Himachal, Japan sign pact to improve forest resources

Shimla, March 30 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh and Japan have signed an agreement for a Rs 800 crore project that will help improvement of forest natural resources besides providing livelihood to locals, an official said on Friday.

The project named Himachal Pradesh Livelihood and Forest Ecosystems Management would be carried out in six districts -- Bilaspur, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi and Shimla -- in 10 years.

Out of the total project cost, Rs 640 crore would be provided as loans, a government spokesperson told IANS.

He said state Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur and Japanese Ambassador on Thursday signed the MoU for the project.

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