Union Minister of Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan has said that the research and extension activities carried out by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education have positively helped in meeting the livelihood needs of the rural poor, tribals and those living in the fringe forests and facilitating opening of interface with Panchayati Raj institutions in the country. She said this while speaking at the 20th meeting of the ICFRE Society at Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi. Speaking at the meeting, Natarajan recognised the international stature gained by ICFRE on the basis of its expertise and hard work of foresters, scientists and other staff. She informed the members of the society about the efforts of council scientists in releasing new clones of Eucalyptus, Casuarina and Shisham which have helped farmers increase their productivity and income manifold across India. This has also contributed in increasing the tree cover outside the recognised forest areas. The Minister said that the Supreme Court had appreciated the environmental impact assessment report of the mining operations in Bellary, Chitradurga and Tumkur districts of Karnataka prepared by ICFRE. The report gives a road map for ensuring scientific and environmentally sustainable mining in India. She complemented the council and its director general VK Bahuguna for initiating the study of composition of forest types of India, initiation of all-India climate change projects, preparation of the report 'Manthan' which reflects upon the status of implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 and launch of Direct to Consumer scheme in institutes of the council. Natarajan also expressed her happiness on the successful organisation of the first ever Indian Forest Congress during November, 2011 which was attended by more than 700 people. Before concluding her address, the Minister invited the society members to give their suggestions for improving the functioning of ICFRE. MoEF secretary T Chatterjee stated that ICFRE should function on the pattern on the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and a council office should be established at Delhi. He also stated that the council should be allowed to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment studies. The chairman of Protection of Plant and Farmers' Rights Authority, New Delhi, PL Gautam also recommended that the functioning of ICFRE should be on the lines of ICAR and more funds need to be provided to ICFRE for undertaking innovative forestry research on livelihood support and bio-diversity conservation. The director general, forests and special secretary, MoEF, PJ Dilip Kumar and representatives of forest industry, farmers and other eminent members of different departments were also present during the meeting. ICFRE, DDG (Administration) SP Singh proposed the vote of thanks.