Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* To focus on research to increase green cover
Chandigarh, The upcoming Rs. 23.29 crore Forest Complex being set up at Ladowal, District Ludhiana is all set to give a boost to research and Agro Forestry to achieve the target of increasing forest cover to 15% by the year 2020.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Forest Department said that state government has given its nod to set up state of art forest research institute at Ladowal, second in the northern region to have a thorough research on Agro Forestry species of tress suitable for climatic zone of Punjab. The research would also focus on fast growing pest resistance trees that could help the state in achieving its target by the seheduled date. The spokesmen said that focus of Forest Department was to encourage the farmers of the state to diversify in the Agro Forestry by making it viable and profitable venture and this institute has been given mandate to identify such plants for the Agro Forestry.
Besides giving fillip to agro forestry the institue will focus on intensively promoting the quality of trees, market research and also research regarding the uses of wood, which would ultimately benefit the farmers of the state.
The spokesperson further said that the technical design of the building has been prepared in consultation with the Chief Architect, Punjab, and Director, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun and PWD Department have also prepared technical estimates regarding the building. He also informed that construction of the building will cost approximately Rs. 23.29 tothe state exchequer. The construction of the building of the institute will be funded by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB). He said that Chief Minister is taking a keen interest in the project and also that construction is on in full swing and has been completed to the level of around 50 percent.
