Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government is placing special emphasis on beekeeping to increase farmers’ income through honey production. The state government has now decided to promote beekeeping by installing bee boxes in forest areas as well. The Chief Minister has directed forest department officials to prepare a proposal and present it in the Cabinet.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation, a program was held at the Chief Minister’s residence, attended by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. During the event, the Chief Minister announced that an office of the Forest Development Corporation will also be opened in the Kumaon division. He also directed officials to bring a proposal to the Cabinet for installing bee boxes in forest areas to further promote beekeeping. During the program, CM Dhami also honored the children of corporation employees.
The Chief Minister said that the Forest Development Corporation is important not only for the economy but also for ecology. The corporation works on scientific forest management, sustainable extraction of forest produce, mining in reserved forest areas, and eco-tourism operations. It also supplies forest products and certified timber to the government. He added that the corporation is not limited to economic activities but also helps in developing new forest areas by removing dry, dead, and uprooted trees. Additionally, it promotes environmental awareness among youth and students through eco-tourism.
While launching the Himkasth mobile application, the Chief Minister said that timber from the Forest Development Corporation can be sold through this app, and forest goods can also be auctioned online. The corporation’s modern e-auction system and other online processes have strengthened ease of doing business in this sector. Over its 25-year journey, the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation has achieved several milestones, including earning a net profit of ₹167 crore last year.
The Chief Minister also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for “Lifestyle for Environment” on the global stage, which is not just a slogan but a guiding principle to save Mother Earth. He appealed to all tourists visiting Uttarakhand not to litter while going on jungle safaris or visiting religious sites, stating that even small efforts can make a big difference in environmental conservation.
He added that in recent decades, the need for physical development has changed our lifestyle. However, if we leave nature, environment, and forests behind in the race for development, such progress will always remain incomplete. Therefore, efforts must be made to maintain a balance between development and the environment at all costs.
