Indian Forest Services (IFS) probationers met Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, here today. This was a courtesy call. During the meeting, Chief Minister lauded the role of Forest Officers in protecting the precious forest wealth and environment.

Chief Minister said that the spirit of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, needed to be interpreted keeping interests of stake holders atop. He said that stake holders used to play a key role in protecting the forest. He informed that green felling had been banned in Himachal Pradesh since 1986 which had resulted into increase of green cover in the State. He said that ban on use of polythene had also been successfully implemented with the help of people who had voluntarily shunned its use. He said that global warming and climate change was the challenges and forest officers would have to play a pivotal role to overcome this effectively.

Bharti Sihag, Principal Secretary Forests thanked the Chief Minister for providing opportunity to IFS probationers to interact with him on vital issues related to forest wealth. Any Nagar, Course Director introduced probationers to the Chief Minister. R.K.Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests was also present on the occasion.