Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked the senior officials concerned to further improve management of national parks and promote tourism activity in the buffer zone. Addressing a dialogue session on 'Wildlife and Non Timber Forest Produce' at the Academy of Administration here today, Chouhan said that the local youth having understanding of environment, forests and interest in forest conservation should be given priority in selection of Forest Guard. He stressed the need for amendment in the recruitment rules for this.
Chouhan said that the Madhya Pradesh has rich forest wealth. People should be urged to associate themselves in conservation of forest by planting and nourishing the saplings until they become fully grown trees. He said that Indian culture attaches great importance to nature worship. He said that every living being on earth has the right to life. It has become urgent to understand that sustenance of human life is not possible without the wildlife and forests. He said that India's culture does not allow exploitation of Nature. It allows respectful harvesting. He said that if tigers and forests survive, source of livelihood will also survive. Stressing the need for efficient management of national parks, Chouhan said that Panna tiger reserve has done a wonderful job of conserving tigers. This novel effort is earning a global fame.
Minister for Forests Gaurishankar Shejwar said that conservation of biodiversity is the top priority. Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Minor Forest Produce Federation Mahesh Kori said that 18.57 lakh Tenduptta standard bags have been collected. Tenduptta collectors have been distributed remuneration of Rs 232 crore for tendupatta collection.
State's Chief Wildlife Warden Jitendra Agrawal said that Madhya Pradesh has scored a number of achievements in wildlife management especially tigers, antelopes, wild boars, Cheetals and black deers. Interpol has also praised the state for acting tough on crimes against wildlife. The state has acquired expertise in managing the wildlife.
Minor Forest Produce Federation Managing Director Jawwad Hassan said NTFP sector is being managed as organized sector. The minor forest produce collectors are around 32 lakh out of which 40 per cent are women. They are being trained in scientific harvesting of minor forest produce. He also informed that 15 per cent of net profit of is spent on conservation of minor forest produce. All collectors are being paid through e-payment systesms.
The Chief Minister released two books- The Tiger Identification - 2016 and Tiger Monitoring. On the occasion, Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa, Additional Chief Secretary Forests Deepak Khandekar, PCCF Animesh Shukla and directors of national parks were present.