400 percent increase in Forest Deptt. budget in 9 years

Bhopal: Forest Department’s budget has increased by 400 percent during last 9 years. During 9th Five-Year Plan, forest’s plan budget was Rs. 665 crore, which has risen to Rs. 4222 crore during 12th Five-Year Plan. Similarly, plan expenditure was to the tune of Rs. 240.16 crore in year 2003-04, which has been increased to Rs. 942.60 crore in year 2013-14. In the state, special attention is being paid to conservation and augmentation of forests since year 2004 so that forests are conserved along with qualitative improvement in people’s living standard.

Budget for sapling preparation scheme for public forestry and nurseries was Rs. 163 lakh 20 thousand, which has gone up to Rs. 4000 lakh in year 2013-14. This amounts to increase of 2350 percent. Annual forest revenue collection in the state was Rs. 509 crore 96 lakh in year 2002-03, which has increased to Rs. 989 crore in year 2012-13. Dividend from forest produce (wood and bamboo) given to associate forest dwellers with forest conservation and augmentation efforts was Rs. 3 crore 93 lakh, which has increased to Rs. 33 crore 45 lakh in year 2012-13.
As many as 15 thousand 288 Forest Committees have been constituted under public participation-based joint forest management. Through them, management of forests in 68 thousand 874 kilometers has been ensured. During last 9 years, dividend worth Rs. 90 crore 97 lakh has been distributed to these committees. Till year 2002, tendu patta collectors used to get only Rs. 8 crore 25 lakh bonus, which has been increased to Rs. 98 crore 22 due to revision of policy. During year 2012, incentive amount of tendu patta collectors was increased from 50 to 70 percent. Due to it, tendu patta collectors are expected to get bonus worth Rs. 250 crore.