Srinagar, July 15: In a major initiative to safeguard forests and ecologically sensitive meadows in Budgam district, the Forest Department has reiterated a complete ban on camping, tent pitching, off-road driving, bonfires and the use of plastic and polythene bags across the Pir Panjal Forest Division.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Pir Panjal Forest Division, Budgam, Syed Waseem Gul said the restrictions have been enforced in accordance with government directions to preserve the fragile forest ecosystem and prevent environmental degradation.
“To protect the forests and meadows within the Pir Panjal Forest Division, the use of plastic and polythene bags has been completely prohibited. We appeal to visitors and local residents to cooperate in maintaining the ecological balance of these areas,” he said.
The DFO said that with the increasing tourist footfall to the popular destination of Doodhpathri, the Forest Department, in collaboration with the Doodhpathri Development Authority, has intensified enforcement measures. Regular checking of vehicles is being carried out at Raiyar, the gateway to Doodhpathri, where tourists are asked to surrender plastic and polythene bags before entering the area.
“The objective is to keep these forest areas free from pollution and ensure they remain clean and environmentally sustainable,” Gul said.
He further said that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has already prohibited off-road driving by all types of vehicles in forest areas, meadows and pastures. No individual will be allowed to drive vehicles off designated roads without prior permission from the competent authority.
To strengthen enforcement, the department is also planning to establish anti-polythene check posts on roads leading to major tourist destinations in Budgam. These checkpoints will help prevent the entry, sale, storage and use of banned plastic and polythene materials in forest areas.
As part of its conservation campaign, the Forest Department will organise weekly cleanliness drives every Wednesday with the participation of Forest Department officials, Forest Protection Force personnel, municipal authorities, tourism stakeholders, local residents and volunteers.
The department will also install awareness signboards at key tourist locations highlighting the prohibition on littering, use of plastic, camping, off-road driving and lighting of fires in reserved forest areas.
The Forest Department has warned that pitching tents, camping, lighting bonfires, off-road driving or engaging in any activity that disturbs or damages the forest ecosystem within reserved forests is strictly prohibited. It cautioned that violations of these directions will invite strict legal action under the relevant provisions of law.
