Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Chief Minister Hemant Soren today chaired the first meeting of the Governing Body of the Jharkhand Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), where he reviewed compensatory afforestation, forest conservation, elephant corridors, environmental protection and development projects in forest areas.
Soren directed officials to ensure timely, transparent and quality implementation of all CAMPA-funded schemes, with their benefits reaching forests, rural communities and local livelihoods. He stressed that plantation, water and soil conservation, wildlife protection and ecological restoration should receive priority.
The Chief Minister called for effective monitoring of plantations to ensure that saplings survive and develop into trees. He also directed officials to plant medicinal and other species beneficial to both humans and wildlife.
A key focus of the meeting was reducing human-elephant conflict. Soren ordered detailed mapping of all elephant corridors in Jharkhand and directed officials to ensure that traditional wildlife routes are not disrupted.
Sensitive areas and obstacles affecting elephant movement should be identified and demarcated, while unnecessary disturbance to wildlife habitats must be avoided. He also emphasised water conservation and groundwater recharge in forest areas, with projects tailored to local geographical conditions and community needs.
Soren said development activities such as mining, excavation and crusher operations could affect wildlife habitats and movement. He called for a balanced approach that protects wildlife while allowing necessary development. In elephant corridor areas where roads are essential, he suggested considering elevated road structures to facilitate safe animal movement.
He further directed officials to increase the plantation of food species preferred by elephants and other wildlife, saying adequate natural food availability could help reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Forest officials informed the meeting that modern technology is being deployed in sensitive areas, including Ramgarh, Bokaro and Chakulia, to monitor elephant movement. Thermal and infrared cameras are being installed to provide advance information about elephant presence.
Officials said tower-mounted cameras can trigger local alerts through hooters when elephants are detected. Mobile numbers of residents in vulnerable areas are also being registered to send real-time alerts about elephant movements. Information will simultaneously reach concerned departmental offices for timely action.
Soren also reviewed the availability and utilisation of CAMPA funds, quality of ongoing works and ground-level progress. He directed regular monitoring and accountability for unnecessary delays.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, senior officials of the Forest, Environment, Road Construction, Finance, Revenue and Rural Development departments, and other senior forest and wildlife officials.
