The ultimate aim is to afforest wastelands
Why is the government keen on corporate investment in wasteland development?
The problem of wasteland development is so vast and complex, neither our department nor all the government departments put together can solve it, without the participation of the corporate sector and the people.
The only source of fodder and fuelwood for villagers is village commons. If industry invests in wastelands development, won't it take control of these commons?
Corporate sector involvement is only a small part of our strategy to green wastelands. We will also involve NGOs and voluntary organisations. But corporate investment will help local farmers grow raw material for industry on their degraded land and earn profits.
But you are considering leasing such land. Aren't these lands found only in village commons?
Yes. But most village commons are highly degraded. If industrial plantations are raised on them, local people can get grass and fuelwood. There is nothing to prevent industry from leasing common land from either the state government or village panchayat.
Industry is hesitant about investing in non-forest wastelands because of land ceiling laws and encroachments. Will you revise laws to enable industry to get this land?
The national land use council will look into this matter. But ceiling limits will remain, to prevent farmers from becoming landless. We have set up a task force to study land laws in different states and identify available wastelands.
The ministry of environment and forests is considering allowing industrial plantations in forest wastelands. If this happens, why would industry invest in non-forest wastelands?
I am not aware of such a development. But the ultimate objective is to afforest wastelands, whether through corporate investment, NRI money or NGO involvement. I am confident that because of our stringent forest laws, industry will prefer to invest in non-forest wastelands.