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.

During the inspection, the minister examined the facilities available at the centre and received detailed information from officials regarding conservation activities, breeding management, and future plans related to the protection of the Great Indian Bustard, popularly known as Godawan in Rajasthan.

The minister stated that under the leadership of Bhajan Lal Sharma, the state government is continuously working towards the protection and conservation of Rajasthan’s state bird. He said the breeding centres established by the Forest Department are playing a crucial role in increasing the bird’s population and improving its breeding success.

According to officials, consistent conservation efforts are showing positive results, with gradual growth in the number of Great Indian Bustards and noticeable improvement in their reproductive capacity.

The Forest Minister instructed officials to further strengthen conservation activities and focus on preserving the bird’s natural habitat to ensure long-term protection for future generations. He emphasized that safeguarding this critically endangered species is a collective responsibility.

The visit was also attended by Chhotu Singh Bhati, social workers Dalpat Hingda and Sawai Singh Gogli, DFO Brijmohan Gupta, along with several Forest Department officials and staff members.

Disclaimer

This article is based on official press information and publicly available details. The content has been rewritten in a reader-friendly and human-style format for informational and news purposes only.

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