India being the home of the Neem tree and repository of much neem related knowledge, we should strive to remain in the forefront by promoting and popularizing new applications and uses of neem for solving emerging problems such as agricultural production, pollution, global warming, poverty and preservation of floral and faunal diversity.

At the request of the Neem Foundation, the Ministry of Environment and Forests convened a Meetings on the 15th of January 1999 to set priorities for Neem in forestry. The Meeting which was held at Paryavaran Bhavan, New Delhi was attended by representatives of various state Forest Departments, Scientists from ICFRE, Dehradun, AFRI, Jodhpur, Officers of Central Ministries and a delegation of the Neem Foundation. The Meeting was chaired by the Hon. Minister for Environment and Forests, Shri. Suresh Prabhu and Shri. C.P. Oberai (IGF, Sp. Sec. MoEF). On behalf of the Neem Foundation, Chairman Dr. Ramesh Saxena made a presentation.

After due deliberation, the following suggestions for implementation recommendations were made:

a) It was suggested that a National Census of Neem trees be undertaken to catalogue Neem resources. This could be undertaken by involving State Forest Departments. This may be co-ordinated by DG. ICFRE.

b) Neem Foundation proposed that Neem should be declared as National Tree of India. The group interacted and requested the Ministry to follow up.

c) The National Oilseeds & Vegetable Oils Development Board announced special incentives and Training programmes on Neem Seed Collection and Plantation. The group appreciated the initiatives of NOVOD Board. It was felt that this would open up new possibilities for Forest Depts. in collection, marketing and value addition of neem seed.

d) NOVOD Board also announced the initiation of a co-ordinated National Neem Network programme under which large number of quality neem seedlings are to be raised from selected materials. It was suggested that the Forest Departments and Wastelands Departments might utilize this resource.

e) Neem Foundation proposed that additional targets of Neem plantation be fixed by various forest departments to cover vast areas of wastelands available in the country. This will not only provide environmental gains but will be a source of revenue for the forest in due course. Neem Foundation offered to assist in co-ordinating this programme.

f) A series of awareness material is prepared by Neem Foundation for dissemination all over the country, as the group felt a need for such material.

g) Neem Foundation and other NGO's should undertake Traning and Awareness programmes on a wider scale. This could be organized under the aegis of NOVOD Board and Ministry of Environment & Forests.

h) It was proposed that a Working Group on Neem be formed involving ICFRE & CSIR (Research), NOVOD (Planting Resource and Training), Neem Foundation (Dissemination), MoEF (National Strategy on Afforestation). This group may pursue Neem related developments in an integrated approach under the Chairmanship of the Minister.