ITC signed an agreement with Chattishgarh forest department on 13th July 23 to plant 1.2 crore clonal saplings (12000 acre) in farmers land under agro forestry in 2023-24 with input support to farmers of Rs.33/ sapling (50% by ITC and 50% by Forest Department) and with wood buy back assurance by ITC, under Mukhya Mantri Van Sampada Yojana.
Similarly, the a MoU has been signed up with ITC to revitalise the social forests adjacent to the reserve forests in five districts of the state. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Govt of Andhra Pradesh ITC has pledged to invest approximately Rs 9 crore over the next three years to provide support to around 1,443 Vana Samrakshnana Samithis (VSS) comprising local underprivileged communities. The MoU signing event was attended by officials from ITC, including the Divisional Head of Plantations and Raw Materials, Suneel Pandey, as well as PCCF BK Singh and RK Khajuria.
About the MoU with Govt of Chhattisgarh the scientist and forestry associated people say mainly Jagdalpur and Kanker circles (South Chattishgarh) are being covered under this program. So ITC would spend Rs 24 Crors in 23-24 for supporting farmers in Chattisgarh for wood growing. This is great development. It's not very often that are seen such combo collaborations between Industry and Forest Dept for supply of clonal plants. Malkangiri district in Odisha is already having been 5000 acre/annum covered under another scheme. They appreciated ITC has always been trend setter. Mr Anand an industry leader said that now it is turn of panel product ITC SIGN MOU WITH GOVT OF CHATTISHGARH & ANDHRA PRADESH FOR AGRO FORESTRY industry to follow the leaders & become self sufficient to cater to the need of domestic as well overseas market.
According to principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), Govt of Andhra Pradesh Y Madhusudan Reddy, the commencement of the conservation of eucalyptus plantations in Eluru, Anakapalle, Tirupati, Nellore, and Palnadu districts will be held. These VSS groups were established in 2002 to safeguard the forest cover. The VSS will actively participate in the conservation efforts, providing them with employment opportunities and wages. Over the years, the VSS's efforts have enhanced the forest cover in approximately 30,000 acres across the five districts. As a recognition of their contribution, the VSS members will be entitled to a share in the profits from the revenues earned through the conservation of these forested areas adjacent to the reserve forests.
The mature eucalyptus plants in the conserved green cover, overseen by the VSS, will soon be auctioned off. However, the authorities plan to replant the same areas with new eucalyptus trees after felling the existing ones. ITC's collaboration will help bolster the forest cover and support the VSS in this endeavor by providing necessary materials, fresh plants, and technical assistance. As an incentive, 50 percent of the revenue generated from the yields of these forest areas will be distributed among the VSS members, benefiting the local villages. This conservation effort is expected not only to improve the green cover but also to create employment opportunities and potentially attract industries to the region, fostering its development