Uttarakhand Horticulture Department Handed Over 02 Bolero Pick Up and 10 Motorcycles to 127 Eco Task Force

On 04 May 2023, Uttarakhand Horticulture Department handed over 02 Bolero Pick up and 10 Motorcycles to 127 Eco Task Force, the pioneer Ecological Task Force of Territorial Army working in the field of ecological conservation over past 41 yrs. On the occasion of 127 Eco Task Force 40th raising day last year Shri Ganesh Joshi, Hon’ble Soldier Welfare Minister had committed that he will make an endeavour to provide light pick up vehicles for carrying out plantation work in Garhwal Himalayas. Keeping his promise as a true soldier he has made arrangements of 02x Bolero and 10x Motor cycles through Hero MotoCorps CSR initiative. The Uttarakhand Horticulture Department has handed over two Bolero Pick-up trucks and ten motorcycles to the 127 Eco Task Force to support their efforts in protecting the environment and conserving the state's natural resources. The following dignitaries were present in this auspicious occasion  Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt of Uttarakhand, Shri Ganesh Joshi, Hon’ble Sainik Welfare and Rural Development Minister, Maj Gen Sanjeev Khatri, VSM, GOC, Uttarakhand Sub Area, Dr. Harminder Singh Baweja, Director Horticulture & Food Processing in his opening remarks the Chief Minister praised the efforts of the Eco Task Force and reiterated state government's commitment to protect the environment. He also thanked the Horticulture Department and expressed his gratitude toward Hero Motocorps for their contribution and urged other stakeholders to come forward and support such initiatives. He also added that 127 Eco Task Force is a dedicated team of ex-servicemen of Uttarakahnd region who work towards protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development in the state of Uttarakhand. 127 Eco Task Force operates in remote areas and has been instrumental in preventing illegal mining, poaching, and deforestation. The Hon’ble Chief Minister applauded the on-going initiatives of 127 Eco Task Force and encourage all Govt Depts to be proactive for the betterment of the State. Keeping in view the impeccable service done by 127 Eco Task Force towards restoration of ecological imbalance in Uttarakhand and to encourage initiatives Hon’ble Chief Minister made the following announcements :- 

• Provision of 4 Lakh Rupees each year to cater fuel, oil and lubricant for utilization of civ vehs 02x Bolero and 10x Motor Cycles provided by Uttarakhand Horticulture Dept. 

• Provision of 6x large size Poly Houses for 127 Eco Task Force 

• Provision of 02x JCBs for 120 days through PWD for construction of small/big water Ponds to store rain water in project location and soil conservation activities. 

• Construction of 50k Litre capacity water tanks in Sahiya, Kasyali and Dehradun under Jal Jeevn Mission Scheme. 

• Upgrade water irrigation system in 10 x ETF nurseries of 127 Eco Task Force. 

• Provision of 100 KW Solar Panel in Dehradun, Sahiya and Kasyali project location by Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) 

• Provision of 02x Large elephant tusks by State Forest Dept for 127 Eco Task Force Officer’s Mess as memento from Govt of Uttarakhand. 

• Hon’ble Chief Minister also directed that all Govt Depts should positively accord sanction to Eco Task Force proposals for any initiatives. Declined of proposal will be with his express Sanction of Chief Minister only. 

• The State Govt is working with Central Govt for reimbursement of 135 Crore from Uttarakhand to Ministry of Defence. 

Shri Ganesh Joshi, Hon’ble Sainik Welfare, Rural Development and Uttarakhand Horticulture Minister highlighted the importance of preserving the state's natural resources and underlined the need for collective action for this noble cause. He also commended the Eco Task Force for their tireless efforts and pledged to continue supporting them in their green mission. 

Colonel Rohit Srivastav, Commanding Officer, 127 Eco Task Force expressed his gratitude to Govt of Uttarakhand and assured that the Bolero Pick-up trucks and motorcycles handed over by the Horticulture Department will be used by the Eco Task Force to access remote locations and carry out their operations effectively. The vehicles will also help the task force respond quickly to emergencies and protect the environment from any potential threats. 

The handover ceremony was widely covered by print and electronic media. The event concluded with vote of thanks to all the officials who had contributed towards this initiative was given by the Eco Task Force.