Jammu, Nov. 4 -- Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Altaf Ahmad Wani on Wednesday called for involving local communities in forest conservation, stressing that the department's efforts must translate into visible improvements on the ground.
Chairing an introductory meeting of the Forest Department in Jammu, Wani reviewed its functioning, achievements and future plans, and directed officials to complete pending forest demarcation work within a fixed timeline with the help of modern technology and the Revenue Department.
A presentation at the meeting stated that Jammu and Kashmir has around 54 per cent forest and tree cover, comprising 42 forest types. Its forest cover increased from 20,948.27 square kilometres in 2013 to 21,346....