Jairam Ramesh

Kolkata: The Union Commerce Ministry has mooted a proposal for cultivation of natural rubber along the India-Bangladesh border on the Tripura side. The project, which could be taken up as a sort of social fencing, has been presented to the Prime Minister by Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh.

Mr. Ramesh told The Hindu , that he had written to the Prime Minister on the project. Rubber plantation exists on about 42 km of the 850 km boundary between the two countries and 1500 hectares had already been covered with rubber plantation. A report prepared by the Rubber Board and the Tripura Forest development and Plantation Corporation (TFDPC) at the instance of the Minister estimates that about five times this area could be considered for rubber cultivation.

The proposal has several positives. The chief being the economic activity that it will generate, which in turn will have an impact on the local community, many of whom are engaged in anti-social activities.

Moreover, at present 150 yards within the Indian side, but beyond the zero line, is lying vacant although there were tracts of acacia plantation on the Bangladesh side. It was felt that it was strategically important to cultivate this portion on the Indian side.

There is also the possibility of carbon trading under the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol. The Rubber Board has already initiated two such projects on carbon trading.

Security concerns

However, security concerns need to be addressed before this project is considered. This has been highlighted by the team, which inspected the areas and is also admitted by Mr Ramesh.

First, rubber trees grow up to 30 feet or above. It has to be seen whether there are restrictions on the height up to which vegetation could be grown along the International Border.

For example, there are restrictions on the height of the crop and even the type of crop that can be grown on the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. The team leant that while paddy and vegetable cropping is allowed, sugarcane is not permitted as the latter gives ample scope for people to take cover.

Thick foliage

Security personnel felt that the thick foliage of a mature rubber plantation can be a problem as it can obstruct the vision of a person sitting on a 15-feet high observation tower.

However, Mr. Ramesh stressed that these issues could be discussed and tackled as there are some obvious economic and strategic benefits, due to which this project merits attention and needs to be given a serious thought.

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