Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on the occasion of World Environment Day
Addressing the gathering, Minister Naik highlighted the growing role of women in Maharashtra’s administration. "It is a matter of pride that women are being appointed to key positions in Maharashtra. Chief Secretary Sujata Soni, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, and Smita Vishwas are three shining examples," he said. He also noted that more than 50% of secretary-level positions in the state ministries are held by women, which he called a moment of pride for Maharashtra.
Key Announcements Made by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik:
Enhanced Mobility & Security: Officers and forest guards will be provided with high-quality vehicles for better patrolling and conservation efforts.
Modern Equipment: Officers including Foresters, Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACFs), and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) will receive modern weapons and updated technology.
Departmental Inclusivity: The Forest Department is not just a government body but a family, said Naik, emphasizing unity and purpose.
Women Reservation: The department's vacant posts will soon be filled, with over 50% reserved for women, promoting gender equity.
Local Involvement: The honorary forest guard system, currently at the district level, will be expanded to every taluka, encouraging grassroots participation.
Fire Prevention: A dedicated study team will be formed to tackle forest fires using advanced technologies adopted from other states.
Wildlife-Human Conflict Reduction: Trees favored by wild animals will be planted in drier regions to reduce animal intrusion into human settlements.
Eco-Tourism Boost: Plans are underway to develop five-star facilities in forest areas to promote eco-tourism.
Safety Systems: To curb leopard and tiger attacks, alarm systems will be installed across departments.
Recalling his earlier tenure as Forest Minister in 1995, Naik said, "Back then, forest staff only had sticks. I worked to equip them with vehicles, wireless communication systems, and licensed firearms like pistols and rifles."
He also lauded Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' ambitious plan to plant 10 crore trees across the state. "I had presented this proposal to the Chief Minister a month ago," Naik revealed.
The Vanshakti Conference was attended by Milind Mhaiskar, Chief Secretary of the Forest Department; Shobhita Vishwas, Director General of ICF Dehradun; Kanchan Devi and Dr. Suvarna from Telangana; and several senior officials from across India.
Concluding his address, Minister Naik stated, "Just as a mother and mentor shaped Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj into a great leader, we too must strive to give women the respect, recognition, and opportunities they deserve in Maharashtra."
The initiatives announced mark a strong push towards sustainable forest management and inclusive governance, reflecting the state’s commitment to environmental and social progress.