Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that protecting forests is necessary to conserve environment. Human race will not survive if forests are not saved. The Chief Minister was addressing two-day Chief Conservators of Forests' convention at Academy of Administration here on Monday. Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar was present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said that there has been tradition in India to worship plants and trees. Worship of trees signifies that life is incomplete without forests. Indian culture calls for tapping natural resources and not exploiting them. Forest cover in the state is expanding continuously due to good work of joint forest management committees. To save forests, forest dwellers need to be linked with employment. Effort has been made in this direction by the state government by announcing support price for forest produce.
Employment is also being made available through Bamboo Mission. Schemes should be implemented by understanding difficulties of forest dwellers. Forest Department in collaboration with Health Department should hold health camps in villages. Public participation in forest management should be promoted.
Forest Minister Shejwar said that forest dwellers' all-round development is being ensured through joint forest management committees. Forest guards have been trained to provide health facilities in forest villages. Role of divisional officers is significant in development and conservation of forests. Principal Secretary Forests Deepak Khandekar said that the department would undertake environmental and forest conservation work in accordance with priorities of the State Government.
At the outset, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Narendra Kumar threw light on convention's objectives. He informed that discussions will be held at the convention on joint forest management, wildlife management, forest conservation and increase in livelihood sources in forest areas. Chief Conservator of Forests CS Maan proposed a vote of thanks.