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MATERIALS FOR REPUBLIC DAY SPEECH OF H.E. THE GOVERNOR OF

MIZORAM TO BE DELIVERED ON 26TH JANUARY, 2024

A large extent of the geographical area is covered under forests with rich bio-diversity in
Mizoram. As per latest edition of the “India State of Forest Report 2021” published by the Forest
Survey of India, the State has 11,947.97.00 Sq.km open forestswhich is 84.53 % of the total
geographical area.
The Department has formulated appropriate strategies and is implementing various
strategically-planned schemes for achieving the vision of having well-stocked high-quality
forests in the State for people’s benefits. Some of the ongoing schemes are as under:

 Afforestation and Conservation: Different programmes/schemes such as National

Afforestation Programme (NAP), Finance Commission Grant, Wetland Management
project, Green India Mission,etc under which there are afforestation component and are
being executed for restoration of degraded open forests and re-forestation of
jhumlands/wastelands.
For ensuring active and constructive participation of the local people in Forest
management under NAP, 1 State Forest Development Agency (SFDA), 13 Forest
Development Agencies (FDAs) and 252 village Forest Development Committees
(VFDCs)/Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) have been constituted. Works under
NAP are mainly taken up by VFDCs/EDCs through FDAs. As per APO 2023-2024,
maintenance of older plantations covering 1610 Ha have been approved and fund is
awaited till date.
National Mission for a Green India or the commonly called Green India Mission
(GIM) is one of the eight Missions outlined under India’s action plan for addressing the
challenge of climate change and the scheme is being implemented in 8 states in the
country. This scheme aimed at protecting, restoring and enhancing diminishing forest
cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation
measures. As per APO 2024-2025, Advance work of 6600 Ha along with maintenance of
previous year plantations covering 8053.2 Ha have been submitted to the Government of
India for approval.The project has been implemented in Aizawl Division, Champhai
Division, Darlawn Division, Kolasib Division and Thenzawl Forest Division.

 Brief information of activities under CAMPA APO 2024-2025 :During 2024-25,

Annual Plan of Operation (APO) amounting to Rs. 22.77 crore was submitted to CAMPA
National Authority, Govt. of India and was approved for utilization.
APO 2024-25 includes advance preparatory works of 249.807 ha of plantation
and maintenance of 1670.3 ha of previous plantations under CA, 13.72 ha advance work
and creation of nursery and planting stock under Dwarf Plantation and Advance work of
16.578 ha of Avenue Plantations. It also includes creation of 1800 ha ANR plantations,
Advance work of 230 ha of AR plantations, maintenance of tall seedlings for avenue
plantations, raising of quality seedlings for public distribution, removal of exotic
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species, protection of plantation & forest including procurement of vehicle, boat &
equipment, construction of protection camp, forest fire management, SMC works,
improvement of wildlife habitats, management of biological diversities and biological
resources, management of community/village forests and community reserve,
documentation of flora and fauna, construction of maintenance of inspection path, etc.
and other works as permissible under CAF Rules, 2018.

 Prevention of Forest Fire: Centrally Sponsored Scheme such as Forest Fire Prevention
and Management Scheme (FFP&MS) is also being implemented by the department for
prevention and mitigation of forest fire by adopting different strategies such as creation
and maintenance of fire lines, engagement of fire watchers, provision of assets for fire
prevention in fire prone areas, conducting mock drills, registration in FSI Portal to
receive fire alerts, awareness campaign etc. During 2024-25, the Annual Plan of
Operation(APO) for Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme has been submitted
to the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change Department, Government of
India amounting to Rs. 306.98 lakh where approval of the APO by the Ministry is
awaited.
Under Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (Tribal Sub Plan), APO
amounting to Rs. 181.528 lakh was also submitted which was prepared with a view to
improve community participation towards fire prevention.

 Conservation of Wildlife and their habitats: The department has also been executing
schemes such as Project Tiger,National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-
SystemandIntegrated Development of Wildlife Habitat for conservation of Wildlife and
the development of their habitats as well. The Department manages 10 Protected Areas
(PAs), 1 Zoo and 1 Deer Park in the State. Besides, two wetlands: Palak and Tamdil are
also managed by the Department in which Palak Wetland was designated as a Ramsar
site in 31.08.2021.

The area set aside for long term wildlife conservation is 1858.75 Sq.km which is
more than 8.81% of the State’s geographical area.

 Green India Mission (GIM) : GIM is being implemented for the time being in 52
villages of 5 Forest Divisions namely:- Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib, Thenzawl and
Darlawn. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has released
Rs.2113.00 lakh for maintenance of older plantations - 1 st year maintenance of 7149 ha.,
2nd year maintenance of 2606 ha. and 3rd year maintenance of 1431 ha.

 Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) : The Pilot Scheme of Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) was started
in 2020 to create Nagar Van/Nagar Vatika in each city having Municipal
Corporation/Municipal Council/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for providing wholesome
healthy living environment for the residents and thus contributing to growth of clean,
healthy and sustainable cities. The scheme is proposed to be implemented for a period of
five years starting from 2020-21 to 2024-25. Main objectives include creating green
space and aesthetic environment in an urban set up, creating awareness about plants and
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biodiversity and developing environment stewardship, facilitating in-situ conservation of

important flora of the region, extending health benefits to residents of the city, etc. In
2021-22, 2(two) Nagar Vans got approved having the project being completed. With the
pursuance of the state government, 14 proposals were further approved with 12 Nagar
Vans (including Serchhip) having 50 ha area and 2 Nagar Vans ( Hnahthial & CADC)
having less than 50 ha. The total project cost for the 14 Nagar Vans is Rs. 2560 lakhs and
Rs. 1766 lakhs has been sanctioned as the 1 st installment and currently being
implemented.

 Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants: The

department has taken up initiative to conserve the existing resource base of plants having
medicinal values. Further, the Department has also taken up plantations of indigenous
species having significant medicinal values to increase the resource base. The species
planted are:

i) Embelia ribes (Naufadawntuai)

ii) Hydrocarpus kurssii (Khawitur)
iii) Emblica officinalis (Sunhlu)
iv) Saraca asoca (Mualhawih)
v) Homalomena aromatica(Anchiri)
vi) Cinnamomum verum (Thakthing)
vii) Oroxylum indicum (Archangkawn)
viii) Aquilaria melaccansis (Thingrai) etc.

The projects namely “Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Area

(MPCDA)” and “Resource Augmentation of Medicinal Plants (RAMP)” have been
implemented in 6 Divisions namely :-Aizawl, Lunglei, Champhai, Thenzawl,
N.Vanlaiphai and Tlabung with financial and technical assistance from NMPB, Ministry
of AYUSH, Government of India.

DEPARTMENT CONTRIBUTION IN THE ECONOMY (ROLE OF THE SECTOR)

The Environment, Forests & Climate Change Department has a substantial contribution
to the economy of the State. Putting aside the intangible benefits from forests and wildlife, the
tangible/direct benefits which are being tapped by the Government as well as the people are
innumerable.

Even though Environment, Forests & Climate Change Department follow the principles
laid out by the National Forest Policy, 1988 and is not considered as ‘Revenue earning
Department’, the Department has realized about Rs.362 lakh from wood products, more than 130
lakh from Non-Timber Forest produce and more than Rs.63 lakh from other sources e.g fines,
fees etc. and thereby making the total resource receipt by the department during the year 2023-
2024 amounting to Rs.5.55 crores.

Source: Statistical Cell, PCCF Office, EF&CC Department

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PROBLEMS, OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS:

Problems:

1) The main image of the Department is the success images of our afforestation plantations
which can only be achieved through regular and timely fun flow for proper and timely
management of the same. So, irregular and slow fund flow is the main hindrance
pertaining to undesirable achievements in many field operations of the Departments.

2) The objectives, motives and stand points of the Department are somewhat unparallel with
the lifestyles of the Mizo society. Owing to this, general public are on the other side of
the bank facing the Department while achieving its various goals and duties. Even after
tireless publications and awareness drives through all these years, degree of co-operations
that the Department get from the general public in exercise of its duties and
responsibilities is still below expectations.

3) The sharp declining of strength of the field staff upto the Forest Ranger level is a major
threat to the normal functioning of the Department throughout the State. Mass
recruitment to fill up these vacant posts is highly necessary to revive the Department in
the field level.

Opportunities:

1) Mizoram is having favourable climate, monsoon, topography and soil composition, etc.,
for raising and maintaining of new forests and conserving of existing forests.

2) The active assistance of NGT towards the cancellation of encroached lands within the
Riverine Reserve Forests and other Reserved and Government Forests opens opportunity
for reclaiming the latter and also prevent further encroachment. Regular and stable
management of forests may be expected in these Reserved Forest under the guiding
vigilance of NGT.

Future Prospects:

1) With the increasing awareness among the public towards the importance of forest and
wildlife, preservation, conservation of wildlife and their habitats, sustainable
management of forests, introduction of new technology, raising and maintenance of
afforestation plantations are expected to go in a more smooth and fruitful way.

2) With the tireless and relentless effort of the Department, it is expected to achieve the
target of 33% of total geographical area under green cover through the various projects
which the Department has been implementing, namely NAP, GIM, CAMPA, etc. It is
also expected to achieve the goal of carbon sequestration, mitigation of climate change
and contribute to the control of increasing global warming, restoration of ecological
balance and biodiversity conservation through sustainable development and management
of forests, wildlife and their habitats.