Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 23: Directing for redoubling efforts towards compensatory afforestation, Chief Secretary M. I. Khanday today emphasized the need to achieve the afforestation target of covering at least double the forest area diverted for non-forest use across various forest divisions of the State.
Chairing the 7th Steering Committee meeting of State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) here today, Chief Secretary called for sustained focus on plantation of trees in the forest areas for regeneration of existing natural forests and conservation, protection and management of State’s unique wildlife.
The Committee was informed that during the last three years an area of 13231 Ha was brought under compensatory afforestation against the diverted area of 11748 Ha for non-forest use across the State. It was further informed that 144 Nurseries have been established under CAMPA in which during the last 3 years as many as 1.41 crore plants were raised and during the same period over a crore trees were planted in various forest divisions of the State.
Meanwhile, the Steering Committee approved the proposed outlay of Rs 51.43 crore for executing works under CAMPA for the year 2013-14. 5081.50 Ha of forest area has been targeted to be treated for compensatory afforestation during 2013-14.
The Steering Committee also approved the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) for Wildlife Protection amounting to Rs 18.38 crore for the year 2013-14 for onward submission and approval to the Ad’hoc CAMPA of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
To ensure high survival percentage of trees planted under compensatory afforestation, Chief Secretary called for regular monitoring and protection of the plantations, adding that both internal monitoring as well as external 3rd party monitoring of CAMPA plantations should be taken up covering 100 per cent of the afforested area.
Chief Secretary also emphasized on computerization and application of latest communication technology to further improve functioning of Forest Department.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Ejaz Iqbal, Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, A. K. Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K, Abhay Kumar, Additional PCCF Chandigarh, A. K. Goyal, Chief Conservator of Forests CAMPA, L. K. Sharma and other senior officers.
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