Rajouri, March 28: A Forest Fire Awareness Camp, under Mission Youth, was today held here at Salheri village of Panchayat Hathal of Sunderbani Forest Range. Rajinder Sharma, Member DDC Sunderbani was the Chief Guest and Bal Krishan, Chairman BDC Siot was the Guest of Honour.
Vinod Baniyal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sudnerbani, Horticulture Development Officer Sunderbani, Agriculture Extension Officer Seot, Doctors from Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Amarjeet Sharma, Chairman J&K Social and Cultural Organization Sunderbani, Sarpanches and members of adjoining Panchayats, besides women from different villages, youth and other villagers participated in the awareness camp.
Neelima Shah, Divisional Forest Officer Nowshera, briefed the participants about the causes and effects of forest fires on the environment. She said that two temporary watch towers, one at Bhindi Top and another at Chanesar Gala, has been established to keep vigil on fire incidents. ‘A central control room at Range Office Sunderbani which will be headed directly by Range Officer has been established, while control rooms at Dhok Banyar, Makol, Brevi and Hathal have also been established for the effective control of forest fires.
Acting on the directions of Lieutenant Governor J&K, one each fruit plant was presented to the parents of three newly born girl children under “Kanaya Naam Poudaropan”.
Around 400 fruit plants were presented to the youth, women and members of PRI present on the occasion.
Bal Krishan, Chairman BDC Seot, extended full support to the Forest Department, in managing and controlling the forest fires. He also extended his support in all the Forestry activities for the increase in green cover.
Rajinder Sharma, the DDC Sunderbani, while speaking on the occasion said that a team of village Volunteers will be constituted in consultation with Range Officer Sunderbani, which will act as Quick Response Team. The team will work in close coordination with the control rooms of Sunderbani Forest Range.
Amarjeet Sharma, Chairman J&K Social and Cultural Organization Sunderbani said that his team of volunteers is always ready in the management of forest fires.
Bal Krishan Sharma, Sarpanch Hathal presented vote of thanks, to all the dignitaries, members of PRI and others present on the occasion.
The whole camp was held under the direct supervision of Vivek Verma Conservator of Forests West Circle Rajouri.
Earlier, Range Officer Sunderbani, Rakesh Verma, welcomed the dignitaries and participants. He informed that Sudnerbani Forest Range is preparing fire lines in the vulnerable forest areas and control burning is also being carried out at different locations to prevent wild fire incidents. He further said that Sunderbani Forest Range is first time using the leaf blower and bush cutter in control burning as well creation of fire lines.
