Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that there is a need to increase innovation in the forest sector. The Van Vihar in Bhopal is a big gift in itself. It should be developed as a model that people even from Singapore should come here for night safari. He said that increasing forest area in Madhya Pradesh is good news for the world. In this era of climate change, it is necessary to protect not only humans, but also all living beings.
He congratulated the forest department for this achievement.Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the inaugural session of the one-day workshop of Chief Conservator of Forests and Forest Officers at the Academy of Administration. He lit the lamp and inaugurated the worshop. Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Principal Secretary Forests Ashok Varnwal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Rajesh Srivastava were present in the workshop.
Departmental team should remain sensitive to the problems of Vanvasis Chouhan said that public service and environmental protection is the responsibility of the officers and employees of the Forest Services. It is important to be sensitive to the problems of people living in forest areas. It should be ensured that all eligible persons get pattas under the Forest Rights Act without any hassles.
He said that the responsibility of saving the environment lies with the civilized society just as much as it is with the forest dwellers. Therefore, it is important to see that the vanvasis are not harassed in any way. Strict action is required on various mafia operating in the forest area. It should be ensured that there are no new illegal possessions in the forest area. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan congratulated the forest officers for increase in the number of leopards, crocodiles and vultures and for the states achievement as tiger state.
Chouhan said that forest area has been expanded only with the cooperation of the people. The contribution of forest committees in this is amazing with Jhabua setting an excellent example. The work done at the level of society towards carbon credit in Indore was also appreciated.
The Chief Minister stated the need to promote agro forestry. He said that there is a need for simplification of rules regarding the use of trees planted on our land. There is a need to increase employment opportunities in forest-based activities and sale of forest produce. The importance of medicinal herbs derived from forests has increased during the Corona period. We have to consider what activities can be done from the forest area apart from wood. If we conduct activities by adding forests and livelihood then people will save the forest themselves. He called for the need to take necessary steps to avoid human wildlife conflict.
Chouhan said that security of forest staff will be ensured at all costs. The contribution of forests to the state’s GDP (gross domestic product) is two percent. We have to increase it to five percent. The forest department related targets must be met according to road map for the creation of Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh.