Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 10: Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmad today said that all migratory routes, being used by nomads, would be improved in a phased manner and Centre has approved Rs. 1.75 crore during current financial year for the purpose. He said fodder, pasture closures are being set up across the State to create grazing facilities for the livestock aimed to reduce pressure on forests.
Reviewing the functioning of Agrology wing of Forest Department at an officers’ meeting here today, the Minister asked concerned authorities to identify big chunk of land instead small pieces, taken up earlier, for fodder closures. He asked them to take up two districts each at Kashmir and Jammu divisions. He instructed them to set up fodder pasture closures near the jungles that too in those areas having sufficient livestock population.
Mian Altaf said that the representatives of nomadic people who mostly use migratory routes would be consulted for identifying the routes to be improved. He said track improvement, shelter sheds, hand pumps and fixing of solar lights would a part of the plan. He asked concerned to keep in account the durability of tracks and safety of sheds while framing the projects.
It was given out that Rs. 2 crore have been expended for creation of fodder pasture closures during last fiscal while Rs. 2.50 crore have been approved for current financial year for the purpose.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Abhai Kumar, Conservator Forests (Agrology), B.K Bhagat, Agrologist Kashmir Abid Nazeer, Agrologist Jammu A.R Muggal besides other senior officers of Forest Department were present on the occasion.
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