Tribunal which have contributed to the development of Jurisprudence on environment. The experts on the subject also talked about the provisions of law which are requisite for protection and conservation of forests, and are required to be implemented in letter and spirit to secure protection of the environment.The Programme would continue for two more days on 3rd and 4th July.