Following the State’s inability to increase forest cover over the years, K.R. Ramesh Kumar, Congress MLA and former Speaker, on Wednesday suggested that the government plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees along roads across the State. During a debate on the budgetary demands of the Department of Forests in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Mr. Kumar wanted to know what prevented the department from planting fruit-bearing trees such as mango, jackfruit and jamun. “Do you have a dislike for crows and sparrows which live on fruits and seeds,” he asked.
Instead of planting eucalyptus and acacia, the department should to plant fruit-bearing trees along the highways, Mr. Kumar said, and added that this would not only increase the green cover but also ensure availability of fruits to people and birds.
He demanded a ban on planting eucalyptus trees.
Forests cover 22.6 per cent of the State’s area against the target of 33 per cent. A sum of Rs. 9 crore was spent on tree plantation along roads in 2013–14. B.B. Ningaiah of the Janata Dal (Secular) supported Mr. Kumar’s arguments.
Minister for Forests B. Ramanath Rai should come out with his plans to justify funds to the department, Mr Kumar said, and added, “We are not ready to sanction funds just because you offer us lunch in the Banquet Hall.”
(The Hindu)
