In a meeting at Palampur, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri disclosed that Rs. 310 crore H.P. Forest Ecological Climate Proofing Project was approved in principle for Chamba and Kangra districts.

The Project would be carried out with the assistance of German experts who were present in the meeting to discuss and draw a comprehensive plan for its implementation. The project will be completed in seven years.

The project aims to plant bamboo and broad leaf plants after eradicating obnoxious lantana weed from grazing pastures and forests.

The meeting was attended by 13 members joint delegation from German, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Himachal Pradesh and other senior officers of Forest Department.

The Minister said that participation of local people would be ensured for making the project successful and stress would be on increasing the forest cover by planting species such as oak and broad leaf plants.

Bharmouri said that another project of Rs. 25 crore has been sanctioned in principle for capacity building and skill development of forest officers, officials and local community.

This project would be for the period of three years. State Government would get 100 percent grant in both these projects.