2012 : Year of achievements and awards for Forest Department

Bhopal: Year 2012 turned out to be year of achievements, awards and innovations for Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. In January, the state made its presence felt vis-à-vis global-level efforts for checking air pollution with the inauguration of fourth carbon flux tower of the country in Betul district. The tower aiming at mapping effects of carbon in forest areas was established with the cooperation of ISRO. During the year 2011-12, revenue worth Rs. 925 crore was generated against the target of Rs. 900 crore.
Five GIS Best Workstations have been set up for strengthening Forest Department’s management system. Of these, two are being used for remote sensing data and three for analysing GIS data. The same year, a project was also launched for preventing land erosion under Joint National Development Programme Project.
According to a record released by Forest Survey of India, Madhya Pradesh has kept intact its 77 thousand 700 square kilometer forest cover, which is highest in the country. The same year, the department planted 7 crore 01 lakh saplings against the target of 6 crore 69 lakh saplings.
Lots of awards received
As a result of continuous efforts for environmental protection and conservation, the Forest Department was conferred “Panasonic Green Global Award”. The department also received GIS-SDI Award in information technology sector. The National Tiger Conservation Authority declared Kanha Tiger Reserve for best management in the country, Panna Tiger Reserve for best innovations and Satpura Tiger Reserve for best wildlife relocation operations. The awards were given away in New Delhi on May 2 by the Union Environment and Forest Minister. Madhya Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board also received ISO certificate for high-quality management and works. The Chief Minister gave away MAPIT Award-2012 to the Forest Department on July 10. This award was conferred for outstanding use of GIS in e-Governance Solutions through “Geo Forest Applications”.
Honorarium of tendupatta collectors was increased from Rs. 650 to Rs. 750 per standard bag, due to which they received additional income of Rs. 23 crore. The State Government also decided to give cent percent amount of bamboo trade profit to labourers this year. Earlier, they were given only 20 percent of the profit.
National Parks exempted from entertainment tax
Decision to exempt National Parks was taken in April this year. As many as 12 lakh tourists visited National Parks and sanctuaries this year from which revenue worth Rs. 15 crore was received. The department conducted examination for 1384 posts of forest guard. Provisions under RBC 6-4 for providing compensation against loss to crop and human beings by wild animals were amended in May. Now, kin of person dying due to attack of wild animal are being provided Rs. one lakh 50 thousand. A person suffering permanent disability is given Rs. one lakh and Rs. 30 thousand is given to a person who sustains injuries. Similarly, registration fees was fixed at Rs. 1000 for traders and contractors of timber and Rs. 200 owners of furniture shops.
Green India Mission launched
Forest Minister Shri Sartaj Singh launched Green India Mission in the state on June 5, 2012. The mission will restore 50 lakh hectare devastated forests and develop forest cover spreading on 50 lakh hectare area. Initiative has been taken to make available 2000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to forest dwellers through Forest Committees. The committee members were also provided certified seeds of maize and millet. Members of Joint Forest Committees and forest village dwellers were made available 2,322 Kisan Cards. In September, the Forest Department also joined Skill Development Programme under which 5314 persons including 592 women were selected for skill development training through Forest Committees.
International Forest Fair was held at Bhopal in November 2012 which was participated by representatives of six countries and 16 states. MoUs worth about Rs. 376 lakh were signed at buyer-seller meet at the fair. As many as 3157 guns were provided to patrolling parties of 319 forest check-posts in the state while 4266 wireless sets, 5500 mobile SIMS, 2946 mobile handsets, 900 PDAs and 900 binoculars were made available for strengthening communication system.