Tamil Nadu - Nagercoil   

Rs.87 lakh allotted for green revolution in Kanyakumari

P.S. Suresh Kumar

Nagercoil: The Government has allotted Rs.87 lakh for the district to ensure `green revolution' in the current year and the Department of Forests had already selected five villages for the successful implementation of the project, said the District Forest Officer, Mr. Sundararajan.

Speaking to The Hindu, he said that in the first phase, MGR Nagar in Aralvoimozhi under Boothapandi range had been selected under the integrated forest development programme. A sum of Rs.16 lakh had been allotted for raising new crops on over 250 hectares. Steps have already been taken to plant 15,000 saplings on over 150 hectares.

Steps would also be taken to preserve forest areas in a phased manner at Pandaramthoppu near Nagercoil, Azagiyapandipuram, Kodithurai and Kulasekaram.

Of the total district area of 1,67,130 ha., the Government forests occupied an area of 50,486 hectares, which worked out to about 30.2 per cent of the total geographic area of the district.

Forests of the district were transferred from Kerala to Tamil Nadu on November 1, 1956, following the State reorganisation. Forests of this division, Boothapandy, Mahendragiri Reserved Forest, etc., were previously managed by the District Forest Officer, Tirunelveli South Division. Consequently on the formation of Kalakad and Mundathurari sanctuary, Kanyakumari division was formed, from April 1, 1977, as per the Government Order No. 261 dated March 26, 1977, with the headquarters at Nagercoil.

Lofty trees

The forests consisted of soaring and lofty trees such as Mesua ferrea, Bischofia Javanica, Vitex altissima to smaller trees like Dillini, a species festooning climber, shrubs, valuable herbs, a variety of orchids, two types of canes and many indigenous palms.

The district was also rich in wildlife with at least 25 types of mammals, about 60 species of birds, including 14 species of migratory birds, and many species of fish, reptiles and amphibians.

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Rs.87 lakh allotted for green revolution in Kanyakumari

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