The Indian paper industry is facing a shortage of wood, its key raw material. To address this issue, the industry has urged the government to provide degraded land on a long-term lease to paper mills for pulpwood plantation.
The industry believes that even a small fraction of the available degraded land can be a game changer for industry growth and greening of India. This move would also help reduce the carbon footprint of the country.
The paper industry has been working with marginal farmers to bring degraded land under plantations through agroforestry. However, this needs to be enhanced rapidly to meet the requirements of the domestic industry.
The industry estimates a growth of 6-7% per annum in paper consumption in the country. The suitability of paper as a biodegradable and sustainable material for packaging is boosting its usage across different sectors of the economy.
The move to provide degraded land on lease to paper mills will not only provide the desired quantity of wood to the industry but also generate a huge amount of rural employment. It will also help reduce the import of wastepaper and wood pulp, which puts a strain on the industry and economy.