Forest Dept plans Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters and eco-tourism initiatives in Baramulla’s border areas

Baramulla: The Conservator of Forests (CoF), Kashmir North Forest Circle, Irfan Ali Shah (IFS), on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive performance review of the Jehlum Valley (JV) Forest Division at the North Forest Headquarters, Mazbugh, Baramulla. The review focused on infrastructure development, ecotourism promotion, and livelihood generation through forest-based enterprises, especially in the border areas of Uri, Boniyar, and Doabgah.

Highlighting the potential of ecotourism as a driver for economic growth, Mr. Shah directed forest officials to identify and develop key natural and religious sites such as the Namblan, Shrunz, Noorkhah, and Nambla waterfalls, along with heritage shrines like Baba Farid, Dutta Mandir, and Chatti Patshahi Gurdwara, for eco and pilgrim tourism. “These areas can open doors to sustainable development while preserving the cultural and ecological heritage of Baramulla,” he said.

The CoF also reviewed the functioning of the Van Dhan Kendras (VDKs) and the Walnut Processing Unit in Baramulla town, calling them models of women’s empowerment and livelihood generation. He emphasized the importance of VDKs—established under the Van Dhan Yojana by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED—in providing employment opportunities to tribal and forest-dependent communities.

“Van Dhan Kendras focus on value addition and primary processing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP), offering employment while conserving natural resources,” Mr. Shah said, adding that multiple VDKs should now be established in Boniyar, Uri, and Doabgah, to later be grouped into Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKCs).

He further urged officials to integrate high-value medicinal plants and edible mushrooms into the VDK framework to maximize income-generating potential for tribal populations.

The meeting was attended by key forest officials including Satyendra Maurya (IFS), Divisional Forest Officer, JV Forest Division; Rameez Raja, Range Officer Baramulla;  Shams-u-Haq, Range Officer Boniyar; Aijaz Ahmad Toota, Range Officer Uri;  Mohammad Maqbool Mir, Range Officer Doabgah; Ms. Parveena Bano, Range Officer SC Range; and other senior staff from the North Forest Circle.

The review concluded with a shared commitment to accelerate sustainable development, empower local communities, and reinforce the Forest Department’s role in preserving the region’s biodiversity while facilitating socio-economic upliftment.