BANGALORE: The Government will launch an overall forest development programme in the State at an estimated cost of Rs. 745 crores with financial assistance from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, has said.

He told presspersons here on Tuesday that the JBIC has agreed to provide a long-term loan of Rs. 611 crores at an interest rate of 0.75 per cent a year. The State Government will make a grant of Rs. 134 crores for launching the eight-year programme.

Asked to clarify the Government's stand on the rehabilitation and resettlement of tribal people, Mr. Nagamarapalli said the Government has not taken any measures to relocate tribal people and others living in forest areas. It has instructed the authorities concerned not to issue notices to that effect.

But some persons, reportedly with naxalite connections, have been misleading the non-literate and poor people who depend on the forests for their livelihood.

The Government has been providing basic amenities to all the people who have been moved out of the national parks in the State. It has also sought assistance of Rs. 20 crores from the Union Government to rehabilitate tribal families who have moved out of forests, he said.

Referring to the vacant posts in the Department of Forests, he said the Government will begin the process of filling 1,200 vacant posts in the lower cadre, such as forest watchers and guards, shortly.

Sahitya sammelan

Mr. Nagamarapalli, who is also the chairman of the reception committee of the 72nd All-India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, said the sammelan will be held in the first week of November in Bidar.

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