CM Rawat tells Forest Department to develop plans to prevent man-animal conflict
The forest department must prepare an effective project plan to curb the incidents of leopards entering residential colonies.
In a meeting held with the officers of the Forest Department at his office at Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister Harish Rawat gave directions that the human wildlife conflict must be taken seriously. The CM Harish Rawat said that the count of leopards has increased above the state’s potential. Thus an immediate letter must be sent to the central government to shift out such leopards. The CM said that an effective action plan must be made to curb accidents caused by leopards.
Breeding grounds must be developed for deer and other small animals at each forest division. One leopard safari must be made in Garhwal and Kumaon each. Along with this, fruit bearing trees must be cultivated. A strategy must be designed to install solar lights next to forest. Proposals must be sent to Indian government and schemes like JAICO to make arrangements for electricity and toilets.
Forest department must prepare a scheme where trees like Buransh, Banj and fruit bearing trees can be planted.
Present in the meeting were forest minister Dinesh Agarwal, Principal Secretary Forest Ranbeer Singh, DS Khati and additional principal forest conservator STS Lepcha.
