Nizamabad Adopts Tech-Driven Plan To Protect Forests
Commissioner of police P. Sai Chaitanya and district forest officer Prashant Bajirao Patil reviewed the strategy and directed officials to intensify surveillance and enforcement against illegal activities affecting forest land
NIZAMABAD: The police and forest departments have launched a joint action plan in Nizamabad district to prevent encroachments on forest land, remove illegal occupations and strengthen environmental protection.
Commissioner of police P. Sai Chaitanya and district forest officer Prashant Bajirao Patil reviewed the strategy and directed officials to intensify surveillance and enforcement against illegal activities affecting forest land.
Officials said encroachments, unauthorised constructions, land conversion, illegal tree felling, mining and unlawful transportation of timber have emerged as major threats to forest resources in the district.
The departments decided to conduct regular geo-tagging, drone surveys, GPS mapping, field inspections and evidence collection to detect encroachments and initiate legal action against offenders.
A coordination meeting also resolved that police and forest officials would respond jointly and immediately to reports of forest encroachments. The departments will undertake phased drives to identify and clear illegal occupations on forest land.
Officials were instructed to strengthen intelligence-sharing, conduct joint inspections and special enforcement drives, and maintain continuous surveillance in vulnerable and border areas to prevent fresh encroachments.
They also decided to organise public awareness programmes on forest conservation and encourage community participation in protecting forest resources.
Officials of both departments reaffirmed their commitment to working in close coordination to safeguard forest lands and curb illegal activities.