Chief Minister, Harish Rawat, while reviewing work of the Forest Department at the Bijapur Guest House on Thursday said the common people must be made a part of the 'Hamara Pedh, Hamara Dhan' scheme. The scheme should be made more attractive by providing Rs300 for each tree and a stipulated time-frame of three years.
He also stressed on the rainwater harvesting scheme be made more effective. Even more reservoirs should be created in more cost-effective ways. A scheme should be prepared at the earliest to protect the farms from the rampaging wild animals. Shapes should also be given to rehabilitation of Gujjars and others affected by disasters. Van Panchayats should be involved in the pastureland development scheme, he said, adding that the State Government would provide more money for schemes like CAMPA if required.
The CM said that the development work must be carried out, keeping the factor of forest conservation in view. The resources are limited and these should be developed through innovative schemes, he said.
Pollution-free nature zones need to be set up in the State with tourism being connected to them. Plans like Eco Parks also need to be developed. Forest Department's guest houses have to be renovated to boost tourism. A project plan should be prepared for this.
The CM insisted that the forest department must work on the mixed forest concept so that the damage caused by pine could be reduced. He added that the 'Hamara Pedh-Hamara Dhan' scheme had been launched to connect with the rural population.
He added that each DFO must give shape to water conservation schemes. The water bodies to be made amongst forests must be planned in a manner that they are accessible to wildlife. If the rain water conservation scheme is successful it would help increase the water level of rivers in nearby areas, he suggested.
Drains should be made on the side of roads near the forest so that the water could be diverted into them, he added.
He asked the Forest Development Corporation to set annual targets. Workshops should be hosted for better coordination between Van Panchayats and Gram Sabhas.
Policies should be chalked out to protect the fields from the animals such as wild boars, Nilgais and monkeys. Boundary walls should be constructed too on borders of fields and villages, adjoining forest. A three- year plan should be framed for this. A rehabilitation programme for Rajaji Park, Corbett Park and other affected areas should be planned at the earliest, he said.
The CM ordered the officials of the forest department to carry out the repair and construction work in the forest land on their own. This would ensure smooth movement, he said.
Present at the meeting were Forest Minister Dinesh Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma, Principal Forest Conservator SS Sharma, Principal Forest Conservator Beena Shekhari, Additional Principal Forest Conservator Jairaj, STS lepcha, Srikant Chandola, Jasbeer Rawat and Special Task Officer Manoj Sharma, among others.