ACS Sahu for timely disposal of grievances, project implementation in Forest Department

Bhubaneswar: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Satyabrat Sahu has said that all efforts must be made to ensure grievances are resolved on time and projects are implemented efficiently in the forest department.
Reviewing the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department’s operations in detail, he directed officers to prioritize the resolution of complaints received from the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell and the Jana Sunani portal.
He emphasized the need for swift action on all contempt of court cases, warning that delays could lead to the unwarranted presence of senior officials like the Chief Secretary and ACS in court.
It was announced that pensions will now be disbursed to employees on the day of their retirement, ensuring a seamless transition for retired staff.
The department has received 432 applications under RACP or MACP courts, and Sahu urged timely disposal of these to prevent backlogs.
To address manpower gaps, the Forest Department has written to the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) and the Odisha Subordinate Staff Selection Commission (OSSSC) to expedite recruitment for 45 Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACFs), 131 Range Officers, and 1,677 Forest Guards. Additionally, the department is actively working to fill 2 ACF, 130 Range Officer, 160 Junior Assistant, and 890 Forest Guard posts.
Highlighting key developmental projects, ACS Sahu announced that initiatives such as a tunnel aquarium, rejuvenation of Kanjia Lake, a botanical garden, ropeway connectivity, a metro station, and road development will soon be taken up at the Nandankanan Biological Park complex. He also revealed plans for an animal exchange program to boost biodiversity and tourism.
In a move to promote eco-tourism, the Chilika Development Authority will introduce two large boats and one solar-powered boat for tourists. Meanwhile, red sandalwood, a valuable forest produce, will be sold through global tenders under the Odisha Forest Development Corporation.
Stressing environmental sustainability, Sahu directed the State Pollution Control Board to make more picnic spots across Odisha plastic-free. He also underlined the importance of utilizing allocated budgetary funds within the set timelines to ensure smooth project execution.
The meeting was attended by key officials including Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Department Head Suresh Pant, PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Prem Kumar Jha, PCCF and Project Director of Odisha Forest Area Development Project Mita Bishwal, PCCF (Kenduleaf) and Member Secretary of the State Pollution Control Board Uma Nanduri, along with Additional Secretaries Deben Pradhan and Usharani Das, Joint Secretaries Dharam Hansda and Dinakrishna Kar, and other senior departmental officers.