Framework for pvt sector role in degraded land restoration ready

New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) Environment conservation is the latest sector which is going to be opened to the private sector soon.

A law providing for participation of the industry in the restoration of degraded forest areas and community lands is almost ready and a Memorandum of Understanding in this connection will be signed next week.

It will be a multi-stakeholder partnership with benefit sharing with the local community, the land owning agency and with the forest department as watchdog for proper implementation of the MoU.

This was announced here today by Union Minister for Environment and Forest A Raja on the occasion of the World Environment Day being celebrated on the theme 'Desert and Desertification-Don't Desert Drylands.

Mr Raja said involvement of the private sector had become a must for achieving the goals of bringing 33 per cent of the country's geographical area under forest cover. A large part of this area lies in arid and semi-arid regions. So the green cover is to be increased by tree plantation on farm and community land.

Later, giving details of the framework for private sector partcipation in afforestation of the degraded land, Union Environment and Forest Secretary Pradipto Ghosh later said it had almost been finalised and would be sent to the Cabinet in a day or two.

Under the arrangement, the land will be given to private entities for a period of 30 to 50 years, he said.

Sites will be awarded through competitive bids, which will be invited soon after the whole thing is cleared by the Cabinet, Mr Ghosh added.

The Minister said the country's 39 per cent geographical area was arid or semi-arid, the main causes of which were soil erosion, alkali salinisation, water logging and reduction in organic matter.

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