HYDERABAD: The 23rd All India Forest Sports Meet got off to a flying start with Forest Minister Jogu Ramanna declaring the sports meet open by releasing pigeons and balloons at the Gachibowli Sports Complex Stadium here on Saturday.
Contingents comprising over 2,300 officers and staff of forest departments from all the States and Union Territories participated in the march past led by the Games Mascot Jinku to mark the inaugural.
Earlier Mr. Ramanna and IT Minister K.T.Rama Rao hoisted the National Flag, followed by the rendering of National Anthem and the March Past.
Later flag bearers of respective contingents administered an oath to the participants to display true sportsman spirit and uphold the spirit of the games. Later a sports torch was taken all around the ground by the contingent leaders before lighting the lamp of the Sports meet on a pedestal that would inspire the athletes to give their best.
Bonding time
The participants comprised all age groups from young to those on the verge of retirement from the service. The events would commence from Sunday morning and conclude on January 10.
The three-day meet would not only provide a platform for the forest department personnel to showcase their talents and skills, an opportunity to share experiences and culture but also to strengthen the resolve of the participating teams and States to work for increasing the forest cover and take up afforestation programmes, said Secretary Union Ministry of Environment and Forests A.N.Jha.
Hiked budget
He said it was a good sign for the country that a consensus was reached by all the States to increase the forest cover from 24 per cent to 33 per cent and achieve 250 crore to 300 crore metric tonnes of carbon sink by 2030.
Mr. Ramanna said the State government had increased the budget of forest department to ₹400 crore with a view to protect forest, create better infrastructure and purchase vehicles for staff.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest D.K.Jha and other officials were present.
