Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 7: A delegation of J&K Forest Contractors and MFP Industrial Association led by its President Sanjay Gupta met Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) J&K.
The delegation demanded survival of contractors and industrial holders engaged in the trade of forest products.
Raja Bashir Ahmed highlighted the demands of Industrial Unit holders. He demanded revival of trade by providing some sort of raw material, assurance and facilitation keeping in view the livelihood opportunities, regulate the forest products to unit holder for strengthening the economy of the rural areas and due attention from the department for space in new policy for the forest products in entire Jammu and Kashmir.
Vikrant Kapoor demanded a comprehensive package for the industry to boost the economy in UT and sustainable measures shall be adopted for the source of materials to stop the illegal practices by the smugglers.
Manohar Lal Bhagat said that the contractors involved in the trade are facing difficulties from past several years and are rendered jobless due to non-extraction in the trade. Contractors involve in Minor Forest Products should be facilitated by the department to improve the productivity by providing amicable opportunities to remunerate the trade. The stake holders involve in the trade shall be accorded with multiple opportunities to generate livelihood in view of collection and further sale.
The Association have sought for auction and adoption of previous methods till new policy will be enforced to keep the contractors and labourers engaged.
The contractors and MFP Industrial Unit holders shall be facilitated in view of new policy for creating avenues in this sector, which have huge potential to tap the natural resources in J&K. The department shall regulate a commercial way to regulate the process in encouraging the forest produce sector for further mechanism, they added.
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