Uttarakhand Chief Minister Emphasizes Forest Conservation and Livelihood Integration

Focus on Forest Conservation and Livelihoods

On Thursday, Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami instructed officials to prioritize the conservation of forests while linking forest resources to the livelihoods of local communities.

While presiding over the 21st meeting of the Wildlife Board, the Chief Minister highlighted that Uttarakhand is rich in forests, and efforts should be made to connect these resources to the economy. He directed the forest and finance departments to convene for discussions on this matter.

Dhami also urged officials to create a comprehensive plan for the next decade that balances ecology and economy, promoting eco-tourism activities around forest areas.

He emphasized the need to reduce human-wildlife conflict incidents and implement a digital tracking system for swift compensation distribution in such cases.

The Chief Minister called for accelerating the construction of a zoo and safari in Haldwani, ensuring that the maintenance of forest rest houses caters to tourist needs while also focusing on revenue generation.

He instructed to expedite the renovation works related to Chaurasi Kutia near Rishikesh, stressing the importance of innovation in linking forest resources to the economy through collaborative efforts between the forest and finance departments.

Special initiatives for the conservation of Mahseer fish were also discussed. During the meeting, approvals were granted for 25 decisions regarding the transfer of forest land within a 10-kilometer radius of protected areas, which will be forwarded to the National Wildlife Board.

It was reported that over 75,000 monkeys have been sterilized in the past three years, with a target of sterilizing 40,000 monkeys across 27 forest divisions this year. Additionally, four new eco-tourism zones are set to be launched in the state in 2024.