Every year, the “Forest Martyrs Day” is observed on 11th September to pay homage to all the brave Forest staff who has laid down their lives in protecting Forest Wealth and Wildlife in the State of Telangana.
On this day in the year 1730, about 360 people of ‘Bishnoi’ community laid their lives to protect khejri trees in ‘kejrali’ village of Rajasthan.
Today we are observing the “Forest Martyrs Day” in memory of Forest Officers and Staff who laid their lives while discharging their official duties for the cause of protection of Forests and Wild life.
Since 1984 in Telangana State, (21) officers of various cadres have laid their lives while protecting forests and wildlife in the state. They have given up their lives so that we all can enjoy the beauty of nature, including the future generation.
During the year 2017-18 Forest staff has booked (9025) No. of OR cases worth of Rs. 4.05 Crores of Timber and collected Compounding Fee of Rs.12.59 Crores apart from seizing (1923) Nos. of vehicles. In addition (3268) Nos. of UDOR cases have been registered worth of Rs.7.85 Crores of timber value and transported to the Government Timber Depots.
The Government have issued notification for the direct recruitment of (1857) Forest Beat Officers, (90) Forest Section Officers and (67) Forest Range Officers posts to fill the vacancies in the Department. It is in final stage.
Various initiatives have been taken for protection of Forest Wealth in the State with the active participation of the people as follows:-
– 145 Base camps with 5 local tribal/non-tribal watchers in each camp have been established in interior vulnerable forest areas to prevent illicit felling of trees, smuggling and encroachment.
– 62 Strike Forces have been constituted for patrolling in vulnerable areas.
– 58 Forest Check posts are established and maintained for curbing smuggling activity.
– Communication charges are provided to grass root level staff (ABO/FBO/FSO).
– 2173 vehicles have been provided to the Officers and front line staff for mobility and protection of forests i.e. (2008) two wheelers from FBOs to DROs, (110) Mahendra Tar jeeps to FROs, (26) Mahendra Scorpios to DFOs, (3) Mahendra Bolero to FDOs, (10) Innovas, (10) Honda city and (6) fortuners.
– The provisions of PD Act are applied on notorious and habitual Teak wood smugglers.
The Government of Telangana is implementing Telangana Ku Haritha Haram as one of its flagship programmes and the only of its kind in the country in order to achieve the National goal of 33% of Geographical area under tree cover in the state. This year Government has already allocated a plan budget of (130) Crores to the Department to achieve the objective. As part of various a forestation programmers under Telangana Ku Haritha Haram, an area of 4914 hectares of block plantation and 1490 kilometers of Avenue has been taken up during this year and so far about 34.00 Crores seedlings have been planted with the participation of people.
Thus, on the occasion of ‘Forest Martyrs Day’ we pledge to re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of Forest Protection and development of green cover of the State. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I salute all those Martyrs who laid their lives to make a better future for the coming generations.
