Summary:
Sectors based on timber and forest produce like furniture, medicinal plants, agarbatti (incense sticks) and traditional village artisan-based manufacturing will get a boost with Maharashtra working on formulating a forest-based industrial policy. Our goals are ensuring sustainable production of forest produce, livelihood security to tribals and boosting the economy," said Praveen Srivastava, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. Recently, senior forest department officials also met stakeholders like from industries like timber, medical plants and khadi and village industries. At present, there is no policy for management of demand and supply of non-processed forest produce and sustainable utilization of forest produce. Maharashtra has a 61,851 sq km forest area in 2019 or 20.1% of the geographical area as against the target of 33% under the National Forest Policy, 1988..