Munger to get a forest university

PATNA: The state government will establish a forest university at Munger to promote environmental and forestry studies in Bihar, CM Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Tuesday.
“At present, Bihar’s forest cover has increased to 12.86% due to social forestry programmes. But, the government is aiming at 20% green cover in the next few years to reduce air pollution and global warming,” Manjhi said while releasing the annual report card.Manjhi said he would like to see 30-33% forest cover in Bihar.
A work plan is also being prepared for the development of protected areas besides a tiger conservation plan for Valmiki Tiger Reserve and a Ganga Dolphin Research Centre at Patna. “Notable progress has been made and substantial public participation has been achieved in the implementation of agro-forestry scheme, private nursery scheme and tree protection scheme under the ‘Hariyali Mission’ in the state,” he said.
Besides focus on modern developments, the state government has sanctioned projects worth over Rs 105 crore to promote tourism sector. “Tourist circuits are being developed in phases. The government plans to organise at least 4 fairs and 23 festivals to attract indigenous as well as foreign tourists,” he said adding, “Trained guides have also been deputed at different tourist sites.”
Some of the important projects of the state tourism department include sanction of Rs 22 crore scheme under Nalanda Paryatan Dharohar Yojana, commencement of work on a new ropeway at Rajgir, beautification scheme of Sufi circuit spots and acquisition of over 201 acre of land underway at Chechar in Vaishali district.
The government has also decided in principle to acquire 20 acres of land for a film city at Rajgir. “Renovation and beautification work of birth places of George Orwell (Motihari) and Syed Ibrahim Hussain Khan (Bhagalpur) and development of ‘Namak Satyagrah Sthan’ have been sanctioned,” the CM said.