An ‘Aama Jungle Yojana’ would be implemented from 2016-17 for a period of five years in the State at an estimated cost of Rs 1,170.02 crore.
Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh informed this in the State Assembly on Tuesday in response to a question of BJD MlA Dr Ramesh Chandra Chyaupatnaik.
He said a total of 2,60,000 hectares of degraded land would be upgraded to forests and trees would be planted on 5,000 acres of forest land during the period.
In response to another question put by BJD MlA Sanjib Kumar Sahoo, the Minister said a total of 1893.703 hectares of forests had been affected due to spread of fire in different forest divisions. While 162.388 hectares of forests were damaged in 2013, 881.884 hectares and 849.442 hectares were affected in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
Due to spread of ground fire, forests are mainly affected, said the Minister.
He said the State Government has taken a host of measures to check spread of fire in jungles. With support of CAMPA fund, 13 th Finance Commission grants, and Intensification of Forest Management, a total of 2695 fire fighting squads had been engaged in fire extinguishing work.