Bhopal:Tuesday, September 16 :The state government is observing 2008 as Bamboo Plantation Year during which special campaigns are being undertaken by Joint Forest Management Committees in their respective areas. For this purpose, bamboo saplings are supplied at the rate of Rs 2.80 each to Forest Committees on demand by Forest Department’s research and extension units. The responsibility of protecting the planted saplings of bamboo will lie solely with the Forest Committees.
Ecological system is being boosted through plantation of five crore saplings during the current rainy season by the Forest Department. Similarly, two crore saplings will also be planted by Forest Development Corporation. This year large number of saplings have been prepared by Research and Extension Nurseries. Apart from bamboo, saplings of fruit-bearing trees including Aonla, mango, jack fruit (Kathal), custard apple, bel, achar-mahua, lemon, sweet lime etc are also prepared and decision is taken to sell them off on availability. In that case Forest Committees purchase these saplings and plant them at the farms of members and other places.
This year a novel scheme ‘My City, Green City’ has been started in the urban areas of the state. Under this scheme, all the residents of cities as well as members of Resident Welfare Association can contact local Divisional Forest Office in connection with plantation. Schools, colleges and commercial as well as industrial institutions etc. can also avail the benefit of this scheme.
The orders for saplings are accepted between 9 am and 6 pm to Divisional Forest Offices of the Forest Department. Later, the saplings are delivered at the addressed mentioned in the order. Saplings are provided on ‘first come’ first serve’ basis. In the urban areas, saplings are put on sale twice or thrice a month during the rainy season in various localities. The Forest Department has made arrangements to provided technical know-how and, if required, help in plantation after charging extra fees against which receipt is given.