Chief Minister N.Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday said the State government was unable to dispose thousands of tonnes of red sanders wood seized by the Forest Department officials during raids, due to unfavourable international trade norms.
Speaking after the launch of the afforestation drive as part of the 63rd ‘Vana Mahotsavam’ in Tummaluru village in Maheshwaram mandal of Ranga Reddy district on Tuesday, Mr. Reddy said the government was in possession of 9,000 tonnes of red sanders wood seized across the State. If sold at international price, the merchandise would fetch the State government a huge sum of Rs.300 crore to Rs.400 crore, he said, after inaugurating the drive by planting a sapling in the five-hectare reserve forest area earmarked for the purpose. The State was now negotiating with the Centre for disposal of red sanders stock, he said.
Cautioning people against rampant felling of trees, Mr. Reddy said at least 10 to 20 saplings should be planted before one is uprooted.
20 lakh saplings
The afforestation drive aimed at planting 20 lakh saplings across the State on a single day, and distribution of over 30 crore seedlings grown by different agencies under various government schemes. Eight crore teak and red sanders saplings grown in rural nurseries under the MGNREGS would be distributed free of cost to farmers as part of the present drive.
An action plan would be prepared and implemented at a cost of Rs.140 crore, for increasing the State’s forest cover to 33 per cent, Minister for Environment and Forests Satrucharla Vijaya Ramaraju informed the gathering.
Buffer zones would be developed around the proposed tiger reserve in Kawal Sanctuary, and plantations were proposed in 10,000 hectares of coastal line covering nine districts.
A total of 47,733 cases had been booked, 2,377 vehicles seized and Rs.21.38 crore collected by way of penalty against illegal smuggling of forest timber last year, the Minister said.
Children from schools in Maheshwaram, Kandukuru, and Ibrahimpatnam mandals arrived at the event, and participated in the plantation drive.
Prizes were distributed to the winners in the essay writing and drawing competitions held by the department.
Ministers P. Sabitha Indra Reddy and G. Prasad Kumar also attended the event, apart from legislators and leaders from the district, and Forest Department officials.
