BANGALORE: “The Union Forest Ministry is a pioneer in approaching the local community and it should communicate to the country and the rest of the world about conservation of forest and environment,” said P J Dilip Kumar, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary to Government of India.
Speaking at national level workshop on ‘Strengthening of Livelihoods for Sustainable Management of Forests’ here recently, Kumar said, “The Forest Right Act is being implemented in a less than optimal manner in many states and this could lead to loss of forest cover.”
He observed that the ministry should be open for specialists from outside, as the system needs to be improved, and will be recognised as the sector that provides livelihood for thousands.
Kaushik Mukherjee, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest Ecology and Environment, pointed out that the ministry should divert attention towards providing income to villagers.
Western Ghats Task Force Chairman Ananth Hegde Ashisara said a meeting will be held at Vidhana Soudha on February 29 regarding cutting down of 2,500 tress for a tobacco factory at Hunsur and the use of plastic in the Western Ghats.
He pointed out “Around 2,000 people from villages have volunteered to protect the forests at Western Ghats as the forest force is very minimal in the area.”The workshop discussed efficient methods to conserve forest in India.