Port Blair, Feb. 4: The Steering Committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Shri Jitendra Narain deliberated on the Annual Plan of Operation (APO) proposed for the year 2022-23 during the meeting held on Feb.2, 2022 in the Conference Hall of Secretariat and approved the activities worth of Rs. 15.89 crores to be taken up by the Department of Environment & Forests under CAMPA for the year 2022-23. The Department acknowledges the guidance, support and directions provided by the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration in formulating the APO with several new and key activities.

An amount of Rs. 1.50 crores have been earmarked for creation of new CA plantation in 56.16 ha and maintenance of 66.83 ha of old CA plantations.

Realizing the importance of food and nutritional security, an impetus is given to raise 26 lakhs seedlings of fruit bearing seedlings of different species such as Bel, Sita pal, Kaju, Jack fruit, Amla, Jamun, Drumstick, Chiku, Papaya, Lemon, etc. in Andaman & Nicobar Islands through the forest nurseries and also planting of 6 lakhs fruit bearing seedlings during 2022-23 at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.32 crores to improve the food and wood availability in the Islands besides increasing the green cover outside the notified forest areas. This will go a long way to ensure food and nutritional security in the Island Territory.

Conservation of wildlife and management of Protected Areas have been accorded top priority and an amount of Rs. 3.72 crores is earmarked for taking up various measures which include consolidation of Wildlife Protected Areas, strengthening the protection measures in WLS, Habitat improvement and management, research and monitoring, species conservation programme, education and outreach.

Another significant component of APO is measures to improve the infrastructure for protection and strengthen the communication network for protection of coastal forest areas for an amount of Rs. 4.00 crores. These include creation of inspection paths in inaccessible forest areas in South Andaman particularly, Northbay to Shoalbay, Manjeri to Badabalu and Bhadakahrdi to Jhajidera in Rutland Island and establishment of protection camps and inspection huts in remote areas of South, Middle and North Andaman Islands. These measures will not only ensure improved surveillance and monitoring of forests by the Department, but also provide accessibility and connectivity to remote areas. Further, to enhance the forest /wildlife protection efforts, the Steering Committee approved field vehicles/machineries/equipments worth of Rs. 1.00 crore for frontline staff/field functionaries of the Department. An amount of Rs. 0.28 crore has been earmarked for State CAMPA.

The Steering Committee further decided to send the approved Annual Plan of Operation (APO) for the year 2022-23 to the Executive Committee of the National Authority for final approval.

Recognizing the need for infrastructure development in the Environment & Forest Department particularly at Divisional level, the Chief Secretary has assured for more infrastructure facilities in the form of vehicles and boats for the Department.