Krishnagar: The West Bengal government would buy forest products collected by people living in Maoist-hit Jungle Mahal area of the state, Forest Minister Hiten Burman said on Wednesday.
"We will buy saal and kendu leaves from the poor people of Jungal Mahal and lakkha (lac) from the people of Purulia district to help develop their socio-economic condition," Burman said at a programme to mark the end of "Forest Week" at Kalyani in Nadia district.
"These steps will also curb the Maoist problems in the areas. This is one of the steps that are being taken to develop the region," he said.
Meanwhile, he said that while 33 per cent of any geographical area is needed to be covered with forest, whereas West Bengal has only 14.5 per cent forest area.
"It is not possible to increase the natural forestry anymore. So we have to enhance the forestry through plantation in available spaces of our houses or on government land," he said.
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