The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Suresh Kumar Gupta, inaugurated a technical workshop on November 1 in Srinagar to prepare the Annual Plan of Operations (APO) for the financial year 2026-27. The event, held at the NIC Dachigam, aimed to assist implementing agencies in developing scientific, outcome-oriented, and community-focused APOs for the upcoming fiscal year.
During the workshop, the PCCF emphasized the importance of engaging with local panchayats in the APO formulation process to ensure that the needs of communities for fodder, medicinal plants, firewood, and other forest products are addressed through the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Funding Agency (CAMPA) plantation efforts. Gupta also called for the creation of scientifically sound proposals aligned with the working plan guidelines.
He took the opportunity to launch two booklets: “CAMPA Success Stories, The Seeds of Hope” and “Forest Fire Management Plan of JV Forest Division.” In his remarks, he underscored the critical role of CAMPA in rehabilitating degraded forests, implementing soil and moisture conservation practices, managing forest fires, addressing human-wildlife conflicts, conserving protected areas, and executing biodiversity projects. The PCCF instructed the agencies to develop their APOs in compliance with CAMPA guidelines.
The Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) for Kashmir, Irfan Rasool Wani, highlighted the progress made since the inception of CAMPA in 2010-11. He reported that 18,000 hectares of degraded forest land have been treated, resulting in the planting of 2.25 crore quality saplings. Wani pointed out that the Forest Department has established 56 nurseries capable of producing 7.5 million coniferous and broadleaf plants annually. He stressed the need to improve the survival rates of planted saplings by focusing on economically viable species, diversifying plant types, and modernizing nursery operations.
Dr K.S. Jaychandran, the Chief Executive Officer of CAMPA, urged the implementing agencies to produce technically accurate APOs within the set deadlines, with an emphasis on greening initiatives, soil and moisture conservation, and other related activities. He encouraged forest officers to adopt a landscape and watershed approach to forest area treatments in a comprehensive manner.
The workshop also featured presentations of various success stories under CAMPA by conservators from different forest circles. Field officers, including Divisional Forest Officers, shared insights on quality plant production, modern nursery management techniques, the development of muck dumping sites, forest fire management, habitat improvement for wildlife, and management of human-animal conflicts.
The event concluded with a panel discussion that encouraged brainstorming among all participating officers. Representatives from various departments, including the Forest Protection Force, Social Forestry, and Wildlife, contributed to the technical workshop.
