Mandu (Madhya Pradesh): DFO Ashok Solanki chaired a meeting with Mandu's shepherds to create a ‘Shepherd Friend Team’ aimed at protecting forest.
Solanki discussed the importance of environmental protection and issued identity cards to 37 shepherds, making them official forest friends. The initiative is a first for the state and aims to improve communication between the Forest Department and shepherds.
Solanki highlighted the need for cooperation to stop illegal activities in the forest and protect the environment. He also mentioned the ongoing Jal Ganga Abhiyan, which focuses on cleaning water sources in Mandu forest area. Shepherds were advised to obtain grazing passes from local forest staff and to graze their animals only in permitted areas.
They were instructed not to carry weapons like axes while grazing. DFO Solanki encouraged shepherds to report any forest fires or illegal activities, such as hunting, through a newly-created WhatsApp group.
He assured shepherds that cooperation would help in providing compensation for any injuries caused by wild animals under government schemes. Contact information for all relevant forest officials was shared with the group to facilitate communication.
Forest Range Officer Kamlesh Prasad Mishra and other officials were also present.
