By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 5 Oct: Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal today chaired a meeting in respect of the Van Panchayats and other related issues here today, and issued instructions to further strengthen the Van Panchayats. In this regard, he also approved amendments in the regulations concerning the Van Panchayat.
Uniyal also directed the officials to conduct elections of the Van Panchayats on time. He also observed that Gram Panchayat head (Pradhan) should be given the responsibility of Sarpanch of the Van Panchayat while the members of the Van Panchayat Management Committee can be elected along with the ward members. The point of giving the responsibility of member to the ward members should be examined. He directed the officials to submit a logical and practical proposal before him soon.
Regarding the Carbon Credit Project, the Chief Project Director, JICA made a presentation and informed that with the cooperation of TERI (TATA Energy Research Institute), the work is in progress in 28 Van Panchayats near Ranikhet. Uniyal observed that this is a subject full of possibilities but the department needs a concrete concept. It was directed that a workshop of officers should be organised in this regard and the success of states like Himachal and Punjab should be studied and discussions should be held through a seminar with expert forest officers of this field.
The income received from resin extraction was compared with the total expenditure being made at present and the Principal Secretary, Forest observed that the net income in this respect was unsatisfactory. The Forest Minister directed that as a pilot project, resin extraction work can be done from any one civil forest area through tender / auction.
For eco-tourism development, the CEO, Ecotourism Development Board informed about the possibilities of Uttarakhand in this field, roadmap and time-bound action as well as the safety of tourists and the identified circuit. The Minister expressed satisfaction over the works and directed the officials to take appropriate cooperation of experts in the project and to take care of increasing local employment.
Principal Secretary, Forest, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HOFF), Principal Secretary Forest RK Sudhanshu, Principal Secretary Justice, APCCF Nishant Verma, were amongst those present.
