Jammu, Mar 13: The Minister for Forest and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad, has warned the land mafia and smugglers against encroachment on the forest land and vandalizing of the State’s green gold.
 He said all forest land under illegal occupation would be retrieved and restored by carrying out massive afforestation.
 Altaf who visited Roop Nagar to oversee the eviction of 60 kanals of forest land asked the officers to be tough against the encroachers and smugglers who are out to destroy the green reserves of the State for their petty gains.
 Earlier, the Minister laid foundation of forest demarcation office at Sidrah which would be completed at a cost of Rs. 15 lakh in the 1st phase.
 Altaf appealed to the people to keep vigil on encroachers and ensure that the forest land was not encroached by any one.
 He said mankind has wreaked havoc with environment by ruthless cutting of trees and encroachment of forest land. He said the greed of the people was increasing day by day which has led to devastation of eco-system and urged the people to desist from mindless feeling of the trees.
 Altaf said a massive drive had been launched around Jammu city to raise the protection fencing along the forest land in various critical area Viz Sunjwan, Chatta, Chowadi, Bathindi, Doongian- Raika, Sidhra, Ragoora, Roop Nagar, Janipur, Karen etc.
 He inspected the ongoing protection and fencing works with RCC toe wall being raised in forest land of the Roop Nagar. The Minister was informed that the works are being executed under CAMPA funds and 13th Finance Commission grants. Against the targets of 21500 running feet fencing, 17000 running feet has already been completed and the work is in  full swing.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST