E-Paper
Forest cover depletion to be checked
NEWLY appointed UP Minister of State for Forests Virendra Singh said here on Saturday that the government was conducting a survey across the state to examine the fertility of soil, climate conditions and other natural resources for the purpose of plantation across the state.
NEWLY appointed UP Minister of State for Forests Virendra Singh said here on Saturday that the government was conducting a survey across the state to examine the fertility of soil, climate conditions and other natural resources for the purpose of plantation across the state.
Talking to mediapersons here, the minister spelt out his priorities for the development and preservation of forests in the state and said that he was fully committed to making the Uttar Pradesh a green state.
Virendra Singh, who is entrusted with the responsibility of forest minister, had also served the state as minister for information and technology recently.
He said that for the preservation of forests and greenery, his department would check illegal cutting of forests in the state by stern implementation of present laws in this regard. “If the present rules and laws are incapable of checking the cutting of forests, the forest ministry will extend a proposal to amend the laws in order to strengthen the present laws”, he said.
Singh said that a massive plantation drive would be initiated soon across the state in which tall plants (attaining a height of 10 ft) would be planted. He added that it was easy to protect tall plants in comparison to smaller ones.
He said that plantation would also be carried out in urban areas and brick-guards would also be placed for the protection of plants. He added that there was need for public support for the protection of plants in urban areas.To a query about encroachment by tribals on forest land, Singh said that this problem would be solved peacefully by holding talks with the tribal people. He said that such tribals would be displaced from the forest land and rehabilitated properly at other places.
Singh said that he would hold a review meeting of the senior officials of the forest department and take stock of the situation.
