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M.J. Prabu

Chennai, Nov. 9 Pulp and paper units have begun promoting agro and farm forestry-based industrial wood plantations, especially in Tamil Nadu through technological support from the Forest College and Research Institute in Metupalayam near Coimbatore.

The Institute has joined hands with two major pulpwood units namely the Tamil Nadu Newsprints and Papers Limited and Shesasayee Papers and Board limited for promoting pulpwood based industrial agro-forestry through contract farming system.

The Tamil Nadu Newsprints and Papers Ltd, currently uses 1.5 lakhs tonnes of wood pulp. The ongoing mill development plan requires about 3.5 to 4 lakhs tonnes of wood pulp. The wood requirement is currently met from the supply form Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation (TAFCORN-a Tamil Nadu Government undertaking) plantations which is insufficient for the future requirements.

During the last three years, an area of 19,349 acres has been covered with industrial wood plantations such as casuarinas and eucalyptus. Among various districts, farmers in Trichy, Pudukkotai, Sivaganga, Karur and Thajavur districts are more acceptable for pulpwood plantations preferably with eucalyptus-based plantations. Farmers in Cuddalore district preferred mostly casuarinas based pulpwood plantations due to traditional acceptability of the plant in the coastal regions.

“Tree farming is gaining fast momentum in the state at present through the institute-industrial linked public participation. During the last three years nearly 19,349 acres were planted with eucalyptus and casuarinas based industrial wood plantation,” said Mr Govinda Rao, Dean and Conservator of Forests, Forest College and Research Institute.

Due to potential demand and better marketing opportunities, coupled with assured buyback with a minimum support price pulpwood plantations have become viable for farmers, according to him.

“The state is currently facing problems of large blocks of degraded farm lands and non-forest lands, scarcity of financial and managerial resources and an increasing demand for industrial woods. Wood based industries and other industries interested in cogeneration must be encouraged to rehabilitate barren wastelands,” says Prof. K. T.Parthiban, Associate Professor (Forestry) of Institute.

It has been estimated that the demand for industrial wood is expected to reach 60 million tonnes by 2010.

According to Dr Rao and Prof Parthiban, species for the industrial plantations should have characteristics that match the site with respect to soil and climate and the growth, should be fast enough to yield the required type and quality of raw materials at short intervals of time.

For example, eucalyptus is the most promising raw material for pulpwood industry, because of its astonishing growth and adaptability to survive practically in any climate and soil.

The yield varies from 10 tonnes per hectare to 56 tonnes per hectare depending on the type of planting material used.

Similarly, another fast growing tree species casuarina is recommended. In the coastal afforestation, casuarinas is recommended as a high density plantation with the stocking density of 4000 to 5000 trees per acre.

More Stories on : Cultivation | Paper | rd & Newsprint | Tamil Nadu

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