CM Hemant Soren Reviews Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department; Directs Scientific Forest Management and Eco-Tourism Expansion

Ranchi, July 2026: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday conducted a high-level review meeting of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department at the Jharkhand Secretariat, directing officials to strengthen scientific forest management, accelerate afforestation, promote eco-tourism, and ensure the timely disposal of pending forest rights cases.

Reviewing the department’s latest progress, the Chief Minister instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive technical and digital record of all forest areas in the state within one month. He said an integrated digital mapping system should be developed so that the complete status, structure and current condition of every forest area can be accessed with a single click. He also directed the preparation of layered digital forest maps to accurately reflect changes that have taken place since the formation of the state, including expansion of forests, eco-tourism projects, guest houses, mining activities, and changes in wildlife sanctuary and national park boundaries.

Emphasising that forest conservation remains a top priority for the government, Soren called for large-scale plantation drives and scientific removal of dry and unusable trees to facilitate new plantations and expand the state’s green cover.

He also directed officials to formulate a detailed plan for aerial seed dispersal using helicopters to regenerate forest areas. The Chief Minister asked the department to ensure prompt compensation to families of people killed in elephant attacks as well as for crop and property losses caused by wild elephants.

Highlighting Jharkhand’s immense eco-tourism potential, Soren instructed the Forest and Tourism Departments to work in close coordination to prepare a comprehensive development plan that would promote sustainable tourism while protecting natural ecosystems.

Utility-Based Plantation

The Chief Minister stressed that plantation programmes should focus on utility and ecological suitability rather than merely increasing the number of trees planted. He directed officials to prioritise indigenous species that benefit both the environment and rural livelihoods.

He instructed the department to undertake large-scale plantation of mahua, jamun, karanj, palash, kusum, ber and arjun trees, which support biodiversity while generating income through forest produce, lac cultivation and tasar silk production. Fruit-bearing trees such as mahua, jamun, jackfruit, amla, chironji and ber would improve nutrition and provide additional income to local communities.

Soren said plantation planning must reflect local ecological conditions and economic needs, noting that planting unsuitable tree species serves little purpose if they do not benefit livestock or local residents.

Free Electricity Linked to Tree Plantation

The Chief Minister directed officials to widely publicise the government’s “Plant One Tree, Get Five Units of Free Electricity” scheme to encourage greater public participation in environmental conservation. He also called for a dedicated urban plantation campaign to increase green cover in cities through large-scale planting of shade-giving trees, including acacia.

Priority for Forest Rights and Commercial Crops

Soren directed officials to ensure speedy disposal of pending forest rights cases and timely distribution of forest land titles to eligible beneficiaries. He stressed transparent and time-bound implementation of all forest development and conservation schemes with active participation of local communities.

The Chief Minister also emphasised the promotion of commercial plantations, particularly cashew and bamboo cultivation, by identifying large suitable land parcels. He said bamboo-based industries and handicrafts could create significant self-employment opportunities while strengthening the rural economy.

Protecting Jharkhand’s Natural Heritage

Describing Jharkhand’s forests, wildlife and biodiversity as the state’s defining identity, Soren directed officials to intensify efforts to prevent deforestation, reduce human-wildlife conflict and ensure effective implementation of climate change, joint forest management and conservation programmes.

During the review, the Chief Minister interacted virtually with Divisional Forest Officers from across the state, including Dumka, Jamtara and Koderma, to assess the progress of forest rights distribution, plantation activities, eco-tourism projects and other departmental initiatives.

The meeting also reviewed environmental protection measures, pollution control initiatives and environmental compensation mechanisms. Officials were instructed to take strict action against violations of prescribed environmental standards and strengthen the use of the Jan Vishwas App for transparent and speedy disposal of pollution-related complaints.

Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Secretary Abu Bakar Siddiqui P., senior forest officials, Pollution Control Board representatives and other departmental officers attended the meeting.