Tamil Nadu - Dharmapuri   

Rs.2.19 crores for Phase II of TAP

Staff Reporter

Rs. 199.30 lakhs to improve Hogenakkal-Natrampalayam Road

DHARMAPURI: The State Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs.2.19 crores for Phase II of Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project (TAP) for 2005-06, said Collector Sudeep Jain here on Monday. Plantations to an extent of 1,950 hectares would be raised during the current year. Planting at the rate of 15 hectares per villages totalling to 750 hectares for 50 villages would also be completed.

Shopping complex

Mr. Jain said that a shopping complex-cum-rest shed at Hogenakkal estimated at Rs.8.81 lakhs and a bio-diesel unit at Thoppur at Rs.5.84 lakhs were being constructed under the component entry point activities scheme, which will pave the way for generating income to the Village Forest Councils concerned.

He said that an estimate of Rs.199.30 lakhs had been sanctioned for taking up improvements to the forest road from Hogenakkal to Natrampalayam under the NABARD scheme.

The work would be completed by the end of this year. Similarly, the Engineering Division of the Forest Department at Tiruchi has taken up the roadwork from Pennagaram to Ethakinaru at a cost of Rs.850 lakhs.

Trekking routes

In order to equip school and college students about the importance of flora and fauna, five trekking routes have also been identified in the Hogenakkal forests. A plan was being prepared for developing the trekking routes and for construction of a trekking shed at the base camp of Hogenakkal. District Forest Officer S. Varadharajulu said that under the TAP scheme Rs.239.32 lakhs was spent during 2004-05 for taking up works such as planting, soil and moisture conservation works, construction of checkdams, percolation ponds to improve the water sources, community development works and loan assistance to various self-help groups and individuals under income generation activities etc.

Conservation works

In 2004-05 Rs.46.36 lakhs was granted for raising plantations on 750 hectares, soil and moisture conservation works and entry point activities in 50 villages, he added.

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