Srinagar, Dec 26 (KNO): Terming forests as the pride of Jammu and Kashmir, Conservator of Forests, North Circle, Kashmir Anup Kumar Soni on Thursday called on the people to preserve J&K’s natural heritage for future generations.
In an exclusive chat with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Soni said, “These forests need to be protected for the coming generations. They should also benefit from their abundance.”
He urged the public to actively participate in forest conservation, stressing that forests are a vital natural resource and a cornerstone for food and water security. “When there’s a forest, there’s food and water. Without it, these essential resources are at risk,” he said.
He said that the department is adopting modern technology to enhance forest protection, including CCTV surveillance and other advanced measures. “In near future, technological developments will ensure better conservation efforts,” he added.
The North Circle head stated that there is sufficient firewood supply for the winter months.
He asserted that the department is extracting firewood both departmentally and through local sources to ensure the needs of the public are met.
“A reasonable quantity of firewood has been supplied to the Srinagar PC Depot and local depots to meet the demand,” Soni told KNO.
Asked about eco-tourism in Kupwara, especially in Bangus Valley, he said that development projects would gain momentum once the snow melts—(KNO)