more-in Farmers in Telangana now can grow more varieties of trees under agro-forestry, including the common man’s timber, bamboo, in non forest areas, cut and sell them in the market without seeking permission from the Forest Department. The State government recently issued orders liberalising the Telangana Forest Produce Transit Rules 1970 and expanded the list of exempt species in Schedule II from 20 to 40. It will have multiple benefits — increasing income of farmers, enhancing supply of wood from non forest areas to meet the increasing demand of industries, construction activities and other domestic requirements, and conserving forests. The Forest Department has appealed to farmers to take advantage of this relaxation and grow more trees under agro forestry, which would help increase the green cover from 24 per cent to 33 per cent as envisaged under the Haritha Haram. Under the Transit rules, felling and transportation of forest produce requires the Forest Department’s permission and a transit permit. However, under rule 16 of Transit Rules, forest produce listed under Schedule II (species of trees) and Schedule III (fruits and seed of certain forest species) were exempted from the purview of transit permit. Exempted species The recent order increased the number of exempted species, thereby allowing farmers to raise 40 type of tree species on their farmlands, cut and sell them in the market without having to go through any official formalities. Important among the 40 species exempted include bamboo, eucalyptus, casuarina, subabul, semathumma, ashoka, thadi, coconut, cashew, seemchintha, raintree and imported timber varieties not grown in India. Mango is exempted in all districts, except schedule areas and Nalgonda. Panasa (jackfruit) is exempted in all revenue districts, except tribal areas in the State. Bamboo boon According to official sources, bamboo could be planted easily and be ready for harvesting in six years. It could then be cut every year, subject to certain technical prescriptions. What’s more, bamboo can be cut at any time of the year, except three months of monsoon, and consequently, be a ready source of income for farmers. This additional income would come handy for them, especially to meet contingent expenditure such as purchase of seeds and fertilisers.

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