Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government Monday institutionalised awards to recognise outstanding work done by Forest personnel, Village Forest Committees, educational institutions and Gram Panchayats rendering meritorious service.
The awards would be given on the World Forestry Day – 21 March – every year.
In this regard, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department issued an order stating that the objective of the award was to recognise outstanding work done by the Forest field staff and to encourage and promote competence and dedication among the forest personnel.
According to the order, while mentioning the eligibility of the award, 20 Forest officials working as forest rangers, foresters and forest guards in the Forest department would be honoured with this award every year (2 forest rangers, 6 foresters and 12 forest guards).
The award would consist of a citation and a medallion along with a cash award of Rs 25,000 to be given to each recipient and would also be noted in the Annual Performance Report of the official.
Giving the selection criteria, the order said that the awards would be given for meritorious service and achievement of the individual field personnel in the area of forest orotection and anti-smuggling operations, afforestation and plantation work, working plan, training and demarcation works.
“While innovative ideas and practices will be recognised, emphasis will be on the outcomes and contributions made by the individual in the course of discharge of his duties,” it said.
Enumerating about the selection procedure, it said that the recommendations for the award would be made by a selection committee comprising of the Additional PCCF (Central) as Chairperson while CCF Jammu, CCF Kashmir, CCF Planning and Project as members.
The department has also institutionalised an award for outstanding performance in plantation and afforestation.
Giving details about the award, it said that the objective of the award was to encourage peoples’ participation in tree planting and afforestation through Village Forest Committees, Gram Panchayats and educational institutions.
A cash award of Rs 10,000 for the best educational institution at district level (one for each district) and cash award of Rs 20,000 for the best Gram Panchayat at district level (one for every district) would be given for outstanding performance in plantation and afforestation.
“These awards will be given each year in the district-level function on the World Forestry Day on 21st March. The DFO stationed at district headquarters will act as nodal officer and organise the function at district headquarters,” it said.
The plantation and afforestation activities should have been carried out continuously over a period of 3 years, including the year of the award (financial year) by any nominee or applicant, and the working of all these 3 years and the results achieved would be evaluated separately for each nominee in the process of selection.