|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
| Sawmills
threaten ecological balance in coastal areas |
| |
| The Union environment
ministry has announced an outlay of Rs. 247 crores to
the state to take up plantation activities in the cyclone
affected areas , a press note of the Wildlife Society
of Orissa said. While 80 per cent of the total tree cover
in these areas were destroyed two years ago, the timber
traders have now directed their saw to the remaining trees.
Trade in timber and its relative items are so rampant
in the coastal districts of the state that these areas
now account for 97 per cent of the total sawmills in Orissa. |
| |
| Now that almost
two years have passed since then, the environmentalists
feel it is high time the government put a ban on sawmills
in coastal districts to save the remaining forest cover.
Wildlife Society of Orissa has expressed deep concern
over the enormous loss of tree cover in the state due
to the unabated felling of age-old trees planted by the
erstwhile British government. These trees had immense
ecological value since apart from the apparent advantages
of improved environmental conditions, they also served
in protecting the plains of coastal districts. The Society
points out that out of nearly 150 sawmills in the state
as many as 147 of them are spread across the coastal districts
of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada , Jagatsinghpur,Cuttack,
Khurda and Puri. |
| |
| It is believed that
many of these units came up in the area after the Supreme
Court ban on timber operation in North -East India. Morever,
instead of really helping the state in reconstruction
activities of cyclone ravaged areas, the sawmills are
despatching their products to the neighbouring states,
alleges the Wildlife Society. Apprehending worse situation
to follow, the Society has expressed serious doubts over
the state government's commitment to safeguard environmental
interests of the area. In a press note, it has suggested
that priority should be given to protect existing forest
cover. |
| |
|
|
|
|
Share
4 Nature
|
|
|
| - Wild Fact |
| - Green Tip |
| - Quiz |
| - Atricle |
| - Campaign |
| - Wild Photos |
| - Your Experience |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
