PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The Member of Parliament from Haridwar and former chief minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat raised the issues of effective use of Pirul (pine needles), resin obtained from pine and other forest biomass available in the hilly states, especially Uttarakhand in the Parliament on Friday.
Drawing the House’s attention to this matter, he said that despite constituting approximately 15 per cent of forest wealth, this forest biomass remains largely stored in forests. This not just wastes valuable resources but helps escalate forest fire risks, he said. Stressing on formulating an integrated and visionary policy for its collection, processing and marketing, he said that it would turn this challenge into a powerful economic opportunity for the mountainous regions.
Rawat further stated that resins are widely used in the pharmaceutical, paint, soap, paper and rubber industries. Sawdust can be used to produce biofuel and bio-pellets while fallen leaves can be used to produce environmentally friendly boards and compost, he observed. “Systematic use of these resources will not only rein in forest fires but also create significant employment opportunities for local youth and women,” he noted.
At the same time, this would strengthen the green, sustainable and self-reliant economy in the hilly areas and promote forest-based entrepreneurship at the local level, he stated.
After explaining things, the MP urged the Central Government to declare Pirul and Resin as strategic forest resources and formulate a concrete and time-bound policy for their collection, value addition and marketing.
