JAMMU: The Executive Committee of CAMPA met today under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohit Gera, Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force, J&K Forest Department.
Representatives of the Administrative Departments of Finance, Forest, Environment & Ecology, Science & Technology, Revenue, Tribal Development, Panchayati Raj, and Planning & Monitoring participated in the meeting.
Senior Officers of Forests and allied Departments including the Chief Wildlife Warden, Chief Conservator of Forests (Forest Conservation Act), and Chief Accounts Officer attended the meeting.
Special invitees, including Director Social Forestry Department; Director, Soil and Water Conservation; Director, J&K Forest Research Institute, besides Non-official members, Nazir-Be-Nazir (NGO Member) and Ch. Asaf Iqbal, Expert on Tribal matters, also participated in the meeting.
Dr. Gera gave an overview of the main activities of the Department. Under “Green Jammu and Kashmir Drive”, a record number of plants are being planted with the people’s participation under the campaign “Har Gaon Hariyali”.
In the current year, 1.50 Crore will be planted of which about 0.90 crore plants have already been planted.
In order to secure forest lands, boundary pillars are being installed involving Territorial and Settlement and Demarcation Divisions, and digital maps are being prepared. He also apprised the participants about the recently notified policy on sustainable collection and utilization of Non-Timber Forest Produce and its potential to provide livelihood opportunities for forest-dependent communities including women and Tribals.
The Chief Executive Officer CAMPA, Sarvesh Rai, made a detailed presentation giving the progress of implementation of the approved Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) of 2022-23 and proposed APOs for the next financial year 2023-24. He informed that against the current year’s afforestation target of 15000 ha, 7777 ha with the planting of 31.00 Lakh Plants have been covered. Winter planting in temperate zones is in progress and targets for the year are likely to be achieved in full.
As regards next year’s APOs, a total of 13719 ha area is proposed to be afforested with the planting of about 80.00 lakh plants through assisted natural and artificial regeneration. Planting of local species and a mix of indigenous fodder species is proposed to augment the fodder supply. Suitable provision for forest fire prevention & control and protection of forest lands through the installation of in-situ RCC boundary pillars is proposed. Provision for soil & water conservation measures including construction of DRSM, crates, and water harvesting structures have been significantly enhanced.
The Wildlife Protection Department has proposed a number of protection and conservation measures which include improvement of wildlife habitat, soil, and water conservation works, management of protected areas, maintenance of animal rescue centres, eco-development activities, and development of wildlife-related infrastructure.
The APOs also include construction and maintenance of official accommodation for frontline staff like Guard huts, Block Office and Range Office. The proposal for modernization of the Department includes the use of remote sensing and GIS for the preparation of digital maps, equipment like Drones, GPS, and CCTV, and the modernization of data management for more efficient functioning.
After detailed discussions, the proposed Annual Plan of Operations for 2023-24 was considered and recommended by the Executive Committee for approval of the Steering Committee and onward submission to the Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change for final approval.
