The important activities of these centres are :

 

·        Provide superior quality plants of Eucalyptus (E. cameldulensis), Aonla (Emblica officinalis), Teak (Tectona grandis), Khamar (Gmelina arborea), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) & other species to Departmental Plantations, Individuals and Organizations interested in plantations and environmental preservation. ·        About 2 crores of hi-tech plants were prepared in these nurseries every year. These plants were used in Departmental plantations as well as supplied to Organisations and individuals on demand. ·        A high-tech nursery run by a revolving fund has been established at each R&E Circle.  The amount accrued to the revolving fund through sale of the plants is reinvested in production of nursery plants. These nurseries are being run on a no profit-no loss basis.  The planting stock developed in these nurseries, apart from utilization in plantations is sold to the public. ·        These nurseries equipped with advanced technologies and modern equipment including clonal multiplication area, mist chamber, poly house, compost shade etc. Root trainer plants of grafted Emblica, Eucalyptus, Teak, Bamboo, Gmelina and medicinal plants are being raised in these nurseries.  ·        Provide technical advice to individuals, JFM committees, village communities and the Forest Department.

Vegetative propagation of bamboo

 

·        Demonstrate modern nursery techniques, clonal multiplication of tree species, collection and preservation of germplasm, popularisation of root-trainers.

·        To establish demonstration plots of various packages involving superior planting material, manures & fertilisers, irrigation, bio-fertilizers, mycorrhiza etc. have been established.

·        To organise regular training programmes on nursery, seeds, vegetative propagation, wormi compost making etc., are being arranged for field staff, farmers and members of JFM Committees.

·        To promote forestry in non-forest areas through rural folk, small, marginal & elite farmers, NGO's, people's action group, rural youths, JFM Committees, Panchayat members, user groups, people's representatives of village, block, district and state levels, forest personnel, extension workers and forest based industries.

(Area in ha)

                        Madhya Pradesh is the second largest State of the country having a geographical area of  3,08,245 Sq km. which constitutes 9.4 % of the Country's geographical area. The human population of the State is 60.39 million (5.9% of the country's population) of which 73.3% is rural and 26.7 is urban. The average population density is 196 persons per sq km., while tribal population constitutes 19.9 % of the States population. The State rank first amongst all the States / Union territories in respect of  recorded forest area as well as area under forest cover. The details of recorded forest area and forest cover is as follows-

Recorded Forest Area

Forest Cover Area

The extent of open forest is about 32,881 Sq. Km. as per the Status of Forest   Report, 2001 of Forest Survey of India. 

            About 25,000 sq.km. of this open forest area can be made available for Jatropha Cultivation. But the net area would be much less than 25,000 sq.km., since block plantation of Jatropha is not possible under the provisions of Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The net area can be around 8000-10000 sq. km.

(a)     Irrigated area (with regular source of water) : Around 3,00,000 ha.

(b)     Unirrigated area (with provision for critical irrigation) : 7,00,000 ha.

District-wise details of open forest area available for Jatropha plantation                                                                                                     (Area in Km²)