Intensify patrolling to curb encroachments, timber smuggling: PCCF

Budgam, Oct 26: Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF/HoFF), S.K. Gupta, undertook a field visit to the Pir Panjal Forest Division on Sunday to assess the ongoing nursery management operations and the developmental activities being carried out under the Special Project Tosamaidan (CAMPA).

As per an official statement, during the visit, PCCF carried out a detailed inspection of various afforestation and conservation works. It was informed that 207 hectares of degraded forest area have been rehabilitated through the plantation of over 1.5 lakh conifer and broad-leaved saplings under the project.

The PCCF also launched the winter plantation drive in Compartment S-8b to further restore degraded forest areas and enhance the region’s green cover.

Later, the PCCF inspected the functioning of the Forest Protection Force (FPF) Gamma Unit K-03.

During the inspection, the PCCF interacted with the officers and personnel of the unit and took stock of their operational preparedness, field equipment, and deployment mechanism for forest protection.

The PCCF directed the unit to intensify patrolling and surveillance activities in sensitive forest areas to curb illegal activities such as encroachments and timber smuggling.

He was accompanied by Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, Irfan Rasool Wani; Divisional Forest Officer, Pir Panjal Forest Division, Budgam, Syed Wasim, Deputy Director, Forest Protection Force, Muhammad Sarwar Shah, along with Range Officers and Assistant Directors of the Forest Department.