Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje has emphasized on saving the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) from extinction. She suggested the forest department to take support of the local people for conservation of tigers, the GIB and other wildlife in the state.

Smt. Raje was addressing a gathering on the occasion of inauguration of the newly constructed Aranya Bhawan at Jhalana on Monday. During the function, she also gave away the Amrita Devi Vishnoi Memorial Awards 2013 and Rajiv Gandhi Environment Conservation Awards 2014.

The Chief Minister said in the hectic lifestyle of today people were going to the nature in search of peace.

“We are fortunate that we have tigers in our forests and sanctuaries. People come to see tigers and it has given boost to tourism in the state,” she said.

Smt. Raje said earlier tigers were in danger and lots of efforts were made for conservation of tigers. Now, the Great Indian Bustard is in danger and there was an urgent need to save this important bird from extinction, she said. She added that if the species of the GIB got extinct from Rajasthan, it would extinct from the world. The CM applauded the forest department for the efforts made to bring tigers back in Sariska. She said that there was need to bring tigers in Mukundara Hills and Leopard Sanctuary in the state.

The Chief Minister said that Rajasthan’s forest cover was merely 9 per cent, against the national average of 23 percent. “We need to work to improve this, so that the coming generations remember us for saving forests for them.” On this occasion, the she also gave away Amrita Devi Vishnoi Memorial Awards- 2013. In the Institute category, award of Rs. one lakh was given to Foundation for Ecology Security, Pratapgarh. In the Individual category, Shri Mokaram Dharniya received the award worth Rs. 50,000. Similarly, for Rajiv Gandhi Environment Conservation Awards- 2014, Shri Himtaram Babu was honoured with Rs. 2 lakh, a trophy and a certificate in Individual category, while Gram Panchayat Pipalantri (Rajasmand) received Rs. 5 lakh, a trophy and a certificate in the Institute category. Prior to this, the CM also planted a sapling in the Aranya Bhawan campus.

Minister for Forest, Environment and Mines Shri Rajkumar Rinva, on this occasion, said that the forests were like ornaments on the earth. “We should plant more and more trees, as they keep our environment clean. He assured that with the support of general public the forest department would do excellent work for conservation of forests and the wildlife.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Shri Kalicharan Saraf, Member of Parliament Shri Ramcharan Bohra, Additional Chief Secretary Forest Shri OP Meena, Principal Secretary PWD Shri DB Gupta, senior officers and dignitaries were also present in the function. In the beginning, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri Rahul Kumar welcomed all. He told the gathering that Aranya Bhawan was constructed on the concept of green building, as it had several provisions for saving energy and water. In all, Rs. 34.5 crore were spend its this construction, he said.

Jaipur, 23 March 2015