Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Forest Minister C H Vijayashankar said that
under the new project Agro Forest, the farmers will be given saplings of their choice for free.
“We have planned this programme in a big way in collaboration with horticulture and agriculture universities. The farmers have to just register themselves in the gram panchayat offices. The seedlings will be supplied free of cost,” he said.
He said that the farmers will also be given subsidy to maintain the trees for about three years.
“During the first year, we will give them a subsidy of Rs 10 per tree, while the next year’s subsidy depends on how the farmers monitor and nurture the trees,” Vijayshankar said.
He warned the National Highways Authority of India of criminal action if it fails to take up tree plantation programme on either side of the roads which it has widened in the State.
The Minister said that following a joint meeting with C M Udasi Minister for Public Works Department (PWD), and senior officials of PWD on Wednesday, it has been decided to direct the NHAI authorities to begin plantation on either side of the highway roads developed by them.
The authorities must consult the forest department officials before felling the trees for road work or widening, the minister said.
He added that NHAI has so far not planted a single tree. Besides the forest policy states that for every tree felled, the forest department has to be paid Rs 750.
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