BASHARAT RASHID
PULWAMA, Feb 23: Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Awantipora, Waseem Farooq Mir on Thursday visited Shikargah and Aripal areas of Tral sub district, and held meeting with Range, Block & other concerned officers here, with the motive to ensure full protection of forests.
On the occasion, the DFO said that forest department is planning to plant around 1.25 lac tree saplings in Tral areas this year, under its upcoming plantation drives.
He said that they are also trying to promote livelihood of people, besides boosting eco-tourism in the area, through their day to day activities, and have thrown several tracks open for people, particularly in Narastan and Wastorwan upper reaches.
“The people in Tral are highly educated and have been cooperating with department always. We are trying our best to help people here by supporting livelihood, besides boosting eco-tourism,” the DFO, Waseem Farooq Mir added.
When asked about the recent forest fire incidents in the area, and lack of equipments among the forest employees, the DFO said that they are well-equipped and have sufficient equipments available for the manpower.
He further said that Awantipora Forest Division is connected to Forest Survey of India (FSI), and is getting alerts from time to time, whenever forest fire incidents happen here.
During his visit, the DFO was accompanied by some other officers of the department, besides Range Officer Tral, BOs, Forest Guards, and other employees.
