PAMPORE: Conservator of Forests Kashmir South Circle Irfan Ali Shah, IFS visited model forest range Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday where he held a review meeting with District Forest Officer (DFO) Awantipora Mehraj-Ud-Din and Ranger Pampore Farooq Ahmad. The Conservator Irfan Ali Shah also interacted with forest employees.
Taking to Kashmir Reader Conservator Irfan Ali Shah said ” Today we are here at Pampore forest range which is an important range of Awantipora forest division and forest department has vowed to make it a model range,” he said, adding that their priority will be public welfare
” We want to generate livelihood for educated youth, we want upgrade their skill,” he said.
He added that they discussed training, capacity building and employment.
He added that they also reviewed preparedness of concerned Range to deal with forest fires which erupt in Khonmoh , Khrew and Balhama areas.
” I was told that a joint control room has been set up which is active round the clock all days of the week under the direct command of DFO Awantipora Mehraj-Ud-Din,” he said, adding that the range officer Farooq Ahmad is also very active.
He added that he hopes that under the supervision of present range officer there will be welfare of public and conservation of forests.
He also told Kashmir Reader that go green is a flagship programme of the department.
” I have given a green signal to my staff to expedite plantation, this range should be model range in terms of plantation, interms of forests and forest related works including water and soil conservation,” he said, adding that all targets should be met and Pampore should be a green zone.
He assured that transfer and posting will be according to government policy.

BILAL HABIB