Govt to provide 50 lakh free saplings to farmers: Minister

Chennai, May 2 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government will provide 50 lakh free saplings, worth Rs two crore, to improve the income of the small and marginal farmers, Forests Minister N Selvaraj told the state Assembly today.

Replying to the demand for grants for the forest department, he said a detailed research had identified various species that grow faster according to the soil conditions and withstand drought.

About 50 lakh saplings would be given to the farmers, which would also improve their earnings, he added.

He said the government had also formulated a plan to provide financial and technical assistance for planting quality saplings in private wastelands. The scheme would be introduced this year at a cost of Rs ten crore and saplings would be planted in 50,000 acre of wasteland.

Mr Selvaraj said solar fencing would be erected for a distance of 300 km at a cost of Rs 480 lakh this year to prevent damage of crops by wild animals.

He announced setting up of a butterfly park at Arignar Anna Zoological Park at suburban Vandalur and introduction of night safari, for which a detailed project report was being prepared.

UNI