Chief Conservator of Forests visits South Kashmir
Anantnag, May 23: The Chief Conservator of Forests, Farooq Gillani, IFS conducted a detailed tour of Forest Divisions of South Kashmir.
He was accompanied by IFS Conservator of Forests Kashmir South Circle, Tawheed Deva, Divisional Forest Officers and Deputy Directors of Forest Protection Force posted in the Circle.
Yesterday an assault on Forest Officials had taken place in Kuthar Range of Anantnag Forest Division.
He also visited Kuthar Range to enquire about the incident and health conditions of those officials who got injured in this assault.
During the inspection DFO Anantnag, Feroz Ahmad informed CCF Kashmir that culprits who are involved in this attack have been identified and case is being prepared so that strict action should be taken against them.
In Shopain Forest Division, a Forest Official was also attacked who was posted as Block Forester Mathwani Block few days back.
CCF Kashmir vehemently condemns such attacks on Forest officials and he assured that strict action will be taken against such attackers provided under law.
The CCF also visited Kokernag Range of Anantnag Forest Division and interacted with the staff there.
Further there had been reports of some damages to forests during the current lockdown period and there had been incidences of seizures of timber and assault on forest officials by the timber smugglers.
In order to monitor the measures taken to curb such activities, a detailed review meeting was held with the Officers at Khanabal Anantnag.
The meeting was attended by the Conservator of Forests Kashmir South Circle and Divisional Forest Officers.
The officers present in the meeting were advised to further gear up the activities related to forest protection and timber smugglers and other elements who are indulging in the forest damages were strongly warned.
Tawheed Ahmad Deva, IFS CF South Circle informed the CCF Kashmir that due cognizance of the reports of forest damages which had come in the media has been taken and wherever any such thing has been found, the action has been taken.
The Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir held that there will be no laxity on the protection front and on the whole, the Department is united to combat the evil designs of the smugglers and other elements during the current sensitive situation arisen due to pandemic of COVID-19. It was held that no anti social element will be allowed to take refuge of pandemic by causing damages to forests.
Despite hard times being faced by the Forest officials, the employees on the whole are delivering their best to protect the forest wealth but in case any laxity or otherwise is observed on the part of any forest official, the department will not hesitate to proceed against such officials.
He further said that the department is already compiling a comprehensive data base about the performance and tenure of officials posted in the field and if it is found that any official is posted at a particular place for a longer time in the field, he shall be shifted to some other place.
The Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir advised the staff to intensify the patrolling in the forest areas particularly vulnerable to the activities of timber smugglers.
The staff was also advised to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the government from time to time in the wake of COVID -19 while performing their duties in the field.
The staff was assured that all the difficulties being faced by them in the performance of duties will be addressed and resolved in a time bound manner.
The Chief Conservator of Forests Kashmir also conveyed his best wishes on the eve of ensuing Eid ul Fitr to the entire staff of Forest department.
