Plans to raise heritage flora in Yamuna embankment: official

Local forest authorities are mulling to increase heritage flora, which are on the verge of extinction in the embankment area of Yamuna between Mathura and Vrindavan.
District Forest Officer Mahabir Kaujalgi said their focus would be to develop flora like Kadamb (Neolamarckia cadamba) and Tamal which are virtually on the verge of extinction.
He said for the preservation of such plants, villagers in the neighbourhood will be persuaded to ensure that they remain free from biological pressure.
World Bank has sanctioned Rs 40 crore to develop 400 acres of land in this regard, he said.
Initially, a proposal was mooted to develop the area into a park at a a meeting of officials of district administration and representatives of World Bank about a month ago.

However, since forest department rules do not allow the development of the area into a park, the department decided to chalk out a plan to develop this area into a dense forest, Kaujalgi said.
Simultaneously, a nursery of the old plants would be developed in the area, he said.
Plans to give a face-lift to existing 'Van Chetana Kendra'(park) are on the cards, he added.