Advisor Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, chaired the second meeting of the Steering Committee of the Ladakh Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) at the Civil Secretariat in Leh on June 6. The meeting adhered to the provisions of section 18 (2) of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.

The session began with a comprehensive virtual presentation by the Chief Conservator of Forests and CEO of Ladakh CAMPA, Sajjad Hussain Mufti (IFS), who highlighted the major achievements of the Forest and Wildlife Divisions of UT Ladakh for the fiscal year 2023-24. The presentation covered key topics under CAMPA sub-rules 5(2) and 5(3), including artificial regeneration, biodiversity conservation, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and wildlife habitat improvement.

Discussions and deliberations then focused on the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) for the Forest and Wildlife Divisions of Leh and Kargil for the year 2024-25. Advisor Ladakh emphasized the importance of forests and wildlife, directing officials to concentrate on three key components:

1. Development of Modern Polyhouse Nurseries: Utilizing the latest technology to support artificial regeneration projects across Ladakh.
2. Mitigation of Human-Wildlife Conflict: Implementing projects like chain-link fencing to protect agricultural lands from wild ungulates and Kiangs, and constructing corral pens to prevent wild predators from attacking livestock.
3. Livelihood Generation in Protected Areas: Promoting alternative income sources for local communities.

Advisor Kotwal also encouraged the upscaling of the Homestay Policy, which provides equipment to beneficiaries wishing to operate homestays. He stressed the need to ensure irrigation facilities before initiating any plantation projects and directed officials to establish fire lines to manage forest fires.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including the Commissioner/Secretary of Social & Tribal Welfare, the Commissioner/Secretary of Agriculture, Horticulture & Floriculture, the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/Chief Wildlife Warden, the Director of Accounts and Treasuries, the Wildlife Warden Leh, the Divisional Forest Officers of Leh and Kargil, and the Deputy Director of Planning. The Commissioner/Secretary of Forest, Ecology, and Environment participated virtually.