Terming the forest reserves as one of the vital assets for Jharkhand, Chief Minister Raghubar Das during ‘Van Mahotsav’ organized on the premises of newly constituted Vidhan Sabha on Monday said that the State Government will recruit over 2,000 Forest Guards to protect forests here associated with the endurance of several forest dwelling communities.
During the programme organized under the aegis of Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, the CM said, “Under the State government’s ambitious scheme ‘Jan Van Yojana’, the government has decided to plant around 2.40 crore plant saplings across the State. It should be the moral responsibility of each person to contribute in a positive way by planting saplings to increase the green lungs.”
In the wake of the rising concern over shrinking ‘Green Covers’, the CM said that attempts are being made to expand the existing forests besides adopting measures to conserve it. Throwing light on the appointment of Forest Guards which was pending since past 30 years, the CM added that in 2017 the State Government has appointed 2,818 Forest Guards to protect the existing green covers.
Only with public participation, the dream of green Jharkhand can be realized quipped the CM. Further, the CM said that in the year 2016, over 2.57 crore saplings were planted under plantation drive programme while 2.66 crore saplings were planted in the year 2017. “Through Plantation drive, efforts are being made to cover 33 per cent State’s land into green covers. Plantation program is being carried out on the banks of all the rivers across the State. last month, 9 lakh saplings were planted on the banks of river,” the CM added.
The CM further stated that huge forests coverage benefits environment and simultaneously generate employment. “There are plenty of employment opportunities in bamboo based industries in the State. The items produced from bamboo will be exported to European company IKEA. The new Kendu leaf policy has been implemented in the State in 2017. In this policy, the interests of the collectors have been kept in mind and arrangements have been made by the government to pay the wages and incentives through bank accounts to them,” he said.
The CM stated that as a result of the implementation of this policy, the total payment of Rs 60.24 crore has been made to the collectors in the year 2016-17 which was 88 per cent more than the year 2015-16 whereas in 2017-18, collectors were paid a total of 82 crores. By 2022, priority of the State government is to double the income of the farmers.
The CM appealed to the people to plant a tree in the name of their children on their birthday. Ministers, MlAs and Public Representatives should ensure 100 per cent implementation of this scheme in their respective areas instructed the CM.
Speaking on the occasion, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Dinesh Oraon said that trees are an integral part of the environment. Without a tree, life cannot be envisaged. “The trees are worshiped here and have cultural significance for the State. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the ‘Jan Van Scheme’ is successfully being implemented across Jharkhand. The State Government is committed to conserve forests,” he added.
Meanwhile, addressing the program, Minister Nilkanth Singh Munda too cited that trees have a prominent place in the State’s culture. He appealed to all people to plant at least 10 trees in their courtyard and surrounding areas.
To mark the occasion, CM, Vidhan Sabha Speaker including Ministers planted saplings on the new Assembly premises. Ministers -- CP Singh, Raj Paliwar, Ram Chandra Chandravanshi, louis Marandi, Neera Yadav, Chandra Prakash Choudhary, MlAs, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries and senior offcials were present.