SRINAGAR:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended today’s celebrations of International Day of Forests at the Convention Centre.
The event, which is themed Forests and Sustainable Production and Consumption, aims to raise awareness about climate change, environmental conservation, efficient forest use for prosperity and well-being for current and future generations.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor described the initiative to be a significant effort to raise awareness about the importance of forests and to make people aware of their responsibilities to protect them.
The Lt Governor stated that Sustainable Forest Management and the efficient use of its resources are key to combating climate changes and ensuring a prosperous ecosystem in the future.
The Lt Governor reiterated the commitment of the J&K government to ensure ecologically sustainable development. He stated that the greatest challenge today is to find a balance between nature and man. He stated that it is important to use the wisdom and experience of local communities to protect our forests and natural environments.
The Lt Governor highlighted the critical role forests play in climate change mitigation and called for the participation of PRIs and other nongovernmental institutions working at the root level of forest protection and conservation efforts. He said that this would be a major step towards participatory management of natural resources.
The Lt Governor emphasized that Forestry and Soil Conservation should work towards providing and enhancing water in Kandi.
The Green J&K Drive; the ‘One Beat Guard, One Village’ initiative; Har Gaon Hariyali campaign; besides promotion of eco-tourism through ‘Tourist Village’ network and thrust on development of viable wood-based industries are proving to be strong efforts to increase forest cover conservation, the Lt Governor observed.
The Lt Governor stressed that it is important to ensure the rights of traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in nature’s lap for generations are not infringed upon.
A large number of tribal brothers who depend on forests have benefited from the historic implementation of the Forest Rights Act in UT under the leadership and guidance of the respected Prime Minister.
The Lt Governor stressed the need for modernization of the Forest and Wildlife management system and to involve forest dwellers in the social movement to conserve the environment.
He advised the Forest department to recognize and encourage women’s contributions in forestry conservation and wildlife conservation.
The Lt Governor stated that a sapling should be planted at every village in the name and surname of a newborn girl child in order to raise awareness about the rights of our daughters and increase awareness among the people about our natural heritage.
Earlier, for outstanding contributions to the protection of forests and wildlife and afforestation and plantation works, the Lt. Governor awarded UT level awards at Forest and Wildlife Department to front-line staff.
All the UT level awardees deserve my appreciation for their outstanding service in Forest and Wildlife Conservation. The Lt Governor stated that the Forest Departments work towards the development of a sustainable forest economy, support to stakeholders who depend on forests, and creating livelihood opportunities, particularly for women SHGs is also appreciated.
The Lt Governor released a report on the City Biodiversity Index for Jammu and Srinagar, Wildlife Atlas of J&K, and launched an Android App Haryali, which was developed by the Social Forestry Department, to facilitate the distribution of plants in the Social Forestry Department’s plant distribution schemes.
He praised efforts of the J&K Biodiversity Council to develop smart cities based on the city Bio-diversity index of Jammu or Srinagar.
Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment highlighted the role of community participation in forest conservation. The convergence mode will see people involved on a large scale to take advantage of the many funding opportunities available through Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes, District Sector and UT CAPEX.
Dr Mohit Gera (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K Forest Department) expressed gratitude to the UT Government. He established the UT level Forestry and Wildlife Awards to recognize outstanding contributions of frontline staff in promoting forest and wildlife conservation.
J&K Forest Department will reach a very important milestone by planting 130 Lakhs plants as earmarked this year.
Har Gaon Hariyali, One Beat Guard, and One village programs, forest protection through demarcation, digitization and promotion wood-based industries, will receive dedicated attention. He also said that result-oriented programs like Van se Jal and Jal se Jeevan, Forests to livelihood, will also be scaled up.
Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor Nitishwar Kumar; S.K Gupta Chief Wildlife Warden; Sarveshrai, Add. PCCF & CEO CAMPA J&K; HoDs, representatives from Panchayat Raj institutions, members of Biodiversity Management Committees, Self Help Groups and NGOs were present on the occasion.
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