‘Forests, Tribal Forest Dwellers and Life Forms Living in Forests
Complement one another and are not Rivals”: Anil Madhav Dave
Environment Minister Inaugurates Two-Day Conference of Senior-Level Officers from States
“Jungle is a living entity and it also communicates, provided we have
the ability to listen to it. The three essential components – forests,
tribal forest dwellers and life forms living in forests complement one
another and are not rivals”, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, said
today. He also said that large-scale felling of trees in forests is
not being done by tribal forest dwellers. Calling for a change in the
colonial outlook that has existed from the pre-Independence period
towards forests, tribal forest dwellers and life forms living in
forests, the Minister emphasised the need to reduce pressure on forests.
He said that agro-forestry, bamboo, or grass can be possible
alternatives to reduce this pressure. “Right way of development is the
right way of environment. Right way of life and leading a life with
minimum carbon footprint is the answer to climate change”, Shri Dave
said.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day conference of Additional
Chief Secretaries (Forests)/Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and
Chief Wildlife Wardens here today, the Minister highlighted that India
has agreed to take a number of actions on avoluntary basis to meet the
commitment under Paris Agreement, Self Development Goals 2030, as well
as the recently-concluded agreement on HFCs. The Minister referred to
the recent developments at the global as well as national level in the
environment sector. He underlined the need to develop an effective
strategy to achieve forestry-related NDC targets, which India had
submitted under the Paris agreement. Shri Dave also referred to new
developments at the national level, such as passing of the CAMPA Bill,
which paves the way for effective utilization of large sum of funds
available under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund. He pointed out
that environment and development have always gone hand-in-hand. He
highlighted the need to plant trees and more importantly, protect and
conserve them Shri Dave also underlined the importance of connecting
the younger generation to forests.
The central theme of the conference is development without destruction,
peoples’ participation, building skills and capacities of the workforce,
as well as people dependent on forests and illegal trade in wildlife
and timber. The Conference will discuss important issues related to
forestry and wildlife.
The focus will be on various issues related to wildlife conservation and
management on the second day of the conference tomorrow. Some of the
identified areas for discussion will include human-animal conflict,
wildlife crime, illegal wildlife trade and discuss ways to address these
issues effectively.
The year 2016 represents a very important milestone in the evolution of
the Indian Forest Service, as it completes 50 years of its formation as
an All India Service. To mark the occasion, a book titled, ‘Golden
Leaves - Celebrating 50 years of Indian Forest Service’ was released by
the Minister. A short film on the evolution and contribution of IFS to
the growth and development of the nation was also screened.
Director General, Forest and Special Secretary, Dr. S.S Negi delivered
the welcome address, while Additional Director General of Forest, Shri
Anil Kumar gave the vote of thanks.
***
HK
(Release ID :151845)
No comments:
Post a Comment