Workshop on environmental conservation

Bhopal, Mar 28: General people's participation is a must in the efforts for environmental conservation. These thoughts were expressed by Director General of the Academy of Administration Mala Shrivastava here today. Those present on the occasion included Principal Chief Conservator of Forests VR Khare, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Dr PB Gangopadhaya, other senior forest officers and the participants.

Various important recommendations about conservation of forests and environment were made at the workshop which was held on the subject of 'Integration of Eco-system Services Concepts into Forest Planning Processes'. The participants expressed their views on forests, biodiversity and water conservation. Director General of the Academy of Administration Mala Shrivastava said at the concluding function that rural people should be included at the local level in conservation of forests and environment. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests VR Khare said that the participants should implement recommendations made at the workshop at the grassroot level.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) PB Gangopadhaya said that budget is also being allocated for protection of wildlife existing outside protected areas. Retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forests JJ Dutta also spoke on the occasion. The main suggestions made by the participants included establishment of Capital Project Forestry Zone in other cities also like in Bhopal, development of wetlands and afforestation of fallow lands.

It was recommended at the workshop that there is an immediate need to shift the forest working perspective from timber working to sustainable forest management incorporating ecosystem services concepts. Relationship between the forests and water needs to be brought out in a better manner with an Indian perspective. Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests should have a technical core group which includes Hydrologist, Geologist, Natural Economics specialist and Ecosystem Service Expert to advice him on various aspects of ecosystem services aspects.

Similarly, recommendation was made that the message of forestry and better environment should be conveyed to the common man for garnering public support and building up a support base. This can be better done by targeting the school going children. Every big city and small village should go back to the wisdom of ancient times in developing surface drinking water structures which will be more economical. A base paper for this project will be made by a core committee which will be sent to the government for consideration. On the occasion of World Forestry Day and World Water Day, manifesto will be released by the Forest Department based on the recommendations of the workshop whose implementation will be monitored regularly. Success stories of better forestry practices will be presented and discussed on World Environmental Day. Biodiversity of all the forests of Madhya Pradesh will be inventoried and their value will be identified.