Javed Rana reviews working of forest department

Jammu, Apr 7: Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, Monday chaired a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review key issues and development plans of the forest department.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Forest Department, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and other senior officers.
While addressing the meeting, Javed Rana emphasized the importance of maintaining accountability and transparency in administrative matters to ensure effective service delivery. He instructed the officers to ensure timely resolution of employee related matters to maintain a positive work environment and motivation.
Javed Rana also directed for development of an online portal to facilitate all transactions related to timber stock and supply, aiming streamlining of the process while reducing potential irregularities. He said that this will ease out the procurement process on notified rates and will provide timely updates on the stock and supply position.
“With development of an online portal, we will be able to constantly monitor and facilitate transparent transactions to create win-win situation for the government and people as well,” he said.
The Minister also reviewed availability of timber across all regions of J&K. He reiterated government’s commitment towards ensuring equitable distribution of timber across all regions and directed the officers to address the needs of the public effectively.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were also held on environmental pollution.
The Minister sought actionable solutions from the concerned officers to curb this problem. He also laid emphasis on afforestation and reviewed the progress on development of high quality planting material through advanced research.
Rana said that saplings of important species should be raised every year for supply to the forest department and other user agencies for coverage of forest area.
He also reviewed the criteria set for establishment of new stone crushers in Jammu and Kashmir. He impressed upon the officers that stone crushers should be established after following all due norms and guidelines.