Chief Secretary chairs 99th FAC meeting

Several proposals cleared

        SRINAGAR, JUNE 30: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) headed by Chief Secretary, B B Vyas Friday in its 99^th meeting cleared 14 proposals of urgent developmental and public importance, on the specified terms and conditions.

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

While reiterating the directions for ensuring minimum felling of trees and undertaking compensatory afforestation over alternate land in lieu of diversion of forest land, Chief Secretarydirected that in all development projects involving forests, the concerned user agency should consult the Forest department at the DPR stage itself.

Chief Secretary observed that Forests being the precious resource, it is imperative that a harmonious balance between development and conservation is maintained at all costs.

Chief Secretary emphasized on strict monitoring of approved works in the forest areas by an officer not below the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and ensuring against any deviation by the user agencies. He also stressed on developing dumping sites as ecological reserves.