Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 9 : The Forest Advisory Committee headed by Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday today discussed and approved several proposals for allowing use of forest land coming in the alignment of various road connectivity projects, Hydro Electric Power Projects and other development works in various Forest Divisions across the State.
Chief Secretary laid special emphasis on minimum felling of trees, eco-restoration of identified muck dumping sites, compensatory afforestation and plantation. He also directed the Forest Department to monitor the user agency and ensure that identified dumping sites are made use of, efficiently stabilized and eco-restored by plantations.
He also directed that all user agencies must share the copy of the complete DPR with the monitoring agency adding that monitoring agencies should ensure whether dumping is done at the selected location besides checking deviances if any.
Chief Secretary also called for exploring arrangements to utilize the excavated muck from 560 MW Kwar Hydro Power Project in Kishtwar in other projects.
Chief Secretary asked the user agency to ensure implementation of the Catchments Area Treatment Plan, incorporating the recommendations of the Soil Conservation Department besides implementing the Fisheries Development Plan for conservation of Fish Species.
He also called for taking up restoration, engineering, plantation and other conservation works for safeguarding and maintaining the overall environment under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Financial Commissioner Revenue, Dr Arun Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Abhai Kumar and other senior officials were present in the meeting.
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