Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai attended the swearing-in ceremony of Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation Chairman Ramsevak Paikra.

Raipur, 14 April 2025: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today attended the charge-taking and felicitation ceremony of the newly appointed Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation Ramsevak Paikra in Nava Raipur as the chief guest and congratulated Paikra for the new responsibility. Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh was also present on the occasion and congratulated Paikra on the new responsibility. Chief Minister Sai said on this occasion that Ramsevak Paikra is a senior politician and has a long experience of social life. He has efficiently discharged many important responsibilities. He has always been known for his sensitivity towards tribal and forest communities and working on the ground. In such a situation, tribal society will benefit from him getting the big responsibility of Forest Development Corporation.

The Chief Minister said that about 44 percent of the land of Chhattisgarh is covered with forest area, which is very important not only for biodiversity and environment but also for tribal culture and livelihood. Referring to the initiatives being taken by the government in the interest of forest dwellers, he informed that the remuneration of tendu leaf collectors has been increased from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,500. He said that this year a target has been set to plant and distribute about 4 crore saplings, while a budget provision of Rs. 310 crore has been made for the improvement of degraded forests. Referring to the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister informed that more than 3 crore 50 lakh saplings have been planted in the state so far. On this occasion, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade, MLA Purandar Mishra, former Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agarwal, Chairmen of various Divisional Commissions, officers and employees of Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation and Forest Department and a large number of dignitaries were present.