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Plan for 24 forest divisions approved

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI July 4. The Minister for Forests, K.H. Ranganath, on Friday said the Centre had approved a "working plan" for 24 of the 37 forest divisions in the State, including two in Kodagu District.

Speaking to presspersons here, he said work had already started in most divisions. Under the plan, extraction of the mature trees was being taken up, and new tree species were being planted. The plan was approved by the Centre for the State after a gap of 20 years, he added.

The plan would help realise revenue for the Government, Mr. Ranganath said. The highest revenue of Rs. 55 crore was expected from the five divisions in Uttara Kannada District. From the two divisions of Kodagu District, Rs. 10 crore was expected to be mobilised, he added.

The minister said that the income from forests had come down drastically because of the ban on tree felling. The total annual forest income did not exceed Rs. 100 crore. Besides, there was pressure to close down the government timber depots in the State. However, he had not allowed it, Mr. Ranganath said.

The Government had regularised encroachments till 1978 as per the Supreme Court's directives. If any name had been left out, officers would look into the matter. The Government had moved the Centre to regularise encroachments in forests after the cut-off date of 1978, the minister said.

Elephant menace

Asked whether he would set a deadline to complete steps to curb the elephant menace in Kodagu, Mr. Ranganath said the Government would have to look at both short- and long-term solutions. There would be no delay in providing relief to the affected persons, including the injured. Certain issues could be resolved in two months but only after holding discussions with forest officials, he indicated.

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