Nagercoil: The Government has decided to undertake joint patrolling in the forest areas of the district in order to prevent the smuggling of sandalwood and poaching, said the Forest Minister, N. Selvaraj.

Speaking to presspersons here on Monday, the Minister said that smugglers from the neighbouring state of Kerala illegally transported sandalwood and indulged in poaching in forest areas bordering Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In order to prevent such kind of activities it was decided to introduce joint patrolling by forest officials of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

He said that with financial assistance to the tune of Rs.483 crore extended by the Japan Government and the State Government's contribution of Rs.205 crore an eight-year project to develop forest areas from 1997 to 2005 had been successfully implemented in various parts of the State. Based on this performance, in the second phase the Japan Government had already extended financial assistance to the tune of Rs.403 crore for implementation of development works for another eight years. The State Government has also contributed its share to the tune of Rs.158 crore. Around 1.77 lakh hectares would be developed within eight years starting from 2005 to 2013.

The Forest Department would explore the ways and means to remove old rubber plantation and instead new sapling would be planted at the earliest in the area under the control of Tamil Nadu Arasu Rubber Corporation in the district.

The Rubber Corporation was started in the year1964 and the majority of the workers were Sri Lankan Tamils. As demanded by them, immediate steps would be taken to provide infrastructure facilities. Their demands would be taken to the notice of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in order to redress their grievances at the earliest.

The total forest area in the State was 22,827 sq.km. Though the department could not extend the area further, steps had already been taken to preserve the existing area. Officials had also been provided with adequate number of vehicles and other modern equipment through out the State to prevent smuggling of trees and poaching, the Minister said.

Earlier, he visited Chittar, Mukkaraikal, Mylar and Valiyaela and held a review meeting with the Forest officials. The Tourism Minister, N. Suresh Rajan, MLAs, John Jacob, John Joseph, Jeya Paul and Leema Rose, the Collector, Swarna, the DFO, Sundarajan and other officials attended the meeting.