Maharashtra Forest Department to Boost Financial Strength with Public Issue, Says Cabinet Minister Ganesh Naik

Pune, 27th June 2025: Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has announced that the Maharashtra Forest Department is set to become financially self-reliant within the next four years, eliminating the need to seek development funds from the state’s finance department. Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day workshop on ‘Community Participation in Forest Conservation and Environment-Friendly Livelihoods’ in Pune, Naik outlined a vision for the department to generate its own revenue and even contribute funds to the state government.

Naik revealed plans to launch a public issue through the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM), pending cabinet approval, to raise capital for various initiatives. He emphasized that earlier funding from international agencies like the World Bank was underutilized due to lack of strategic planning, but the department now aims to modernize its infrastructure and operations. New projects include producing and marketing fruit juices from different regions, increasing domestic production of paper pulp to reduce imports, and establishing branded honey collection centers within six months at Mahabaleshwar and Matheran.

Additionally, Naik announced a revival of the long-delayed furniture factory project in Chandrapur, allocating ₹70 crore to make it operational within eight months. The factory, developed through a joint venture with private companies, will supply furniture to government departments and schools without the need for tenders, thanks to its public sector status.

Speakers at the event highlighted the need for administrative structures to protect forests under the Forest Rights Act and proposed the establishment of Forest Development Centers modeled on agricultural science centers.