New Delhi: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has constituted Regional Empowered Committees (RECs) for its 11 Regional Offices across the country in pursuance of sub-rules (1) and (2) of Rule 6 of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023.
The constitution of these committees is aimed at strengthening the decentralized appraisal mechanism for proposals under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023. The Regional Empowered Committees will facilitate transparent, scientific, and timely examination of forest-related proposals within their respective jurisdictions, thereby contributing to effective forest governance and sustainable development.
For the Regional Office, Chandigarh, Prof. Mona Sharma, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh has been appointed as an Expert Member of the Regional Empowered Committee. Her appointment recognizes her academic excellence, research contributions, and expertise in environmental and natural resource management.
Expressing his happiness over the appointment, Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, said, the appointment of Prof. Mona Sharma as an Expert Member of the Regional Empowered Committee is a matter of great pride for the Central University of Haryana. It reflects the Ministry’s confidence in the University’s academic strength and expertise in environmental studies. We are confident that her knowledge and experience will contribute significantly to evidence-based decision-making for forest conservation and sustainable development.
Congratulating Prof. Mona Sharma, Prof. Pawan Kumar Sharma, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, said, this recognition highlights the University’s growing contribution towards environmental sustainability and extend his best wishes. He said, Dr. Mona will make valuable contributions to the Committee’s work through her scientific insight and commitment to environmental sustainability.
On her appointment, Prof. Mona Sharma expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for reposing confidence in her. She stated that she looks forward to contributing to the Committee’s deliberations in accordance with the provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023, and to supporting balanced, science-based, and sustainable forest management.
The Regional Empowered Committees comprise representatives and experts as prescribed under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023, and are entrusted with functions specified under the Rules.
