BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar Oct 14, 2009, 00:15 IST
The Orissa government has decided to take up afforestation in 10 lakh hectares of de-graded land in next 5 years. Afforestation will also be done in 1 lakh hectares of non-forest land under the five year perspective plan prepared by the state forest and environment department.
Both sides of all roads, canal bunds and four sides of tanks in the state will be covered under plantation. While 15 crore seedling will be planted during this period, private land owners will be encouraged to take up plantation work. The government will initiate steps for import of wood from other countries to reduce the pressure of the rising population on forest. The five year perspective plan was finalised in a high level meeting chaired by the chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Briefing the media after the meeting, the chief secretary T K Misra said, efforts will be made to utilise funds deposited under CAMPA. About Rs 130 crore is proposed to be spent from this fund during the current fiscal. Apart from infrastructure development, the government intends to link the forest and environment management with the life of the rural people.
U N Behera, secretary, forest and environment department of Orissa government, said, about 200 micro-shed projects will be implemented near Chilika and special plan is being prepared for the villages adjoining Chilika for wild life preservation.
Wild life management will be improved in 18 reserve forests and environment tourism will be promoted in 20 locations. Similarly, a forensic laboratory and a diagnostic centre will be set up at Nandankanan. The capital city will be converted into a ‘green city’ and 5 lakh trees will be planted in next five years.
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