Industries, NGOs to be part of Maha's new afforestation plan

Maharashtra Government today announced a revised policy to boost afforestation of degraded forest land with participation from industrial establishments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who made the announcement, said "Ease to Afforest" policy will encourage plantation on the degraded forest land and help in increasing green cover.
Later, talking to reporters, he said the government aims to boost afforestation of degraded forest land through participation of industrial establishments and NGOs.
The earlier policy was cleared by the Congress-NCP Government three-and-a-half years ago and it was revised after the BJP-led administration came to power.
"The existing policy dated 01.01.2012 was not invoking desired response for afforestation of the degraded forests. Therefore, a committee by me modified the policy," he said.

According to the revised plan, it is not mandatory for a plantation field to be within 2 km from the owned land of industrial establishments or NGOs.

"This will encourage industrial establishments and NGOs to undertake afforestation in the vicinity of their working areas," Mungantiwar said.
The new policy also paves the way for Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) to be a part of the tripartite agreement as an NGO.
These committees seek to forge a partnership between the Forest Department and tribal communities dependent on forests for their sustenance.
"This will help in increasing the number of areas under afforestation and enhance public participation in the process of tree plantation," the minister said.