Commissioner Secretary Forest visits Patnitop, Batote

Ramban, Mar 17: Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology and Environment, Sanjeev Verma, Thursday asked the officers for intensifying plantation drives in Patnitop and Batote during his extensive visit to these areas.
He interacted with Hoteliers’ and other stakeholders at Patnitop and discussed with them strategies for further enhancing the forest and environment protection measures in the area.
Pertinently, Patnitop and its surrounding areas are devoid of vegetation due to various reasons.
Commissioner Secretary said that the purpose of his visit to this hilly area is to explore possibilities to promote vegetation in this area by adopting latest biological and engineering interventions.
He also visited the proposed area for establishment of Flower Valley by the Patnitop Development Authority.
Sanjeev Verma emphasized the importance of rainwater harvesting for these hilly areas which shall help in increasing production of grass and fodder for locals besides improving the habitat for avi-fauna of the area. He asked the officers to integrate forestry works with the department of Rural Development under MGNREGA convergence plan to generate maximum number of man days for local population besides improving the green cover on the earth.
Later, Commissioner Secretary visited soil conservation works being executed along the National Highway to control landslides mainly occurring due to widening of road.
Sanjeev Verma also participated in plantation drive at Nashri on the dumping site of National Highway where he planted Chinar and Bargad (Ficus bengalensis) saplings.
At Ramban, Commissioner Secretary interacted with PRIs and Village Panchyat Plantation Committees.
Earlier, Commission Secretary visited Forest Nursery Mand Udhampur where he took stock of plants available in the Nursery and issued certain directions for enhancing the plant production using modern techniques.
He was accompanied by Director/PCCF, Department of Social Forestry, Roshan Jaggi, Deputy Commissioner, Mussarat Islam, Conservator of Forests, East Circle Jammu, B Mohan Dass and other senior officers during his visit.