Chennai: To improve the preparedness, efficiency and service-delivery capabilities of the state’s forest force, the govt is spending ₹100.72 crore over the next five years towards restructuring and strengthening the department.As part of the plan, officers will be trained to handle challenges in management, forest protection, human-wildlife conflict mitigation and field-level enforcement activities in tune with changing times. Forests minister R V Ranjithkumar mentioned the initiative while announcing the demands for grants for the forest department on Monday.The minister further said that the govt will implement the Tamil Nadu Forest Fire Management Plan at a cost of ₹60.58 crore over the next 5 years to tackle increasing instances of forest fires, triggered by climate change.“Instead of temporary firefighting measures being undertaken only during the forest-fire season every year, plan will equip officers to effectively manage forest fires throughout the year,” a forest ranger said, adding that the modes of training hasn’t been revealed yet.
