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Forest units in J&K sans arms, ammunition since 2001 Save forests' a hollow slogan 6/10/2015 12:42:04 AM Peerzada Ummer Early Times Report SRINAGAR, June 9: Even as the authorities are trumpeting about saving forests in the state, grim details are coming to fore which reveal that the forest protection force is not even trained to use weapons to save the green gold. Also, there is a serious scarcity of arms on the ground. Sources revealed to Early Times that out of 23 forest units in J&K, 19 of them are functioning without arms from the last 15 years. In Jammu region, there are 10 forest protection units but not even one of them is equipped with arms and ammunition. In Kashmir division, out of the 13 units, there are mere four units that have been provided with arms. What is more surprising is that in all the units which have arms, the people are not trained to combat smugglers who continue to pose dangerous threat to state forests. The Comptroller and Auditor General has also highlighted that the forest protection force in J&K lacks wherewithal to serve its basic objective. In its latest report, the CAG has also revealed diversion of over six thousand hectares of forest land without following rules, less spending on conservation and poor work outcomes by those authorized to protect the state's green wealth. "Arms and ammunition had not been provided to any of the Gamma units of Jammu division while only four such units out of 13 in Kashmir division have been given weapons and that too during the 2012-13," the CAG said based on records of the Gamma units. J&K's recorded forest area is 20230 sq. kms. which constitutes 19.95% of geographical area of the state. Forests are largely distributed in Kashmir Valley and Jammu regions. Leh and Kargil are devoid of forest vegetation as the region is cold desert. The forest protection force was formed in 1996 with a strength level of 2257 personnel. Five years later, government enacted J&K Forest (Protection) Act 2001, making FPF a statutory armed force on the pattern of police. At a time when deforestation accounts for between 12%- 15% of the world's carbon emissions, making it the second largest man-made source after burning fossil fuels, such non-serious measures by the state authorities are indeed worrisome. The rate of deforestation since the turn of the century is 13m hectares (32m acres) a year, equivalent to the size of England. What remains to be seen is how the new government would tackle the crises and put a lid over the open plunder of the forests in the state. "If immediate action over equipping the forest protection forces with the latest equipment and machinery is not taken, the day is not far when there will be more light in forests and darkness elsewhere," an environmentalist warned.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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