Maharashtra Forest Department has created the best state-of-the- art Information Technology module – C.K. Mishra IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest Climate Change, Government of India visited Command and Control Room at Van Bhavan, Nagpur and held deliberation with Senior Forest Officials of Maharashtra Forest Department on various issues. He asserted need for augmenting the quality of forests and to suitably modify existing laws to internalize the social and economic aspirations of society as well in order to match with ongoing socio-economic transformation.
C.K. Mishra, Secretary MoEF CC appreciated IT initiatives of Maharashtra Forest Department and expressed his desire of its implementation on pan India basis which would help in improving and augmenting the Forest Administration of the country. He also appreciated pro-active role of State Government for adequate budgetary provision for Forestry and Wildlife activities and at the same time he expressed that with the delegating administrative and financial power of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning (CAMPA) also comes down great responsibility on State Government to strictly follow guidelines of Government of India and no deviation from that should be allowed.
He also affirmed that Maharashtra Forest Department has created state-of-the-art Information Technology model, which has helped to overcome the problem of monitoring of various forest initiatives. At this time, he gave several suggestions regarding exchange of Forest officials with other State Forest Departments to help in implementation of Forestry programs in administration. Umesh Kumar Agrawal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) apprised him about Maharashtra Forest Department recent initiatives which have helped register substantial increase in area under Mangroves, Bamboo and Water bodies within Forests.
Praveen Srivastava, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (IT Policy) presented information about the 50 crore Plantation Drive, ICT Project, GIS Cell, Hello Forest 1926, Green Army Maharashtra and provision of real-time information of all projects to the citizens. Following this, Nitin Kakodkar Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) presented information about Wildlife conservation and other wildlife related issues like Protected Areas of the State, National Tiger Reserve and Eco-tourism.
Sheshrao Patil, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Production and Management), A Ashraf Principal Chief Conservator and Member Secretary (Maharashtra Biodiversity Board), N. Rambabu Managing Director FDCM, Saiprakash, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Budget and Planning), Kanwarjit Singh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Ministry of Environment and Forests Climate Change) and senior forest officials were present.
