Jammu: Commissioner Secretary, Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment, Sanjeev Verma, Saturday reviewed the Biodiversity Management Plan of Marwah Forest division under Pakal-Dul Hydroelectric Project.
Divisional Forest Officer, Marwah, informed that a total of 1500 hectare of degraded forest area of Marwah Forest division shall be treated during the seven year period from 2021-22 to 2027-28 with financial implication of Rs 18.00 crore. The plan focuses on natural and artificial regeneration of main plant species of the area like deodar, kail and fir, he added.
He informed that plantation of Rare, Endangered and Threatened (RET) plant species of the area including Pinusgerardiana (Chilgoja), Betulautilis (Bhojpatri), Taxuswallichiana, Dhoop, Kuth, Baladona, Kour, Zakhme Hayat and Discoria will also get focused attention. A total of 5.10 lakh plants of conifer and medicinal species besides 2.65 lakh plants of fruit and fodder species have been proposed to be planted during the project period, he added.
He said that the project will lead to regeneration of flora and fauna of Marwah forest division. Besides, availability of economically important Rare, Endangered and Threatened plant species will improve, which may give a big boost to local economy by way of collection and sale of medicinal plants. He added that the proposed Biodiversity Park has potential to become a tourist attraction.
Commissioner Secretary emphasized that the Biodiversity Management Plan has to be implemented by involving the Biodiversity Management Committees so as to ensure economic benefit to the local communities from increased availability of medicinal plants and other non-timber forest produce.
Sanjeev Verma further stressed on large scale raising of medicinal plants in nurseries of the department. He emphasized outcome oriented approach to various mitigation and conservation measures of the plan. He advised satellite based monitoring of the project activities in addition to the third party monitoring.
Among others the meeting was attended by Sarvesh Rai, Chief Executive Officer CAMPA, K.Ramesh, Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, Sat Paul, Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle and Director, Finance, Forest Department.
