Forest dept asks DCs for land to plant trees

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 4

The Haryana Forest Department has approached all Deputy Commissioners (DC) for providing panchayat and government land for planting trees.

“I have asked Deputy Commissioners (DC) to provide land to the Forest Department. The department wants to plant trees to compensate for trees axed for several projects,” Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh told The Tribune here today.

In three years, about 2.23 lakh trees have been axed for petrol pumps, HUDA projects, public health institutions, and laying roads, optical fibre and transmission lines.

As the department does not have land, a policy for purchasing land is under works. As per the proposed policy, land will be purchased with compensatory amount (CA) — money that other departments pay to the Forest Department in lieu of cutting trees. The minister confirmed the policy was being prepared and it was in the final stage.

“After getting the blueprint of the policy, I will take up the matter with the government as without land, the department cannot plant trees,” Rao Narbir said, adding the department had enough money to purchase land.

Sources said that in 2015-16, the department had received Rs 39 crore as CA for allowing departments to cut trees and Rs 86 lakh on account of tree felling charges.

“New projects ensure development, but we must protect environment by planting trees. We have money, but not land. After the policy is passed, we will be able to purchase land,” said an officer of the department on the condition of anonymity.