Mangaluru: The State Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Vinay Luthra held a press meet at the Aranya Bhavan, Alape Padil here on November 6.
Addressing the mediapersons Vinay Luthra said that the Mangaluru forest circle comprises of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts with parts of Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts. The circle has a total geographical area of 8,64,563 hectares with 2,87,64l.l9 hectares of notified forest areas. 0ut of the total notified forest area, for 98% of area revenue records have been updated.
During 2015-16, an extent of 4204.23 hectare of area was afforested as against the target of 4082.46 ha and 8967.77 ha of previous years plantations are being maintained, Out of 4.89 lakhs seedlings raised for public distribution, 4.508 lakh seedlings have been distributed to public and institutions at subsidised rates. Apart from this, under ‘Krishi Aranya Protsaha Yojana’, an amount of Rs. 55.57 lakhs has been distributed to 3651 beneficiaries as incentive since 2012-13.
During 2014-15, under SCP programme solar lamps, saralaole, LPG connection with stove, gobar gas, solar water heater, bee keeping boxes etc were distributed to 323beneficiaries. During 2015-16, similar programmes are planned for 55 beneficiaries out of which 40 beneficiaries have been distributed with the benefits. Similarly, under TSP programme, during 2014-15, benefits have been distributed to 333 people and during 2015-16, out of 47 beneficiaries, 22 have been given the benefits.
During 2015-16, amount of Rs.12.40 lakhs has been distributed to 146 farmers towards crop compensation due to wildlife damage. In the circle, there are 3870 forest encroachment cases. Out of these, 89 cases are above 3 acres.Out of these, 42 encroachment cases have been evicted and area has been recovered back.
Kudremukha National Park is under the jurisdiction of Mangaluru circle. Out of 1380 families residing in the park, 527 families have applied for voluntary rehabilitation. Till now, 164 families have been rehabilitated by giving them compensation of Rs 5970.56 lakhs. In the process, 262.4 ha land has been added to the national park. Compensating the remaining 363 families is under progress.
The work of identification and finalization of deemed forests has been completed in both Udupi and’ Dakshina Kannada districts. In DK district, out of 87,511 hectors of deemed forests identified by the revised expert committee, 34,850 hectares area have been proposed to be excluded from deemed forest category. Like wise, in Udupi district, out of 40,362 hectares an area of 29.710 hectares of deemed forest has been proposed for exclusion.
Some important activities taken up in the Circle During 2015-16, as many as 137 Vanamahotsava programmes were conducted involving various strata of society. At the district head quarters, Laksha Vriksha Andolana and Wild life week celebration were also conducted.
The department has taken up development of 9.15 acre of land in Padumale for establishing a medicinal garden in remembrance of Deyi Baideti at the cost of Rs. 70 lakhs.
The department has established a Daivi Vana at Karinjeshwara comprising of Nakshatra vana, Moolika vana, Navagraha vana, Raashi vana, stotra vana etc spending an amount of Rs.43.3 lakhs. The department has taken up development of sandal conservation area in 43 hacters at Veerakhamba in Bantwal Taluk.
To create awareness amongst school children, a green School Park ‘Hasiru Shaala Vana’, has been established in Sarapadi Government high School at an estimated cost of 5 lakhs. This is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Forest Minister on November 7.
To create awareness among villagers about the importance of forests, under Green Village Scheme, Ariyadka village in Puttur taluk has been identified for development. Works will be commenced shortly. In Tannirubavi village, at Bengre a tree park is being established and work is at completion stage.
The department is also geared up to take forward the newly launched scheme “Chinnara Vanya Darshana Scheme” for school children.
Chief Conservator of Forests Mangalore Circle Sanjay Bijoor and others were also present.