Ranchi: Chief minister Hemant Soren on Monday directed the state forest department to prepare a complete digital record of all forest areas in Jharkhand within a month, stressing that scientific documentation and real-time monitoring of green spaces are essential for conservation and sustainable development.Soren, during a review meeting, asked the department officials to develop a system to allow the public to access the status, structure and present condition of forest areas across the state with a single click. He also ordered the preparation of layered digital forest maps to record changes that have taken place since the state’s formation in 2000.“Forest areas have undergone significant changes over the years due to expansion of forests, development of eco-tourism projects and guest houses, mining activities, deforestation and changes in the boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Thus, an updated scientific digital database of forests is the need of the hour,” he said.Emphasising that forest protection remains a top priority of his govt, Soren ordered large-scale plantation drives and preparation of a scientific plan for removal of dry and unusable trees to make way for new plantations. He also asked the officials to prepare a plan for aerial seed dispersal in forest areas.He also directed the officials to ensure speedy compensation to people for damage to crops and properties and to those injured or killed in elephant or animal attacks.Soren stressed that plantation programmes should be utility-oriented and suited to local ecosystems. “Prioritise plantation of mahua, jamun, karanj, palash, kusum and other species that would boost biodiversity, support the lac and tasar industries and generate income for forest-dwellers,” he said.He further directed early disposal of pending forest rights lease cases and asked the officials to promote commercial plantations such as cashew and bamboo to generate rural employment and strengthen the local economy.