Raipur will soon develop an 'Urban Forest'

Forest department of Chattisgargh is planning to develop an 'Urban Forest' in the capital city of Raipur. The planning is headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) C K Khetan to maintain the ecological balance in the city. The forest department will soon come up with new guidelines, in which the main focus will be on joint forest management, plantation on river banks and expansion of greenery schemes.

Raipur (Chattisgarh): In order to maintain ecological balance, the Chhattisgarh forest department is planning to develop an "urban forest" around the capital city, Raipur.

"In a meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) C K Khetan directed the Forest department and Indian Forest Service officials to draft guidelines and an action plan for developing an urban forest around Raipur", said a government public relations officer, to the media.

Mr Khetan has also asked the officials to select best programmes that are currently in progress mode.

Also, he urged the officials to come up with 3-4 new guidelines to maintain ecological balance and has directed the latter to focus on joint forest management plantation on river banks and expansion of greenery schemes for developing urban forest.

The meeting also reviewed the functioning of Chhattisgarh State Medicinal Plant Board and discussed the prospects to merge the board with Bio-Diversity Board.