Forest cover, Tiger numbers surges in Chhattisgarh

Raipur | Correspondent: During a press conference held in Raipur, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap shared details of the work done in the field of forest conservation and wildlife conservation in the state. Minister Kashyap stated that according to the 2024 report of the Indian Forest Survey Institute, Chhattisgarh's forest and tree cover has registered a significant increase of 683 square kilometers, of which 348 square kilometers is covered by very dense forests alone.

The biggest evidence of the state's improved biodiversity is the increasing tiger population, which has increased from 17 in 2022 to 35 now. To conserve wildlife, the government has established the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve and is implementing special schemes for the conservation of the state animal, the wild buffalo, and the state bird, the hill myna, the positive results of which are beginning to be seen on the ground.

He said that 14 to 17 wild buffalo have been sighted in the Indravati Tiger Reserve. To conserve the state bird, the Hill Myna, local youth have been engaged as "Myna Mitra," resulting in approximately 600 to 700 Hill Mynas now being sighted.

To balance the rural economy and the environment, schemes like "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0" and "Kisan Vriksha Mitra" are being implemented in the state, under which millions of trees have been planted. In the field of infrastructure, the declaration of the Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur as the 96th Ramsar site in the country and the development of Asia's largest Marine Fossil Park in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur have become a matter of pride for the state.

In addition, the government has preserved tribal culture by constructing 435 Devgudis under the "Modi Guarantee" and has provided employment opportunities to youth through a large number of appointments in the Forest Department. Technical and social efforts, such as the "Gaj Sanket" app and the deployment of Elephant Friend Teams, have also been undertaken to reduce human-elephant conflict. Ninety elephant friendly teams have been formed in the state. Currently, a total of 355 elephants have been registered in the state.