GANDERBAL, SEPTEMBER 25: Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, today chaired a meeting of the District Steering Committee for Green India Mission (2026–2031) at the VC Room, DC Office Ganderbal, to review the proposed activities under the Mission in the district.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the proposed interventions under the Green India Mission and emphasised the need for effective convergence among the concerned departments for timely implementation of afforestation, nursery development, medicinal plant cultivation and livelihood oriented activities.

The DC directed the concerned departments to ensure proper planning, plantation and post-plantation care for achieving sustainable green cover in the identified areas.

He further directed the Forest Department to focus on the development and strengthening of nurseries in the district and called for their effective utilisation for raising quality planting material to support afforestation and other plantation activities in the district.

The Deputy Commissioner also stressed upon the concerned departments to promote the cultivation and development of medicinal plants and explore suitable interventions for encouraging medicinal plant-based activities in the district.

The DC directed the concerned department to work towards establishment and strengthening of a training centre for tribal and artisan communities, with focus on skill development and livelihood opportunities related to forest-based activities, including forest produce.

He emphasised that the interventions under the Green India Mission should not remain confined to plantation activities but should also contribute towards livelihood generation, capacity building and sustainable utilisation of forest resources, particularly for tribal and artisan communities.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all concerned members to ensure close coordination, timely execution of approved activities and regular monitoring of progress. He stressed upon the officers to identify bottlenecks at the implementation stage and address them through coordinated efforts.

The meeting was attended by Divisional Forest Officer Sindh Division Ganderbal, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Sindh Division, Assistant Commissioner Development Ganderbal, Chief Agriculture Officer Ganderbal, District Tribal Welfare Officer Ganderbal, District Officer JAKEDA Ganderbal, representative of Conservator of Forests Srinagar Circle besides other concerned officers.