Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Chhattisgarh government has come up with a new scheme to plant 15 crore commercial trees in five years with an aim to increase the income of farmers. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Tuesday announced its implementation on the occasion of International Day of Forests.
Rajesh Kallaje, chief conservator of forests in Chhattisgarh, said that the government is promoting commercial plantation of teak, bamboo, Malabar neem, eucalyptus, and sandalwood on the farmers’ fields and also on the land of government and private institutions. “Planting of commercial species on farmers’ land would also promote wood-based industries as raw material for them would be available within the state instead of procuring from other states. This is the first scheme of its kind in which high-quality planting materials are used on a large scale and the government is also going to fix the minimum purchase price for selected tree species every year ensuring assured income to the farmers.”
Environmentalists have welcomed the scheme but said that thrust should be given to indigenous plants and urged the government to take efforts in conserving the real forest cover in the state.
Under the Mukhyamantri Vriksh Sampada Yojana (Chief Minister Tree Wealth Scheme) the state government will provide 100 per cent subsidy for tree plantation on up to 5 acres of land, and 50 per cent financial subsidy on more than 5 acres. The government will decide the minimum purchase price for the sale of earmarked tree species.
The government has allotted Rs 100 crore for the scheme this year. So far 22,000 people have registered for the scheme with most of them being farmers.
Vivek Jogelkar, an environmentalist from Chhattisgarh said, “It is not an impossible task but the question is whether it will be implemented? Sitaphal, Tamarind and Lakh trees are a good choice and must be promoted. Sandalwood may get stolen. Eucalyptus is good for air purification. I hope they promote indigenous plants. It is a good scheme but I hope it is sustainable.”
Alok Shukla, 43, a member of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, also hailed the decision of the government. “But efforts must be made to conserve natural forests. Hasdeo is an example where people are protesting every day. Incidents of human-animal conflict are increasing.”
As per government estimates, the trees of all species planted in five years are likely to cost Rs 10,000 crore after they mature. With the help of this scheme, farmers can earn between Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 for one acre of land per annum.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
