‘Highly beneficial for wildlife food and habitat’: Forest Minister Shri Akbar on Pasture Development
Raipur 22 July 2023// Numerous initiatives for groundwater recharge in the canals of the remote forest regions are being undertaken under the Narva Development Programme in Chhattisgarh. As part of this programme, the development of pastures in a forested area spanning 4,751 hectares is underway, with an amount of Rs 11.79 crore approved under the annual action plan of CAMPA item 2022-23. The Minister of Forest and Climate Change, Shri Mohammad Akbar, has hailed this project as highly beneficial for enhancing the food and habitat of wild animals.
It is worth noting that in the fiscal year 2022-23, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Chhattisgarh has approved the selection of 1,503 drains for the treatment of over 6 lakh hectares of land under its annual work plan. For this purpose, more than 29 lakh groundwater-related structures are being constructed. An amount of over 300 crores has been approved for their construction in 32 forest divisions, 2 national parks, 3 tiger reserves, and 1 elephant reserve in the state.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief of Forest Force, Shri V Srinivas Rao has said that 239 sites in the state’s forest areas have been selected for pasture development under CAMPA for the year 2022-23. Out of these, a maximum of 85 sites have been selected for wildlife conservation. Pasture development is being carried out here on 1,955 hectares of land with a sanctioned amount of Rs. 4 crore 93 lakh.
Similarly, 62 sites have been selected for pasture development under the Surguja forest circle. Here, work is being done on 1,120 hectares of land with a budget of Rs 2 crore 80 lakh. Additionally, pasture development is underway on 600 hectares of land across 36 locations under the Bilaspur forest circle, with a budget of Rs. 1 crore 42 lakh. Under the Kanker forest circle, 22 locations spanning 475 hectares are being developed with a budget of Rs 1 crore 14 lakh, while under the Durg forest circle, 18 locations covering 361 hectares are being developed with a budget of Rs 91 lakh. Moreover, pasture development work is being carried out in 8 locations under the Raipur Forest Circle, covering 200 hectares with a budget of Rs 50 lakh.
