Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 5: With depleting forest cover leading to shortage of quality timber for the construction of chariots of the Trinity for Rath Yatra in Puri Srimandir, the government will plant saplings in over 1,000 hectare in 2016-17 as part of ‘Shri Jagannath Bana Prakalpa’.
According to forest and environment department officials the 1,000 hectare are spread across 12 forest divisions – Dhenkanal, Kharial, Boudh, Athamalik, Bolangir, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ghumusar, Subarnapur, Angul, Baripada and Puri.
Under the Shri Jagannath Bana Prakalpa scheme 24 lakh saplings will also be distributed to the public to plant them near their homes.
Officials say this is the second phase of the project. The scheme was launched in 2000-01 and in the first phase between 2000-2001 and 2007-2008 plantation was carried out in 2,326 hectare in Angul, Satakosia, Athamalik, Athagarh, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh and Khurda forest divisions.
Over 900 trees are cut annually for construction of chariots.
Officials informed that in last three years the government provided 38,454 cubic ft of timber free of cost to Puri Srimandir for the chariots. The government also provided 32,826 cubic ft timber to other Jagannath temples in the state at a subsidised rate.
Besides, the government also provides timber for construction of Rukuna Rath of Lord Lingaraj in the capital city.
The woods are usually of Sal, Asan, Dhaura, Simili, Arjuna, Jammu, Piasal and Kasi trees.
Officials say the scheme aims at addressing shortage of timber and protect forest cover.