Jammu: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, Tuesday chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here to review and finalize the Revised Estimates (RE) 2025–26 and Budget Estimates (BE) 2026–27 under the UT CAPEX and REVEX budgets.
The meeting featured extensive deliberations on aligning sectoral priorities with the Government’s broader development agenda.
The discussions focused on optimizing the budgetary allocations to promote sustainable development, strengthen conservation initiatives and enhance service delivery across various wings of the Forest department.
The Minister instructed the department to ensure that budget proposals reflect realistic financial requirements, outcome-oriented planning and timely execution of ongoing projects. He stressed the need for comprehensive documentation of expenditures, progress achieved, existing gaps and additional resources required to meet the annual targets.
Rana emphasised that allocations must prioritize key sectors such as forest protection, wildlife conservation, afforestation, tribal livelihood enhancement, water conservation, climate-resilient infrastructure and ecological sustainability. He observed that the budgeting exercise should serve as a strategic roadmap to reinforce the environmental governance and ensure optimal utilization of public resources.
Calling for improved coordination and stricter monitoring, the Minister cautioned against delays in project execution.
“Effective planning and financial discipline are crucial for safeguarding our ecology, strengthening conservation systems and ensuring reliable access to safe and sustainable water resources. Our budget must reflect long-term commitment, efficiency and accountability,” maintained the Minister.
He directed the concerned officers to finalize all proposals within the stipulated timelines for submission.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Environment Department, Sheetal Nanda; Secretary in Forest, Ecology & Environment, Rajinder Singh Tara; Chief Wildlife Warden/Forest Protection Force, Sarvesh Rai; Chairperson, Pollution Control Committee; Director, Social Forestry/Soil & Water Conservation; Director, Forest Research Institute; Managing Director, JK Forest Development Corporation; Chief Conservators of Forests Jammu & Kashmir; CEO, CAMPA and other senior officers.
