Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik critical of forest officers

BHUBANESWAR - Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has criticised the delay in processing files by the Divisional Forest Officers (DFO) for proposals under Forest Act.

Inaugurating the annual DFO Conference here on Thursday, Patnaik pointed out that there are instances of avoidable delay in the matter of formulation and processing of proposals under the Forest Act.

He said that such matters require due diligence but need handling with a sense of commitment and urgency.

He also advised the DFOs to interact much more frequently with officials and agencies in other sectors, such as irrigation, mining, industries, roads and electricity.

Responding to poser, he said forest officials would be soon provided modern equipments to keep elephants away from human habitation.

He said the games wardens and forest rangers would be given more modern equipment.

He said that it was decided in the conference to form coordination committees to protect the elephants.

It was also suggested that the Orissa’s Environment and Forest Department as well as the Electricity Board would form a committee to ensure decrease the instances of man-elephant conflicts.

As per the 2010 census numbers of elephants in the state are 1886, whereas their number in 2009 was 1827.

During last two years in an average 55 elephants have died for varied reasons among which 16 elephants died in accidents. (ANI)