Greater public participation for green drives: Minister

Aizawl, Oct 1 (UNI) More than 40,000 hectres of forest vegetation is destroyed each year in Mizoram through shifting cultivation practiced by the farmers, constituting more than half of the population.

While inaguration tree plantation drive on the occasion of 'Green Mizoram Day', state Agriculture Minister H Rammwai informed ''farmers in the state destroy 40,000 hectres of land through our practice of shifting cultivation.

He said there was a need for public participation towards compensating the destruction since the forests department's efforts alone is not enough.

The first Green Mizoram Day was observed in 1999 and has been observed ever since. However, since the trees planted needed maintenance, the state level committee on green Mizoram chalked out a new plant of action this year through, which trees can be sponsored by individuals and groups 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 Forest and Environment department's calculations, Rs 1400 can meet all expenses needed to plant a tree and its maintenance for three years.

In three years, trees become big enough to fend for themselves and it is only during the first three years that saplings need to be kept away from harm.

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