Odisha gains 893 km of forest in two years-Survey

Bhubaneswar, Mar 21  Odisha has gained 893 Sq.kms of forest and tree cover during the last two assessment years from 2019 to 2021, as per the Forest Survey of India Report 2021.
Disclosing this at a function here organized on the occasion of World Forestry Day 2024, Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment Satyabrata Sahu said Odisha is the wealthiest State when it comes to natural resources.
He said the safety and security of nature and the environment, as protection and preservation of forests and wild animals are imperative otherwise the future generation will not forgive us unless we preserve nature for them.
Stating that both development and nature are two sides of a coin, Sahu said a balance has to be maintained between both of them and the officers and staff of the Forest Department have to play a crucial role in this endeavour.
He further said that Forest growth has a direct impact on rain, surface drinking water, and pollution and urged the staff to amplify the afforestation drive involving one and all.
PCCF Debidutta Biswal said the forest department has taken several steps to make forest polythene free and it will intensify such drive in times to come,
PCCF (WL) Susanta Nanda underscored the importance of wildlife for the protection and preservation of the ecosystem while PCCF (P&SM) Prafull Kumar Mallik said that forest is no more a local resource but a global resource.
The State Forestry Award-2024 was awarded to 40 Forest field personnel of the rank of Forest Guard, Forester, and Forest Ranger for their outstanding performance in service.
A photo exhibition depicting the wildlife of Odisha, Nandankanan, Ecotourism, Medicinal plants, and different programmes of the Department was inaugurated on the occasion.