Punjab forest cover to be raised by four per cent

HOSHIARPUR, JAN 22: With the Rs. 409-crore Ovreseas Economic Co-operation Fund from Japan, the Punjab government hoped to enhance forest cover in the state from the present 6 per cent to 10 per cent in the next five years. State Forest Minister Mohan Lal disclosed to the media persons here today that fresh forestation would be taken up in about 10,700 hectares every year, and that no place – government or private – would be left untouched. First installment of Rs. 25 crore was being spent on the infrastructure, he said.

The forest minister said that a desert like situation was likely to prevail in the states in another 10 years if immediate steps to increase the forest cover were not taken. He disclosed that government was giving special incentives to village panchayats and educational institutions which did distinguished work in forestation. The best panchayat and educational institution would get cash reward of Rs. 1 lakh each. The second and the third best institutions would get Rs. 75,000 and Rs. 50,000 each respectively.

The minister said that a wildlife sanctuary would be set up in Dada and Manjhi forest area of Hoshiarpur district. The proposal was already lying with the government and it would be placed before the cabinet shortly to get it approval, he added. The Forest and Wildlife Departments have chalked out the details and the sanctioning was proposed to cover about 5500 hectares of forest land from Chohal to Chak Sadu.

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The forest minister lauded the efforts of the forest officials and the deputy commissioner to get the forest land vacated from the encroachers.He disclosed that action would be taken against those forest officials who either ignored encroachments or connived with the encroachers.

Mohan Lal flayed the reports that his name was being considered for state BJP president. He said there was no such move and the said report was the handiwork of those who wanted to create rift in the party.