Odisha govt to preserve 670 sacred groves as hot spots of biodiversity
21 March,Bhubaneswar
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday said the state government has taken a new initiative for “Preservation of Sacred Groves” which are the hot spots of bio diversity in the state
As many as 670 sacred groves have been covered with planting of 67,000 rare, endangered and threatened (RET) plants.
Addressing the state level celebration of World Forestry Day here, Patnaik said, “Our tribal brothers and sisters are worshipping their deities in the form of Sacred Groves adding that the Government is conscious about the difficulties in managing these groves.”
He said keeping in mind the benefits of participatory forest management in the protection and conservation of forests, the Government has put in place a new initiative “Ama Jungle Yojana” which would involve 7000 Vana Surakshya Samitees in 30 Forest and Wildlife divisions covering 23 districts.
They will be strengthened by providing financial, managerial, and facilitation support along with alternative livelihood opportunities. About 2.65 lakh hectares of degraded forests will be restored and conserved through this effort.
Unless forests are in good conditions, it would be difficult to keep the wildlife within its limits. Disturbed forests, devoid of fruit and fodder are bound to force the wild animals out of the forests thus leading to man – animal conflict, Patnaik said.
The chief minister further said special efforts are needed to enrich our forests with food, fodder and other NTFP species for sustenance of the wildlife.
To create awareness among people about conservation and protection of forests, Eco-tourism initiatives have been taken up for the benefit of nature lovers at Anjar in Keonjhar District, Sidhamula in Nayagarh District, Ansupa in Cuttack District, Mahavinayak and Olasuni in Jajpur District, Nrusinghnath in Baragarh District, Pakidi hill, Saluapali and Lalsing in Ganjam District, Manchabandha in Mayhurbhanj District, Dhaltangarh in Jagatasinghpur District and Saptasajya in Dhenkanal District, he said.
Patnaik said although forest cover in Odisha is higher than National Goal of 33 percent, the State Government has launched the Green Odisha (Sabuja Odisha) Mission from the year 2013-14 with the target of planting 44.55 crore seedlings during the period from 2013 to 2017.
He said avenue plantations and urban plantations have been made important components of afforestation program. During the current year 2015-16, avenue plantation has been raised over 5,440 row kilometres.
To promote trees outside the forests as well as to beautify the urban landscapes, efforts have been made in the current year for planting 17 lakh saplings in the urban areas. Similarly, to promote tree planting, each year “State Tree Planting Day” is celebrated during July by planting large number of seedlings.
During 2015-16, about 40 lakh seedlings were planted on a single day on July 8,2015, the chief minister said.