Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, presided over the passing-out parade of 152 newly trained forest guards from the 71st and 73rd batches at the Forest Training School (FTS), Bandipora. The event was attended by MLAs Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Nazir Ahmad Khan, Hilal Akbar Lone, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Suresh Kumar Gupta, and other senior officers.
Addressing the recruits, Minister Rana commended their discipline and dedication during training and urged them to protect Jammu & Kashmir’s forest resources. He lauded frontline forest personnel as “defenders” of the region’s biodiversity and emphasized the importance of alertness against fires and encroachments.
Rana highlighted government initiatives to empower tribal and forest-dependent communities through eco-friendly livelihoods, community forestry programs, and green jobs. He also felicitated the best-performing trainees from the 71st, 72nd, and 73rd batches for their outstanding commitment.
The Minister later inaugurated a newly developed Forest Park and Eco-Restoration Site at Chandaji, Bandipora. The park, created on a former dumping ground, features native tree species, walking trails, parking facilities, and eco-awareness installations. Rana noted that the initiative boosts eco-tourism, promotes environmental sustainability, and enhances local livelihoods.
Officials and community volunteers were appreciated for their contributions in transforming the site into a thriving green space. Rana urged citizens to support such initiatives to preserve natural resources and build climate resilience.