CAG’s report on Jammu district green wealth is alarming. If greenery is accepted as lungs of a city, then Jammu is on the verge of total choking of breath. Indiscriminate felling of green trees, conversion of vast tracts of forest land into non-forest habitations, allowing 123 saw mills run illegally within prohibited areas, non-reclaiming of degraded land, insensitivity of proper nursery developing projects, allowing user agencies possess land by transfer and non-eviction of unauthorised encroachments etc. are some of the glaring irregularities pointed out by the CAG in respect of forest lands in 3092 square kilometres area of Jammu district. It says that only one per cent of total forest land in the district has been demarcated and the rest 99 per cent remains prone to unauthorised encroachment. Under rules twice the degraded forest area had to be brought under conservation according to Act of 1997 but the department has failed to do so. Yes, of course 0.11 crore rupees were utilized on procurement of generators, invertors, batteries, erection of transformers, construction works of office complex, air conditioners, and furniture, all in violation of guidelines. “Miss-utilization of funds meant for plantation, protection and rehabilitation of forests defeated the purpose of the schemes”, the CAG report concluded. No greater disservice has been done to Jammu than the one under discussion. It is an inexcusable crime and deserves due punishment.
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