The Karnataka Government on Friday banned cultivation of eucalyptus in Malnad and Semi-Malnad areas with immediate effect.
“The implementation of the ban is to be done in three months. This withdrawal shall be strictly monitored by the jurisdictional Deputy Conservators of Forest”, a notification issued by the Government said.
Mr C. H. Vijayashankar, Karnataka Minister for Forest, told reporters that eucalyptus can, however, be planted in “moderately fertile areas, in dry zones and eroded and rocky areas in transitional zones.”
Eucalyptus can be planted along with species such as Glyricidia, which check further degradation of the site and improves soil fertility along with native species such as Kamara, Seethaphal, Cassia Siamea, Bevu and Cashew and others, he said.
The Minister said eucalyptus planting can also be taken up in Joint Forest Produce Management areas other than as means of providing firewood, poles and small timber and as means of generating income to the village forest committees, he said.
Mr Vijayashankar also said the Government would be launching a massive programme of planting of trees on both sides of road in the coming months.
‘Green Karnataka'
He said the Government was considering earmarking one per cent of the State's budget outlay for undertaking “green Karnataka” activity.
The State has about 45,000 km of road and about 11,000 km of it has come under tree plantation so far, he said.
The Government wants to increase compensation to those killed by wild animals from the existing Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, and if crop loss was to be tune of Rs 25,000, make full payment.
Where the losses exceed Rs 25,000, the upper limit contemplated for payment of compensation was Rs 1 lakh, he said, adding all these proposals are expected to be announced in the coming budget.
Well-known tree planter Saalumarada Thimmakka, credited with planting of innumerable trees on the roadside, would be extended Rs 1 lakh relief to overcome her financial difficulties, he said.
The Forest Department would also help the family of IAS officer P. Srinivasan, who was killed by forest brigand Veerappan in 1991, by paying Rs 5.17 lakh to the Bangalore Development Authority towards purchase of the site allotted to them, he said.