Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, while inaugurating a state level forest Panchayat convention in Dehradun today, announced an award for forest panchayats doinfg exceptional work in the field of environment conservation. The ''Mukhya Mantri Utkrisht Van Panchayat Puraskar'' would be awarded from next year i.e. 2012 and will have three prizes -- cash prizes of Rs one lakh for First, Rs 75,000 for second and Rs 50,000 for the third, along with a citation.

Emphasizing on his Government’s commitment towards the strengthening of forest panchayats, the CM told that an amount of Rs 25 crore has been earmarked during the year 2011-12.

Notably, Uttarakhand has over 12,000 forest panchayats, making for a unique distinction in the country.

The Chief Minsister also shared his Government’s desire to make necessary amendments in the 'Uttaranchal Van Panchayat Rules 2005’, to provide for 30 per cent reservation for women sarpanch among all the Van Panchayat chiefs.
----