Uri July 8, 2025 – The Conservator of Forests, North Kashmir, today concluded a comprehensive inspection and tour of the Uri Forest Range, focusing on community engagement, sustainable development, and addressing local concerns. The visit included a public grievance redressal camp, interactions with local dignitaries, and an assessment of key departmental initiatives.
The day’s events commenced with a Public Grievance Redressal Camp, jointly organized with the Hon’ble MLA Uri Sh Sajad Shafi at Government Guest House,Bandi Uri. The camp provided a crucial platform for local residents to voice their concerns and seek solutions directly from Senior forest officials and the elected representative including DDC Chairman Boniyar .Issues ranging from forest protection to resource accessibility and livelihoods were discussed, with immediate on the spot directives issued for their redressal.
During the tour, the Conservator of Forests paid respects at the base Forest of revered Baba Fareed Shrine, Datta Mandir and Gurdwara Sahib Paranpilla emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural and spiritual heritage within the forest landscape and promoting Pilgrim Tourism in Forest areas. A Ceremonial planting program was also held at Gurdwara Paranpilla.
He also visited famous Namblan and Noorkhan Waterfall Forest areas and gave directions for preparation of Detailed Project Reports(DPRs) for Eco development of these potential Ecotourism sites this year.
A significant focus of the tour was placed on promoting Wild olive farming as a viable and sustainable livelihood option for the local populace, leveraging the region’s climatic advantages. The Conservator of Forests visited Salamabad Olive Propogation Centre and stressed the need for integrated efforts to expand olive cultivation and support Olive Oil industries.Mr Shah placed significant emphasis on the expansion of Wild Olive tree farming as a key economic driver for local communities. The Conservator of Forests stressed the potential for Uri to become a prominent olive-producing area for the entire country to reduce dependence on Olive imports at National level .
Furthermore, specific directives were issued for implementing grafting techniques with wild Olive varieties found in Uri forests on existing fruit trees to boost olive oil production, thereby maximizing yield and economic returns for farmers in collaboration with Horticulture Department.
The tour also highlighted the immense potential of the medicinal plants sector. Mr Shah stressed the importance of sustainable harvesting, cultivation, and value addition of medicinal plants to create new livelihood opportunities for local residents.To facilitate the trade and marketing of forest produce, he directed for opening of Minor ForestProduce(MFP) depot within Uri Forest Range. This move is aimed at providing local communities with direct access to markets and ensuring fair prices for their produce. Additionally, strong emphasis was placed on operationalizing Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) to streamline and increase the trade of medicinal plants, ensuring community participation and benefit-sharing.
Recognizing the traditional practices of tribal and Bakerwal communities, the Conservator of Forests underscored the importance of the development of traditional grazing routes. He directed the Forest Officers to immediately identify traditional grazing routes and provide all amenities on them including development of shelter sheds, rain shelters , track consolidation and improvement under Natural Resources management ( NRM)in convergence mode etc . This initiative aims to facilitate the hassle free movement of livestock to Behaks while ensuring the ecological balance of the forest areas.
To address the timber needs of the local community, directives were issued for the increased issuance of timber under the Kashmir Notice Scheme to the eligible beneficiaries ensuring transparency and equitable distribution.
The comprehensive tour concluded with a visit to the significant Kaman Post and Aman Setu bridge in Uri, underscoring the department’s commitment to working in synergy with border security forces for integrated Border Tourism development and management. The CoF also interacted with officers of 12 Infantry Brigade at Kaman Post Army Headquarters on issues of common and environment interest.
Late evening the CoF inspected different Plantation units raised by Forest Department in Uri Range for Greening and Environment preservation.He also inspected ongoing Forest Boundary Consolidation works in remote Zamboorpattan and Kamalkote forests near LOC.
The CoF was accompanied by Senior Forest officers including Sh Satyendra Maurya( IFS),DFO Baramulla, Sh Javed Rahim Deputy Director Forest Protection Force , Sh Farhan Mehraj Range officer Boniyar, Sh Aijaz Ahmad Range officer Boniyar, Block Forest officers and Forest frontline staff, Environment activists and NGO representatives.
