Bhopal, Mar 20: In his message to the people on the eve of International Forestry Day, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that ecological balance can be maintained only through conservation and development of forest resources.

Chouhan further said in his message that systematic management of forest resources is necessary for existence of life. International Forestry Day is observed with a view to creating awareness among the masses towards conservation and augmentation of forest. The Chief Minister informed that the state government has taken several decisions for development of village resources apart from forestry development. The Forest Policy-2005 of Madhya Pradesh is focused on better forest management as well as public welfare. New job opportunities have been created in the rural areas through forestry development schemes. Public participation in forestry development programmes has increased in big way.

Chief Minister Chouhan has hoped that International Forestry Day would succeed in its objectives of generating awareness towards importance of conservation and augmentation of forests all over the world.