Farm forestry encouragement programme begins

The aim of this programme is to encourage farmers, schools and colleges and government offices  to plant saplings and trees in their land and vacant places thus bringing about green cover.

This programme will help the farmers increase their income substantially.
This is special farmers’ programme of the government and has come into effect from the current 2011-12 year.

The farmers and others who are interested in participating in this programme should register their names in the local Village Forest Committee, Gram Panchayat and Forest department Range offices and return the completed application forms to the respective offices within July 31, said a press release.

Scheme plan

The aim of the scheme is to distribute one crore saplings throughout the State to the farmers and public at concessional rates.

The interested can get as many saplings as they want and plant it in any area.

The saplings grown in 5X8 and 6x9 inches polythen cover will cost Re one and saplings grown in 8x12 size polythene cover will cost Rs three per sapling and those grown in 10x16 and 14x20 covers will cost Rs 5 per sapling.

The saplings can be obtained from the department nurseries distribution centre and also through the respective gram panchayat and village forest committees.

For every sapling that survives support price at the rate of Rs 10 in the first year, Rs 15 in the second year and Rs 20 in the third year will be given. Nearly 400 saplings planted in one hectare will be given support price, said the release.

Nilgiri, acacia, silver oak, casuarinas cassio ciomia, gliricidia, sesbenia, erithrina, rubber, subabul, coconut, arecanut, orange and all types of citrus fruits grown in coffee estates as also mango saplings will not be given support price.

For more information contact Assistant Conservator of Forest, Mysore Division 0821-243853, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Social Forestry, Mysore Division 0821-2484606, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Mandya Division 08232-220630, Assistant Conservator of Forest. Public can also contact  Social Forestry Division, Mandya Division 08232-221651, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Hunsur Division 0822-252064 and Mysore Conservator of Forests, said the release.