MYSORE: Not long after the launch of the ‘Deva Vana’ (divine forest) project here recently, the state government now intends to develop ‘Siri Chandana Vana’ (mini sandalwood forests) in all districts of Karnataka.Addressing the media at the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens after visiting the Sandalwood Oil Factory at Ashokapuram, near here on Saturday, Forest Minister C P Yogeshwar said that the state has identified land belonging to the department to develop the mini-forests in all districts primarily to overcome the shortage of raw material for the production of sandalwood oil. “The process of identifying vacant land for planting sandalwood trees has already begun,” he said.He informed that two pieces of land have been identified in Hassan district - measuring 200 and 300 acres respectively; land has also been identified in Anekal, Kolar, Mysore, Shettyhalli in Mandya, Bidar, Bangalore and Chitradurga districts. The land in such areas will be fenced. On the delays in payment to farmers in exchange for the sale of sandalwood trees, Yogeshwar said that this motivates farmers to smuggle sandalwood trees. “Hence, the forest department has decided to simplify the guidelines pertaining to payment,” the minister said.Pointing out that as many as 45,000 cases are pending with the forest department, the minister said that a legal cell will be opened to ensure speedy disposal of such cases with stringent punishment to offenders, and strengthen rules.A proposal to demand for a Rs 350-crore grant in order to strengthen the department at the grass-roots has been submitted to the government, he said, adding that the first round of discussions in this regard were held with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda.
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