Getting unprecedented number of complaints against forest dept: CM

Vijayawada: Expressing displeasure over the increased number of complaints against the forest department, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said he has been receiving an unprecedented number of complaints against the department, which he never saw in his four terms as chief minister.Addressing the second day of the sixth collectors' conference at the state secretariat, he said forest department should not become an obstacle to development and called for a shift towards people-friendly functioning. "While the police department has successfully transitioned itself into a people-friendly organisation, a similar change is required in the forest department. Forest officials should work under the supervision of district collectors, but it has come to my notice that they are not following the instructions of collectors in many places," the chief minister noted. Stressing that the department should cooperate with environment-friendly projects while strictly adhering to rules, he urged forest officials to focus on increasing green cover and biodiversity, and create conditions that allow people to visit forest areas in a safe and pleasant manner. Referring to some recent incidents, Naidu said forest officials stopped devotees from walking to Srisailam which led to a stampede-like situation the following day, and cited a similar instance in Badvel. "Officials should bring any issues to the notice of the govt instead of inconveniencing people or obstructing programmes," he said, while flagging concerns over what he described as "impractical thinking" by some forest officials which are causing difficulties for the public.Naidu said he has already spoken to deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan, who is also the minister for forests and environment, about the complaints against the department, and would again talk to him if required.