Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Governor KT Parnaik has asserted that eviction, rather than compensation, is the only effective solution to address encroachments in reserved forest areas.
During a meeting on Wednesday to review the state’s forest conservation initiatives, Parnaik emphasized the need for decisive enforcement, urging officials to demonstrate efficiency and commitment to protecting Arunachal Pradesh’s green cover.
He called for “visible and corrective action” to safeguard the state’s forest resources.
Highlighting Arunachal’s status as a “green state,” the governor advocated for advanced monitoring tools, such as artificial intelligence and satellite mapping, to ensure regular surveillance of reserved forests.
He also suggested collaborating with the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC) to strengthen conservation efforts.
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Parnaik stressed that delays in land and forest clearances should not obstruct welfare projects and urged the Environment and Forests Department, alongside local administrations and the Itanagar Municipal Corporation, to undertake a massive plantation drive along the Hollongi Airport road leading to Itanagar.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P Subramanyam provided a detailed briefing on the current state of reserved forests and the measures being taken to ensure their protection, according to a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan.
