No Laxity in Forest Protection Will Be Tolerated, Officials Must Remain Vigilant : Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma

Jaipur Aug 2025 – Forest and Environment Minister Shri Sanjay Sharma conducted a comprehensive review of budget announcements and activities related to forest and environmental conservation at a meeting held on Sunday at the Rajsamand District Collectorate Auditorium.

Minister Sharma stated that even today, our forest guards work under challenging conditions to protect forests. He instructed the Forest Department to inspect forest outposts and checkpoints across the district and submit proposals where new buildings are needed. He emphasized that no outpost or checkpoint should operate from dilapidated buildings, assuring that the government is fully committed to addressing this.

Shri Sharma reaffirmed the state government’s firm commitment to forest area protection. He directed officials to take strict action wherever necessary and mentioned that he may personally conduct surprise inspections in the future. All officers must remain alert and dedicated to forest conservation duties. He added that the state government is continuously strengthening the forest protection mechanism and is taking every complaint seriously.

During the meeting, DCF Kasturi Prashant Sule provided a detailed overview of the forest division. He presented reviews on the Master Plan for Todgarh-Raoli Eco-Sensitive Zone, prey base enhancement, Lavkush Vatika in Jheelwara and Nathdwara, Green Lung Development, Bird House, Leopard Conservation, status of plantation drives in past years, and the proposed Tiger Reserve at Kumbhalgarh.

DCF Sule also briefed on the progress of the ‘Vande Ganga Abhiyan’, targets achieved under the ‘Hariyalo Rajasthan’ plantation campaign, sapling distribution, and the district-level program conducted in Binol. Minister Sharma reviewed progress on the ‘Matrivan’ being developed at the Police Lines and activities of ‘Van Mitras’ (Forest Friends).

Additionally, he reviewed actions taken against encroachments, the CAMPA scheme, forest fire control measures, establishment of fire watchtowers, and wildlife census efforts.

DCF Sule informed that 73 wildlife rescues had been conducted in the past year, from July 2024 to now. Minister Sharma also discussed with Regional Officer of the State Pollution Control Board, Ashok Jelia, regarding control of single-use plastic and sapling distribution. He instructed for prompt action on complaints about the adverse impact of industrial water drainage on groundwater levels, ensuring the rural population gets access to clean drinking water.

Present at the meeting were Kumbhalgarh MLA Surendra Singh Rathore, Nathdwara MLA Vishwa Raj Singh, District Council Head Ratni Devi Jat, CCF Seduram Yadav, District Collector Arun Kumar Hasija, DCF Kasturi Prashant Sule, among others.