The State government has chalked out a plan to fill 2,766 posts in the Forest Department in a phased manner.
The government also plans to develop ‘YSR Smriti Vanam’, a park in memory of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, at Pavurala Gutta in the Nallamala forest.
Addressing the media after a review meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Forest Minister Balineni Srinivas Reddy said the notification to fill 504 posts through the APPSC had already been issued.
The ‘smriti vanam’ would be developed at a cost of ₹25.20 crore, the Minister said.
Botanical gardens
Steps were afoot to develop six botanical gardens. Five eco-tourism centres would be developed at a cost of ₹22.40 crore. In addition to the existing 12 ‘nagara vanams’, five more would be developed at a cost of ₹30 crore, the Minister added.
The total forest cover in the State increased by 2,141 sq. km, which was the highest in the country as per the India State of Forest (ISFR) Report-2017, Mr. Srinivas Reddy said.
Plantation drive
“This year, the government plans to plant 25 crore saplings. The plantation drive will be taken up under the MGNREGS and the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management Authority (CAMPA) scheme by spending ₹175 crore,” the Minister said.
Stating that the Red Sanders Task Force, which had a strength of 287 men, would be equipped with fire arms, he said 125 revolvers had been purchased so far. Another 250 pump-action firearms would be procured soon, the Minister said.
Man-animal conflict
Referring to the man-animal conflict, he said elephants were frequently foraying into human habitations in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts. Apart from crop loss, human loss was also reported. An ex gratia of ₹5 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. This apart, ₹6,000 per acre would be given to the farmers who suffered losses due to destruction of crops by elephants, the Minister said.
