KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Minister of State for Forests, Environment, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Cooperative and Fisheries, Mir Zahoor Ahmed, Monday called for massive plantation drive in all available forest areas of the State.
The Minister said this during an inspection tour of Quality Plant Production Centre Kralsangri, Srinagar, an official spokesperson said this evening.
He said Cheshmashahi, Shankaracharya and Hariparbat areas of Srinagar city should also be included in the drive.
The Minister also directed for identifying spots for development of eco-parks in the district. He asked the concerned officers to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) in this regard and submit the same to the concerned quarter for arrangement of funds.
The Minister directed the Forest officials to keep a check on encroachment of forest land so as to ensure protection of the green gold for which the State is known for. He also directed them to work on maximum plantation of Pine trees especially Kail saplings.
During the inspection tour, the Minister was informed that 4.15 lakh saplings of different species including 32000 medicinal plants are available in Kralsangri nursery.
Appreciating the efforts of the Forest Department in developing the centre, Mir Zahoor asked them to work with utmost dedication and expand the nursery so that more and more saplings of different varieties are produced.
He also gave instructions for displaying of local name plates of all medicinal plants in the nursery.
Taking stock of demarcation and timber position in Kashmir region, he was informed that 15 lakh Cfts of timber was dumped and sold against the target fixed for year 2015-16. He was also informed that 4000 quintals of fire wood will be distributed during the month of Muharram.
Mir Zahoor directed the officials to ensure timely distribution of fire wood especially in Shia dominated areas of the Valley.
Principal Chief Conservator Forests, A K Singh, Chief Conservator Forest Kashmir, Nissar Ahmed Darzi and other officers of the Forest Department accompanied the Minister during his tour.
