- विज्ञापन -
While reviewing various schemes and projects of the Forest Department on Tuesday, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu directed to ensure the participation of Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, Self Help Groups and Panchayats to expand and protect the forest area in the state. They will be given proper compensation for providing services in forest conservation and the state government has allocated Rs 100 crore in this regard. Apart from this, they will be encouraged by providing incentives after five years on the basis of survival percentage of plants. He directed to plant 60 percent fruit and fodder species in the forest area so that the requirements of wild animals are available in the forest itself. This will protect the crops of farmers from damage caused by animals.
He directed the department to focus on its basic responsibilities of plantation and afforestation and assured to provide adequate staff and all possible assistance. The Chief Minister directed the department to involve private entrepreneurs to increase the forest cover area.
The department will provide technical assistance to such institutions. He asked the department to develop a system for plantation as well as protection of the plants. The state government is committed to protecting the environment of the state and many steps have been taken in this regard in the last two years of the present government.
Sukhu said that appointment letters will be provided to the newly appointed Van Mitras soon. He said that a total of 2033 candidates have been selected, out of which 55 percent are women. He asked the Forest Department officials to prepare an orientation program for the newly appointed Van Mitras.
Through this program, Van Mitras will be made aware of their roles and responsibilities and this program will be started from the first week of May this year. He said that the state government will provide Rs 6000 to Van Mitras for uniform and other related material.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is promoting eco-tourism to create employment and self-employment opportunities for the local people in the state. He said that the department has activated eight eco tourism sites in the first phase and 78 sites will be activated in the next two weeks. He also reviewed the development and construction work of International Zoological Park Bankhandi in Kangra district.
He directed to expedite the works of this project and prepare adequate manpower and standard operating procedures for the park. He also stressed on creating planetarium and other facilities for the tourists visiting the park. Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Additional Chief Secretary KK Pant, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, PCCF (HOF) Sameer Rastogi and other officers of the department were also present.
