Several state governments’ initiatives are pushing the plantation drives up. They are highly concerned about climate change and the initiatives are being taken across the country. The Punjab Govt. is subsidising plantations and monitor them through satellite pictures to boost forest cover. The Assam Govt. is planning to count the saplings and trees, and will award the planters for plantation and saving the trees. On a similar note, ICAR signs a MoU with Amazon Kisan to guide farmers in scientific cultivation. The initiatives are pushing up plantations.
The Punjab Government’s Forest and Wildlife Conservation Department, headed by the Chief Forest Officer, along with local industrialists and All India Plywood Manufacturers’ Association Chairman Mr Naresh Tiwari, Punjab Plywood Manufacturers Association President Mr. Indrajit Singh Sohal, and members and officials of the Punjab Saw Mill Association discussed the promotion of agro-forestry for crop diversification in the meeting held on June 23, 2023. Among the major industrialists were Century Plywood, Seven Plywood, Jai Maa Plywood, Virat Plywood, Avinash Agro, and others who were also present at the meeting.
Before that the Punjab government’s initiative of subsidising plantations to boost forest cover and monitoring through satellite pictures through the Punjab Forest Department is highly welcome and appreciable. It is going to be beneficial to both industry and farmers. The Punjab Government is giving saplings free of cost to common people on the basis of their Aadhaar card and land records. Also, they are giving subsidies for rearing trees.
According to media reports, forest officials have set a target of planting 2,000 saplings per plot. FRO Amarinder Singh said that all farmers who want to promote forestry should get themselves registered with the forest department and take free saplings. He said that to promote this agriculture, they have seven types of saplings that can be planted on the banks of the fields and canals.
Similarly, the chief minister of Assam is planning to count the saplings and trees. With their change in policy, the forest regulations have been altered to allow people to grow commercial trees that can be cut after a set amount of time. The state administration of Assam has invited residents to plant 10 million saplings on Gandhi Jayanti this year in order to help prevent climate change and develop the state's tree economy.
Mr Himanta Biswa Sarma, CM, Assam, stated that the state government will award "individuals with Rs 100 for planting a sapling and another Rs 200 if it survives for three years. If we succeed this year, we will plant one million saplings on October 2nd, 2024. Those who plant saplings must register on the web page and provide their geolocation." He further said, "We must increase our forest cover, phase out fossil fuels, and free up encroached forest lands."
On a similar note, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR) signs a MoU with Amazon Kisan to guide farmers in scientific cultivation. ICAR will provide technological backstopping to the farmers through Amazon's network. It will improve farmers' livelihoods and boost crop yields. "Technology holds immense potential to revolutionise the agricultural sector and uplift the lives of Indian farmers," said Harsh Goyal, director and head of Fresh and Everyday Essentials, Amazon India. (PTI File) "This MoU in the farmer's partnership with Amazon Kisan programme will help ensure access to high-quality fresh produce for consumers across India, including through Amazon Fresh," an official statement said.