Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF, Dr. Mohit Gera, along with Conservator of Forests, East Circle, Jammu, Samuel Changkija, conducted 2 day tour of far-flung areas of Udhampur, Dudu and Basantgarh.
During the Tour, the PCCF e-inaugurated one day Web Based Training programme organized for the front-line staff of the Forest Department from Udhampur Forest Division.
Thereafter, he inspected Fire Control Room at Division Head Quarter and instructed the staff to keep close vigil with cooperation of local people to prevent wild fire. He asked them to make use of locally designed fire-fighting tools like Rakes, Daratis, Fire Beaters as they are better suited to local field conditions.
Later, the PCCF long with CF East inspected the CAMPA closures of Bhangara Block in Co. 50 & Co. 55.
The staff members were directed to enhance the participation of local communities in protection and management wherein they can be provided with usufructs like grasses and MFPs. The inspection of the plantation Unit in Co. 98/D Margana, Dudu Range was also conducted. The PCCF directed the staff to conduct an exercise to assess the survival and performance of different planted species along with extent of natural regeneration.
On the last leg of the tour, the PCCF inspected CAMPA closures of Co. 63 & 70 Basantgarh, besides Thandapani Nursery where the directions were issued to upgrade the nursery specially for raising of quality plants of Chir pine and Banj Oak for gap planting in the nearby forests.
Improved methods of seed treatment and nursery technology were also explained to the staff and they were directed to upgrade the nursery infrastructure using local materials.
A detailed plan was also finalized for raising of best quality saplings for coming years by utilizing only local seed from best sources.
The tour concluded with the inspection of chain link fencing in Kirmoo in south range of Ramnagar Forest Division, where directions were issued for carrying out pruning & training of local species like Phalai & Tali and initiate assisted natural regeneration of existing stock.