Forest Department                                                   

Head of Department    

• The Forest Department is headed by the Chief Forest Officer.                                                                                                      

Jurisdiction

• The department under GHADC manages forest areas covering approximately 6,000 sq. km and above, which include:

  • Community forests

  • Private forests                                                                                                                                                          

Aims and Objectives

• To protect and preserve the existing original forests.

• To reclaim degraded or necessary areas for regeneration.

• To enhance the livelihood of local people through sustainable forest management.

• To provide alternatives to jhum cultivation (shifting cultivation) in order to promote environmental conservation and sustainable land use.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Management Activities

• The department is actively involved in protecting and preserving existing forests and in creating new forested areas through reforestation of jhum fallows and barren lands.

• It safeguards community forests by coordinating with local villagers and by declaring and registering village reserve forests.

• As per official records, there are over 200 village reserve forests under GHADC.