Tree planting scheme mooted for forest lands
Coimbatore: The Forest Department is embarking on a project for carrying out afforestation and greenery regeneration activity in 1,550 acres of forest lands under the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) and Integrated Watershed Development Project (IWDP).The choice of villages is based on tribal population and the extent of degradation. The District Forest Officer, Coimbatore Division, I. Anwardeen and District Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, M. Premnath told The Hindu that at an estimated outlay of Rs 2 to Rs 2.5 crores, more than 1.5 lakh saplings were to be planted in these areas. Largely, they would be fruit-bearing trees. Besides, 25 per cent of the saplings would be medicinal plant varieties enabling the tribal community to reap economic benefits through Village Forest Committees. Tribals would enjoy the rights over the Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and the benefits of the medicinal plants. Saplings would be grown in the nurseries of the Forest Department and would be bigger and hardier, to ensure better survival. Of the villages chosen for the Afforestation and Joint Forest Management (JFM) activities, two are tribal development villages and six are watershed development villages. They are Modhur (Sirumugai range), Kandiyur Irularpathy (Mettuppalayam range), Podampadugai (Periyanaickenpalayam), Nellimarathur (Kudimangalam block), Somayampalayam (Pooluvampatti range), Lingapuram (Sirumugai range) besides Mayiladumparai and Melur. The department would adopt the chosen villages for a period of five years, the officials added. The Joint Forest Management project is aimed at regenerating the forest area and also to grow more trees. Tribals would be involved in nurturing the trees. Besides enhancing green cover, the project would also aim at economic emancipation of the tribals and wean them away from the plunderers of forest wealth. The JFM would also include creation of infrastructure from the allocated funds every year, which would include community development schemes, roads, buildings, percolation ponds, tanks and check dams.(The Hindu 11/8/08)
