Mango tree bait for tribals

By IANS

Ranchi : The Jharkhand Forest Department has come out with an innovative idea to prevent tribals from felling trees.


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Forest officials have decided to plant hybrid varieties of mango saplings in 10 villages near Saranda forest and involve the tribals in selling mangoes from 2008.

“Tribals residing in forest villages cut trees and sell them to timber mafias. Tribals depend on the forest and we are trying to find out other methods by which they will be able to earn money,” said Satayajit Singh, territorial divisional forest officer of Saranda.

Officials said Saranda’s climate is suitable for mango trees. Nearly 2,000 saplings of different varieties of mangoes have already been imported for plantation and will be planted with the help of tribals.

Jharkhand produces 15 percent of the mangoes in India.

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