Paper industry seeks pulpwood plantation in degraded land
   Date :24-Nov-2021

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Business Bureau :
 
The Indian paper industry, which is facing inadequate raw material availability, has urged the Government to offer degraded forest land and non-forest Government land near mills for pulpwood plantation, a move that will also help increase the green cover in the country. Raw material security is necessary for the paper industry to become self-reliant, said the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) in its pre-budget submission to the Finance Ministry, asking to consider its proposal for allowing pulpwood plantation in degraded land.
 
Being a wood fibre-deficient country, inadequate raw material availability has emerged as a major constraint for the domestic paper industry in meeting the growing demand for paper led by drivers such as growth in the education sector and discouraging use of single-use plastic, said an IPMA statement. IPMA President A S Mehta, “We sincerely want the Government to consider our proposal of offering degraded land to the industry for pulpwood plantation. Restoration of degraded land through plantation by the paper industry could help India meet its target of increasing green cover in the country and make India a world leader in paper manufacturing.” Terming it as a “win-win”, he said this will also lead to the greening of India, unlocking the significant potential for employment generation, especially in rural areas.