Shifting cultivation destroys forest vegetation in Mizoram

Aizawl, Sep 20 (UNI) More than 40,000 hectares of forest vegetation is destroyed each year in Mizoram through the shifting cultivation practised by farmers.

While inaugurating tree plantation drive on the occasion of 'Green Mizoram Day', Local Administration Minister H. Havanllauva said, "we destroy more than 40,000 hectares of land through our practice of shifting cultivation. The state forest department has been trying to compensate for this by having afforestation drives. This alone is not enough and there is a great need for the public to participate in this drive. We must show greater efforts towards this as we need to restore ecological balance." The first Green Mizoram Day was observed in 1999 and had been observed ever since. However, since the trees planted needed maintenance, the State Level Committee on Green Mizoram chalked out a new plan of action this year through which trees could be sponsored by people for their maintenance.

The committee had decided on this course of action since the state coffers could not afford the maintenance of thousands of trees planted each year on Green Mizoram Day.

According to the Forests&Environment department's calculations, Rs 1400 can meet all expenses needed to plant a tree and its maintenance for three years.At present, individuals, groups and associations have sponsored 98 trees.

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