Assam set to reclaim position of Agar capital of India: Patowary
Guwahati: The Minister for Environment and Forests, Act East Policy Affairs and Welfare of Minorities Department, Chandramohan Patowary said that Assam is set to reclaim the position of the Agar capital of the country.
While speaking at the stakeholder's meeting, Patowary said that Assam has become the pioneer in the country by bringing in notification of Assam Wood Based Industries (Promotion and Development) Rules, 2022 and Assam Trees Outside Forest (Sustainable Management) Rules, 2022 in January 2023.
Patowary was speaking at the stakeholder's conference on the Assam Government’s Big Green Economy initiative organized by the Assam Forest Department at Hotel Ratnamouli Palace, Basistha Chariali, Guwahati on February 14.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad, IAS, Environment and Forest Department, Government of Assam, all senior Forest Officers and representatives of Saw Mill Industry, Plywood Industry, Agarwood Industry, progressive farmers and representatives of Saw Mill Industry, Plywood Industry, Agarwood Industry, progressive representative of FPOs participated in the said conference.
The Conference is held in relation to the notified Assam WBI (P and D) Rules 2022 and Assam WBI (P and D) 2022 Rules. 2022 und Assam TOF (SM) Rules, 2022
Addressing the media, Patowary said that Assam became a pioneer in the country by bringing out notification of Assam Wood Based Industries ( Promotion and Development) Rules, 2022, and Assam Trees Outside Forest ( Sustainable Management) Rules, 2022 in January 2023.
Both the Rules are fully synchronized for the efficient fulfilment of both greening and grown objectives. These rules provide a major boost to the local green economy by encouraging growth in employment and income channelizing public and private investment into activities that mitigate climate change, enhance energy and resource efficiency and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Through the implementation of these Rules, the state is set to reclaim the rightful position of being the Agar capital of the country. The vision is to bring back the glory of the wood-based industry sector in the state of Assam.
He added that the initiatives will not only encourage green coverage but only improve employment opportunities“.
According to him, now personal land can be used for plantations, the process of online registration will begin soon.
It is stated that there is a paradigm shift in the role of the department from that of a regulator to the promoter/facilitator.
Their efforts paved the way for big-ticket investments for the establishment of integrated wood-based industries with the latest technology and export-oriented manufacturing unit of furniture and other wood-based products of Assam.
Now as per new rules, each category of wood-based industries would be treated separately for optimal promotion and growth of the sector.
Sawmills and plywood mills are categorized as primary wood-based industries. Licenses issued online for primary industries will be valid for five years.
Further, agar wood-based industrial units, hardboard, block board, medium density fibre units, and big furniture units are categorized as secondary wood-based industries which can be anywhere. These units only need registration issued online, which is valid for five years.
The Regional Registration committee is headed by the Circle Conservator of Forests.
Import, re-export, and export of Agarwood-based products such as Agarwood chips etc. is made easy. Now, the road is cleared for the official export of agar oil from Assam. Rules are made in compliance with CITES. Further, captive cultivation by wood-based industries is promoted to meet raw material requirements.
However, efforts for the Government of Assam for sustainable management are also available. There are plans to promote large-scale plantations of trees outside the forest. Around 54 commonly grown tree species and 14 shade tree species are also explained from obtaining prior felling permission.
The scope will be available for self-certification by plantation owners promoted through contactless public service delivery. Registration of plantations, felling permission, and issuance of a certificate of origin made online with a definite time frame.
The processes are simplified to the maximum extent in the case of plantations located more than five kilometers from the nearest forest.
Registration of plantation, felling permission, and issuance of a certificate of origin shall be made online with a definite time frame.
The processes are simplified to the maximum in the case of plantations located more than five kilometers from the nearest forest. Registration of plantations and similar online generation of felling permission by the owner will be done within 48 hours.
Adding to that, it will be maintained that registration of plantations located within 5 kilometers of the nearest forest will be done within 15 days.
The provision of deemed permission is introduced between the prescribed time limit. The procedure for tree felling should be simplified too. A joint verification exercise with the revenue authority is not required.
A time of 15 and 27 working days shall be taken for online filing permission for registered and non-registered plantations located within 5 kilometers.
There will be provision for immediate removal by owners or government agencies of trees that have become a danger to public life and property.
On the strength of the Certificate of Origin, transportation of outrun within Assam will be provided.
The concept of captive plantation shall be introduced for augmenting assured income to the farmers and tree growers. Concept of plantation working scheme by owners for areas more than 10 hectares for sustainable management.
The minister confirmed that every person/institution/agency shall be encouraged to plant 10 times the number of trees that failed. The department may offer requisite planting material at a subsidized rate.
Business Northeast enquired about the exact time when the portal will be launched. To this, the minister replied that it will be as soon as possible, with more possibility to launch in March.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
