Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Sept 17: Sleuths of Forest Department today arrested a person with 307 kilogram of ‘Gucchi’ mushroom, which was being transported without any valid document.
According to the reports, on specific information and on the directions of Divisional Forest Officer Udhampur, Rushal Garg, a team of Forest Department Udhampur Range with the assistance of Police authorities successfully intercepted a vehicle bearing registration number JK02C-8157 loaded with MFP Guchhi (Morchella esculenta) at Jakhani check post.
During checking of the vehicle, approximately 307 kilogram of ‘Gucchi’ (Morchella Esculenta) was found loaded in the vehicle without any valid document. On questioning the driver of the vehicle namely Ramjeet son of Hanfi Ram of Thana Desa, it came to fore that he was transporting the ‘Gucchi’ without any valid documents from Doda.
The recovered ‘Gucchi’ mushroom and the vehicle in which he was being transported were seized by the Forest Department team while further investigation into the case was started.
‘Gucchi’ is one of the costliest mushrooms in the world and the prices may go up to Rs 25000-30000 per kg. Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are traded through registered depot holders and as per new J&K NTFP Policy 2022 which has set mechanisms for fair price discovery and fair price realization to the collectors of forest produce.
Jammu and Kashmir NTFP Policy 2022, is a reform towards the sustainable collection and utilization of NTFPs. This policy democratizes and decentralizes the process of sustainable collection. It also emphasizes on fair price discovery and fair price realization to the local collectors. It is urged to the traders to register their NTFP depots under this new NTFP policy.
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