Odisha CM Advocates Fruit-Bearing Tree Plantation, Community Participation in Forest Protection

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday urged forest officials to go beyond conventional afforestation efforts by planting trees that provide fruits, flowers, and shade—especially in residential areas and along roadsides—as a means to increase public participation and build stronger community ties to green initiatives.

Speaking at the state-level forest officers’ conference at Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for a people-centric approach in forest management, aligning environmental goals with community well-being. “When people feel ownership over the trees around them, they are more likely to protect them,” he said, inaugurating a statewide tree plantation programme during the event.

Highlighting that nearly a quarter of Odisha’s population comprises tribal communities who depend on forests for their livelihoods, Majhi called on forest officers to engage sensitively while enforcing laws. “We must ensure peaceful coexistence between forest and forest dwellers—particularly tribal, Dalit, and economically weaker communities,” he said.

To address rising human-elephant conflicts, the Chief Minister proposed an unconventional solution: cultivating rice inside forest zones to serve as a food source for elephants. This, he said, could discourage elephants from entering human settlements and reduce conflict.

Majhi also outlined a broader vision for Odisha’s forest sector—one that includes not only large-scale plantation but also the scientific management, protection, and sustainable expansion of forest resources. He urged forest officials to integrate technology and intensify efforts against poaching and forest fires. Applauding successful community-led initiatives, he cited the example of Keonjhar’s Pramila Pradhan, whose forest conservation work has become a grassroots model.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to a corruption-free and service-oriented governance, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of training and capacity-building. “Our aim is to build a green and prosperous Odisha by 2036,” he said.

Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia described the forest department as “the lifeline of society” and advocated for public cooperation and greater transparency to improve its functioning.

Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja pointed to Odisha’s rich biodiversity and emphasized the need to raise awareness and develop better livelihood strategies for forest-dependent communities.

On the sidelines of the conference, a tripartite agreement was signed between the Regional Plant Research Centre, the Horticulture Department, and the Odisha State Seeds Corporation to provide farmers with high-quality fruit saplings at affordable rates. A short documentary highlighting the forest department’s conservation achievements was also screened.