Punjab Forest Policy(Draft) - Pbforests.gov.in

5.3. Social Forestry and Agro forestry• The requirements of the society should largely be met by development of forestand tree resources outside the Government forests.• Agroforestry besides offering environmental benefits offers an opportunity forcrop diversification and should be popularized among farmers.• Steps should be taken for in-situ propagation and conservation of medicinal plantsin the Shiwaliks and other parts of the State.• Non-timber forest produce, its collection, regeneration, protection and marketingshould be institutionalized. Integrated development programmes should beundertaken to develop forest areas and their vicinity to meet the needs of localpeople.• Providing Bio-energy as alternative source of energy should be one of the primeobjective of agroforestry and tree farming programmes under which short rotationenergy plantations should be taken.• Most appropriate Agro-forestry models involving trees, agricultural crops and/ormedicinal herbs, shrubs and climbers should be encouraged. Individuals andinstitutions should also be motivated to undertake tree farming and grow fodderplants, grasses and medicinal plants on their own land.• Only high quality forest seedlings of fast growing species and those of colonalmaterial from certified nurseries should be made available to the farmers topromote agroforestry.5.4. Wildlife ConservationThe State government well strengthen and enhance the protected area network (PAN) toprotect and conserve its wildlife and biodiversity by constituting more protected areascovering all the physiographic and climate zones of the State.• Each protected area should be effectively managed under an objectively writtenmanagement plan.- 9 -- -