Forest Deptt gets 31 trained Forest Guards: Comr Secy attends passing out parade

Jammu | : Commissioner Secretary Forests, Sanjeev Verma, Friday attended passing out parade of 31 Forest Guards who have successfully completed their entry level training course from the Forest Guard Training School, Doomi, Akhnoor.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and HoFF, Forest Department, Dr. Mohit Gera was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Commissioner Secretary inaugurated “Forest Martyrs Memorial” and paid rich tributes to the Forest Martyrs of J&K which was followed by presentation of ceremonial guard of honour by the contingents of Forest Protection Force, Foresters, Forest Guard trainees and brass band of Border Security Force.
Commissioner Secretary emphasized on sustainable and participatory management of forests for future generations. He impressed upon the frontline officers to dedicate themselves towards protection of green wealth of J&K. He also called for management of forests as well as the Non Timber Forest Products, firewood, fodder with the active participation of PRIs and people.
He said that Green India Mission will further help in increasing the quality of forests. He appreciated the achievements of ongoing “Green J&K Drive” and campaign on Har Gaon Hariyali. He also highlighted the multi-functional role of forests and the crucial role of Forest frontline staff in managing and protecting these forest resources.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mohit Gera, said that the Forest frontline staff plays an important role in meeting the objectives of J&K Forest Department. He stressed upon further raising the training standards for frontline staff due to increasing challenges in protection of our forests. He spoke in detail about the challenges in the field and the important role of forest guards in protection of forests from encroachment, forest damage, forest fires and other pressures.
He called for involving village Panchayats and other grass root level institutions like Biodiversity Management Committees and Joint Forest Management Committees in forest protection works. He informed that Forest Department is developing four Foresters Memorials in the current year, out of which, two have been completed. He also informed that proposal of up-gradation of Kashmir Forest Training School, Chitternar is being submitted to the Government. He highlighted various initiatives of Forest Department in the field of training and capacity building of frontline staff. He said that JICA Plan for up-gradation of Training Schools and capacity building of Forestry personnel has already been submitted for approval to the MoEFCC, New Delhi.
Later, the dignitaries conferred awards to outstanding Forest awards for their excellent performance in academics and extracurricular activities.
In the Academics, Amit Kumar of Nowshera Forest Division secured first position, Angraz Singh of Batote Forest Division secured second position and Pawan Kumar of Wildlife Division, Rajouri secured third position.
In the extracurricular activities, the first position was clinched by Kewal Singh of Basohli Forest Division, second position by Rajbinder Singh of Nowshera Forest Division and third position by Abdul Rehman Khan of Poonch Forest Division.
Earlier, Chief Conservator of Forests, B Balaji delivered the welcome address while Principal Forest Guard Training School, Doomi, Naresh Majotra presented the course report and declared the results of 57th Forest Guard Training Course.
Conservator of Forests, Working Plan, Research and Training, Irfan Ali Shah presented vote of thanks.
The programme among other was attended by PCCF/ Chief Wildlife Warden, Wildlife Protection Department, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, CAMPA, Sarvesh Rai, Managing Director, Forest Development Corporation, Vasu Yadav, Director, Forest Protection Force, J. Frankoi, Chief Conservator of Forest, Jammu, K. Ramesh Kumar, Conservators of Forests, Principals of Training Schools, Miran Sahib, Doomi and Akhnoor, Divisional Forests Officers and Regional Wildlife Warden and Wildlife Warden of Wildlife Protection Department.