Forests in J

Srinagar, May 11 (UNI) Admitting that timber smuggling has caused shrinkage of forest cover in Jammu and Kashmir, minister for forest Qazi Mohammad Afzal warned to launch a war against smugglers destroying the state's forest cover.

He warned severe action would be taken against smugglers destroying forest cover in the state.

He said forest wealth is one of the essential components of bio-diversity, maintaining ecological balance and assuring significant resource for the state.

Addressing a function organised by the Forest department at Anantnag in South Kashmir today, he called upon nature lovers to extend their cooperation to the government in its endeavour to protect the green wealth.

He said people living near forest areas need to be more involved to protect forests.

He said a sustained campaign to educate people about the importance of forests would soon be launched.

He said the Integrated Water Shed Development Programme (IWDP) would be introduced in district of Anantnag soon which is aimed at providing benefits to people of the district living below the poverty line.

UNI