Citing hurdles in establishing micro and small scale food, agriculture and minor forest produce processing units in the forest areas due to environmental clearance, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include them under ‘forestry’.
In a letter written to PM, Baghel pointed out that lives of residents of forest areas in the state is full of hardship and it is a big challenge before the state government to increase their income, alleviate their poverty and ease their living style.
Asserting that it is a moral duty of the state government to bring prosperity in the lives of people living in forest areas, which are nearly 44% of the geographical area of the state, the CM further said that cooperation in this regard is needed from the Union government.
“Thus it is urged that the micro and small scale units based on minor forest produce and agriculture which does not generate pollution must be included under forestry by making necessary amendments in the Forest Conservation Act”, Baghel said in the letter.
Citing difficult geographical condition in the forest areas of the state where power transmission line could not be drawn, Baghel also demanded of the Prime Minister to permit establishing solar plant of 1-5 megawatt capacity in the forest area to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Necessary amendments have to be done by the renewable energy ministry in this regard so that electrification can be done there, he added.