CM meets Union MoS for Forests & Environment Shri Javadekar
Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment (independent charge) Shri Prakash Javadekar and held discussion with him on issues pertaining to forests and environment in New Delhi today. Shri Chouhan informed Shri Javadekar about difficulties due to non-clearance and delay in clearance of development works in national parks by Ministry of Forests and Environment. He urged to start tourist activities in buffer areas of national parks so that local people get employment and are also emotionally attached with forests. The Chief Minister expressed concern over delay in repair of Seoni national highway and converting it to 4-lane. He informed that Seoni national highway can neither be maintained properly nor expanded since clearance has not been given by Ministry of Forests and Environment.
Shri Chouhan also drew attention of Shri Javadekar towards stoppage of work of Mahan and Imaliya coal blocks. He said that this is causing much revenue loss to the state. The Chief Minister urged to allow the state government to invite tender to re-start the work for compensating loss accruing to the state. He informed that place for compensatory afforestation has already been identified.
The Chief Minister also expressed concern over declining number of tigers in Panna district. Shri Chouhan also urged to release additional funds under CAMPA to re-settle people of village inside tiger reserve elsewhere. Shri Chouhan said that there is no conflict between development works and environment. Balance should be struck between the two. Union Minister Shri Javadekar assured to remove hurdles in development works due to non-clearance from Ministry of Forests and Environment soon. Principal Secretary to CM Shri S.K. Mishra and Resident Commissioner Shri R.K. Chaturvedi were also present.
