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Raipur : Forest, Cooperation and Transport Minister Kedar Kashyap, while discussing with the journalists in the auditorium of Chhattisgarh Samvad today, said that remarkable achievements have been made in the field of forest conservation, green cover expansion, wildlife promotion, eco-tourism development and livelihood empowerment of forest dwellers in the state. He gave information about various schemes and achievements of the department. Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said that the state government is continuously working for forest conservation as well as sustainable development, biodiversity conservation and strengthening the livelihood of forest dwellers.
increase in forest cover
In the press conference, Minister Kashyap said that according to the report published by the Indian Forest Survey Institute in December 2024, an increase of about 683 square kilometers has been recorded in the forest and tree cover of Chhattisgarh. About 44 percent of the total geographical area of the state is forest area. The increase of 348 square kilometers in Very Dense Forest is evidence of improvement in the quality and ecological balance of forests.
Green Chhattisgarh Campaign
Kashyap said that under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign in the state, more than 4 crore 20 lakh saplings have been planted and distributed in the year 2024 and more than 2 crore 79 lakh saplings in the year 2025.
Kisan Vriksha Mitra Yojana
He said that under the Kisan Vriksha Mitra Yojana, which is being run with the aim of increasing the income of farmers, commercial plantation on private land is being encouraged. Eligible beneficiaries are given 100 percent financial subsidy up to five acres and 50 percent financial subsidy for areas above that. In the last two years, more than 3 crore 67 lakh saplings were planted in 62 thousand 441 acres of land of 36 thousand 896 beneficiaries.
protection of shrines
In the press conference, Minister Kedar Kashyap said that as per the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 435 Devgudis were constructed in the last two years under “Modi’s Guarantee” for the protection of tribal god sites, on which approximately Rs 16.17 crore was spent.
recruitment in forest department
He said that in the last two years, 313 Class III posts have been recruited in the Forest Department. Apart from this, 150 dependents have been provided compassionate appointment. Physical examination for 1484 posts of Forest Guard has been completed and further process is going on.
success in tiger conservation
Kashyap said that Guru Ghasi Das-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve has been formed for tiger conservation in the state. In the year 2022, there were 17 tigers in the state, which has now increased to 35. To increase the number of tigers, permission has also been received for transfer of tigers from other tiger reserves.
Wild buffalo and mountain myna conservation
Addressing the press conference, Forest Minister Kashyap said that a special plan is being prepared for the conservation of the state animal buffalo. 14 to 17 wild buffaloes have been seen in Indravati Tiger Reserve. Local youth have been roped in as ‘Myna Mitra’ to conserve the state bird, the hill myna, resulting in around 600 to 700 hill mynas being seen now.
Bird Safari and Ramsar Site
He informed that Bird Interpretation Center and Bird Safari has been started in Gidhwa-Parsada, where more than 270 bird species are found. Bilaspur’s Kopra Reservoir has been declared the state’s first and country’s 96th Ramsar site, which will boost eco-tourism and local employment.
Eco-tourism and infrastructure development
Minister Kashyap said that 240 natural tourism centers have been established in the state, out of which more than 50 have become self-supporting. For the convenience of forest dwellers, 96 slip-culverts have been constructed.
human-elephant conflict control
In the press conference, he told that in elephant affected areas, elephants are being monitored and timely information is being given to the villagers through ‘Gaj Sanket’ app. 90 Hathi Mitra Dals have been formed in the state. At present a total of 355 elephants have been registered in the state.
Medicinal plantation and women empowerment
He said that through the Medicinal Plants Board, medicinal plants have been planted in various districts to increase the income of women. Thousands of women have got employment opportunities through this and traditional healers have also been given training.
Achievements of Forest Development Corporation
Giving information about the achievements of the State Forest Development Corporation in the press conference, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said that the State Forest Development Corporation has done works like wood production, tree plantation, removal of illegal encroachments and implementing e-office system under the principles of sustainable forestry. Sale of wooden forest produce has been started through e-auction, which has ensured transparency. Apart from this, along with forest conservation, development work is also going on continuously. He said that under the Forest Rights Act, approval for use of forest land has been given in 1165 cases for the development of roads, schools, health facilities, drinking water and other basic structures in tribal areas.
Largest Marine Fossil Park
Forest Minister Kashyap said that the Marine Fossil Park of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district is the largest marine fossil park in the Asian continent. This fossil is spread over an area of about one kilometer on the banks of Hasdev River. Fossils of 29 crore years ago have been found here. Such marine fossils have been found at 4 places in the country.
