Forest ecosystem project launched in Himachal

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 1

Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania today launched the Rs 33 crore Himachal Forest Ecosystem Services Project which would be implemented in select panchayats of Kangra, Chamba and Mandi districts.

“The project will cover the two western Himalayan states of HP and Uttarakhand,” he stated. He added that the current project on sustainable management of forest ecosystem services would be implemented and the lessons learnt during the previous project on managing the forests for ecosystem services will be shared with Uttarakhand.

Pathania said that the Forest Department is implementing several schemes like Ek Buta Beti ke Naam, Van Samridhi Jan Samridhi, Samudaik Van Samvardhan Yojana and Vidyarthi Mitr Yojana to achieve the target of bringing 30 per cent of total geographical area under forest cover by 2030.

He said that Himachal Pradesh has a long history of implementing project in the forest sector with the coordination of bilateral and multilateral funding agencies.

“The project will focus on engaging with other line departments, private sector and Panchayati Raj Institutes to seek convergence of resources and capacities, with the objective of

managing forests for water services,” he revealed. He also launched the new website of Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.

He emphasized that the state has been a fore runner in implementing the policies and programmes that are relevant to protect environment and forests and help in mitigation of climate change.

The minister said HP has witnessed unprecedented all-round development under the leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and has achieved exceptional progress in the core areas of health, education, infrastructure development and upliftment of poor.

Additional Chief Secretary Forests Nisha Singh said that this project will be able to achieve its targets and hoped that learnings from the project wouldl be implemented to help the rural community in the state.

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