5th Meeting of the Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation Committee Chaired by the Minister of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change

Jaipur, November 18: The 9th Board of Directors meeting, the 2nd Annual General Meeting of Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation Limited, and the 5th meeting of the Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation Committee were held on Monday under the chairmanship of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister, and Chairman of Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation Limited, Shri Sanjay Sharma. The meeting took place in the committee room at the Secretariat.

During the meeting, Shri Sanjay Sharma directed the optimal utilization of the Corpus Fund under the RFBP Second Project. The JICA Project Director provided a detailed presentation on the new CRESEP Project, implemented with JICA’s assistance, and explained its key activities. Shri Sharma instructed linking the villages involved in the project with Rajeevika’s self-help groups and emphasized ensuring the quality of soil and water conservation work. The proceedings of the previous general meeting were approved, and suggestions from the Minister and other members were gathered regarding the ambitious CRESEP Project. The agenda items of the meeting were also approved.

The Forest Minister directed increasing the corporation’s revenue by managing tourism activities at locations such as bio-parks, zoos, and wildlife sanctuaries under the corporation’s purview. The accounts for the financial year 2021-22 were approved, and suggestions to promote eco-tourism in Rajasthan were discussed. The possibility of transferring such activities from the Forest Department to Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation Limited was also considered.

Additional Chief Secretary of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Rajasthan, and Director of Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation Limited, Mrs. Aparna Arora, proposed forming a 3-4 member executive committee to strengthen the corporation’s operations. This proposal was approved by the Forest Minister. Discussions were held on initiating tourism activities at bio-parks, zoos, and wildlife sanctuaries to enhance the corporation’s revenue.

The Board of Directors meeting directed the formation of a working committee to boost the revenue of Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation Limited through eco-tourism and other activities. This committee will also provide recommendations to the Board on strengthening the corporation’s business plans and operational processes.

Present at the meeting were Mrs. Aparna Arora, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Rajasthan; Shri Arijit Banerjee, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Rajasthan; Shri Uday Shankar, Managing Director of Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation Limited; Shri K.C.A. Arunprasad, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (M&E); Shri Bijoy Joy, Special Secretary, Forest Department; and other officials.