Karnataka Launches Major Afforestation Schemes

It is good news for nature lovers and environmental activists as the Forest department is planning a huge afforestation drive in Karnataka.   Four major government schemes are in the offing according to C.H. Vijayashankar, minister of forests, who unveiled the mega afforestation project.

The project is designed by the Forest department akin to the ones adopted by some western countries in strengthening and preserving both non forest- land and natural forests. It is hoped that this will serve the dual purpose of developing non-forest land and also meet the domestic and commercial needs in the respective regions. The main objective is to expand green cover, said the minister of Forests.

The schemes planned are,

Agro-Forest Development Scheme:

This scheme envisages providing farmers with saplings of some of the local variety plants like Honge or the Pongamia pinnata, Indian gooseberry, Mango, tamarind and some medicinal, herbal plants. During the first year the farmers would be given Rs.10 towards expenditure on maintenance of each sapling; in the subsequent years Rs.15 and Rs.20. A preliminary demand survey is to be conducted this June by the department, to ascertain the demand by farmers. Enrolment of farmers under the scheme would be facilitated by officials visiting nada kacheri (office) and grama panchayats.

Tree Parks in heavily degraded Forest Lands: 

In each district 250 acres of highly degraded forest lands are to be developed in to tree parks. Presently Binkalkatti in gadag district, Sanjeevani Park and gulnal in Dharwad district have been identified for developing tree parks. Primary purpose behind the scheme is to strengthen soil lost due to degradation and grow traditional and local plant species. Endangered species, wild fruits and flowering trees, ayurverdic and herbal trees, including the local species are some of the broad category of plants to be grown in these tree parks. Yellappa Reddy, former Forest department secretary has succeeded in developing a 400 acres of ‘Pavitra Vana’ near Ramanagaram. ‘Rishi vana’ and  ‘Nakshatra vana’ meaning park for the sages and park of stars, respectively, as conceptualised by Yellappa Reddy, is also being planned for incorporating in the tree parks scheme. This scheme is expected to take wings in july.

One Tree for One Child: 

‘Maguvige ondu Mara’, a novel method of introducing awareness among children in their young age to cultivate the habit of nurturing and protecting plants. Each child is given saplings and asked to take oath that, they as future custodians would take responsibility of preserving plants.

‘Deva vana’ at Pilgrim Centres:

Afforestation and green parks have come up in Tirupathi tirumala pilgrimage centre which is visited by large number of people. ‘Deva vana’ is one such scheme to be implemented in select locations in each district. Besides afforestation, a nursery shall be set up in these spots where pilgrims could also buy saplings.

If these schemes are implemented as planned, and the results are as expected, it will be a significant progress in the afforestation drive.

– Freelance Contributor

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