the goan I network
PANAJI
Informing about the same, Environment and Forests Minister Rajendra Arlekar said: “To establish the Coconut Development Board, we have to frame rules and guidelines. This is basically in close coordination with Agriculture Department as coconut is not a forest tree, but an agricultural produce.”
During the present year’s budget, the State Government had proposed to constitute a full-fledged Coconut Development Board to be chaired by a prominent coconut farmer or an expert from the field and not by a politician, for which a token provision of Rs 25 lakh has been made.
Arlekar however said that the State Government is making efforts to announce it during the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly.
“The main focus of the Board will be on the protection and development of coconut. Additionally, we are studying other laws relating to the protection and development of coconut, particularly in Philippines and Kuwait.
Also we are trying to find out what the others states in the country are doing especially Kerala which also has not classified coconut as a tree,” he said.
Philippines, through its ‘Coconut Preservation Act of 1995’, has provided for the regulation of cutting of coconut trees, its replenishment, providing penalties.
