ITANAGAR, Dec 2: Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Mama Natung today exhorted officers to intensify efforts to inform communities of biodiversity benefits and engage them in forest conservation efforts. 
Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Senior Forest Officer’s Conference which kicked off in Itanagar today, he said "DFOs & RFOs should participate in Gram Sabhas and also reach out to schools. Continuous engagement with people, elected representatives and community based organisations will result in greater awareness of forestry and environment activities."
He said that coordination meeting should be held once in a quarter to strengthen coordination and collaboration within  the department. He further stated that the ‘Team Forest’ should work in synergy for public benefit. "It was mentioned that there is a great enthusiasm in the 'Gun Surrender Abhiyan' and such 'Jan Bhagidari' is aiding in conservation efforts," he said.
The minister further said that hard working officers should be commended and a committee of officers could be formed to identify and recommend such officers for national and state awards. 
The chairpersons of APFCL, APBRDA, Biodiversity Board and Medicinal Plants Board, Principle Secretary Dr. Sharat Chauhan, PCCF  Jitendra Kumar and all the senior officers of the department up to the level of Divisional Forest Officers from across the state  are attending the conference.  
Apart from core forestry issues like CAMPA, diversion of forest land under Forests Conservation Act, Protection, Biodiversity, Wildlife, Wood Based Industry, Working Plans, innovative subjects like Gun Surrender Abhiyan, Pakke Declaration, Rejuvenation of Streams and Lakes, Carbon Sequestration, Extension of Orchids from tissue culture lab to field to interested public, Holistic development of Bamboo resources by adopting site to market approach, etc., were among the subjects discussed.
Human resource and administrative issues such as welfare of forest department employees, healthy working environment, frontline staff post creation, security and development of Van Vigyan Kendra Chessa as an ecotourism centre as well as for refresher training also came up.
Publications on Gun Surrender Abhiyan, Annual Report of Pakke Tiger Reserve and Bulletin of Arunachal Pradesh Research were released during the inaugural function. 
The Principal Secretary Dr. Sharat Chauhan stressed the need for respecting  traditions, adopting scientific temperament and professional approach and making optimal use of available resources in working of the forest department.
The PCCF Jitendra Kumar welcomed the gathering and presented the wide ranging activities and innovative projects of the department in detail. He stressed that the forest team is committed to maintain a clean, green and healthy environment in the state through collaborative efforts and innovative strategies.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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