Srinagar, Sept 3: APCCF and Chief Executive Officer, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), J&K Sarvesh Rai, IFS visited and inspected many forest areas of Kulgam and Shopian Forest Divisions on Saturday and reviewed preparations for next Annual plan of operations to be carried out in these two divisions. He was accompanied by Irfan Ali Shah, IFS, Conservator of Forests, Kashmir South Circle, Waseem Gul, SFS, DFO Kulgam Forest Division and Mohammad Ayoub, DFO Shopian Forest Division Range officers and other forest officials.
The CEO during his visit inspected many nurseries, plantation units, infrastructure works etc of both the Forest Divisions. He informed that forests provide ecological services to humans,which has further become significant as they combat the adverse effects of the climate change through carbon sequestration and climate amelioration. He said forests are the lungs of our planet earth and its effective conservation requires a state of harmony and balance between ecology and development needs. To work on the same line of thought, the “J&K Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority” (State Authority) was constituted in accordance with the provisions of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 and notification of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Rules, 2018. Mr Rai informed that the establishment of this authority was to inculcate into a holistic framework that ensures safety, security and timely yet transparent utilisation of funds collected from the User agencies for the diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes as per the provisions of Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and its subsequent amendments. He expressed satisfaction upon quality execution of works including nursery works, installation of Boundary pillars, Raising of plantation units for halting degradation and benefit flow to people etc in both Kulgam and Shopian Forest Divisions. He complemented the Conservator of Forests, South Circle and his dedicated team of officers and officials for bringing a visible change on ground in a short span of time.
The APCCF visited Central Nursery Kulgam and inspected the maintenance work of conifer saplings in the Nursery. It was informed that 0.77 lac plants have been raised in the said Nursery during last fiscal and during the current year, a total of 3.25 lac saplings will be raised in different nurseries of the Division under CAMPA. The APCCF directed for maintaining and raising of quality planting material in the nurseries. He also appreciated the harvesting of fodder species by the locals to meet out their needs for livestock raised in CAMPA Plantation Units. He also appreciated the raising of multiutility trees in these units which cater to the bonafide needs of the people. He expressed satisfaction over the overall stabilization of ecosystems being getting rejuvenated due to CAMPA interventions. The APCCF also visited plantation unit established under CAMPA Scheme during 2019-2020 in D.H Pora Range of Kulgam Forest Division. Directions were given by the APCCF for protection of said plantation unit.
He also visited newly constructed Forest inspection Hut Aharabal. The Conservator of Forests South Circle informed that construction of Forest Inspection Hut has been completed recently and is available for online booking. He said that this Forest Inspection Hut will act as base camp for Goriwattan-Kounser Nag Trekking Route.
The APCCF took a detailed review of CAMPA works of 2022-23 at Forest Inspection Hut in which all Range Officers of Kulgam Forest Division participated. The DFO informed that the Division has fencing target of 0.92 lac Rfts and planting target of 2.15 lacs with financial outlay of Rs 259.23 lacs under CAMPA Scheme during the current financial year. He directed DFO Kulgam and Range Officers concerned to ensure tendering process for execution of planting/fencing and others works is completed immediately so that fencing works can be taken up for execution and completed well before onset of winter season in Kashmir. A booklet “_Nature calling_” was also released by the APCCF at the culmination of visit to Kulgam Forest Division.
The APCCF also visited Shopian Forest Division where he inspected CAMPA closure established in Chotipora Block. He also inspected the Boundary Pillars installed under CAMPA Scheme in Shopian Division during the year 2021-22. He was informed that during the current financial year, 172 number of BPs are being installed under CAMPA Scheme with financial outlay of Rs 12.38 lacs for which tendering process has already been initiated.
Irfan Ali Shah, Conservator of Forests informed that CAMPA funds are being utilized for Catchment Area Treatment, assisted natural regeneration, soil moisture conservation, forest fire control, soil moisture conservation, management of biological diversity and biological resources, survey and mapping of forest area, silvicultural operation in forests in South Kashmir. He said public participation and consulting remains at the core of decision making in forestry sector in South Kashmir.
