Muzaffarabad: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) High Court has ordered the local government to introduce strict measures to conserve, protect, and expand the forests and wildlife in the region within six months, according to a news source. The aim of these measures is to protect the territory’s environment and promote ecotourism.
Current acts in place for this purpose are the AJK Forest Regulation Act and the AJK Wildlife Act. Any action taken in contradiction of these acts is liable for strict legal measures. The abovementioned decision was announced after a petition was presented to a single-member bench comprising Justice Raza Ali Khan. He directed the authorities to declare AJK’s forests as a ‘precious natural resource’ and to draft a comprehensive forest policy.
He also instructed the forest department to take inspiration from the world’s best practices and prepare a forest management plan. Suggestions to this effect included establishing a Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing Lab for creating a forest map compatible with remote sensing systems. Such measures will be help the authorities quickly respond to any environmental or socioeconomic challenges.
