Bhopal: Minister for Forest Gourishankar Shejwar while inaugurating Two Day Convention of Chief Conservators of Forest said that corridor made in the reserve areas should be fortified for effective security of wild animals and in order to reduce confrontation between human beings and wild animals. He further mentioned that convention of forest societies will be organised this year too. Shejwar said that the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed pleasure over the immediate redressal of the grievances received on CM Helpline. Besides, Chouhan also appreciated the works being carried out by the officers and employees of the forest department under the Deendayal Vananchal Seva regarding health and education of people dwelling in the forest. Villagers have also started supporting forest department in public welfare works, which has accelerated the pace of the development works. Efforts to bring awareness among the students towards conservation of wild animals under Anubhuti programme have been proved successful.
Shejwar mentioned that FIVE new birds’ zoo (Chidiyaghar) will be developed to attract tourists. Also better facilities will be provided to the tourists by expanding activities of eco-tourism in the new areas. Chairman Forest Development Corporation Guruprasad Sharma informed that Rs 111 crore is being provided to the state government in the form of lease rent in the current year. Chairman State Minor Forest Produce Federation Mahesh Kori informed that a target of 22 lakh standard bags tendu leaves collection has been set in the year 2017.
Additional Chief Secretary Forest Deepak Khandekar has informed that awareness among the people towards forest-trees and environment is increased by undertaking plantation during the ‘Namami Devi Narmade’-Seva Yatra. He mentioned that experiment to catch blue bulls (Rojar) in Mandsaur to prevent loss to the crops by wild animals has been widely appreciated. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Animesh Shukla said that a scheme for plantation on private land in one km radius of Narmada River has been prepared.
The Forest Minister released quarterly Megazine of the department ‘ Madhya Pradesh Vananchal Sandesh’ and a book on ‘Anubhuti’ programme. Chief Secretary BP Singh in the second session of the convention has told Forest Officers that department can help villagers by implementing development activities. He also inaugurated Plantation Management Information System on the occasion. Director General Police Rishi Kumar Shukla assured that police department will cooperate fully with the forest department to control forest crimes.