Nedumangad: The forest department is planning to plant fruit trees extensively in the forest areas to prevent wildlife from entering the populated areas. It is found that people come to populated areas, including Katana, for food and water. Fruit trees like plav, maw and anjili are planted in the first stage.
It is estimated that elephants, monkeys and wild boars can be prevented from entering the country in search of food. Barriers will be constructed to ensure water availability in the forest during the summer.
An action plan of `640 crore has been prepared for this. Previously planted teak, acacia, mangosteen and eucalyptus were found to be harmful to the environment and unsuitable for wildlife food. It has been decided to cut down the mature trees and plant fruit saplings here.
Nurseries will be set up in all the districts of the state as part of the ‘Tree Abundance’ scheme to produce seedlings. The forest department estimates that more than 45 lakh saplings of fruit trees will be required for this. The first phase of the project will be implemented in Thiruvananthapuram, Wayanad, Idukki, Palakkad and Pathanamthitta districts.