R'gada locals get saplings as Bahuda gift

The Rayagada Forest Range headed by Ranger Pravakar Senapati is on a spree for maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and where necessary, restoration of the ecological balances now adversely disturbed by serious depletion of the forests.

Various steps have been taken for conserving the natural heritage of the range by preserving the remaining natural forests and increasing sustainability the forest/tree cover in the range, including the district headquarters,  through massive afforestation programme.

On the eve of the Bahuda Rath Yatra, Senapati was instrumental in creating a massive people's movement with the involvement of tribals and women and distributed various kinds of plants freely  to people, who came to witness the fest.

The distribution ceremony was jointly graced by SP Rahul PR, and DFO Debarchan Behera.

“This will not only green Rayagada town and the villages in its vicinity but also meet the requirement of fuel wood, fodder, minor forest produce and small timber of the rural and tribal populations.

Further, it will check soil erosion and denudation in the catchments areas of rivers for mitigating floods, which have become a recurring phenomenon in Rayagada,” said Behera.

According to Senapati, as slowly the forest resources are depleting for various reasons, people’ participation in massive plantation with technical guidance by the departmental staff will certainly ensure environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance.