Srinagar, Aug 9: Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) G.H. Kango, widely regarded as a pioneer of modern forestry in Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Sunday at his residence in Rajbagh, Srinagar. He was 91.
Kango is remembered for introducing the concepts of soil and water conservation and integrated watershed management in the Forest Department and for playing a key role in establishing several watershed management projects in Jammu and Kashmir with assistance from the World Bank.
His contributions were particularly significant in addressing soil and water conservation challenges in the Kandi areas of the Kashmir Valley and several parts of the Jammu region, besides helping stabilise degraded and denuded areas.
Under his guidance, the Department of Soil Conservation was established in 1978, with Kango appointed as its first Director.
He headed the department for eight years, from 1978 to 1986, before subsequently serving as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
Kango retired from active government service in 1993.
During his career, he was associated with efforts to strengthen scientific approaches to forest and watershed management in the region, with a focus on conserving soil and water resources and restoring degraded landscapes.
His work in watershed management and soil conservation subsequently became an important part of the region’s efforts to address land degradation and improve the management of natural resources.
Kango’s death marks the loss of a senior forest officer whose career was closely associated with the development of modern soil conservation and watershed management practices in Jammu and Kashmir.
