Odisha sets target for Plantation in 1015 hectors in 2015-16
In another step towards enhancing availability of woods required for car festival of lord Jagannath in Puri, Govt has decided to take up Phase-II of Jagannath Vanaprakalpa from current year. This has been decided in a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sri Gokul Chandra Pati in secretariat conference hall to day wherein Development Commissioner Sri U.N. Behera outlined the issues for discussion. It has been decided to undertake plantation in 1015 hectors spreading over 8 forest divisions during 2015-16. Chief Secretary has directed Forest department to ensure active participation of village community in plantation and protection activities. Chief Secretary has also directed to plan for plantation of phasi trees in the river beds.
Available data shows that Pahse-I Jagannath Vanaprakapla was started in the year 2000-2008 through Odisha Environment Management Fund. So far 2378 hectors have been covered under the programme. The project was implemented in 10 forest divisions like Angul, Satkoshia, Athmallik, Athgarah, City Forest Division, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Khurdha and Puri. Around Rs.383 lakh has been invested for the purpose. Phase-II has been planned for 8 forest divisions namely Dhenkanal, Khariar, Boudh, Athmallik, Bolangir, Khordha, Nayagarh and Jharsuguda. Forest will be created over 1015 hectors out of which 510 hectors will be done through assisted regeneration method and 505 hects will be done through assisted natural regeneration methods. Apart from that 1,70,000 seedlings will also be distributed to people. It has been estimated to invest around 287 cr in Phase-II of the vanaprakalpa. Chief Secretary Sri Pati has directed to take up gap filling plantation in old Phase-I prakalpas as per the distribution of surviving trees over the project area.
Principal Secretary Agriculture Sri Rajesh Verma, Principal PCCF Sri J.D. Sharma, Director Environment Sri S.B. Samant along with other senior officers from the department participated in discussions.