Additional land to be acquired for Adina forest extension

MALDA, July 21: The district land acquisition department issued a notification yesterday that more than 34 acres of land are to be acquired to extend the Adina forest in the Gazole block area. The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Mr. Rejendra Jakhar said that the territory will be extended to build a habitat for migratory birds making the Adina forest a tourist attraction.Plans were also announced to build a rehabilitation centre for rescued reptiles in the forest. In addition, as the first step to foster eco-tourism in this district, the Adina Deer Park is to be expanded. At present the forest covers 70 hectares of land where more than 65 spotted deer are the main attraction. According to Mr. Jakhar, the total estimated cost of the project is nearly Rs. 80 lakh most of which will be spent in purchasing the additional land. The Forest Department and district administration have planned to implement the project with the assistance of several government schemes such as the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes (NREGS).After the land is acquired the construction of fencing and other similar projects are to be completed with the help of the RIDF and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).The excavation of ponds for the birds and the rescued reptiles and also the planting of new trees are all to be implemented with the help of the NREGS. n SNS