Suresh Kumar Gupta Launches Winter Plantation Drive in Batote, Reviews Works in Udhampur
jj correspondent
Ramban, November 2: In a major push to forestry infrastructure and green initiatives, Shri Suresh Kumar Gupta, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the new Divisional Forest Office building at Maitra, Ramban.
The upcoming building, to be constructed at a cost of ?98 lakh under the UT Capex budget, will serve as a key administrative hub for forest management in the district. Shri Gupta reviewed the building plan and directed officials to ensure quality execution and timely completion.
Later, during his visit to Gandhri Range in Batote Forest Division, the PCCF (HoFF) launched the winter plantation drive by planting saplings in the Range Office premises. He stressed achieving annual plantation targets under CAMPA and Capex and called for identifying sites for Nagar Vans and Nagar Vatikas to boost green cover.
Interacting with BMC chairpersons and local residents, Shri Gupta directed the DFO Batote to clear pending forest concessions and explore ecotourism prospects in and around Gandhri.
The PCCF (HoFF) also visited the Udhampur Forest Division, where he inspected the ongoing DFO’s residential building project and instructed officials to complete it within the current financial year.
Shri Gupta was accompanied by Dr. K.S. Jayachandran, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests & CEO CAMPA; Arshdeep Singh, IFS, Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle; and Divisional Forest Officers of Ramban, Batote, and Udhampur, along with senior officers and field staff of the Forest Department.
