Authenticity of tree plantation would be checked with drones: CM
GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday asserted that strict action will be taken against Forest Department officials if forests are jeopardised.
Sarma made the statement while addressing a plantation programme synchronising with 72nd Van Mahotsav week organized by Environment and Forest Department at the AIIMS construction site at Changsari in Kamrup.
Highlighting the need for working dedicatedly by the Forest Department officials to protect the forests and rich biodiversity of the State, Sarma informed that massive reforms would be initiated in the department soon so that incidents like elephants' death in Bamuni Hills in Nagaon, where rampant deforestation took place, do not reoccur. Saying that the reforestation drive under Assam Project for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) would have to be monitored for quantifying the performance, the Chief Minister stressed the need to increase the use of technology like satellite imaging by the Forest Department for monitoring activities. He also said that drone surveys would have to be conducted for verifying the authenticity of all tree plantation programmes carried out under CAMPA and other biodiversity projects. Further, he underlined that the COVID-19 pandemic taught the importance of oxygen and therefore, all must strive towards preserving the State's forests and biodiversity. He also reiterated the importance of Van Mahotsav in spreading awareness about the importance of greeneries and trees for sustaining ecology.
He also informed that the State Government is considering the option of giving one-month compulsory paid leave to forest guards working in the sanctuaries and forests. He also said that Forest Department officials must work for preserving the forest resources like sand, stones etc and informed that forest beats and gates would now be abolished to check corruption and illegal supply of forest resources.
Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Health Minister Keshab Mahanta, Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, MP Queen Ojah, BJP Assam President Bhabesh Kalita, MLAs Diganta Kalita, Suman Haripriya, Hemanga Thakuria, Nandita Das, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Alka Bhargava were present on the occasion, among others.