Chief Secretary chairs 105th FAC meeting

Several proposals cleared

JAMMU, APRIL 6: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) headed by Chief Secretary, B B Vyas Friday in its 105th meeting cleared several proposals of urgent developmental and public importance, on the specified terms and conditions.

Financial Commissioner Revenue, Mr Lokesh Dutt Jha, Principal Secretary, Finance, Administrative Secretaries of the Departments of Forest, Ecology & Environment, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), J&K, Chief Wild Life Warden J&K, Environmentalists, Dr S P Singh Dutta and Dr G A Bhat and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

The proposals cleared included the use of forest land for construction of PMGSY roads in various forest divisions of the state, construction of drinking water supply to Drang Village in Tangmarg, construction of Tunnel under USBRL Project etc.

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 Secretary stressed upon strict supervision and monitoring of approved works in the forest areas. He said cutting of trees/saplings, which constitute a precious forest resource be avoided as far as possible and afforestation plans drawn up to fill up the gaps besides protection works be undertaken to prevent soil erosion.

Chief Secretary emphasised that during the conceptualization stage itself, the road alignments be worked out, ensuring minimum felling of tress.