BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has asked the Forest department officials to involve Joint Forest Management (JFM) committees and Vana Surakshya Samitis (VSS) in assisted natural regeneration (ANR) and compensatory afforestation activities.
The directive came at the State-level steering committee meeting of the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) presided over by Chief Secretary G C Pati here recently.
Official sources said compensatory afforestation has been done in over 42,910 hectares (ha) till March, 2014. This has exceeded the target by 183 ha. Requirement of afforestation against forest diversion for various projects was around 42,727 ha. In addition to this, afforestation has also been done over 5,540 ha during 2014-15.
The State Government has set a target of afforestation in another 5,428 ha during 2015-16. Implementation of the annual action plan for the year was also discussed. A provision of Rs 527.67 crore has been made for implementation of the plan.
In addition to 32 forest protection squads engaged for protection of natural forests, three new squads have been engaged for vulnerable divisions, including Rourkela, Baripada and Ghumsur north.
Official sources maintained that provision has also been made for installation of CCTV surveillance in forest check gates. Besides, decision has been taken to install solar power units for external electrification in seven forest divisions.
The action plan includes compensatory afforestation, assisted natural regeneration, conservation, regeneration and management of natural forests, forest protection, control and prevention of forest fire, pillar posting and maintenance of forest boundaries, strengthening of range offices, wildlife management, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, research activities and other infrastructural development in the forest sector. Provision has also been made for subsidiary silvicultural operation in ongoing working plan.
The Chief Secretary directed the Forest department officials to step up monitoring of the CAMPA projects. Development Commissioner U N Behera and senior officials from Forest department were present.
ECO-FRIENDLY MOVE