Tree parks to boost green cover

Tree parks are planned off Bannerghatta, Mahantalingapura off Whitefield Road, Challahalligudda near Devanahalli, Bhootanahalli off Kanakapura Road and near Hesaraghatta and Kengeri. Each of these parks will be spread over 250 to 600 acres, he told reporters.

The department has prepared a detailed plan and set up a five-member team of officials to suggest ways to develop the proposed parks. The team will shortly visit Ooty, Tirupati and Chandigarh and study the concept of tree park in those places, the minister said.

Except for a canteen, toilets and quarters for security guards, the parks will not have any concrete structures. Local species of plants will get priority in the parks.

The government had earmarked Rs 23 crore in this year’s budget for the purpose.

The Forest Department plans to develop a tree park in every district, he said.

CEC directions

Vijayashankar said that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court  during its recent visit to the State to assess the impact of illegal mining, gave certain directions to protect forest cover in places where mining is carried out. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest is preparing a detailed report on the CEC directions, he added. The Minister, however, did not divulge details of directions issued by the CEC.

Asked about the rampant illegal mining on forest land in the iron-ore rich Bellary district, Vijayashankar said the CEC’s recommendations will be fair and free from prejudices. No person engaged in illegal mining on forest land can escape from the clutches of law,” he said.

The Forest Minister said the department has decided not to allow new hydel power projects in the evergreen forest areas in the State. Similarly, the practice of going in for large scale eucalyptus plantations and other monoculture plantations will be discontinued and instead, raising of multi-culture forest will be encouraged.

Sandalwood

The Forest department has decided to lift all restrictions on the cultivation of sandalwood trees by farmers in the State. The department will do away with the rules that makes it mandatory to a farmer to share 50 per cent of the profit with the government. Only royalty will be collected from those who want to cultivate sandalwood. This is being done to encourage farmers to take up sandalwood cultivation in a big way, he said.

The Minister said the Union Ministry of Environment, Ecology and Forest has recently declared Wayanad, Madhumalai, Bandipur and Nagarahole forest area as “Tiger Habitats.” The Union Minister for Forest Jayaram Ramesh has appreciated steps taken by the State in the conservation of tigers, Vijayashankar said.