Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 7: Minster for Forest, Environment, Ecology, Chaudhary Lal Singh today said that Government is making a compressive plan for forest conservation, protection of wildlife and promotion of eco-tourism in the State.
Winding up the discussion on the Allocation of the Grants for Forest, Wildlife, Ecology and Environment Departments in the Lower House, Singh said that demarcation of forests is a biggest challenge for the Government. He said that procuring the demarcation poles were incurring huge amount of money to the department. “If we really want to protect the forests and our wildlife, we all have to be together. We have to join hands for a greater cause,” he said.
“If you take any department which is prone to encroachment, one would face an outcry from the people or the stakeholders. But as far as the Forests are concerned how would you make forest to talk, wildlife to hold protest. That is to be pondered,” said the Minister.
Singh said that Government would submit a compressive proposal to the Union Forest Ministry for approval of funds under different schemes to give the new imputes to the protection of green gold besides protection of rich animal species and eco tourism of green gold.
The Minister said that Government is tirelessly working to strengthen State Forest Corporation (SFC) which would revitalize the Forest Department. “We all have to work for making SFC a real example in the Corporations. It is waiting for a great relief from the officials,” he said.
“This would not only add to the overall functioning of the Forest Department but it would generate huge profit for the Government,” said Singh and directed officials to make the auction of timber for people four times in a month. He said that the committees should be formed who would ensure that the work was carried out on fast-track basis.
The Minister said Government has launched a scathing attack on the encroachers who have been destroying the precious forest land. “We won’t allow anyone to encroach into the forest land,” he said. The Minister informed the legislators that for preservation and safety of Hangul, the Government has submitted a project report of Rs. 25.72 crore to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval.
Singh said that besides establishment of two ICT Laboratories ; one at Srinagar and Jammu each, a State of Art Forest Resource Management Centre with all modern facilities of Geographical Information System ( GIS) and Management Information System (MIS) along with its supportive infrastructure is nearing its completion at Jammu.
The Minister informed that the vigorous efforts have been taken to evict the encroachers form the forest land. He said that in April-2016 an area of 65.34 ha (1872 kanals) have been evicted. The Minister said that a total of 1,160 land diversion cases cleared involving diversion of 11,841 ha (236820 kanal) of forestland as on April 30, 2016 and felling of 8, 78,998 forest trees.
The Minister also gave a detailed account of the outstanding amount with intending agencies. He said a total of Rs 75.00 crore is outstanding against many intending agencies/ user agencies; major defaulting departments are PWD (Rs 39.4 crore), Army (Rs 19.29 crore), Tourism (Rs 5.91 crore), Irrigation and Food Control (Rs 4.56 crore).
The Minister said that in order to woo tourists from across the globe, the Department of Forests has initiated a promotion for eco-tourism. He said that a Promotion For Eco-Tourism Policy stands drafted by the department to encourage people to visit forest and wilderness areas.
Later, the House passed the grants of Forest, Ecology and Environment, for the year 2016-17, which were moved by the Minister, amounting to Rs 78719.98 lakh with voice vote.
Earlier speaking on the grants, Abdul Majid Paddar demanded construction of environment and medicinal park in Damhal area of his constituency. He demanded that the department should look at the man animal conflict as there is fear among the residents in the forest areas.
Dina Nath Bhagat demanded demarcation of forests and more grants for the department so that forests are protected. He expressed concern over the encroachment of forest land near the tourist spots. He also demanded more plantations along the roads. He demanded that the department should take more steps to prevent forest fire and soil erosion.
Mohammad Shafi Uri said despite all efforts of afforestration on the ground its impact is very less. He also demanded evaluation of afforestration projects.
Usman Majeed expressed concern over deterioration of forest cover. He said that the locals should be involved in forest protection. He demanded plantation of eco-friendly trees and medicinal plants. He said industrilaisation should not be done at the cost of environment and forests.
Mohammmad Yousuf Tarigami expressed concern over loss of forest cover between Shopian and Aharbal. He said forest degradation is on and demanded demarcation of the forests.
Hakeem Mohammad Yasin demanded that forest policy should be framed afresh. He said that the locals should be involved in extraction of timber from forests.
Mohammad Akbar Lone expressed concern over the encroachment of Wular and Manasbal Lakes.
Rajesh Gupta demanded that the industries should install pollution control devices. He said the quality of air in Srinagar and Jammu is worsening due to pollution. He said that the forest land has been retrieved by the department but more land needs to be retrieved.
Chowdhary Qamar Hussain demanded social forestry projects for waste forest land in his constituency. He said that the barren land in his constituency should also be brought under social forestry.
Mubarak Gul expressed concern over the mushrooming of the brick kilns and said that they are violating pollution norms. He demanded timber for flood victims.
Aijaz Khan demanded grazing rights for the people living near forests and said that the locals should be involved in the protection of the forests. He said that the Gujjars are not the enemies of the forests and should be given their due rights.
Bashir Ahmad Dar demanded protection of wild life and afforestration of vacant land near forests. He also demanded forest clearance for construction of water tanks in his area.
Abdul Rahim Rather said that the timber should be extracted from the forests as lot of timber gets wasted due to non-extraction. He said that department should lay thrust for afforestration and soil conservation.
Sat Sharma demanded allocation of funds for the conservation of Mansar and other lakes. He expressed concern over the felling of trees along the National Highway and demanded tree plantation along the highway.
Pawan Gupta said that the adequate funds are not being allocated for Forest Department when whooping amount of Rs. 700 Crore is spent on wages only. He said that there are no adequate funds for forest protection. He also demanded tackling of monkey menace and forest fires.
Sukhnandan expressed concern over drying of Sheesham in Jammu forests. He said for last three years he is seeking answers for the issue but has not been provided with any reply so far. Khalil Bandh demanded DFO office in Pulwama district and timber for the needy.
GM Saroori expressed concern over the bear attacks in his constituency and demanded felling of Russian poplars. He also demanded e-tendering for extraction of timber.
Dileep Singh Parihar demanded culverts on streams in forests for the movement of population living there. He demanded 10 forest depots in his constituency and cheaper timber for those living in forest places. Yawar Mir demanded that timber smuggling should be stopped. He also expressed concern over establishment of joineries near forests.
Javaid Rana demanded soil conservation in forest areas. He suggested that every legislator should adopt a forest compartment. He demanded speedy forest clearance for PMGSY road projects. Raja Manzoor said that a system should be established for sanction of timber to deserving.
Jeevan Lal said that there are sale depots at Kathua and Billawar and not near the forest areas. He said that timber should be given at the concessional rates to the people living near forest areas so as to safeguard forests. He demanded forest clearance for PMGSY road projects.
Mohammad Ashraf Mir demanded establishment of tourist park in Srinagar and timber at concessional rates for flood victims.
Altaf Kaloo demanded demarcation of forests and timber be supplied to the areas where there is no road connectivity.
Altaf Bukhari also demanded timber for flood victims.
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