Bhubaneswar, June 28: The state government is planning a wood-based industrial cluster over 500 acres in Paradip to optimise the use of imported timber and meet the shortfall of the processed product in the state.
“Since Odisha’s timber production is not sufficient, we can meet our shortfall through imports. While boosting the state’s timber industry, it will also help conserve our forests,” said a senior official of the forest department.
Official sources said 145 units, including 25 large ones, were proposed to be set up at the cluster in Paradip. Five companies, including USA-based Domogeo and Australia’s Lifespace, have evinced interest in setting up units once the proposal materialises. Indian companies such as Century Ply, Manglik and MMJ Exports have also expressed eagerness to set up their units.
According to a rough estimate, the state requires 50,000 cubic metres of timber of various species a year, but the state-run Odisha Forest Development Corporation has sold 30,000 cubic metres of timber in 2012-13. Bulk of this (70 per cent) was sal wood, while there was only 756 cubic metres of teak (2.5 per cent).
Chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik has asked the forest and environment department and the micro, small and medium enterprise department to prepare a comprehensive plan to develop the cluster and submit it to the central empowered committee of the Union ministry of environment and forests for clearance.
Sources said phase-I of the project would be developed over 500 acres. The industries will occupy 375 acres, while the rest 125 acres will be utilised for creating utilities and infrastructure development.
“The entrepreneurs will set up their units with their own funds. The state government will act as a facilitator by providing the infrastructure,” said a senior official.
Ramu Ramakrishnan, an expert on wood industries, said the cluster of wood-based industries would be developed on the models of Kandla in Gujrat. He said 130 species of timber were being imported to Kandla from countries such as Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Africa, Europe, America and Australia.
“Odisha, being located on the eastern coast is nearer to the exporting countries such as Malaysia and New Zealand. Because of the port facilities, the finished products can be marketed in various parts of the country,” he said.
