Forest area to be expanded: Ministers' conference

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 3 (UNI) A conference of Forest Ministers of South Indian States today unanimously decided to take steps to expand the total forest area in the country to 33 per cent by 2012.

The meet, attended by Tamil Nadu Forest Minister N Selvaraj, Karnataka Forest Minister C Chennigappa and Kerala Forest Minister Binoy Viswom, stressed the need for expansion of forest area.

It underlined the need to convene a conference of Forest Ministers of all states under the Prime Minister to recognise the importance of forest and wildlife protection. The conference should discuss the need for increasing budget allocation for forest departments to achieve the goals of the National Forest Policy.

Talking to media, the Ministers said they would jointly work to check sandalwood smuggling, for which uniform legislation would be enacted.

The two-day conference would conclude tomorrow, which Pondicerry and Andhra Pradesh Forest Ministers would attend.

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