Maharashtra Aims to Increase Forest Cover to 33% Through Innovative Policy

Strategic Insights -

The Maharashtra government has proposed a new forest conservation policy that will allow the leasing of private agricultural land for tree plantation, with the goal of increasing the state's forest cover from 19% to 33%. The policy also aims to reduce man-animal conflict by creating corridors for wild animals outside the forest buffer zone. The proposal has been moved by the state agriculture department and seeks synergies between the forest and revenue departments.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed policy will allow the leasing of private agricultural land for tree plantation, with the aim of increasing forest cover from 19% to 33%.
  • The policy will also create corridors for wild animals outside the forest buffer zone, reducing man-animal conflict.
  • The state government will provide subsidies for polyhouse, greenhouse, protected, and sustainable farming, as well as a subsidy of Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 a hectare for crops recommended by the government.
  • Farmers will be allowed to opt for group farming, forming Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to collectively market their produce.
  • The government will create a land bank by purchasing land from farmers at a rate of Rs.65,000 a hectare per year, and utilizing it for tree plantation.
  • The policy will also allow hotels and guest houses to be set up on leased land, with the goal of promoting eco-tourism.
  • The proposed policy aims to increase the tiger corridor outside the forest buffer zone, and encourage changes in crop patterns to help environment conservation.

Statistics:

  • The forest cover in Maharashtra is currently at 19%.
  • The proposed policy aims to increase the forest cover to 33%.
  • The state government will provide subsidies for polyhouse, greenhouse, protected, and sustainable farming, as well as a subsidy of Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 a hectare for crops recommended by the government.
  • The subsidy for polyhouse, greenhouse, protected, and sustainable farming is Rs.65,000 a hectare per year.
  • The government will create a land bank of at least 10 to 100 hectares of land per plot.
  • The land tracks could be given to private players on a 30-year lease.
  • The tourism facility operator will be allowed to set up one residential hotel per 10-hectare area.

Sources:

  • HT Lucknow with HT Digital Content Services