Uttarakhand Forest

Dehradun, July 6 (UNI) Uttarakhand Forest and Environment Department has earned Rs 174.33 crore in the year 2006-07, which was 33 per cent more than the set target of Rs 130.90, said state Forest and Environment Minister Banshidhar Bhagat.

Presenting the Departmental Budget for the year 2007-08 in the ongoing Assembly budget session today, he said there has been an increase of Rs 24.57 crore in the forest revenue as compared to last fiscal year.

He apprised that for the year 2007-08 revenue target has been set at Rs 189.51 crore.

Mr Bhagat said in the year 2006-07, 19819 Metric Ton of Raisin was produced that earned the revenue to the tune of Rs 46.32 crore.

In 2006-07, 1,55,875 Indian and 9808 foreign tourists visited Corbet Park which was 36,246 more than the last season. And the revenue collection reached at Rs 2.48, he said.

Speaking about the status of forest animals, the minister said that according to the biannual census conducted in 2005, number of elephants recorded was 1510, Tiger 241 and Leopards 2105.

Mr Bhagat disclosed that Rs 44.35 crore has been provided in the budget for forestation and water and land conservation of 25041 Hectare forest area.

Provision of Rs 4 crore has also been made for employment generating programmes like plantation of herbals including Taxus Bakata, Chyura and Trifala.

For the development of reserved and Civil Soyam forest provision of Rs 2 crore has been made. And Rs 1000 crore has been estimated for the plantation of saplings of medicinal values. Rs 4.86 crore for plantation of Bamboo saplings and Rs 5.91 for saplings of Jetroph and Biofuel plants have been estimated, he said.

Mr Bhagat said forestation of 28,934 hectare area was completed in 2006-07. He also apprised that to strengthen the forest ranges and forst chowkis Rs 2 crore has ben provided in the budget of 2007-08. The budget provision of Rs 25 lakhs has also been made for preservation of 'Bugyal' (Meedow).

UNI