Sahibjada Ajit Singh Nagar will promote agro forestry on unutilised Panchayat lands to ensure a guaranteed pay back system for the Panchayats. The proposed trees that would be planted under the agroforestry included Burma Drek, Eucalyptus and Poplar.
Divulging details, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Ms Geetika Singh said that as per the directions of Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Aashika Jain, a proposal has been mooted by the Department of Forests and Wildlife for the guaranteed income of the Panchayats.
We have identified two villages in Mohali and Derabassi blocks so far, said ADC Geetika Singh adding that Chappar Chiri in Mohali block while Jaula Kalan in Derabassi block have been chosen for the pilot project while Majri and Kharar Block Development and Panchayat Officers have been asked to submit the list of lands by next week.
The agroforestry would be of a minimum of five acres of land where the commercial wooden trees would be planted under the guidance of the department of Forest and Wildlife. The period of production would be three to five years as per the growth of the tree. The panchayats would get the periodical income from these, she further added.
In the First phase, each block has a pilot project to showcase to others for the next phase. We are sure to have a profitable venture for the Panchayats by entering into agroforestry, said ADC Geetika Singh.
Divisional Forest Officer, Kanwardeep Singh said that the project mooted by the department to the Deputy Commissioner would increase forest cover as well as guaranteed remuneration to the concerned panchayat besides judicious use of baron lands. An agreement between the Panchayat and Plywood/Wooden processing industries would be signed for the guaranteed buyback of the wooden produce, he said. He expressed hope that the pilot project going to be started in each block would soon cover the entire district thereby helping in increasing the green cover.