Satisfied with the Invaluable Contribution of the Forest Department to State Development – Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar

Mumbai : The Forest Development Corporation (FDCM), which has been consistently profitable since 1988-89, has delivered its highest dividend of Rs 5 crore 82 lakhs to the state government for the financial year 2022-23. The dividend was handed over to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday. On this occasion, Chief Minister Shinde expressed his satisfaction and praised the work of the Forest Department, along with Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and the President of the Corporation. Also present were Minister Dadaji Bhuse, Principal Secretary of the Forest Department Venugopal Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, Managing Director of FDCM Sanjiv Goud, and Yogesh Waghaye.

During the discussion with the Chief Minister, Mungantiwar provided an update on FDCM’s progress, noting that the company achieved its highest turnover in a single financial year since its establishment in 1974 and reached a peak in 2022-23. He highlighted that the teak wood used in the construction of the Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the new Parliament building came from the Chandrapur-Gadchiroli region. Mungantiwar assured that the Forest Department will continue to contribute significantly to the state’s development, reaffirming its commitment to valuable work in this sector.

The Maharashtra government leases 3.50 lakh hectares of forest area to FDCM, which leads among the 22 State Forest Development Corporations in the country in terms of production growth. FDCM manages the forest area scientifically and produces about 50,000 cubic meters of high-quality timber. The state government receives a dividend equivalent to five percent of the company’s profits. Mungantiwar emphasized the department’s consistent efforts to contribute substantially to the state’s development.

FDCM is a pioneer in creating high-quality teak plantations, collecting genetically superior seeds, producing quality teak rootstocks, and manufacturing premium teak timber known as CP Teak and Ballarasha Teak. With over five decades of experience, FDCM has become a leader in forestry production through its commitment to time-tested scientific methods.

Recently, FDCM ventured into the cut-size timber market by establishing sawmills at Alapally and Ballarasha. To expand into the global market, FDCM is in the process of obtaining international FSC certification for quality teak.

The establishment of a ‘Maharashtra Forest Industrial Development Corporation’ is planned to create employment opportunities in the wood industry, increase income for unorganized workers, and improve living standards. The corporation will focus on secondary forest products, including furniture, doors, windows, frames, and decorative artworks. It will also promote bamboo-based industries, train artisans, and support forest product entrepreneurs. The first phase involves setting up an ‘Advanced Wood Processing and Facility Center’ at Chandrapur, featuring a state-of-the-art automated plant for manufacturing solid wood furniture. This center will provide training and employment opportunities for local youth.

In 2022, FDCM expanded into zoological museum management by establishing a subsidiary, ‘FDCM Gorewada Zoo.’ This subsidiary is developing the Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Museum in Nagpur, which will be the largest of its kind in India. The subsidiary is also working on establishing a Tiger Safari and Rescue Center in Chandrapur.