CM to hold meeting with DFOs on gamut of forest related issues

Aug. 13: Assam Chief Minister, Dr.Himanta Biswa Sarma will hold a meeting with the Divisional Forest Officers of Territorial Divisions of the state here on Saturday. The meeting to be chaired by the Chief Minister in the presence of Environment and Forest Minister, Parimal Suklabaidya, senior officials and DFOs at the Assam Administrative Staff College will discuss a gamut of issues and review status of schemes and projects under the Forest Department.

Forest authorities disclosed that the meeting will take up ambitious plans for large scale plantations and use of cutting edge technology for monitoring. Consolidation and digitisation of forest boundaries by way of reconciliation with revenue records will figure in the meeting.

The meeting will discuss the monitoring mechanism and eviction plan for encroachment in league with the district administrations. Enhancing revenue from forest produce – timber – as per working plan, NTFP and minor minerals will also come up for discussion. Development of forest villages and conversion to revenue village coupled with people’s participation and outreach programs encompassing JFMC’s, FRA rights holders and forest fringe dwellers.

Crucial issues such as management of wildlife outside protected areas and mitigation of man-animal conflicts will come up for discussion in the meeting. Clearance for development projects under FC Act, status of progress under CAMPA and under APFBC, a French funded project will also figure in the meeting. Development of eco tourism including synergy with tourist circuits of the state will come up for discussion.

The meeting will discuss threadbare matters regarding collaboration with NE Space Application Centre (NESAC). A forest official said the meeting will discuss about the challenges and constraints faced by the department and the way forward. A presentation will be made on the Vision for Territorial Divisions under Forest Department.