Punjab launches major forest conservation initiatives

In a huge initiative, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today inaugurated the newly refurbished Inspection Hut at Village Pallanpur (Part of the Siswan Forest Range). The initiative has been undertaken at a cost of Rs. 70 Lakh. In Mirzapur also, the rest house would be renovated and given a new look.

Further, a nature trail is also being developed in the backyard of the inspection Hut. On completion, the nature trail would be a unique and breathtaking site for the nature lovers with various species of birds.

During his interaction with the mediapersons on the occasion, the Minister said the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stands fully committed to give fillip to the activities of the Forest Department.

Keeping in view the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the department is chalking out a plan to plant 3.50 Crore saplings with emphasis on fruit saplings this year, revealed the Minister adding that this would go a long way in increasing the area under forest cover in the State.

Also, in Dhar Block of Pathankot District, a guest house has come up besides a nature interpretation Centre at Harike. In Dholbaha too, such development centric activities are being planned.

The Minister further pointed out that recently, 378 contractual workforce of the Forest Department has been regularised and the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann would soon give them letters to this effect.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of the Forest Force) Dharminder Sharma, APCCF cum CEO PUNCAMPA Saurav Gupta, CCF (Hills) Nidhi Srivastava, CCF Wildlife Sagar Setia, CF Shivalik Circle Mr. Kannan, and DFO Mohali Kanwardeep Singh.