Himachal considered revised TD allotment policy

State Government would be considering formulation of revised TD Allotment Policy after examining and taking all related aspects into consideration to make it more practical and rational. This was revealed by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, after he reviewed the functioning of the State Forest Department, here today.

Chief Minister said that the government was vigorously pursuing the vacation of the ban imposed by the Hon’ble Court and restore the customary rights of the people of the state so that TD facilities were made available to them for various valid reasons. He said that residents of the state were environment conscious and had always been extending their full cooperation to protect the environment of the state in all respects. He said that the state had volunteered to ban green felling and anti environment activities all over the state since mid-eighties with a view to protect the ecology as also increase the green cover. He said that environment had been of prime concern to the state and its people and were not compromising with the same. He said that use of recycled plastic bags had been banned completely which had been major environmental hazard. He said that strict vigil was being maintained with the cooperation of the people to check the use of recycled plastic bags by traders and individuals.

Prof. Dhumal said that the state has a vast forest wealth valued at over Rs.1.50 lakh crore and it had been quite strenuous for the state to protect the same from smuggling, forest fire, depletion and misuse by the vested interests. He said that the state had been catering to the maintenance of ecological balance of the entire country by preserving the forests from out of its own resources. He said that the state had raised the demand of providing it carbon credits for absorbing the carbon dioxide gases generated by the industrial activities in the region on the anology of the Kyoto Protocol from the Government of India so that the forest wealth was better protected and cater to the ecological requirements of the country.

Chief Minister said that with the banning of the TD customary rights stake holders were finding it difficult to meet their domestic requirements and in majority of cases the timber was being imported from outside the state. He said that even for meeting the requirements of performing last rites cremation etc. the fuel wood was being imported. He said that the position was becoming worrisome as the people were complaining of not to volunteer their services to protect the forest wealth when they were not being granted their customary rights in the forests.

Prof. Dhumal said that with the formulation of new policy for TD disbursement to the stake holders the people would be willingly cooperating with the forest authorities in protection of forests. He said that the government was also considering not to fell the green trees for TD allotments and instead use the salvage timber for the purpose which would help in optimum utilization of the same for the bonafide use of the right holders. He emphasized the need for promotion of scientific silviculture in the state not only to protect the existing forest wealth but also increase the same for the environmental benefits.

Chief Minister directed the authorities to respond promptly to the cases pending in various courts of law and maintain liaison with the legal authorities to furnish the required information to file replies to all such pending cases. He said that slackness and casual approach by any department would be viewed seriously. He directed all the departments to pursue cases relating to their departments with the concerned courts and get it decided on priority so that necessary relief was delivered to the aggrieved.

Shri J.P.Nadda, Forest Minister, said that the state government was committed to protect the legitimate rights of the people of the state and all out effort being made to get the ban on TD allotment vacated. He said that the government was closely monitoring the cases related to the common interest of the people and making efforts to get the same decided. He also apprised the Chief Minister of various activities being undertaken by the Forest Department to increase the green cover and protect the flora and fauna for maintenance of the ecology.

Shri Avay Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary, said that the draft revised Policy for TD allotment was being prepared in consultation with all experts after examining all related issues with a view to protect the interests of the people in right earnest.

Shri Bhim Sen, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Shri J.N. Barowalia, Principal Secretary Law, Shri B.K. Aggarwal, Secretary to the Chief Minister, Dr. Pankaj Khullar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Shri R.K. Bawa, Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh and other senior officers were present in the meeting.