Jammu, Mar 21: The Jammu and Kashmir will soon have a new forest policy with thrust on conservation of forests and sustainable economic development of the state.
 “With the principles of the sustainable development, we proposed to adopt new JK state forest policy-2010 with thrust on conservation of forests,” Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jagdish Keshwan told PTI.
 He said the policy would ensure thrust on conservation of forests as natural resources base to ensure sustain flow of environmental goods and services to the society, including the local communities.
 The silent feature of the policy will include increased productivity of existing forests and to extend tree cover on non-forest land, he said adding besides the policy also focuses on conservation of biodiversity, natural habitat and rehabilitation of degraded forests to optimize their productivity.
 It also focuses on reduction of pressure on forests through appropriate interventions to check denudation and soil erosion, generate revenue from non-extractive uses of natural forests like eco-tourism and medicinal plants, he said adding it highlights role of forests in checking global warming and rationalize existing rules and regulations.
 The proposed policy’s endeavour is to address the problem of habitat destruction and rising incidents of man-animal conflict, he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
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