Draft:Mohammed Bashir Mughal

FATHER OF ENVIRONMENT OF PIR PANJAL: MOHAMMED BASHIR MUGHAL

Mohammed Bashir Mughal (April 22, 1939-) was a renowned Environmentalist of Pir Panjal. He retired as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) from the Poonch district of Pir Panjal region in Jammu andKashmir, India and is widely celebrated for his critical role in the conservation and protection of forests in the region, as well as for his efforts in reclaiming encroached forest lands and developing urban green spaces.

Early Life and Education

Mohammed Bashir Mughal was born in the village of Mahra of near Surankote in Poonch district, located in the Pir Panjal range of Jammu and Kashmir. Growing up amid rich natural landscapes, he developed an early passion for nature and environmental conservation. He pursued his education in forestry and environmental sciences, eventually joining the State Forest Services. He was awarded with Gold Medal during the course of Forestry from Kashmir Forest Training Institute, Chitternar Bandipora, and elevated to the post of DDR on the basis of his efficiency and passion.

Career

Divisional Forest Officer, Poonch District:

During his tenure as the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Poonch District, Mohammed Bashir Mughal made significant contributions toward forest conservation. Recognizing the threats posed by illegal encroachments and deforestation, he initiated various measures to protect and restore forest lands. In due course of such measures, he faced several threats and even physical attacks from the encroachers.

In one such drive, he was brutally attacked by the land grabbers. But he did not relent till that land was restored to the forest department in the district. That same land was later used in the construction of the Secretariat building in Mendhar town. He is especially recognized for effectively leading efforts to reclaim forest land that had been unlawfully occupied by neighbouring encroachers since long periods of time. His initiatives helped restore several hectares of land to the forest department, reinforcing the ecological balance in the sensitive Pir Panjal ecosystem.

Development of City Forest:

One of his landmark achievements was the conceptualization and development of the City Forest near Poonch town. Designed both for conservation and recreation, the City Forest serves as a green lung for the urban area, providing an emergent habitat for native biodiversity and a space for environmental education and leisure for the public. Under his leadership, the project involved extensive plantation drives, eco-tourism development, and awareness programs for conservation.[1][2]

Achievements and Recognition

• Forest Land Reclamation: Successfully reclaimed ( put the actual number if it is big number) hectares of encroached forest land in the Poonch district.
• City Forest Initiative: Developed the first urban forest area in the vicinity of Poonch town.
• Community Engagement: Organized awareness programs and collaborated with local communities to promote sustainable forest management.
• Founder of Pir Panjal Environment and Eco-development Society, J&K Regd. and remained the president of this society until his Eternal rest on December 10, 2020.
• Conservation Leadership: Played a pivotal role in the conservation of the unique biodiversity of the Pir Panjal region.

His work has been widely appreciated by environmentalists, government agencies, and local communities. Several of his initiatives have been recognized as models for forest management and conservation in ecologically sensitive zones.

Legacy

Mohammed Bashir Mughal's contributions have left a lasting impact on forest conservation in Jammu and Kashmir. His efforts have inspired a new generation of forest officers, environmentalists, and citizens committed to protecting the natural heritage of the PirPanjal region.

See Also

• Pir Panjal Range
• Environmental Conservation in India
• Forest Protection in Jammu and Kashmir

References

(kangri.com)