Build more Dyke Walls for ground water conservation: CM

Central Chronicle News
Raipur, Jul 09: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reviewed the works of Forest & Climate Change and Housing & Environment Department in a meeting held at his residence office here today. During the meeting, he issued directions to work continuously towards the upliftment of tribals and forest dwellers along with conservation and promotion of forests in the state.
During the review, Chief Minister Baghel said that large number of works are being done under Narva Vikas Yojna for conservation and augmentation of ground water in Vananchal of the state. This work will prove to be important for the upliftment of the people of Vananchal. With this, irrigation facilities will be easily available to the people, while adequate availability of water will also be ensured for the wild animals in the forests. He said that where there are fractures in the rivers and streams, special priority should be given to the construction of dyke wall for ground water conservation. This will increase the ground water level in the area. He also asked to promote mulberry plantation keeping in mind the good quality Kosa production in the state during this
period.
He said that to promote mulberry plantation, it should be included under the demonstration program of the Chief Minister’s Tree Plantation Promotion Scheme. Similarly, bamboo plants of good quality should be prepared through tissue culture and planted in their plantation forests.
During the review, Baghel said that training should be given to women self-help groups and villagers to prepare silage from forest fodder to ensure round-the-year availability of fodder for animals. He said that green fodder is needed for the animals in the Gauthans of Chhattisgarh. Also green fodder silage can be sold in the market.
This will also increase the income of women groups. In view of this, before harvesting green fodder in the forests, silage should be constructed by the department.
It was informed in the meeting that 1734 works for construction of Gauthans in forest areas have been approved under the recurring grazing scheme. Out of which 1476 works are in progress. Under the pasture development scheme, the work of pasture development in 9017 hectares was done with an amount of Rs 13 crore 33 lakh. Grasses of Napier, Dinanath, Barseem, Stylon, Marvell, Hybrid Napier Yashwant species have been planted in the pastures. It was informed in the meeting that 14 thousand 167 quintal vermi compost has been prepared by purchasing 35 thousand 668 quintal cow dung under Godhan Nyay Yojana. The target is to plant 25 lakh seed hairs in the forests in the year 2021. In the year 2020, 25 lakh seed hairs were planted.
It was informed in the meeting that multi-activity centers have been started in 168 places in the villages of forest areas where women manufacture Sabai rope, Token, Dhenki rice in Marwahi forest division, processing of forest produce, tailoring, tea cultivation, manufacture of tree guards from bamboo, Duck rearing, Kadaknath, Kosa lac rearing, Sitaphal ice cream manufacturing, Tikhur production and processing and other income oriented activities are being done. Under this, two years ago, the annual turnover of multi-activity centers in the state was 2.5 to 3 crores, which has increased to 45 crores at present. While working towards the protection and promotion of wild animals in the state, necessary instructions were given regarding their proper habitat and adequate arrangement of fodder and water.
The meeting was attended by Forest and Climate Change Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar, Parliamentary Secretary Shishupal Sori, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Environment Subrata Sahoo, Principal Secretary Forest Manoj Kumar Pingua, Secretary to Chief Minister Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief of Forest Force Rakesh Chaturvedi, Managing Director, Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association Sanjay Shukla, PCCF (Wildlife) P.V. Narasimha Rao, PCCF Forest Development Corporation PC Pandey, PCCF Forest Research Atul Shukla and Chief Executive Officer of CAMPA V. Srinivasa Rao.