SRINAGAR: The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Suresh Kumar Gupta today inaugurated a Day-long technical workshop for preparation of Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) for the financial year 2026-27 at NIC Dachigam.
The workshop was aimed to guide the implementing Agencies in preparation of scientific, output oriented and people centric APO for the next financial year.
The PCCF stressed on having meaningful consultation with panchayats in formulation of APOs so that the demands of local communities for fodder, medicinal plants and firewood and other forest produce are met from CAMPA plantation closures. He also stressed on making scientific proposals in accordance with the working plan prescriptions.
The PCCF also released two booklets viz. “CAMPA Success stories, The Seeds of Hope” and “Forest Fire Management Plan of JV Forest Division”.
Speaking on the occasion, he highlighted the significance of Compensatory Afforestation Management and Funding Agency (CAMPA) in Rehabilitation of degraded forests, Soil and moisture conservation practices, Forest Fire Management, Human Wildlife Conflict management, Conservation of protected areas and Biodiversity projects. PCCF directed the implementing agencies to prepare APOs as per the CAMPA guidelines.
Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Kashmir, Irfan Rasool Wani in his address highlighted the achievements made under CAMPA since its inception in the year 2010-11. He inferred that under CAMPA 18000 hectares of degraded forest land has been treated so far with planting of 2.25 crore quality saplings. He said, Forest Department has also established 56 nurseries with an annual plant production potential of 75 lakh conifer and broadleaved plants.
He stressed on improving the survival percentage of planted saplings with focus on economically viable plants, diversification of species and modernization of nurseries.
Chief executive officer CAMPA, Dr. K.S. Jaychandran advised the implementing agencies to prepare Technically correct APO’s within the prescribed timelines with focus on greening activities, soil and moisture conservation works and other ancillary activities. He asked the forest officers to adopt landscape and watershed approach in the treatment of forest areas in a holistic manner.
The workshop showcased various success stories of CAMPA presented by respective Conservators of Forests of respective Forest Circles.
Field officers including DFOs also spoke on quality plant production and modern practices in nursery management, development of muck dumping sites, Forest Fire management and Habitat improvement for Wildlife and Management of Human Animal Conflict.
The workshop concluded with a brainstorming panel discussion involving all participating officers.
Officers from different departments including Forest Protection Force, Social Forestry, Wildlife and other sister departments also participated in the technical workshop.