A vision document for 100 years

Minister for Forests C.H. Vijayashankar said here on Monday that the Government will prepare a forest policy and a vision document on managing forests in the State for the next 100 years.

The policy would specify region specific approaches of planting saplings and forest management, he said.

Mr. Vijayashankar told presspersons that the Government would revise the cadre and recruitment rules for Forest Department employees. The department has constituted 10 committees to study various issues of the department and recommend solutions. All issues will be taken into account while forming the draft policy.

The draft policy will be uploaded on the website of the department within two months. People can read it and give their suggestions before finalising it.

The Minister said the Government would announce awards for the department employees in different levels for their best performance.

This aspect would be included in the draft policy. He was aware of the problems relating to shortage of field-level staff such as guards and forest watchers in the department.

Steps were being taken to fill the vacancies.