Protected Forest Area Increased to 3.92 Percent in the State

• 16 Mar 2023

Why In News?

• On 15 March 2023, Rajasthan Forest and Environment Minister Hemaram Chaudhary informed that in the year 2018 of the geographical area of the state, 2.91 percent was under protected forest area, which has increased to 3.92 percent at present.

Key points

• Forest and Environment Minister Hemaram Chowdhary said that the Vidhan Sabha has passed the demand for a grant of Rs 16 billion 78 crore 24 lakh 36 thousands of Forest and Environment Department by voice vote.
• He said that 9.7 percent of the total area of Rajasthan is forest area. After approving the new forest policy by the government, a target has been set to convert 20 percent of the land into forests.
• The Forest Minister informed that in the year 2022-23, tree plantation has been done in 56 thousand 410-hectare areas and in the year 2023-24, tree plantation will be done in the 80-thousand-hectare area under various departmental schemes.
• Hemaram Chaudhary said that 9 new conservation reserves have been declared during the tenure of the present government. Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary is being developed as the fourth Tiger Reserve after Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundara Tiger Hills. Further, the process of notifying a Tiger Reserve at Dholpur is under process.
• With the help of Gram Panchayats and Urban Bodies and public cooperation to encourage tree plantation outside forest areas. He said that a massive tree plantation program named 'Tree Outside Forest in Rajasthan' will be launched.
• Under this scheme, 5 crore saplings will be prepared and distributed in the financial year 2023-24.
• The Forest Minister informed that one Luv Kush Vatika is being developed in every district of the state and in the year 2023-24, one more Love Kush Vatika will be developed in every district. Apart from this, green lungs areas will be developed in urban areas by doing works worth Rs 32 crore in the coming year.
• He informed that voluntary displacement of villages from tiger reserves of the state has also been accelerated. Three villages each from Sariska Tiger Reserve and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve and one village from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve have been completely displaced.
• Hemaram Chaudhary said that captive animal sponsor scheme has been started by wildlife lovers, institutions and cooperative organizations in the state for adoption of wild animals living in biological parks.
• He informed that out of 24 places for protected areas of the state, 15 areas have been notified as Eco Sensitive Zones.
• In the year 2023-24, Rajasthan Humanities and Biodiversity Development Project worth Rs 1,693 crore will be started in 13 districts of the state and with the help of JICA, a project worth Rs 1,803.42 crore is being prepared for 19 districts of the state.