Himachal Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmauri has urged the Union government to provide a Central assistance of Rs 500 crore to help root out fast spreading Lantana weed from the fields in the state.
Bharmauri, who had series of discussions with Union forest ministry officials, said about 1.50 lakh hectare area in the state was infested by lantana weed, affecting livelihood of the farmers.
Bharmauri also urged the Central Government to provide assistance of Rs 50 crore for tackling monkey menace.
There were about 3.50 lakh monkeys in the state, he said adding farmers in wake of monkey menace had stopped sowing the crops and abandoned the fields.
Forest Minister also asked the Centre to release Rs 10 crore for encouraging 'Chilgoja' production in Kinnaur district, besides, a Central assistance of Rs 10 crore for protection and conservation of 66 extinct species of medicinal plants.
