Bhopal:Monday, March 24, Three new afforestation schemes were started last year including Urja Van Yojana, Charagah Vikas Yojana and Vidya Van Yojana in the state. These schemes have yielded excellent results following which the target for these schemes for the next financial year has been increased.
Under Urja Van Yojana saplings would be planted in 40 thousand hectare area in two thousand villages during the next financial year. Meadows would be developed in 40 thousand hectare area in about 2000 villages under Charagah Vikas Yojana.During the next financial year a target has been fixed to plant 2.50 lakh saplings in 400 schools under Vidya Van Yojana.
There is a big gap between demand of fuel wood and its availability in natural forests. With a view to bridging this gap, a novel scheme titled ‘Urja Van Yojana’ was started. Under this scheme, saplings of fast growing species of tress including Subbul, Babool (acacia), prosopis, juliflora which are mostly used as fuel wood, are being planted in the fallow lands available near villages. In the first year, 23 thousand 576 hectare Urja Van (Energy Forests) have been grown in one thousand 212 villages. During the next financial year, saplings would be planted in 40 thousand hectare area in two thousand villages under this scheme. This would not only ensure availability of fuel wood to the villagers but would also decrease bio-pressure on forests.
With a view to solving growing problem of fodder, a new scheme titled Charagah Vikas Yojana (Meadow Development Scheme) was introduced. Forests are coming under heavy pressure due to increasing number of cattle in villages. Keeping this in mind, this scheme was started in areas available near villages. Species of plants that are good for fodder are grown at these places. So far, meadows have been developed in 13 thousand 943 hectare area in 577 villages. The target for the next year under the scheme has been fixed at 40 thousand hectare area in two thousand villages.
Similarly, Vidya Van Yojana has been launched with a view to creating awareness and generating a feeling of love for trees among students. Under this scheme students are inspired to undertake plantation of fruit-bearing, shadowy and decorative trees in their respective educational institutions. Under Vidya Van Yojana, 97 thousand saplings have been planted in 690 educational institutions. For the next financial year, a target has been fixed to plant about 2.50 lakh saplings in 400 schools.