CHANDIGARH: Haryana's newly announced Forest Policy has been formulated within the framework of the National Forest Policy, 1988, to increase the forest and tree cover in the State, according to Minister of State for Forests Kiran Choudhry.

The major thrust of the State's first Forest Policy is on substantially enhancing the area under forest and tree cover from 6.6 per cent at present to 10 per cent by 2010 and eventually to 20 per cent through massive forestation and social forestry programmes. The policy is aimed at promoting agro-forestry by encouraging the local people to grow more trees for better and safe economic returns.

An Agro-forestry Research Centre would also be set up, the Minister added. The new policy had been formulated after directions from the National Forests Commission that all States must have their own forest policies.

Ms. Choudhry said that Haryana basically is an agrarian State with very little forest cover. Concerted efforts are being made to increase this cover within the stipulated time. This would also boost the growth of eco-tourism sector in Haryana, she added.

She said the world focus was shifting to forestation due to global warming and falling water table. Launching massive awareness campaigns for promoting people's participation in environment protection and forestation could reduce the adverse effects of global warming, she emphasised.

The new policy is geared towards conserving bio-diversity in natural forests besides the conservation, protection and development of habitats in protected areas and water resources in forests. The conservation and development of medicinal plants would also receive due importance. Marketing facilities would be provided to farmers through the Forest Corporation for selling their

produce in the national and international markets.

Ms. Choudhry added that self-help groups were being constituted, especially of women, for empowering them through forestry-based and other income generation activities.

Tree Grower Societies would also be constituted which would act as linkages between tree growers and wood-based industries. And to strengthen the marketing infrastructure, more timber markets would be set up to facilitate the procurement of wood and stabilise the prices of forest produce.

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