Wildlife Protection dept official honoured for conservation, management of Dachigam National Park

Srinagar, July 08: The Department of Wildlife Protection, Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday honoured the then Block Officer, Sajad Ahmad Shah, for his exemplary dedication and unwavering service towards the conservation and management of Dachigam National Park in a ceremony held in Srinagar.

Notably, Jammu & Kashmir's Dachigam National Park has secured the highest score in the country in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) exercise conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, felicitated the officers and staff of the Wildlife Department for their outstanding achievement in conservation of protected areas in Jammu and Kashmir during an event organised at Dachigam National Park.

The Minister appreciated the officers and other stakeholders who contributed in making Dachigam National Park highest-scoring protected area in the country with a remarkable score of 92.97% in Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) exercise conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India under the aegis of Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Shah, who is presently working as Range Officer in J&K Wildlife Protection Department, expressed gratitude for the recognition of his coherent efforts.

Hailing from Srinagar, Shah said the award is a big honour to his services as government of J&K has acknowledged his hard work and effort. “This is also a great pride for entire Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The event was attended by MLA Salman Ali Sagar; Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Sheetal Nanda; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Suresh Kumar Gupta; Chief Wildlife Warden, J&K, Sarvesh Rai; Senior Officers/ HoDs; representatives of NGOs; staff and trainees attended the felicitation ceremony.