State forest minister Ananta Roy said on Monday that the department has begun discussions with the Army for permission.

In the past, the department has been at loggerheads with the Army over imposition of daily entry tickets at Eden Gardens. The Army has, so far, refused permission. "For maintenance of the gardens during these three days (of the flower show) it is important that an entry fee be imposed," Roy said.

The forest department has also decided to set up special courts to try poachers. Roy said that one court will be set up in the Dooars and another in South Bengal. Three more courts will be set up later. "We have approached Calcutta High Court for this," Roy said. These courts will come up by 2007.

Roy said that the state forest development corporation has earned a Rs 12 crore profit during 2005-2006. "The corporation is likely to earn a Rs 15 crore in the current financial year. We have also opened another eco-tourism project at Paren, five kms from Jaldhaka," Roy said.