Ranchi, July 20: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren directed the preparation of digital and technical records for all forest areas in the state within a month during a review meeting of the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department on Monday. He also emphasized the swift resolution of pending forest lease cases, the promotion of commercial cultivation of cashew and bamboo, and the development of a time-bound action plan for utility-based plantation and eco-tourism expansion.
In the high-level meeting held at the Jharkhand Secretariat, the Chief Minister instructed officials to scientifically document all changes in forest areas since the formation of the state. He called for the digital mapping and layering of forest areas, aiming to create a system that provides updated information on the state’s forest status at the click of a button.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren clarified that the government’s priority is to resolve pending forest lease cases promptly. He instructed officials to ensure the distribution of forest leases to eligible beneficiaries without unnecessary delays.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the identification of large tracts of land for the commercial cultivation of cashew and bamboo, as well as the formulation of a plan to promote bamboo-based industries and handicrafts. He noted that this initiative would create new employment and income opportunities in rural areas.
Reviewing the plantation campaign, he stated that instead of merely increasing numbers, local ecology and rural needs should guide the planting of species such as Mahua, Jamun, Karanj, Palash, Kusum, Arjun, Jackfruit, Amla, and other useful varieties. He emphasized that this approach would strengthen environmental conservation and bolster the rural economy.
The Chief Minister also instructed the Forest and Tourism Departments to coordinate efforts to accelerate eco-tourism projects in the state. Additionally, he urged for expedited compensation payments to the dependents of those killed in elephant attacks, as well as for crop and property damages.
He proposed exploring the possibility of using helicopters to disperse seeds for expanding forest areas. The meeting also included directives to enhance tree plantation campaigns in urban areas and to ensure widespread promotion of the state government’s “Plant a Tree, Get Five Units of Free Electricity” scheme.
Present at the review meeting were Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh, Forest Department Secretary Abu Bakar Siddiqui, among other senior officials, while forest division officers from all districts participated via video conferencing.
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