30 per cent forest cover by 2012

COIMBATORE: Forest cover in India would reach 30 per cent of the total geographical area by 2012, Union Minister of State for Forests and Wildlife, S Regupathy said.

Though the Government has originally set a target of 33 per cent by 2012, as per International level, it would be difficult to reach it and attempts were being made to cover revised target of 30 per cent by that time, he said.

The forest coverage has reached 23.60 per cent and it was expected to reach 25 per cent by the end of this financial year, he said.

As the land and reserved areas belonged to the Government were totally covered by forests, to increase the coverage, the Government has roped in private parties under joint Forestry management to develop the required percentage of forests, Reghupathy, here to participate in the convocation address of the State Forest Service College, said.

On career and promotion anomalies of Indian Forest Service officers in various states, particularly Tamil Nadu, he said as steps are being taken to rectify the anomalies in the new pay commission between IFS, IAS and IPS, the ministry would also look into the issue at the earliest.