Chief Secretary chairs 98th FAC meeting

Several proposals cleared

SRINAGAR, JUNE 9: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) headed by Chief Secretary, B B Vyas Saturday in its 98^th meeting held at the Civil Secretariat here cleared six proposals of urgent developmental and public importance. 

Financial Commissioner Revenue, Mr Lokesh Dutt Jha, Administrative Secretaries of the departments of Finance, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Public Works, PHE and I&FC, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), J&K, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), J&K, Environmentalists, Dr S P Singh Dutta and Dr G A Bhat, Member Secretary and Chief Conservator of Forests and other senior officers were present in the meeting. 

While reiterating the directions passed in the 97^th meeting of the FAC, Chief Secretarydirected the Forest department to put in place a robust monitoring mechanism while marking trees for felling and removal besides ensuring that all requisite mitigation measures are undertaken against any likely negative impact of developmental projects in the forest areas.

Directions on minimum felling of trees and undertaking compensatory afforestation in lieu of diversion of forest land were reiterated in the meeting.

Chief Secretary emphasised on strict monitoring of approved works in the forest areas and ensuring no deviation by the user agencies. He directed the Forest department to submit a monitoring report after every three months regarding status of the adherence of the terms and conditions in various project proposals cleared by the FAC.

        Chief Secretary also stressed on developing dumping sites as ecological reserves.