Peerzada Sayeed
Kanah kupwara, October 12 (JKNS): The Conservator of Forests (CoF), Kashmir North Circle, Irfan Ali Shah undertook a extensive three-day field inspection of Kehmil Forest Division from 9th-11th October , 2026 to review and give further impetus to the Forest Department’s Ecotourism initiatives, ongoing development and Afforestation works and forest protection measures, in Keran,Karnah and Ramhal Forest Ranges of Kehmil Forest Division.He was accompanied by the Divisional Forest Officer, Kehmil, Dr Faisal Farooq, Sh Mudasir, Range officer Ramhal Forest Eange, Sh Bashir Ahmad, Range officer Keran Range and Sh Shams ul Haq , Range officer Karnah Range and other Field Forest officers.
The CoF on first day inspected the remote Jumagand forests along LOC and Interacted with the local communities and villagers of Jumagand and inspected the Jumagand–Banali–Sindhkolu trek route. The Range Officer, Keran, was directed to upgrade the trek route.
The CoF also attended a public Darbar at Jumagand and listened very patiently to the greviances of the local communities and gave directions on the spot for their redressal. The CoF also finalized a site near Ladi Nallah for an Ecopark to put Jumagand village on the Ecotourism map and for supporting the generation of local livelihoods. The Range Officer was directed to prepare estimates and DPR for the project.
The CoF also inspected the old Forest Rest House at Jumagand and and gave directions for its immediate upgrading and required maintenance. He also reviewed the departmental firewood extraction in Compartment 38/Kh, Jumagand Keran Range, and directed that the work be completed by the end of this month so that the firewood needs of the public are met in time.
Sh Irfan also inspected the Pharkian Gali–Safawali Gali (PG–SPG) road, sanctioned as a Strategic Road Project under FCA to ensure that construction through forest land is proceeding in accordance with the approved conditions and prescribed norms.
The CoF North also Inspected the forest demarcation works and installation of Boundary Pillars in remote Bugna Forest of Keran Range. He also threw open the Ecotourism hut at Pathra Forest Block, Keran Range.He also inspected various Ecostops developed along Kishanganga river in Keran Range and issued directives for their upgradation.
On the second day the CoF North did early morning inspection of Ragini Betula Forests on upper ridges of Shamsbari Mountains along LOC. He also inspected a new trek route from Zarla to Gomal Jabri via Dana Badwan in the famed Shamsbari Mountains which was thrown open for the public and adventure lovers in Karnah Range, in the presence of representatives of local trekking clubs, human health and wellness experts and environmental NGO groups. The route opens a new horizon for Ecotourism in Kashmir Forests North Circle.
The CoF also finalized sites for the development of an Ecopark at Dudwiyan, Budwan, in Compartment 37/Kh, Tangdar Block, Karnah Range and a site for establishment of a Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC) near Kazinag Nallah in Tanghdar Forest.
Sh Irfan also inspected the Baghbella Toli Nagina road, in Gabra forests of Karnah Range sanctioned as a Strategic Road Project under FCA to ensure that road construction through forest land is proceeding in accordance with the approved conditions and norms.
Late night, the CoF inspected the ongoing repair and renovation works of Forest Rest House at Teetwal on the banks of river Kishanganga.He also inspected the Teetwal Simari Tanghdar Trek route. The CoF also reviewed the progress of Boundary pillars installation in last village of Simari in Jadha Kadama Forest along LOC , Gabra Forest Block and Chek Forests, Dudwiyan in Karnah Range.
The CoF also inspected the J&K Forest Protection Force (FPF) Reporting Centre, Karnah (Gamma Unit K-09), including the ongoing fencing work there and expressed satisfaction on quality works.
On the third day , the CoF did inspection of DRSM works in Teetwal, Range office Tanghdar and Forest Check Posts on Tanghdar Sadhna Pass road. He further inspected the Plantation Closure raised under scheme CAMPA during 2022–23, near Sadhna Pass, connecting Kashmir valley with Karnah Valley.
Later he inspected the ongoing work for the development of Nature Interpretation Centre at Tee Pee Point near base camp of Bungus valley in Ramhall Forest Range and gave directions for expecting the pace of work.
The Conservator of Forests directed the field officers to ensure timely and quality execution of all works, and reiterated the Department’s commitment to promoting community-based ecotourism that conserves forests and simultaneously generates livelihoods for local communities Above two photos for media. ( JKNS)
