40,000 hectares forest area destroyed in Mizoram every year

Aizawl, Nov 14 (UNI) The Mizoram Forest department has informed that about 40,000 hectares of forest cover was being destroyed every year due to shifting cultivation.

Inaugurating the 'Green Mizoram Day', the state forest minister here today said, ''More than 40,000 hectares of forest land is destroyed by the shifting cultivation practised by the farmers and hence we need to compensate the loss through afforestation drives.'' He also urged the public to actively participate in this drive and plant trees at required areas.

'' We must try our best to restore the state's ecological balance,''he reteirated.

The Green Mizoram Day was being observed in the state since 1999.

The State Level Committee on Green Mizoram had chalked out a new plan of action this year in which trees would be sponsored by individuals and groups for their maintenance.

The committee decided to take up this plan as the government was not able to maintain the thousands of trees planted each year.

According to the Forest and Environment department, Rs 1400 was enough to meet the expenses needed for the plantation and maintenance of a tree for three years.

So far, about 98 trees have been sponsored by individuals, groups and associations.

UNI SNR PP SI GC1320