The Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation (UFDC) should focus on increasing its sources of revenue. The corporation should also focus on eco tourism projects, work in cooperation with forest department and focus on execution of schemes which help build strong financial base for the corporation. Chief minister Harish Rawat issued these instructions while chairing a meet with officials.
Chairing a meet to review functioning of the UFDC late on Tuesday night, the Chief Minister said that the corporation should prepare a better work plan and also study examples in other States to expand its works and imbibe other positive facets. Plans which are necessary in the interests of the State should be implemented. Rawat said that the State Government is providing full assistance to the corporation in conducting its work. It is the responsibility of the corporation officials to ensure that the plans are implemented effectively and without delay. The CM further said that the State Government has also taken various decisions to resolve the problems being faced by employees of the corporation. The corporation personnel have been provided facilities like dearness allowance, bonus and other such facilities as provided to State employees, he said. Rawat also directed officials to give final shape to the UFDC organizational structure soon. If the corporation is ready to take up the financial burden for this, there will be no objection in according approval to this. Rawat also assured that proactive decision would be taken on the valid demands of the corporation’s employees.
The CM also called for timely implementation of plans like operation of helicopter service from Haldwani to Munsyari, organisation of motorbiking competition and development of water bodies in the jungles. He said that the Forest Department should soon start work on construction of 150 kilometres of wall to keep wild boars away from farms. Action should also be taken soon on the plan for construction of monkey sterilization centres in Chidiyapur, Almora and Pauri, he added.
State Forest minister Dinesh Aggarwal, UFDC chairman Harish Dhami, chief secretary Rakesh Sharma, principal chief conservator of forests Dr Srikant Chandola, principal secretary Dr Ranvir Singh and other officials were also present in the review meeting.