Jaipur, Rajasthan:
The second general assembly meeting of the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Development Committee was held at the Government Secretariat, chaired by the Minister of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Shri Sanjay Sharma. The meeting focused on a comprehensive review of projects aimed at increasing the state’s green cover, strengthening water conservation, and ensuring the protection of biodiversity.
Project Performance and Future Roadmap
During the review of the Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Development Project (RFBDP), the committee assessed the achievements of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscal years:
- Significant Expansion in Plantation: The project saw a massive scale-up in plantation activities, expanding from 3,100 hectares in 2023-24 to 16,150 hectares in 2024-25.
- Water Security Measures: Efforts to boost water conservation have been accelerated through the construction of percolation tanks, check dams, and the restoration of traditional water bodies.
- Biodiversity Initiatives: Minister Sharma expressed satisfaction with the progress in wildlife protection, specifically highlighting the innovative measures taken for Gharial (crocodile) conservation.
Directives for Administrative and Financial Transparency
To enhance the efficiency and accountability of forest management, the following directives were issued:
- Financial Training: Village Forest Protection and Management Committees (VFPMC) are to be provided with intensive training on financial record-keeping to ensure transparency.
- Geo-Tagging for Verification: Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Shri Anand Kumar mandated that every work approval order must include the GPS coordinates of the site to enable accurate physical verification of completed tasks.
- Digital Monitoring: To ensure effective evaluation, officials were instructed to develop an online portal for the monitoring of ongoing projects, accessible at the Deputy Conservator and Chief Conservator of Forests levels.
- Standardized Documentation: A standardized proforma booklet is to be prepared and distributed to VFPMC/EDC committees to maintain uniform financial records.
Community Participation
Minister Sanjay Sharma emphasized that environmental conservation is a collaborative effort. He highlighted the importance of “Entry Point Activities” designed to ensure active participation from local communities in forest management, noting that the involvement of local stakeholders is essential for the long-term success of these environmental initiatives.
Disclaimer: This report is based on the official press release issued by the Government of Rajasthan. For the latest government notifications and detailed project reports regarding forestry and biodiversity, please refer to the official website of the Department of Environment and Forests, Rajasthan.
