Lok Sabha Question No. 3219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-21
Subject: Forestry Research
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, T. RADHAKRISHNAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3219

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2017

## Forestry Research

## 3219. SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI T.RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI S.R.VIJAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  institutions  under  the  Ministry  which  is  undertaking  holistic research on forestry species in the country along with the fund allocated/released/utilized in this regard during each of the last three years and the current year, institution-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Indian  Council  of  Forestry  Research  and  Education  (ICFRE), Dehradun have developed 20 high yielding varieties of plant species recently;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the characteristics of the said plant species;
- (d) whether the Government has granted approval for release of the said plant species and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to carry out holistic research  on  forestry  species  and  to  improve  yield,  quality  and  productivity  of plant species in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)

- (a) Indian  Council  of  Forestry  Research  and  Education  (ICFRE),  Dehradun,  an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) is undertaking holistic research on forestry species through its  nine  research  institutes  situated  in  the  different  agro-climatic  zones  of  the country.  They  are  Himalayan  Forest  Research  Institute,  Shimla,  Forest  Research Institute,  Dehradun,  Tropical  Forest  Research  Institute,  Jabalpur,  Arid  Forest Research  Institute,  Jodhpur,  Rain  Forest  Research  Institute,  Jorhat,  Institute  of Forest Productivity, Ranchi, Institute of Forest Biodiversity, Hyderabad, Institute of  Wood Science & Technology, Bangalore and Institute of Forest Genetics and

Tree  Breeding,  Coimbatore.  The  details  of  budget  allocation  to  ICFRE  is  as under:-

(Rs. In Crore)

| Year    |   Allotment |   Release |   Utilised |
|---------|-------------|-----------|------------|
| 2013-14 |      142.91 |    142.91 |     142.1  |
| 2014-15 |      149.08 |    149.08 |     140.8  |
| 2015-16 |      138.9  |    138.9  |     141.36 |
| 2016-17 |      163.2  |    163.2  |     163.2  |

| Research   | Research   | (Rs. In Crore)   | (Rs. In Crore)   |
|------------|------------|------------------|------------------|
| Year       | Allotment  | Release          | Utilised         |
| 2013-14    | 6.11       | 6.11             | 6.34             |
| 2014-15    | 5.19       | 5.19             | 5.00             |
| 2015-16    | 1.16       | 1.16             | 1.14             |
| 2016-17    | 6.21       | 6.21             | 6.21             |

- (b) Yes, 20 high  yielding varieties of plant species  have been recently developed at three institutes of ICFRE, details of which are as under:-
- (i) Forest Research  Institute,  Dehradun  has  developed  10  high yielding varieties of Melia dubia Cav. and 03 varieties of Eucalyptus tereticornis.
- (ii) Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur has developed 02 high yielding varieties  of  Sarpagandha  ( Rauvolfia  serpentina Benth  ex. Kurz)  a medicinal plant.
- (iii) Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore has developed 05 inter-specific hybrid clones of Casuarina equisetifolia X C. junghuhniana.
- (c) The details are as under:-
- (i) The  10  newly  developed  varieties  of Melia  dubia are  highly  productive and  are  recommended for  commercial  cultivation in  different  regions  of the  states  of  Haryana,  Punjab,  Uttar  Pradesh  and  Uttarakhand.  These varieties also have better adaptability to various geographical localities.
- (ii) The three recently  released  clones  of Eucalyptus has been recommended for  commercial  cultivation  in  the  states  of  Haryana,  Punjab  and  Uttar Pradesh.
- (iii) Two  varieties  of Rauvolfia  serpentina (Sarpagandha)  namely,  TFRI-RS  1  and TFRI-RS 2 has exhibited high  total  alkaloid  content  i.e.  2.72%  and  3.18%  and high root yield 28.56 g/plant and 22.56 g/plant respectively.
- (iv) Five inter-specific hybrid clones of Casuarina are fast growing, possessing straight stems and high pulp content and tolerant to drought and pest attack. On an average

they  produce 30% more wood than the varieties currently cultivated by farmers and industries.

- (d) Yes, in the meeting of Variety Releasing Committee held on 27.02.2017 under the Chairmanship of Director General of Forest & Special Secretary, MoEF & CC, the said varieties have been released.
- (e) ICFRE  and  its  Institutes  under  MoEF  &  CC  are  carrying  research  on  various forestry species of different agro-climatic zones to improve productivity and their quality.  ICFRE  and  its  Institutes  have  released  47  high  yielding  and  adaptable clones/varieties over the past ten years through its research programs. Whenever a new variety is released a complete package of practice is also developed for the benefit of the user. Development of varieties of other species like Teak, Gmelina, Melia, Ailanthus, Acacia, Tamarind and Bamboo etc. are also under various stages of their development.

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