Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive digital record of the state’s forests within one month, marking a major step towards technology-driven forest management and conservation.
Hemant Soren Directs Creation of Jharkhand Digital Forest Record Within a Month
During a high-level review meeting of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, the Chief Minister instructed officials to develop a digital system that would provide real-time information about Jharkhand’s forests with a single click. The platform will include details such as forest area, present condition, historical changes, and other key data to support scientific planning and conservation efforts.
Soren said the state has witnessed significant changes in forest landscapes
Hemant Soren said the state has witnessed significant changes in forest landscapes since its formation. While some areas have seen forest expansion, others have been altered due to mining activities, eco-tourism projects, and infrastructure development. He also noted that the boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks have changed over time, making an updated digital forest database essential.
The Chief Minister emphasized that forest protection should remain a top priority. He directed the department to prepare an action plan for large-scale plantation drives, scientific removal of dry and unusable trees, and explore the use of helicopters to disperse seeds for expanding forest cover in remote areas.
Soren also stressed the need to increase green cover in urban areas by planting more shade-giving trees. He called for wider awareness of the state government’s “Plant One Tree, Get Five Units of Free Electricity” initiative to encourage public participation in environmental conservation.
The meeting also focused on speeding up the disposal of pending forest land lease (forest patta) cases to ensure eligible beneficiaries receive timely approvals. In addition, the Chief Minister asked officials to identify large tracts of land for commercial cultivation of cashew and bamboo, aiming to boost farmers’ incomes while promoting bamboo-based industries and handicrafts.
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