The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Lalthanhawla, today launched New Land Use Policy (NLUP) in Aizawl. With this, the scheme, which aims at gradually shifting from Jhum farming to more productive and sustainable ways of cultivation, comes into effect across the state. The Chief Minister also launched NLUP website and also gave away cheques to fifty beneficiaries of the scheme. For the effective implementation of the scheme, the entire state of Mizoram has been divided into 40 clusters, spreading across seven districts. The NLUP will benefit 1,20,000 families over a period of five years with average assistance of over Rs. 1,00,000 per family starting from 2010-2011. A total of 45,139 households will be covered under the NLUP in 2010-11. The NLUP will provide for better management of two critical natural resources, land and water. The schemes under eight line departments have been identified for implementation like Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Fishery, Soil Conservation, Animal Husbandary, Forest and Industry Development. Sectoral allocation for 2010-11 has been made by the Planning Commission for Additional Central Assistance component of Rs. 232.84 crore.