Need to focus on conservation of forest lands through GSI: Vasundhara Raje

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday laid stress on protection of wildlife and said there was a need to strike a balance between conservation of forest lands and development through Geographic Information System (GIS) technique.

All state government departments should go the extra mile and cooperate with each other keeping in mind long term good of the state and adopt an integrated approach not only to save wildlife but also to maintain pace of growth, Raje said at a state wildlife board meeting in Jaipur.

The Chief Minister said people-centric development could very well accommodate environmental concerns, and directed the Forest, Public Works, Mines and other infrastructure-related departments to regularly exchange ideas and use GIS technique that would allow real-time sharing of information. She asked tourism department officials to work with the forest department to ensure that "nature tourism is given sufficient attention".

New tourist spots need to be developed in the state and the experience of tourists visiting Ranthambhore, Sariska and Taal Chhapar sanctuaries has to be improved, she said. Raje reiterated the importance of involving locals in the management of wildlife and forest areas.

She asked departments to focus on lesser-known sanctuaries like Kumbhalgarh, Sorsan and Taal Chhapar, and also look at tourism in the Chambal area and in the ravines of Dholpur. She insisted that the Jawai Dam conservation area receives the attention it deserves from the angle of sustainable wildlife and tourism management.

The Chief Minister mentioned the issue of relocation of villages and pointed out that the relocation package has to be attractive and it should be done with sensitivity. She also expressed concerns over reports of diclofenac related deaths of eagles in Jodbeed area, Bikaner.

The State Wild Life Board cleared a number of important proposals of development-related projects to be forwarded to the central government for further clearance. Chief Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) OP Meena, Chief Wildlife Warden Sidhnath Singh and Principal Secretary (Mining) Ashok Singhvi were among those present at the meeting.