TFP Bureau, Raipur; February 23, 2024: Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap presented a dividend cheque of Rs. 2.26 crore from the Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today at his office chamber in the Chhattisgarh Vidhansabha premises.
Expressing his appreciation for the Forest Development Corporation’s work, Chief Minister Shri Sai highlighted the organization’s pivotal role in expanding green cover and enhancing environmental quality in the state. He commended the corporation for its profitable operations without resorting to loans from financial institutions, underscoring it as a noteworthy achievement to be emulated by other entities. Chief Minister Sai extended his congratulations to Forest Minister and officials of the Forest Department and Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation for this accomplishment.
Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap provided Chief Minister Shri Sai with a comprehensive overview of the Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation’s activities and achievements. Managing Director of Chhattisgarh Forest Development Corporation, Shri Tapesh Kumar Jha, disclosed that the corporation anticipates earning a revenue of Rs. 69.44 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23 from forest produce sales, including teak plantation thinning, as per the approved action plan of the Government of India, among other income sources. Additionally, the corporation reported a net profit after tax of Rs. 52.65 crore. During the same period, extensive afforestation efforts were undertaken, planting 20.98 lakh teak trees across a 1319-hectare area, along with 8.82 lakh mixed species saplings, funded by various public undertakings under the Deposit Planting Scheme to enhance environmental conditions in the state.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, the Forest Development Corporation obtained 15,653 cubic meters of timber, 10 lakh pieces of wood, 10,804 pieces of firewood, and 426 notional tonnes of industrial bamboo, in addition to 2,01,588 pieces of commercial bamboo through tree thinning activities. These endeavors significantly improved the socio-economic conditions of forest dwellers and economically disadvantaged villagers in forest areas, providing them with sustainable employment opportunities. Operating independently of loans or grants, the Forest Development Corporation remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing green initiatives and environmental enhancements throughout the state.
