JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today paid homage to all the martyrs of the Forest Department who have laid down their lives and made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
“I salute the bravery of forest personnel working day and night to protect Forests, Wildlife and the Environment,” said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor was speaking at the Passing out Ceremony of the Forest Guards of 32nd, 56th, and 66th Course here at Convention Centre. The ceremony started with the Guard of Honour to the Lt Governor by the personnel of the Forest Protection Force, J&K.
To mark the occasion, the Lt Governor planted saplings of Rudraksh in the premises of Convention Centre.
B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment; Dr. Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests; Sarvesh Rai, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Executive Officer, CAMPA and Sh. T. Rabi Kumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests were present on the occasion.
During his address, the Lt Governor congratulated the 98 pass-outs and exhorted them to discharge the noble responsibility of conserving natural resources and biodiversity with utmost zeal and dedication.
Emphasizing on extending J&K’s green cover, the Lt Governor called for development of Eco Parks across J&K and establishing more Bal Vans, and green areas specifically for the Senior Citizens, besides comprehensive plan for the conservation of ecology in and around Mansar-Surinsar lakes and protection of wetlands and wastelands.
He also asked the department to focus on Hangul conservation and explore the possibility of making the Dachigam as a more accessible local destination.
Highlighting the role of forest frontline staff in protection and conservation of forests and the biodiversity, the Lt Governor said that Forest Guards are no less than soldiers of our Defence and Police forces. He asked the department to organize programmes on 11th September-Forest Martyr’s Day every year to mark the efforts of frontline staff and pay tribute to their valour and sacrifices.
The Lt Governor appreciated the department on notable increase of forest cover as reported by Forest Survey of India in its 2019 report.
