BHIMBER (Kashmir English): In a bid to protect forests, a ceremony was organized in Samahni Sub-Division by the Forest Department for the protection of forests and prevention of fires.
A large number of members of the District Council, local government representatives, media and civil society, forest officers and officials participated in the ceremony held at the Forest Rest House Chowki.
Members of the District Council Chaudhry Adeel Ali Shan, Chaudhry Farooq Alam, Chairman Chaudhry Adeel Riaz, District Forest Officers Raja Noman Akbar, Chaudhry Muhammad Afzal, Samar Iqbal, Range Officer Raja Kamran Khaliq, President Anjuman Tajran Samahni Raja Abid Aslam, former President Kashmir Press Club Raja Muhammad Ali Sona, including forest guards and foresters participated.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chaudhry Adeel Ali Shan, Raja Noman Akbar, Samar Iqbal, Chaudhry Farooq Alam, Wajahat Hanif, Raja Abid Aslam, Naseer Ahmed Muhammad Ajmal Sani and others said that forests are the natural beauty of the Samahni Valley and protecting them and protecting them from fire is the first responsibility.
They highlighted that forest burning has negative effects on the environment, wildlife and plantations worth crores get affected and there is need to raise social awareness to protect forests from fire.
The power of civil society can help in protecting the beauty of forests from destruction and fire. During the fire season, media and local government representatives should help highlight the importance of national assets and create awareness among the public.
Committees consisting of public and local government representatives are being established at the ward level to achieve the goal.
The speakers said that the department should be provided with resources to save forests from fire and the foresters should be made permanent in their jobs and their salaries should be increased as per the notification so that the employees can provide better services free from worries about livelihood.
The Azad Kashmir government should increase the number and resources of firefighters so that the national asset can be protected in a better way.
