The two-day Chief Conservators of Forests’ convention organised at Academy of Administration, concluded here on Tuesday. Ironically, the State Government did not take any action towards implementing the recommendations received at the previous such convention held in 2012.
Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa has said that forest conservation and augmentation works being undertaken by Forest Department are contributions to environment improvement and tourism development in the State.
DeSa was addressing concluding session of Chief Conservators of Forests’ convention at Academy of Administration here on Tuesday. DeSa said that forest development and conservation works being done keeping in view livelihood augmentation of local communities are laudable. On the concluding day of the conference, departmental officers gave presentations on joint forest management, strategy for better plantation, wildlife management and possibilities of tourism development in Indira Sagar.
Discussions were also held on difficulties in e-payment in works in rural areas, compensation against loss to human life and crops, distribution of bamboo bonus, transportation of non-wood produce, e-processing and meadow management. The Chief Secretary directed to present a report on practical solution to difficulties being experienced in implementation of various schemes. Principal Secretary Forests Deepak Khandekar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Narendra Kumar and all CCFs of the state attended the conference.
Additional PCCF (Extension) Azad Singh Dabas, while addressing the convention said that the main produce of the minor forest produce federation is tendu patta, which hampers the health of the citizens, should not be stressed upon. At present, the federation earns revenue of `500 crore with tendu patta only, but the revenue could be increased by concentrating more on other produces. The federation is in existence since 1984, but mainly deals in tendu patta only. While Dabas was speaking, other officials were allowed to speak and thus, he had to stop.