REASI : A team of officers of the Forest Department headed by Dr. Syed Nadeem Hussain, Divisional Forest Officer Reasi along with Dr Arshdeep Singh, ACF, Rakesh Sharma, Range Officer Reasi and other officials conducted an extensive two-day tour of the remote areas in Bhomag Tehsil of Reasi which have been worst hit by heavy rains, flash floods and landslides.
The team assessed damage caused by recent rains/floods to the land and property of the locals. The areas included Sermegha, Sujandhar, Satoi, Phagori, Tote, Ladda A and B, Dangakote, Charalakote, Sukhalghati and Devigarh. During the visit, a number of public meetings were held in which the DFO Reasi addressed public and patiently heard out the grievances of flood victims whose houses have been damaged.
During the interaction with public, it was decided that as per the directions of the Minister for Forests issued last week, the Forest Department will provide timber free of cost under Jammu Forest Notice to the people whose houses have been damaged as per the list to be provided by the Revenue Department.
In the said meetings, DFO Reasi explained that the aim of the Forest Department was to provide relief at the door steps in this need of the hour, so that the poor and affected families no longer had to go through the lengthy process visiting different offices. The meetings were also attended by local Sarpanchs and Panchs of area who appreciated the proactive approach of the department for free timber supply which will help the affected people can construct their houses. The public in the areas also demanded that many traditional pathways/bridle paths passing through forest which have been damaged by recent rains be repaired so that inconvenience to public is readdressed.
DFO Reasi assured the public that the matter of bridle paths had already been taken up with DC Reasi and a fresh revised list including the paths of their areas will be submitted soon. Besides public interaction, an on the spot assessment of damage(s) to forest assets including plantation, fencing, foot bridges, nurseries as well standing trees was also done.