Archive · 8 Sep 2026
State Announces Rs. 160 Crore Forest Rejuvenation and Fire Schemes
The State plans to spend Rs.
160 crore over five years on forests and forest fires.
One scheme will restore forests and improve wildlife protection.
Another scheme will help prevent and manage forest fires throughout the year.
Nearly 2,000 new forest workers will receive special training.
The government also plans to build 25 nature parks.
A laboratory will travel to southern districts to check diseases in wild animals.
Another centre will study seized wood to help investigate deforestation crimes.
The plans also include improving palmyrah trees, celebrating local biodiversity and buying solar-powered boats for Pichavaram.
R.V. Ranjith Kumar announced a Rs. 100 crore, five-year scheme to rejuvenate forests and improve protection, wildlife management and man-animal conflict response.
A separate Rs. 60 crore, five-year programme will address forest fires year-round rather than relying mainly on temporary firefighting measures.
The government will train 1,947 newly recruited forest personnel and establish 25 nature parks on government and local-body land.
An analytical centre and a mobile wildlife forensic and disease diagnostic laboratory will support investigations and animal-health monitoring.
Other plans include palmyrah genome improvement, district biodiversity symbols, five solar-powered boats at Pichavaram and smart bus-travel identity cards for 6,260 forest personnel.
- Who
- Forest minister R.V. Ranjith Kumar announced the measures.
- What
- The State announced forest rejuvenation, forest-fire management, staff training, nature parks, scientific facilities and related conservation initiatives.
- When
- The announcements were made on Monday during a discussion on the demand for grants to the Forest Ministry.
- Where
- The measures apply across the State, with specific facilities planned for southern districts and activities at Pichavaram.
- Why
- The schemes aim to protect forests, manage wildlife, reduce man-animal conflict, address rising forest fires, investigate deforestation crimes and prevent animal diseases from spreading.
- Forest rejuvenation budget
- Rs. 100 crore over five years
- Forest-fire management budget
- Rs. 60 crore over five years
- New forest personnel
- 1,947 recruits to receive induction training
- Nature parks
- 25 parks planned on government and local-body land
- Wildlife laboratory
- A mobile forensic and disease diagnostic laboratory will be established in the southern districts
- Forest personnel benefits
- Smart identity cards for free bus travel will be provided to 6,260 personnel
- Solar-powered boats
- Five boats will be purchased for tourism at Pichavaram