Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 10: Setting first week of November, 2013 dead line for timber distribution to the consumers of Kashmir valley, the Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad has instructed the authorities of forest Department to ensure that timber targeted for this year is given to genuine applicants after conducting proper verification of the cases.
These instructions were issued by the Minister while reviewing stock and distribution position of timber and firewood in Kashmir valley at an officers meeting here today.
Principal Chief Conservator Forests, Chief Conservator Forests, Kashmir and the Conservators of Srinagar, North and South Circles were present on the occasion.
The meeting was informed that about 12 lakh cfts of timber have been stocked in the depots across the Valley while 7 lakh cfts stands distributed among the applicants so far during current fiscal. The department has stored 60000 quintals of firewood for distribution to the mosques of Srinagar city, the meeting was told.
Underlining for speeding up timber distribution, the Minister asked the authorities of the concerned circles to ensure that targets fixed for this year are achieved in full.
Regarding growing demand of timber in certain division, Mian Altaf instructed officers to enhance the supply in view of the demand of the division so that maximum applications are benefited.
Earlier, the Minister inspected mini hi-tech nursery Kralsangri Brain. He was informed that 2.50 lakh saplings of deodar, kail and fir is ready in the nursery for plantation during coming season apart from 50 lakh saplings grown in 22 nurseries of the department in the Valley.
Emphasizing for launching a massive afforestation drive in the Valley, the Forest Minister enjoined upon concerned officers to pre-plan the plantation programme so that the targeted area is covered during coming season. He said forest conservation is equally important as afforestation and directed officer to maintain coordination with allied wings of the department in order to saved green gold for our posterity.
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