To increase availability of woods for lord Jagannath’s Rath Yara in Puri, the State Government has decided to take up Phase-II of the Jagannath Vanaprakalpa from current year.
The decision was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary GC Pati at the State Secretariat on Thursday. Development Commissioner UN Behera outlined the issues for discussion.
It was decided to undertake plantation in 1.015 hectares of land spreading over eight forest divisions during 2015-16. The Chief Secretary directed the Forest Department to ensure active participation of village community in plantation and protection activities. He also directed for plantation of phasi trees in riverbeds.
The Phase-I Jgannath Vanaprakapla was started in 2000-2008 through the Odisha Environment Management Fund. So far, 2,378 hectares of land have been covered under the programme. The project was implemented in 10 forest divisions, Angul, Satkosia, Athmallik, Athgarah, City Forest Division, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Khordha and Puri. Around Rs 383 lakh has been invested for the purpose.
The Phase-II has been planned in eight forest divisions, Dhenkanal, Khariar, Boudh, Athmallik, Bolangir, Khordha, Nayagarh and Jharsuguda. Forest would be created over 1,015 hectares out of which 510 hectares would be done through assisted regeneration method and 505 hectares through assisted natural regeneration method.
Besides, 1,70,000 seedlings would also be distributed to people. It was decided to invest around Rs 287 crore in the Phase-II. Principal Secretary Agriculture Rajesh Verma, Principal PCCF JD Sharma and Director Environment SB Samant participated in the discussions.