Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Awangbow Newmai on Monday instructed forest department officials to focus on raising awareness among the general public about the various activities of the department.
The minister said the public especially in the hills lack clarity regarding the activities of the department. He was addressing the officials during the inauguration of Tengnoupal forest division complex on Monday.
Thanking the village authorities for giving land to construct the complex, Awangbow said that the department must target on raising awareness to the public before implementing any project or programme from now onwards.
The newly inaugurated complex will help the officers in smooth functioning of their work, he said and appealed to the public to cooperate with the department as the officers are working for the welfare of the people. He stressed that collective participation is needed for safeguarding the eco-system, which is also the basic principle of the forest department.
Speaking on the various schemes provided by the department and the government, he exhorted the public to avail the benefits of the schemes as it is meant for them.
DFO, Tengnoupal division, L Jeeceelee presented a slide on achievements and activities of the division, which spread across 1553.75 sq km.
Informing that the division is carrying out schemes under the State Plan, CAMPA, NBM, TRIFED, IFMS and NAP, she said the division aims to develop SHGs to imbibe entrepreneurship quality under the TRIFED scheme. The division is also involved in other activities like rescue of wild animals, curbing the wildlife forest offences and awareness/sensitisation programmes, she added.
The DFO also urged the ministerial team for strengthening the staff of the Tengnoupal forest division. She said that the division has only 18 field staff out of the sanctioned strength of 32 at present. She also drew attention for construction of a DFO quarter, staff quarters and to provide vehicles for patrolling.
Earlier in the day, the ministerial team also visited and inspected the plantation done under CAMPA at the Lamkang Khunou Centre. The team also visited the Khoibu Bamboo Development Society, a bamboo processing unit under the National Bamboo Mission (NBM) at Khangshim village. The minister checked the bamboo products at the unit and also interacted with the people working at the unit.
Tengnpupal A/C MLA, D Korunghthang; additional chief secretary, forest, environment and climate cange, MH Khan; principal chief conservator of forests, Kereilhouvi Angami and other officers were also present at the occasion.
