The State Government has announced that Forest Department personnel who lose their life in human-wildlife conflict , their family would get financial aid of Rs 15 lakh.
The State government gives Rs 15 lakh to the next of kin of police personnel who are killed in encounter with timber smugglers.
Now onwards, on death of a personnel during human-wildlife conflict or a Naxal incident, the family of forest personnel would also receive assistance amount, Chief Minister Raman Singh announced.
He was addressing the 13th National Forest Martyrs Day programme held at Pt Deendayal Upadhayay Auditorium, Science College premises on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister gave away the maiden Award constituted by State government for Martyr Forest Personnel, in the name of Forest officer late Daulat Ram Lader to his wife. The award carries Rs 1 lakh cash.
Late Daulat Ram Lader during his posting at Lailunga had registered 15 cases of forest produce smuggling and had seized 16 vehicles carrying commercial timber and had lost his life while on duty.
The CM also released a Souvenir based on Martyr forest personnel. Singh said the forest personnel have vital responsibility for protection of bio-diversity, conserving and enhancing the forest which provides livelihood to lakhs of forest dwellers and protecting the wild life.
He said that Chhattisgarh has 44 percent land cover of forest due to which state is placed in 3rd position while it has 7887 forest management committees and 11,000 villages resided by forest dwellers, who also protect the forests.
A total of 6608 forest personnel are working on the ground. People from different parts of country arrive to see the teak plantation carried out by forest guard late Maniram Gond, he said.
Paying tributes to 31 personnel having lost life since 1987 in the state, Singh said the country and state respect those having lost their life during call of duty. Martyrdom of forest staff would always be remembered and would motivate all to do duty with dedication.
He assured them that their wage amendment would be considered and a decision will be taken after having discussion with forest minister and PCCF. Forest minister Mahesh Gagda presided over the programme. He pinned stars to all deputy forest rangers promoted as Forest Rangers. National Forest Officers-Employees Federation had organized the event. Around 250 representatives from 26 states participated in the programme.