Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister of Water Power, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs, today visited Kashmir Forest Training School (KFTS) at Chitner in Bandipora district to assess the functioning of the institution and reviewed the needs of the infrastructure.
During his visit, the minister reviewed the existing training module, the strength of the employees, the hostel facilities and the overall infrastructure of the school. He emphasized the need for modernization and capacity increase to ensure quality training for forest workers.
The minister assured that necessary upgradation of the school infrastructure will be made soon, for which a comprehensive upgradation proposal has already been presented to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC). He assured that the matter would be strictly followed for initial approval and money.
Later, the minister interacted with several public delegations from the area who made them aware of various issues and development concerns related to water supply (water power), tribal welfare and forest-related matters.
A major concern raised by the local people was a growing monkey threat, affecting agriculture and safety in the region.
Keeping serious care on concerns, the minister issued spot directions to the concerned departments to address the dangers of monkey to the concerned departments and to prepare an action plan to improve service distribution in the exposed areas.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure sustainable development and people-focused governance, especially in distant and ecological sensitive areas.
He was accompanied by MLA Gurez, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, who was also associated with local stakeholders and officials during the journey.