Sonowal directs forest department to take strong steps for protection of Assam’s forest resources and expansion of forest cover

Saying that wild flora and fauna have been the strengths around which state’s tourism strives, Sonowal directed the Forest Department to take proactive steps for conservation of forest areas and wildlife through reserve forests and initiate campaigns to generate awareness among the masses for protection of forest.

The Assam CM said in a meeting of the Forest Department’s Compensatory Aforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) held on Friday at the Chief Minister’s conference room at Assam Janata Bhawan that the CAMPA’s functioning at district level must be bolstered for the right implementation of the schemes.

Sonowal directed the department to initiate action for tree plantation at government lands for expanding the forest cover.

Sonowal also asked the Chief Secretary to issue instruction to the Deputy Commissioners for discussing CAMPA’s activities on a priority basis at District Development Committee meetings in all districts and to take measures for starting tree plantation programmes with the cooperation of the public.  
     
Directing the forest department to take measures for protection of water bodies within the reserve forests for facilitating healthy growth of wildlife, Sonowal asked the Department to initiate conservation efforts by studying the history of the reserve forests.

He also remarked that to reduce man - animal conflict in the state basic needs of wildlife like water, food, shelter must be safeguarded.

Directing the Forest Department to implement schemes for large scale plantation of medicinal plants, Sonowal also asked the Department to chalk out plans for making Deepor Beel the centre of attraction for tourists.  

During the meeting, the Assam CM was apprised by the Forest Department about the scheme of school nursery through which students have been inspired to engage in conservation of nature and ecology as the school campuses would be made greener by planting trees under this scheme.

It was informed that 44 schools in Kamrup, Nagaon and Darang Districts have been covered by this scheme and more schools in other districts would also be covered in the subsequent phases.   

Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma, Principal Secretary of Forest Department Pawan Kumar Borthakur, Commissioner and Secretary to the Chief Minister among others were present in the meeting.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)