JAMMU, OCTOBER 14: Minister for Forests, Ecology and
Environment, Choudhary Lal Singh today inspected the plantation drive launched
on national highway along Samba- Kathua stretch and its peripheral areas.
He asked the forest functionaries to
personally monitor the ongoing plantation drive and take good care of the
saplings in their respective jurisdictions. He stressed on covering all road
side strips, forest compartments and open spaces.
The Minister asked the Social
Forestry Department to launch massive campaign to spread awareness on the need
and importance of plantation among the general masses. He asked the officers to
grow seasonal and fruit plants in all the nurseries to meet the demand of trees
for next monsoon. He said that Government is planning to cover all the left out
open spaces with green gold, adding that instructions have been issued to the
Forest functionaries of the state to develop nurseries with seasonal and
ornamental plants to meet the target of planting two crore plants during next year monsoon.
Meanwhile Choudhary Lal Singh warned
the functionaries against any laxity in protection of forests and forest land. “Strict action under the Forest
Protection Act will be taken if any officer of the Forest and its allied
department is found involved
in encouraging encroachment on Forest land”, he asserted.
The Minister asked the officers of
different wings of the department to work in coordination to facilitate
effective implementation of schemes so that benefits reach to the targeted populace. He
exhorted upon the department to further intensify their efforts for increasing
green cover and meeting the requirements of the people especially in rural
areas.
Later, a deputation of families of
Gujjars displaced during Kargil conflict from Ramgarh area and presently
settled in temporary sheds at Rakh Brootian of Vijaypur met the Minister and
sought permanent rehabilitation at safer place.
Interacting with them Choudhary Lal
Singh said that the government is committed to provide decent place for their
proper rehabilitation. He said that for this purpose instructions have been
issued to the District Development Commissioner Samba for identification of
State land in Vijaypur and its adjoining areas. He assured that the displaced
families would be rehabilitated properly under revenue department norms.
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