Chandrapur, 27 Feb (HS): Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik assured development of Timber Museum and Xylarium in Ballarpur in Chandrapur district. The demand was raised by MLA and former Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

Mungantiwar stated

that the teak wood from Ballarpur was used in Shriram Mandir, Ayodhya, Sansad

Bhavan, Delhi, Bharat Mandapam and the Prime Minister’s office. Besides museum

and Xylarium, a research centre on rare plants and fossils is necessary. The

forest in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli has 32 rare species of timber plants.

Studies in climate and environment changes and conservation of forest can be

studied at the centre.

A land of about 65

hectares is available in Ballarpur for the proposed museum and xylarium, and

the research centre. It would also generate employment for the local people and

researchers. The centre will also improve tourism in the region and promote

industry.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar