Srinagar, June 10 (GNS): Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Environment and Ecology, Sarita Chauhan, today released the Annual Administration Report 2018-19 and Digest of Forest Statistics 2017-19.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr. Mohit Gera, Chief Wild Life Warden, Suresh Kumar Gupta, Managing Director J&K Forest Development Corporation, Vasu Yadav, CCF Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Geelani CF Central/Working Plan Circle, Irfan Ali Shah, DFO Statistics, Mohammad Yaseen and other concerned officers and officials were present on the occasion.
Commissioner Secretary appreciated efforts of the department in compiling voluminous data and information at one place which is an important indicator to gauge the outcome of various initiatives taken up to protect and preserve the forests of J&K besides providing solution to challenges faced by the department.
She added that availability of detailed and reliable information is a pre-requisite for policy making and to mitigate the challenges like climate change, human wild life conflict, livelihoods and meeting the bonafide demands of people. She said these publications of the department will go a long way in facilitating the department to serve the people in a better way.
PCCF, while highlighting the significance of these publications, said that the first requirement for development planning is availability of practically accurate and authentic data. He added that these publications can further be broadened to include the contribution of forests in meeting SDGs and Gross Domestic Product of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir.