J&K’s forest communities reaping more benefits under NTFP policy, says PCCF

3 October 2023

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*The Kanzalwan Wayside Park inaugurated by the PCCF, J&K, during his north Kashmor tour (Ziraat Times)*

Srinagar, Oct 3: The Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) Policy, launched by Government of J&K in December, 2022, has started yielding benefits to large number of households residing in and around the forests, stated by Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF & HoFF) J&K Forest Department, Roshan Jaggi (IFS) at Bandipora today. The innovative policy changed the institutional frame work for collecting various valuable herbs/shrubs from forests, by eliminating the contractors as middle-men who were operating in the erstwhile system, he said.

The rights of collection and sale of NTFPs have now been entrusted to local people, who are at liberty to sell the collected produce to those buyers who offer them better rates instead of selling to a particular contractor on monopolistic pattern. A small amount of royalty also goes to the Biodiversity Management Committees, who utilize these funds for development of forests and Biodiversity Conservation at Gram Panchayat level, he added.

According to a statement issued to Ziraat Times, Mr Roshan Jaggi was interacting with media persons after his two days tour of Gurez, Tulail and other areas. He reviewed various forest developmental and infrastructure related works of Bandipora Forest Division.

At Kanzalwan he inaugurated a Public Park with way-side facilities which has been constructed by Forest Department with the help of NHPC by developing muck-dumping site from Kishanganga Hydro Project. The developed site offers basic facilities of rest-rooms, children park etc. to tourists/travellers. PRIs/local people have hailed the department for such type of initiatives. A similar way side facility is under construction at TDM along Bandipore – Gurez road which will become operational shortly.

PCCF, who was accompanied by Regional APCCF Kashmir region and other senior officers of Forest and NHPC also threw open a 4 km trek route from Dawar to Pattalwan Sar which would help boost eco-tourism related activities in this area. Forest Department in last few years has developed more than 65 track routes passing through mesmerizing forest landscapes, offering opportunities to students, nature lovers and trekkers to enjoy nature in its pristine wilderness. Forest Department offers residential accommodation and other facilities to eco-tourists at many such locations which can be availed by online booking.

During six months of this financial year 5.90 lakh people have enjoyed these facilities of trekking routes passing in different Forest Divisions. New avenues are coming up in rural remote areas with such initiatives the official spokesman said.

During his interactions with local people/ PRI representatives, PCCF laid emphasis on close coordinated working of the department for effective forest protection and rehabilitation of degraded forests. He announced that in next year’s plan, more afforestation related works shall be taken up in Gurez, Tulail catchments for betterment of forests and also to generate employment for local people.

PCCF-HoFF Mr. Jaggi also reviewed the working of Forestry Training School at Chitternar and interacted with the trainees there. This forestry training school was established in 1910s and offers basic forestry training to frontline staff of Forest Department. PCCF also laid the foundation of DFOs Residential Quarter at Forest Complex Bandipora. He reviewed the preparedness of afforestation programme which will start in entire Kashmir valley in ensuing winter months. On this occasion he issued various directions to field officers. Department is targeting to bring all 4291 Gram Panchayats under massive afforestation programme by actively involving representative of Gram Panchayats (GPs)under initiatives like “Har Gaon Haryali”, “One Beat Guard One Village” and Paed Lagao Beti ke Naam”.