PCCF Dr Mohit Gera tours West Circle forests, Discusses forest-fires preparedness, reviews mechanisms to prevent damages

Jammu : Dr Mohit Gera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Jammu and Kashmir, and BM Sharma, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, conducted a tour of the forest areas of Jammu West Circle, including Katra Range of Reasi Forest Division and Mahore Forest Division on Wednesday to review forest fire preparedness and damage prevention measures.
During the tour, officers from West Circle and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) presented their measures and preparations to prevent forest fires. Vinay Khajuria, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), representing CEO, SMVDSB, Katra, informed the team about various measures like control burning, creating fire lines, spreading awareness among local communities, collecting chir pine needles, clearance of bushes on both sides of the track, and wetting of Shrine slopes during May and June. A future plan for the installation of a rain gun on the track was also discussed.
Range Officer Katra and Range Officer Reasi Forest Division informed that they had taken up massive fire lines creation and control burning, and coordination with Forest Protection Force, Police Department, SMVDSB, Katra authorities had been pursued to prevent forest fires in forests of Reasi Forest Division. Awareness Camps about the prevention of forest fires and subsequent penal action for inducing forest fires were also being conducted regularly.
Dr Gera inaugurated the Forest Guard Hut in Kanthan Forest block and interacted with the PRI members. Later, plant distribution of various species was done among the local public in the light of ‘Har Gaon Haryali’ campaign of the J&K Government. Dr Gera and his team also visited Mahore Forest Division to review forest field staff and conduct a mock drill to check forest damage and prevent forest fires.
Dr Gera expressed satisfaction with the functioning of the West Circle and called for more focused efforts to protect and conserve the green wealth of Jammu and Kashmir.
The J&K Forest Department and its sister wings have successfully planted over 150 lakh saplings in the last financial year 2022-23. The J&K Forest Department plans to distribute plants to the maximum number of rural and urban households in the upcoming financial year. The department is also committed to creating livelihood opportunities in association with J&K Rural Livelihood Mission and Tribal Affairs Department under the newly launched Non-Timber Forest Produce policy.
Additionally, Nagarvans projects, beautification of water bodies/wildlife areas, and plastic-free forest campaigns are being taken up by involving the public and school/college students en masse.