Forest Minister B Srinivas Reddy says 2,500 posts will be filled soon in the department

Visakhapatnam: Forest Minister Balineni Srinivas Reddy said the government is committed to protecting the forest and the environment.

Speaking at the Forest Martyrs' Day at Kambalakonda Eco Tourism Park here on Sunday, he said the day was observed to pay respect to the Forest officials who laid down their lives while conserving forest wealth and wildlife. "The day is also meant to recall their sacrifices and protect the forest wealth," he reiterated.

On the shortage of Forest staff, he said 2,500 posts would be filled soon by issuing the notification by January. Similarly, the main forest office would be constructed and the procurement of vehicles for the officials will also be sanctioned soon, he informed.

"Officials will also be armed with the weapons for their self-defence as the government would provide equipment and vehicles to the forest staff for discharging their duties effectively," he mentioned. The Minister warned of stern action if anyone resorts to the encroachment of forest land and added that an action plan would be prepared for the development of forest land.

Further, the government has 6,000 tons of red sander logs in its possession which would be auctioned after getting the state government's consent, he stated.Visakhapatnam MP M V V Satyanarayana said the global warming was a serious threat for which growing forest cover was the only solution.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests N Prateep Kumar said the forest staff should recall the sacrifices made by the officials who laid their life for them.He paid tributes to the 18 Forest staff who laid their lives in saving the forest wealth. He was accompanied by the MP, Commissioner of Police R K Meena and other officials.