Masroor Qayoom
Srinagar, October 3: The Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) Policy, launched by the UT Government in December 2022, is beginning to benefit numerous households residing near forests, according to Roshan Jaggi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF & HoFF) of the J&K Forest Department.
PCCF Jaggi, during his two-day tour of Gurez, Tulail, and other areas, highlighted that this innovative policy has transformed the framework for collecting valuable herbs and shrubs from forests by eliminating middlemen contractors who operated in the previous system.
He emphasized that the rights to collect and sell NTFPs have now been entrusted to local people, who have the freedom to sell their produce to buyers offering better rates, rather than being limited to selling to a specific contractor with a monopoly. A portion of the royalty also goes to the Biodiversity Management Committees, which utilize these funds for the development of forests and biodiversity conservation at the Gram Panchayat level.
During his visit, PCCF Jaggi also reviewed various development and infrastructure projects in the Bandipora Forest Division.
In Kanzalwan, he inaugurated a Public Park with way-side facilities constructed by the Forest Department with NHPC’s assistance, developed from the Kishanganga Hydro Project’s muck-dumping site. The site provides basic amenities such as restrooms and a children’s park to tourists and travelers.
A similar way-side facility is currently under construction at TDM along the Bandipora-Gurez road, which will be operational soon.
PCCF Jaggi, accompanied by the Regional APCCF of the Kashmir region and other senior Forest and NHPC officers, also opened a 4-km trek route from Dawar to Pattalwan Sar. This trek route aims to boost eco-tourism-related activities in the area.
In recent years, the Forest Department has developed over 65 trek routes through mesmerizing forest landscapes, offering opportunities for students, nature enthusiasts, and trekkers to experience nature in its pristine wilderness. The Forest Department provides residential accommodation and other facilities for eco-tourists at many such locations, which can be booked online.
Over the past six months, 5.90 lakh people have enjoyed trekking routes passing through various Forest Divisions. New opportunities are emerging in rural remote areas through such initiatives.
During interactions with local residents and PRI representatives, PCCF Jaggi announced that in next year’s plan, more afforestation-related work will be undertaken in Gurez, Tulail, and catchment areas to improve forests and generate employment for local residents.
PCCF Jaggi also reviewed the activities of the Forestry Training School at Chitternar and interacted with trainees. He laid the foundation for a DFO’s residential quarter at the Forest Complex in Bandipora.
He assessed the readiness for the afforestation program, which will commence in the entire Kashmir valley in the upcoming winter months. The department aims to include all 4291 Gram Panchayats in a massive afforestation program, actively involving Gram Panchayat representatives under initiatives like ‘Har Gaon Haryali,’ ‘One Beat Guard One Village,’ and ‘Paed Lagao Beti ke Naam.’
