NAGPUR, OCT 29: The World Bank is toying with the idea of sanctioning Rs 700 crore more to the Maharashtra Forest Department in view of commendable work done by the World Bank-sponsored Maharashtra Forestry Project in its extension period.If the proposal of Forest Department gets a nod, it would be a trend-setter of sorts because the quantum of money given would be unprecedented in the history of World Bank for financing forestry sector in the country.According to information available, the proposal of World Bank assistance of Rs 700 crore has been sent and is presently under active consideration with the Union Government and the World Bank.The Maharashtra Forest Department (MFD) is the first after China which received loans from the international bank for its overall development in 1992-93. The Bank had initially sanctioned an outlay of Rs 431.51-crore which was later revised by Rs 353.16-crore after a mid-term review.The present proposal of Rs 700 crore was sent to the international bank acouple of months back for developing the natural forests of the State. The amount, if sanctioned, will be spent towards this for seven years from the financial year of 2000-2001. The on-going World Bank-aided forest project in the State is due to expire in March next.The MFD launched several forest development programes with the help of World Bank, including plantation, civil works, developing nurseries, launching village eco-development scheme and joint forest management. Besides, bio-diversity programme was strengthened and infrastructure developed in Maharashtra during the period. Over 2,000 staff quarters were built even in remote forest areas with the help of funds.A World Bank mission which visited different forest areas in the State last week to supervise and review the project has lauded the efforts of department for achieving its goal.The mission expressed its satisfaction to overall progress of the project. It also lauded the efforts of forest officers for ensuring the implementation ofthe pending works before the deadline.The mission complimented the project implementing agencies for taking adequate follow up on the recommendations made by and agreement reached with at the previous supervision carried out in February 1999. The mission also appreciated the quality of the progress report and the latest status report prepared by the project coordination unit.
