For the protection of forests and wild animals, ex-gratia amount will be increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh to the families of martyrs.
The ex-gratia amount given to the families of forest department employees who were martyred while protecting forests and wildlife will be increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Forest department staff will also be given uniform allowance of Rs 5,000 and nutritious food allowance of Rs 1,000. Efforts will be made to resolve their problems and for their welfare and betterment by convening a meeting of the low paid and irregular employees like mahouts, cutters and other irregular employees of the Forest Department at the Chief Minister’s residence. National Forest Martyr’s Day will be celebrated purposefully every year in the state. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan made these announcements at the inauguration program of the State Forest Martyrs Memorial on National Forest Martyrs’ Day here today. He also virtually inaugurated Chandanpura Nagar Forest.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan congratulated the Forest Department for its contribution in increasing the forest cover in the state. He said that Madhya Pradesh is a state that protects forests. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan participated in the Van Mahotsav organized in the newly constructed Van Bhavan. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan met the families of 44 martyred forest workers and consoled them and honored them by presenting them shawls and quinces.
Forest Minister Shri Shah welcomed Chief Minister Shri Chouhan by presenting him an Ashwagandha plant. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan released the booklet “Anubhuti” focusing on the activities of City Forest Chandanpura, Van Shaheed Souvenir 2023, souvenirs of all the city forests of Madhya Pradesh and the activities of Madhya Pradesh Eco Tourism Board. A short film based on Chandanpura Nagar Forest was also screened.
Minister of State for Forest Shri Rahul Singh Lodhi, Additional Chief Secretary Forest Shri J.N. were present in the program. Kansotiya, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Forest Force Chief Shri Ramesh Kumar Gupta and forest officers and employees were present.
We will have to follow India’s path for environmental protection
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the dangers of global warming and climate change prove that for environmental protection, the world will have to follow the path shown by India. It is said in the Matsya Purana that “There is one stepwell equal to ten wells, one pond equal to ten stepwells, one son equal to ten ponds and one tree equal to ten sons”. In Indian culture, the tree is considered equal to God, father and ten sons. We consider it inauspicious to cut Tulsi, Peepal, Amla. If there are no trees and plants, there will be no human life either.
Madhya Pradesh conserved forest wealth very well
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh has conserved the forest wealth very well. The largest forest area in the country is in Madhya Pradesh, which is 30 percent of the state’s area and 12.30 percent of the total forest area of the country. We are also ahead in the protection of wild animals. Madhya Pradesh is not only the Tiger State of the country, it also has adequate numbers of leopards, gharials and vultures, and leopards have also been reestablished.
Government committed to the safety of forest workers
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the nation is indebted to those who risked their lives to protect the forests. Forest personnel perform their duties amidst danger in difficult conditions, away from their families. The state government is committed to their safety.
Gratitude to Mahakal Maharaj for the rain
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that a crisis seemed to be brewing due to the famine situation in the state due to lack of rain. In this situation, he sought refuge in Mahakal Maharaj and prayed for rain in the state, by whose grace it rained. Rainfall in every corner of the state since last one week has given a new lease of life to the crops and we have been saved from drought. I went to Ujjain and thanked Lord Mahakal for this kindness.
There is a need for strict laws to protect forests and wild animals – Forest Minister Shri Shah
Forest Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah said that Chief Minister Shri Chouhan is running the state considering it as his family. His sensitive working system is benefiting all sections of the society. Minister Shri Shah expressed the need to make more stringent laws for the protection of forests and wild animals in the state and thanked Chief Minister Shri Chouhan for providing the entire Van Bhavan to the Forest Department.
