CM Himanta Biswa Sarma directs officials to regularly monitor forests with drones

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the forest department to identify illegal extraction of forest resources and encroachment by regularly monitoring the forests with drones.

He asked the officials to procure the required number of drones to intensify monitoring.

Sarma gave the direction while taking a review meeting of the Environment & Forest Department with senior officers of the department in his office conference room at Janata Bhawan.

The Chief Minister while stressing the importance of preserving precious forests cover and protecting the wildlife of the State said that the forest department must put up concerted efforts to restore its image. He directed to undertake immediate steps for reforms in the department to make it more agile and effective in implementing initiatives for the preservation of forests and wildlife protection.

Saying that sincere and committed efforts from forest personnel go a long way in preserving the forests cover, the Chief Minister underscored the importance of regular transfer and posting of officers. He directed the department to immediately form a committee to undertake a reshuffle of the forest officers starting from Ranger to DFO.

Further to augment revenue generation, the Chief Minister asked the department to provide hassle-free passage to vehicles carrying forest items from other States which are transported following due official procedure. He also directed to take strict measures to realize forest royalty from the forest resources extracted within the State.

Environment & Forests Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Samir Kumar Sinha, Chairman SEIAA Pradyut Kumar Choudhury, PCCF & Hoff Alka Bhargava, PCCF wildlife Dr Amit Sahai, Commissioner and Secretary Forest GD Tripathi, Chief Wildlife Warden M K Yadav and other senior officers were present in the meeting, stated a release.

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