Secretary forests orders removal of encroachments from park land

Secretary Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Captain Mohammad Mahmood (R) has ordered its department to erect a wall, taking guidance from the map of Soil Survey of Pakistan, to protect the land of Lohi Bheer Wildlife Park adjacent to Koran Town from land mafia.

He also stressed the need for removal of encroachments from the land of Park and asked the department to approach the Supreme Court through Advocate General in this regard.

He emphasized the Forest officials to restore the Chak Plantation scheme throughout the province and to establish large-scale plant nurseries and accelerate the process of tree plantation. He also directed the Fisheries officials that a comparative report regarding production of fish hatcheries and expenditures is presented to him and TORs should be framed to out-source the fisheries nursery units and hatcheries.

He gave these directions during his visit to Lohi Bheer and Bansra Gali Wildlife Parks, Fish hatcheries and chairing a meeting in forest department. DG Wildlife and Parks Lt Sohail Ashraf (R) and other concerned officers were also present on these occasions.

He expressed displeasure over the cleanliness issues and lack of quality care arrangements for visitors in the Parks and warned the concerned Deputy Director Wildlife to improve all pointed out issues within 30 days or be ready to face strict disciplinary action.

He directed that ponds should be constructed to conserve rain water which will not only helpful in catering the water needs of the animals but the park too. He said that immediate steps should be taken to provide quality recreational facilities to the public at the Lohi Bheer and Bansara Gali Wildlife Parks and ensure the installation of attractive and colourful boards containing information about the animals and birds. He also stressed upon the need to repair cages and enclosures. He also ordered that deer enclosure to be restored and trees be planted on the park's vacant land before next spring.

Capt Mohammad Mahmood (R) blamed the wildlife staff for poor civil works and cleanliness conditions of Bansara Gali Wildlife Park Murree and directed the DG Wildlife to prepare TORs and legal framework for outsourcing Wildlife Parks and directed him to create SOPs and regulations that how it could be operate under the Public Private Partnership.

The provincial secretary, after taking a briefing, visited Fisheries Hatchery Rawalpindi and directed the officials to prepare a plan for the completion of quarantine lab, eradication of eucalyptus trees and plant other species of trees. He also directed the fisheries officials to prepare R&D projects with the help of universities. He ordered to take steps for the better breeding of Chinese carp.

He directed the fisheries officials to frame a comprehensive policy to hand over seed production section to the private sector within 15 days.

Captain Muhammad Mahmood (R), while chairing a meeting in the office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, directed that the young farmers be given special training for the tree plantation. He directed to restore the forest check posts and installed CC TV cameras on these posts. He said that the permit of Bakarwal grazing field should be discouraged and an inquiry should be conducted to investigate the issue of non-auction of timber in the 'Guzara" Forest Division. He also ordered CCF Northern Zone to conduct an inquiry about fire-affected trees in Dhanoi Forest.