The Forest Department has embarked on a massive plan of action to remove the “meaningless” phobia of red sanders plantation among farmers and planters.

Speaking to The Hindu , Chief Conservator of Forests (Tirupati Wildlife Circle), Mr. P.V. Chalapathi Rao said there were so many fallacies among the public about the commercial exploitation of red sanders plantations.

“They have formulated wrong opinions over the years that growing red sanders is a crime, or its trade is prohibited and involves criminal action by police and forest departments. Farmers and private planters should realise that just by paying a user charge of Rs. 10 or 20, they can grow red sanders and sell them at any price of their choice to anyone anywhere. It will be like growing any other agriculture crop,” he said.

The official said there was no need for planters to inform the Forest Department before going in for red sanders plantation. “Whenever they want to cut the trees and sell them, all they have to do is to get transit permits from the Forest Department. This is for the safety of their own material during transportation,” Mr Rao added.

The officer said though the Forest Department encouraged private plantation of red sanders, “virtually, no farmer is coming forward to openly say that he is interested.”

According to him, though there are some private plantations in Chittoor district, particularly in the western zone close to Karnataka and within the purview of the Tiruapti Wildlife Circle, no steps have been initiated yet for their assessment.

Efforts on to remove phobia among public

“Only recently, we hit upon the idea of surveying such private plantations, though their owners have not furnished details to the department so far.

“We also do not know at what price they are selling the produce and to whom and how. We will get into the details soon only to remove the public phobia about the trade and to encourage it,” Mr. Rao said.

He added that those who owned private red sanders plantations need not pay fee to the department for raising them, and they needed no official permission. However, he clarified that the government would not provide subsidy to plantations, and that planters should take care of the security of their plantations in view of the mind-blowing demand for red sanders in the international market.

Farmers and private planters, by paying a user charge of Rs. 10 or 20, can grow red sanders and sell them at any price of their choice to anyone anywhere.

P.V. Chalapathi Rao / Chief Conservator of Forests / Tirupati Wildlife Circle

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by K. Umashanker / August 25th, 2015