The Hindu : Front Page : 2 lakh saplings for Ramnad farmers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007
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2 lakh saplings for Ramnad farmers

C. Jaishankar

RAMANATHAPURAM: In an effort to increase forest cover in tune with the National Forest Policy, the State Forest Department has planned to create private forestry.

According to official sources, the forest cover of the State stands at 19 per cent. But the Ministry of Environment and Forest has insisted that all States should increase it to 33 per cent by 2012.

Since all avenues to increase green cover in forest and reserve forest areas have been exhausted, the State Government plans to encourage private landholders to achieve the target.

Speaking to The Hindu, Rakesh Jegenia, the Divisional Forest Officer, said on Tuesday that a five-year, Rs 300 crore project would be implemented from this year under which 75 lakh saplings would be planted all over the State.

In Ramanathapuram district, 2 lakh saplings will be planted. The forest department will plant saplings on lands of marginal and small farmers, subject to a maximum of 2 hectare per farmer, and the farmers will have to maintain the saplings.

Mr. Jegenia said that farmers could choose from productive species such as casuarina, eucalyptus, tamarind, neem, punkan and teak. These species would generate income in three years.

Nurseries have already been raised for starting the project. The selection of beneficiaries for the first year has been completed. Inorganic fertilizers will not be used for growth stimulation of the plants.

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