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Maha villages conserving forests to get LPG at concessional rate
Maharashtra government today decided to provide cooking gas to village forest management committee members at concessional rates.
Mumbai: As part of its efforts to strengthen forest conversation in the state, Maharashtra government today decided to provide cooking gas to village forest management committee members at concessional rates.
The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan at Vidhan Bhavan. According to the decision, villages which protect atleast 50 hectare of forest cover land, conserves trees and stops illegal tree felling will benefit from the scheme.
They will get LPG connection at 75 per cent concession rate, grants for biogas connection, 50 per cent concession for lactating cattle, Rs 5 per tree every month to encourage conservation of trees and sowed crop.
Officials said there are 15,500 villages along the forest area of 61,939 sq.Ft and majority of locals are tribals who are dependent on the forest for wood.
"Wood cutting adversely affects natural growth of trees and the thickness of forest reduces. Similarly, smoke due to burning of wood for cooking purpose is an health hazard to women," they said adding that the government has decided to set aside Rs 100 crore for tree plantation.
About 12,600 joint forest management committees have been set up to involve villagers in forest conservation.
PTI
The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan at Vidhan Bhavan. According to the decision, villages which protect atleast 50 hectare of forest cover land, conserves trees and stops illegal tree felling will benefit from the scheme.
They will get LPG connection at 75 per cent concession rate, grants for biogas connection, 50 per cent concession for lactating cattle, Rs 5 per tree every month to encourage conservation of trees and sowed crop.
Officials said there are 15,500 villages along the forest area of 61,939 sq.Ft and majority of locals are tribals who are dependent on the forest for wood.
"Wood cutting adversely affects natural growth of trees and the thickness of forest reduces. Similarly, smoke due to burning of wood for cooking purpose is an health hazard to women," they said adding that the government has decided to set aside Rs 100 crore for tree plantation.
About 12,600 joint forest management committees have been set up to involve villagers in forest conservation.
PTI