With climate change impacts being felt worldwide, Forest, Biology and Environment Minister Ishwar Khandre has stressed that tree plantation and protection must be the Forest Department’s top priority.
Presiding over a review meeting of forest officers from the Belagavi Circle at Suvarna Soudha, the Minister directed officials to increase green cover by planting and maintaining more saplings outside the Western Ghats region. He called for large-scale plantation along highways, district main roads and city roads, along with an audit to assess sapling survival rates.
Khandre also instructed officials to strengthen eco-tourism infrastructure at the Gokak Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary by deploying additional boats and improving tourist facilities.
Concerned over disturbances to wildlife at Vajrapoh Waterfall, he ordered strict measures to restrict visitor entry and prevent mishaps.
On forest encroachments, the Minister clarified that poor families occupying less than three acres for livelihood should not be disturbed, while all new and large-scale encroachments, especially post-2015, must be cleared. He also directed the plantation of native species in cleared areas.
To address human-wildlife conflict, Khandre asked officials to hold public contact meetings in forest-fringe villages, create awareness on wildlife laws, and prevent illegal electric fencing that poses a threat to animals.