A workshop for the forest Department Officials on Rajasthan Forest and Bio-Diversity Project Phase -II under the guidance of Project Director, A. K. Upadhyay was organized today at the Laxmi Vilas Hotel, with the representatives of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

Rajasthan Forest and Bio-diversity Project is for 10 districts in Desert and 5 districts in Non -Desert area which includes, in and around up to 2 Km of boundaries of seven sanctuaries of Rajasthan, namely, Keladevi WL Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh WL Sanctuary, Phoolwari Ki Naal WL Sanctuary, Roli Todgarh WL Sanctuary, Sitamata WL Sanctuary, Bassi WL Sanctuary and Jaisamand WL Sanctuary.

The objective of project is to enhance forest area and livelihood opportunities of the forest dependent people and to conserve bio-diversity by undertaking afforestation (“vanropan”). The objective further extends to biodiversity conservation measures through Joint Forest Management (JFM) approach, thereby, contributing to environmental conservation and socio-economic development of Rajasthan.

In this workshop, all the top wildlife and forest department officials including Rahul Bhatnagar, Deputy Conservator of Forest and Wildlife; Dr. Satish Sharma; R. K. Goyal, Chief Conservator Forest Territorial; N.C. Jain, Chief Conservator Forest Wildlife; K. C. Meena, Conservator Forest ; I. P. S. Matharu DCF(IFS) were present, along with A. C. F. Kesri Singh Rathore.