(a) whether the Ministry has started any programme for the conservation of coconut
cultivation in the coastal areas of Kerala;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to extend this programme to all the coastal areas of
the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) to (d): Yes, Sir.To conserve and rejuvenate the coconut cultivation in the traditional
coconut areas of Kerala,the Coconut Development Board (CDB) under the aegis of Department of
Agriculture & Cooperation has sanctioned a pilot project on `Bio-hedging village programme` to
coastal Mararikulam North Panchayath of Alleppey District.The objective of the project is to
demonstrate the management practices to be adopted for the conservation of coconut cultivation
in coastal areas by establishing bio-shelter belt along the coast to prevent soil erosion,
besides,rejuvenating and developing coconut garden in a compact block of 25 hectares.The pilot
project also envisages the renovation of existing ponds and drainage canals for rain water
harvesting.
In addition,the CDB has proposed to implement a new scheme for `Replanting and rejuvenation of
coconut gardens in traditional coconut growing States` with a view to conserve coconut
cultivation in the coastal areas.The States/Union Territories proposed to be covered under
this scheme are Kerala,Tamilnadu,Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Orissa and U.T.of Andaman &
Nicobar Islands,Pondicherry and Lakshadweep.