Minister for Forests, Ecology & Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today called for strengthening the State Forest Corporation (SFC) that would ensure sustainable development of huge natural resources of the State. The Minister said that the development of forests needs holistic approach from the concerned department and the Government is working overtime in this regard. Chairing a high-level review meeting of DFOs of the Kashmir region, Singh said development of forests would ensure prosper and secure Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, AK Khanna, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir, Nissar Ahmad Darzi, Managing Director, State Forest Corporation, Arun Tikku, Chief General Manager (Planning) SFC, Ishtiyaq Ahmad, Chief General Manager (North) SFC, Wajahat Jeelani Koul, Chief General Manager (South) SFC, Muneer Ahmad among all DFOs and other senior officers of the Forest and SFC Departments. Lal Singh said that strengthening of State Forest Corporation (SFC) would revamp the Forest Department of the State. “We should make sure that SFC gets its life back,” Singh told officials during twohour long meeting. He said that innovative methods should be adopted for the hassle free distribution of timber to people.He said that cooperation between various wings of the Forest Department is vital for better results. The Minister said that revamping of the Corporation was the highest priority of Government as the same would not only improve the overall functioning of the forest department but it would also generate huge profit too. He said that modern nurseries should be developed on priority and plant material be made available in both private and government sector. Lal Singh said that the department should ensure single-window redressal system for the grievances received by the department. Meanwhile, the Minister took stock of the availibility of timber for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra. He directed officials to provide allocated timber stock for the Yatra purposes.
