Van Mahotsav in Palamu focuses on forest expansion, wildlife conflict and forest economy
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, August 14: The Medininagar Forest Division organised the 77th Van Mahotsav on the campus of Nilamber Pitamber…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, August 14: The Medininagar Forest Division organised the 77th Van Mahotsav on the campus of Nilamber Pitamber University (NPU) in Daltonganj on Friday, bringing together public representatives, forest officials, academics and administrators to discuss forest conservation, wildlife conflict and the need to expand Palamu’s forest cover.
Unlike routine ceremonial events, the programme focused on practical issues and possible solutions. Forest officials acknowledged the growing problems caused by nilgais and monkeys and discussed measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Palamu needs to increase forest cover
A key discussion at the event was the need to increase Palamu’s forest cover by around 7 to 8 percentage points. Palamu currently has forest cover of about 27 per cent, compared with 29.81 per cent for Jharkhand, participants said.
Additional Collector Kundan Kumar highlighted the gap between Palamu and the state average, saying the comparison should be viewed as an opportunity to explore ways to increase forest coverage rather than as criticism of the Forest Department.
DFO Medininagar Satyam Kumar said a significant area of degraded and open forest had been reclaimed in Palamu over the past two years. Participants suggested both short- and long-term measures to further expand the green cover.
Focus on human-wildlife conflict
Human-wildlife conflict emerged as another major concern, with nilgais and monkeys increasingly affecting farmers and cultivators.
DFO Satyam Kumar suggested that plantations of khair and bamboo could help keep nilgais within forest areas and reduce their movement into human settlements.
To provide food sources for monkeys inside forests, the Forest Department is also planting around 2 lakh tamarind trees and promoting the cultivation of jungle jalebi, he said.
‘Forest economy’ needs wider discussion
Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore called for a broader discussion on the forest economy, pointing out that an estimated 5–7 lakh people live in and around forest areas of Palamu.
He said forest conservation policies should also take into account the livelihood and economic concerns of communities living in forest areas.
“Think about the forest economy. It will be beneficial for the jungles, wildlife and humans both,” the minister said.
Palamu MP Vishnu Dayal Ram stressed the importance of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and said forests could play an important role in promoting cleaner sources of energy.
NPU receives 1,000 saplings
Nilamber Pitamber University Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Kumar Singh appreciated the Forest Department’s initiative to provide 1,000 saplings for plantation on the university campus. He said the department would also take responsibility for their care for five years.
Medininagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ranjit Lal stressed that planting saplings was not enough and that proper after-care was essential to ensure their survival.
He also called for greater emphasis on water conservation, describing it as a key factor in the expansion of forests.
Lal noted that Jharkhand’s population has crossed four crore and said maintaining a balance between environmental conservation and human needs had become increasingly important.
Young generation joins conservation effort
The event also saw strong participation from young people, including members of Generation Alpha and Generation Z.
A young girl from Generation Alpha spoke about the importance of protecting and preserving forests, highlighting the growing role of younger generations in environmental conservation.
Despite early morning rain and a flash flood in the Koyel river, which had raised concerns about attendance, the event witnessed a large turnout, sources said.
Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore, Palamu MP Vishnu Dayal Ram, MLA Alok Kumar Chourasia, NPU Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Kumar Singh, Municipal Commissioner Ranjit Lal and DFO Satyam Kumar, among others attended the Van Mahotsav.
