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NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 24:

        Union Minister for Environment and Forests, A Raja made it clear that the cultivation of trees in private lands has to be encouraged for it would protect humanity.

        Inaugurating the workshop on 'Tree Cultivation in Private Lands', organised by the Tamilnadu Forest Department, here today, the Minister urged for the protection of forests was the need of the hour since majority of our population have been associated and dependent on natural resources.

        Disclosing the Central Government's move to expand the existing forests cover to 33 percent by 2012, Raja said that the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) had been roped in to do research to frame guidelines about tree cultivation.

        He also said that the private participation and co-operation on tree plantation alone could make it reality. Demanding the outcomes of the workshop to be submitted to the IIFM for acquiring valuable informations, the Minister said that the concept of tree cultivation in private lands could be inculcated in the minds of the people as a traditional revolution. He also said that the forest officials should prepare to face challenges on protecting forests since their boundary of work not confined to smaller area.

        Speaking on the occasion, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, G K Prasad demanded the necessity of trees to be raised in small and marginalised farmers' lands which could assure and ensure profitability and socio-economic and ecological sustainability. Stating that as per the National Forest Policy, 1988, the wood based industries had to source their raw materials from private farmers.

        Felicitating, Secretary, Environment and Forest Department, R Rajagopal demanded a massive movement involving farmers, wood based industries, banking and financial institutions, NGOs and experts in forestry was necessary for the ultimate benefit of farmers in Tamilnadu.

        Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, C K Sreedharan and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, G Kumaravelu also spoke.