Jammu, Mar 24: Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana Tuesday called for collective and sustained efforts to protect forests across Jammu & Kashmir, underscoring their indispensable role in sustaining life, preserving biodiversity and ensuring a secure future.
The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at a function held at the FRMC Building, Narwal, to mark the International Day of Forests.
Commissioner Secretary Forests, Sheetal Nanda, PCCF, Sarvesh Rai, Chairman PCC, Vasu Yadav along with senior officers of the Forest Department, awardees and trainees were present on the occasion.
Emphasizing the ecological significance of forests, he noted that Jammu & Kashmir possesses a rich and diverse forest resource base that plays a critical role in climate regulation, water conservation, soil protection and biodiversity preservation.
Highlighting the importance of community participation, Rana stressed the need for strengthening community-driven conservation and biodiversity management while maintaining harmony with nature alongside sustainable development.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the region’s natural wealth through scientific research, inter-departmental coordination and community-based initiatives.
Drawing attention to the role of forests in regulating the water cycle, the Minister said that forests act as natural reservoirs and filters, ensuring clean water, sustaining rivers and groundwater, and supporting food security. He called for greater public involvement in safeguarding these vital ecosystems.
Referring to ongoing initiatives, he said that under the Green J&K Drive, over 78 lakh saplings have been planted during the current financial year, covering thousands of hectares, with a target of one crore saplings set for the coming year.
He also highlighted efforts to expand eco-tourism through the development of eco-parks, trekking routes and forest infrastructure, aimed at generating livelihood opportunities while ensuring conservation.
The Minister further informed that J&K has a recorded forest cover of over 20,194 square kilometres, accounting for nearly 48 percent of its geographical area and expressed satisfaction over the increase in forest cover over the past decade. He reaffirmed Omar Abdullah-led government’s resolve to further expand green cover through large-scale afforestation drives.
Highlighting welfare measures, Rana said that the department has supported local communities by providing timber and forest produce in a sustainable manner.
During the current year, 9.09 lakh cubic feet of timber was sanctioned to 7,149 beneficiaries, while 95,655 quintals of firewood and 2.77 lakh quintals of green fodder were distributed among thousands of beneficiaries across J&K.
He also spoke about the implementation of national programmes such as the National Forest Policy, Green India Mission and Nagar Van Yojana, which aim to restore degraded landscapes and enhance green cover through active public participation.
While acknowledging the progress made, the Minister stressed the need to address challenges such as forest degradation, encroachments and climate change through coordinated and sustained efforts.
He reiterated that forest conservation is a shared responsibility requiring stronger collaboration among government departments, civil society and local communities.
The Minister also congratulated the UT-level Forestry Award winners for their contributions towards conservation and lauded the trainees passing out from Forest Training Institutes, describing them as the backbone of forest protection efforts.
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