Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 10: Stressing for judicious utilization of funds, the Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf has asked the officers of Forest Department to set up new forest closures on road side besides launching a massive afforestation on degraded forest areas.
The Minister was reviewing the status of the forest projects started in Gulab Garh constituency at an officers meeting here today.
MLA, Gulab Garh, A. G. Malik, Secretary Forests Mohammad Afzal Bhat, Director Soil Conservation, Director Social Forestry, Chief Conservator Forests, Jammu besides DFOs of various ranges were present on the occasion.
The meeting was told that Rs. 93.40 lakh stands expended on forest conservation and creation of forest related infrastructure in the constituency. It was informed that 6 forest closures have been established in the constituency out of 10 completed under forest range Mahore while 6 more units are proposed to be set up in Gulab Garh during current financial year.
The meeting was informed that 475 ha area has been treated against target of 772 ha while 120 ha are targeted to be completed during current financial year. It was given out that Rs. 60 lakh have been incurred on the project out of sanctioned cost of Rs 99 lakh.10 lakh.
Under MP LAD scheme, 13 small bridges have been completed in Gulab Garh out of total 19 bridges completed in the range, the meeting was told. It was informed that under State Forest Development Fund (SFDA) Rs 64 lakh stand expended against Rs. 1.17 crore sanctioned for the scheme.
Mian Altaf asked the Director Social Forestry to launch a massive awareness campaign to sensitize people about the hazardous effects of poplar trees. He directed him to take necessary measures for cutting and pruning of those poplar trees which are polluting environment, particularly in Srinagar city and other main towns in Kashmir division.
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