JAMMU : Mohd Majid Malik Journalist of Kashmir News Observer (KNO) today conducted Excluive Interview of Farooq Gillani (IFS), Chief Conservator of Forests Central,in Jammu .CCF Jammu has a lot on his agenda.
In an Exclusive Interview with KNO CCF Jammu said that he first thing that he had done in his department is that he had increased public participation in every programme. CCF said that people must plant trees and contribute back to the environment for the benevolence of the State’s ecological affairs, adding that mega environmental and plantation drives have been launched to achieve better results in shaping up the degraded environment.He also informed that on the direction of Minister of forest Ch Lal Singh he had directed the officers to develop nurseries of the coldest areas of the region with ornamental fruit like Amla, Pear, Guava, Bar, Grapes and Tropical apple saplings.
CCF said that mega plantation drive is going on in Chenab circle and Rajouri Poonch area of Jammu region and the aim of the plantation drive in rural pockets of Jammu is to make the areas more an environment friendly destination besides ensuring a healthy atmosphere and comfortable environment to visiting tourists.He said that department is also promoting plantation of fruit and medicinal plants in the forests.He informed that third party monitoring and inspection mechanism has been put in place to ascertain the progress under the drive.Maintaining that public participation is vital for preservation of environment, the CCF Jammu urged upon people to come forward and voluntarily participate in the plantation drive.
He asked people to plant trees in their surroundings, schools, colleges and Government offices, adding that the department will provide free saplings for strengthening the initiative. He also said that Forest Department had removed encroachment from hundreds of Kanal land from forest land Chenab circle and are dealing with smugglers with iron hands and said that the Forest Department is taking measures to prevent encroachment on Forest land and the encroachers will not be spared at any cost. (KNO)