KL Report
Srinagar
Laying stress on conservation and protection of rich bio-diversity of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Monday emphasized the need for rejuvenating the depleted forests and raising massive plantation on vacant available areas.
“Protection of forest wealth and rejuvenation of degraded forests are all the more necessary to maintain ecology, restrict climate change, save water bodies and fauna and flora of the State”, he said asking for full utilization of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) initiative in this regard.
Chairing the 2nd Governing Body meeting of CAMPA, Omar Abdullah said that the survival rate of newly planted planting material needs to be monitored regularly by the departmental agencies as well as those of independent ones. He asked the Forest Department to fast track the process of third party monitoring for monitoring forestation programmes and other aspects pertaining to up gradation and development of forests in the State.
Omar Abdullah said that plantation of Deodar, Conifer and other forest plants should be ensured in forest areas under the CAMPA besides taking befitting measures for protection of wildlife. He said fauna of Jammu and Kashmir is rear and world famous. “We should be highly sensitive in conserving this rich wealth”, he told the Governing Body adding that the provisions available under CAMPA for the purpose of safeguarding wildlife should be taken full advantage of.
The Chief Minister received the brief on progress and achievements registered under CAMPA in the State for the last three years since 2009 when this programme was launched. He also got appraisal of the implementation of decisions taken in the first Governing Body meeting of CAMPA.
The meeting reviewed the physical and financial achievements, execution of works by Wildlife Protection Department and Action Taken report on the decisions besides strategies formulated for execution of CAMPA works during the next financial year.
