Timber smugglers beware, says Kashmir minister

Jammu, May 11 : Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister Bali Bhagat on Sunday exhorted the field staff to act tough on encroachers and timber smugglers to preserve the green wealth of the state.The minister was speaking at the passing-out function of the 20th batch of the Foresters Training Course (2014-15) at the Soil Conservation Training School in Miran Sahib (Jammu).He gave a strong message against illicit felling of trees and encroachment of forest land and warned that such attempts would be dealt with sternly.Bhagat congratulated the foresters on successful completion of training and asked them to optimally use the skills and techniques acquired during training for forest protection.He stressed that the department was facing enormous challenges and the need of the hour was to restructure and revamp the training modules.

He said he would not tolerate any lackadaisical approach in performing of the duties and asked the officers to attend to their duties with honesty and dedication.”We have to put in synergized efforts to preserve the tural wealth of the state and maintain the ecological balance,” he added. (IANS)