05 June,2026 05:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
The revenue generated through carbon credits would be reinvested into key areas, Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik said. Pic/SGNP
Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Thursday said the state government is working on innovative financing mechanisms such as forest bonds and carbon credit systems to generate significant revenue for the Forest Department in the coming years.
He said the new initiatives could help raise funds worth crores and support long-term forest development and conservation work across the state.
Naik made the announcement while addressing a plantation programme at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali, Mumbai.
The event also included the foundation stone-laying ceremony for a regional forest staff residential complex and the launch of a Forest Department publicity vehicle.
The minister said revenue generated through carbon credits would be reinvested into key areas such as forest development, staff welfare, fire prevention and action against illegal activities affecting forests.
He said such financial tools would strengthen the department's capacity to manage and protect forest resources more effectively.
Highlighting environmental concerns, Naik said climate change and rising temperatures have made large-scale afforestation a necessity rather than a choice.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, he urged citizens to take active part in tree plantation drives across Maharashtra.
The minister stressed the importance of planting native and fruit-bearing tree species to strengthen forest ecosystems.
He said species such as banyan, jackfruit, jamun, ber, tamarind and mango should be encouraged as they help provide natural food for wildlife.
According to him, improving food availability inside forests can reduce the movement of wild animals into human settlements.
Naik also spoke about efforts to strengthen the Social Forestry Department through tissue-culture laboratories across Maharashtra.
He said such facilities have been set up in regions including Konkan, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Jalgaon to support large-scale plantation and afforestation work.
The minister noted that global warming is increasingly affecting both urban and rural areas, with record-high temperatures being reported in several parts of the country.
He said environmental protection efforts must be strengthened to deal with the growing impact of climate change.
Naik praised public participation in conservation initiatives and called for greater efforts to protect sacred groves and native vegetation.
He said community involvement remains essential for successful environmental protection and long-term sustainability.
The event was attended by Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority Chairman Pravin Darekar, MLAs Manisha Chaudhary, Prakash Surve and Sanjay Upadhyay, senior forest officials including Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife - West) Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, SGNP Director and Conservator of Forest Anita Patil, along with students, teachers and environmental enthusiasts.
According to the Forest Department, the plantation drive is part of Maharashtra's broader strategy to increase green cover and strengthen climate resilience across the state.
