PANJIM: The State government on Saturday announced to undertake an exercise using drones and cutting-edge technologies to plant trees in a forest area of over 4.18 square kilometers including 2.27 sq kms in three wildlife sanctuaries — that were burnt during the recent wildfire.
In a series of tweets, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane that the Forest Department will undertake an exercise using drones and cutting-edge technologies to plant trees in places burned during the forest fires.
Rane said that in the past, trees were planted on a number of grazing grounds, depriving wild animals of the nourishment. “As a result, they have invaded fields with human habitation and damaged crops. Considering this, it is crucial for us to work with experts and make sure we are able to implement the forest management plan in a way that benefits our wildlife,” he added.
The Minister said that by developing a five-year plan and other continuing plans that will be put into action by the Forest Department; the State will achieve significant changes in next four years. He lamented that the Forest Department’s programme which were adopted for the previous 10-15 years lacked proper focus, vision and involvement of experts.
As per the information provided by the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), about 4.18 square kilometres of forest area including 2.27 sq kms in three wildlife sanctuaries were affected due to recent 74 sporadic fire incidences reported in private land, reserve forests, comunidade land and protected areas across the State last month.
Also, of the total 74 fire incidences reported during the first fortnight of March, 32 fire incidences were reported in three wildlife sanctuaries.
Further speaking on redevelopment of Bondla Zoo, Rane said the State is working with the Centre to put in a detail strategy to review the zoo. “We will transform it into an appealing location with good animals, providing them the best possible living conditions,” he said.
“As a wild enthusiast, I oppose keeping animals in small cages, we need larger enclosures. To accomplish this, we are closely working with the MoEF&CC to build state-of-the-art facility for the public to visit as well as for the animals within the next three years,” he said.
The Minister is also considering roping in private assistance under corporate social responsibility (CSR), where works will be adopted in accordance with the law and regulations of the Forest Act.
