NATIONAL AFFORESTATION
PROGRAMME: A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTS
(CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEME)
OPERATIONAL
GUIDELINES FOR THE TENTH FIVE-YEAR PLAN
The scheme titled National Afforestation
Programme (NAP) has been formulated by merger of four 9th Plan
centrally sponsored afforestation schemes of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, namely, Integrated Afforestation and
Eco-Development Projects Scheme (IAEPS), Area Oriented Fuel wood and Fodder Projects Scheme (AOFFPS),
Conservation and Development of Non-Timber Forest Produce including Medicinal
Plants Scheme (NTFP) and Association of Scheduled Tribes and Rural Poor in
Regeneration of Degraded Forests (ASTRP), with a view to reducing multiplicity of
schemes with similar objectives, ensuring uniformity in funding pattern and
implementation mechanism, avoiding delays in availability of funds to the field
level and institutionalising peoples participation in project formulation and
its implementation. The Scheme will be
operated by the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Ministry of
Environment and Forests as a 100% Central Sector/ Centrally Sponsored Scheme
(except for the AOFFP component as explained in para 2.3).
1. Objectives
of the Scheme
1.1 Short term objectives:‑
- Regeneration and eco‑development
of degraded forests and adjoining areas on a watershed basis.
- Augmentation of the availability of
fuelwood, fodder and grasses from the regenerated areas.
- Securing people's participation in planning and regeneration
efforts to ensure sustainability and equitable distribution of forest products
from the regenerated lands, and to promote
the partnership concept in the management and administration of forests and
common property resources.
- Promote agroforestry and development
of Common Property Resources.
- Promotion of fuel saving devices to
encourage efficient use of fuelwood and
to reduce the drudgery of rural women involved in collection of wood, as also
to improve the environment.
- Conservation and improvement of
non-timber forest produce such as bamboo, cane and medicinal plants
- Encourage production of non-timber
products such as wax, honey, fruits and nuts from the regenerated areas.
- Raising coastal shelterbelts to
mitigate the adverse impacts of cyclonic winds.
- Develop water resources through
plantation and water harvesting programme.
- Development and extension of improved
technologies such as clonal propagation and use of root trainers for raising
seedlings, mycorrhizal inoculation, etc.
- Rehabilitation of special problem
lands like saline/alkaline soils, ravines, desert areas, coastal areas, mined
areas,
- Employment generation for the
disadvantaged sections of society, particularly women, scheduled
castes/scheduled tribes and landless rural labourers, inhabiting the forests
and adjoining areas.
1.1.2
Long‑term
objectives:
- Protection, Conservation of natural
resources through active involvement of the people.
- Checking land degradation,
deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
- Ecological restoration and
environmental conservation and eco‑development,
- Evolving village level peoples
organisation which can manage the natural resources in and around villages in a
sustainable manner,
- Fulfilment of the broader objectives
of productivity, equity, and sustainability for the general good of the people.
- Improve quality of life and
self-sustenance aspect of people living in and around forest areas.
- Capability endowment and skill
enhancement for improving employability of the rural people.
2. Implementing
Agencies: The scheme would be implemented
by the following State agencies:
New
projects during the 10th Plan period: The two-tier set up namely the Forest
Development Agencies (FDAs) and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).
Maintenance
of 9th Plan projects during 10th Plan period: State
2.1 In the
participatory mode, the scheme would be implemented by involving two-tier set
up namely the Forest Development Agencies (FDAs) and Joint Forest Management
Committees (JFMCs). This
decentralised institutional structure would allow greater participation of the
community both in planning and implementation of the appropriate afforestation
programmes. This would ground the people-centered approach in afforestation
programmes and provide a firm and sustainable mechanism for devolution of funds
to JFMCs for afforestation and related activities. Organic unity in this
structural framework will promote efficiency, effectiveness, accountability
through decentralisation and devolution of authority and responsibilities, both
physical and financial. Village will be reckoned as a unit of planning and
implementation, and all the activities under the scheme will be conceptualised
at the village level. The two-tier approach apart from building capabilities at
the grass-roots level would also empower the local people to participate in the
decision making process.
(a) FDA will be constituted at the territorial/ wildlife forest
division level and shall have the composition as given in Annexure A. FDA
will be a registered society under the Societies Registration Act. The
activities and the functions of the FDA are also given in Annexure A.
(b) At the grass-root level, the
JFMCs will be the implementing agency. In the proposed structure, one JFMC will
cater to a village. The composition and the functions of the JFMCs are given in
Annexure B. The JFMCs will be registered with the respective
Territorial/ Wildlife Conservator of Forests.
2.2 FDAs will sign a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JFMCs indicating the mutual obligations,
rights and role. The MoU should, inter
alia, include the right of FDAs to stop and withdraw funding from a JFMC if
the performance of the JFMC is found to be unsatisfactory along with the
procedure to be adopted in such cases.
2.3
Maintenance cost of projects
sanctioned under the Ninth Plan Afforestation schemes, viz, Integrated
Afforestation and Eco-development Project Scheme (IAEPS) including Coastal
Shelterbelt Plantations, Non Timber Forest Produce including Bamboo Plantations
and medicinal plants (NTFP) and Association of Scheduled Tribes and Rural Poor
(ASTRP) shall also be released in favour of the State Forest Departments from
the National Afforestation Programme
(NAP) during the Tenth Plan period as 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
However, in respect of AOFFPS projects, the maintenance cost shall be released
to the extent of 50% as in the 9th Plan (no new projects shall be
sanctioned under the constituent AOFFP scheme component during the 10th
Plan period). Funds under these shall be released to the State Forest
Departments as per the terms and conditions of the sanction of the project and
not through the FDA mechanism.
2.4
Balance project cost in respect of
Samanvit Gram Vanikaran Samriddhi Yojna (SGVSY) projects adopting FDA approach
sanctioned during the last two years of the Ninth plan period (pilot phase)
shall also be released from the National Afforestation Programme as Central
Sector Scheme during the Tenth Plan period as NAP projects.
3.
Project Area
3.1
The watershed/ catchment area
approach will continue to be followed wherever possible. However, clusters of
compact blocks can also be taken up for treatment if the local situation so
demands.
3.2
Minimum area of compact block in the
scheme is not prescribed, though projects will as far as possible aim for
compactness, and blocks of less than 20 ha will not normally be taken for
treatment. However, in exceptional circumstances, blocks with smaller size may
be considered.
3.3 Project
areas should be selected in such a way that major part of the project comprises
degraded forests, pasture and community lands. In addition, lands such as
roadside, canal side and railway lines may also be included in the projects as
longitudinal/strip plantations of two rows or more.
3.4 The
project area should be confined to recorded forests and adjoining land areas
including village common lands, community lands, revenue wastelands, Jhum lands
and private lands. Appropriate agro-forestry models may be promoted on such
Jhum and private lands. These efforts can be supplemented by way of assistance
from other sources like DRDA, MPLAD etc. However, separate accounts shall be
maintained for these activities.
4. Project Planning
4.1
4.2
Project Proposal:
4.2.1
The
project planning process would commence with the development of a broad
conceptual framework indicating the extent of area to be covered, range of
activities envisaged and the financial outlay for the proposed project. The
project proposal must indicate the extent and quality of existing vegetal
cover, area and locations proposed to be covered, extent of consultation with
the local population during project formulation, mechanism of usufruct sharing
and proposed involvement of people during implementation. It should clearly
state the objective in terms of area treated and benefits to be expected at the
end of the project period. The baseline data and criteria for evaluation should
be part of the project report on which basis a project will be sanctioned,
though they could be improved upon and finalised by the time of the first
evaluation, after further consultation with communities and the micro-planning
process. Format for submission of the project proposal, checklist of documents
to be submitted and fund flow mechanism are given in Annexures D, E &
F. The proposals formulated by the FDAs shall be forwarded to the NAEB,
MoEF through the respective Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. Proposals
from those States shall be considered which have communicated the acceptance of
the implementation of the Scheme as per the guidelines formulated by the NAEB,
MoEF. The States which have already communicated their acceptance for
implementation Samanvit Gram Vanikaran Samriddhi Yojna (SGVSY) adopting FDA
approach in the pilot phase during the Ninth Plan period need not convey the
same afresh.
4.3 Micro Planning
4.3.1 After the project is approved by the NAEB,
funds earmarked for microplanning would be released to enable the FDAs to
undertake the micro-planning exercise and to develop the work programme under
the project. The work programme based on micro-plans has to be drawn up by the
FDAs prior to project implementation, in full consultation with JFMCs and the
local communities. A note on microplanning is placed at Annexure G
4.3.2
FDAs may
seek the assistance of Regional Centres of the NAEB in the preparation of
microplans.
4.3.3
Microplans vis-ΰ-vis Working Plans: For forest areas included in the project, FDAs would
ensure that the microplans are not in conflict with the existing and
operational working plans of these areas. As far as possible FDAs, through
State Forest Departments, would endeavour to minimise the differences, if any,
between the microplans and the corresponding operational working plans.
5. Entry Point Activities
5.1 During
the preparation of microplans, the community would identify the Entry Point
Activities to be taken up during the project period. These would be included in
the project proposal of the FDA depending upon their technical suitability and
financial feasibility. A note on Entry Point activities is placed at Annexure
H.
6. Project Funding
6.1
Funding Pattern: The scheme would be implemented as a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme/ Central Sector Scheme for the FDAs to which projects will be
sanctioned directly by the NAEB, with 100% central funding (except maintenance
of AOFFP scheme projects sanctioned during the 9th Plan, which would
be governed by Para 2.3 of the guidelines).
6.2
COST NORMS
(@ wage rate of Rs. 75.00/day. See para 6.2.2 for details)
(Rupees
per hectare)
|
Sl.No |
Model/ Intervention |
Plantation including Maintenance |
Soil & Moisture
Conservation(15% of |
M&E, Micro-planning, Fencing, Awareness raising (10% of |
Overheads (10% of |
Entry Point Activities (Fixed) |
Total |
|
1. |
Aided Natural Regeneration (200 **plants/hectare) |
9750 |
1460 |
975 |
975 |
4000 |
17160 |
|
2. |
Artificial Regeneration. (1100 ** plants/hectare) |
17100 |
2565 |
1710 |
1710 |
4000 |
27085 |
|
3. |
Pasture Development/ Silvipasture (400 **
plants/hectare) |
11100 |
1665 |
1110 |
1110 |
4000 |
18985 |
|
4. |
Bamboo plantation (625 **plants/ha.) |
9300 |
1395 |
930 |
930 |
4000 |
16555 |
|
5. |
Planting of canes[1] (625 **plants/hectare) |
11100 |
1665 |
1110 |
1110 |
4000 |
18985 |
|
6. |
Mixed Plantations of trees having MFP and medicinal
value. (1100** plants/hectare) |
17100 |
2565 |
1710 |
1710 |
4000 |
27085 |
|
7. |
Regeneration of perennial herbs and shrubs of
medicinal value. (2000 ** plants/hectare) |
20400 |
3060 |
2040 |
2040 |
4000 |
31540 |
* 10% per cent is earmarked for concomitant monitoring and evaluation,
microplanning, fencing, and awareness raising.
** The number of plants per hectare are
admissible to the costing indicated above. The project proposal envisaging any
change in the plantation density would be eligible for a corresponding pro rata change in the cost norms. This
would also be applicable for Coastal Shelterbelt Plantation projects, which are
based on the Management Intervention model. The concerned FDA shall have to
certify that due regard has been given to the agro-climatic factors and the
thrust areas of Bamboo plantations and Medicinal plants while preparing the
project.
6.2.1 In case of jhumlands, 1100 plants per hectare
under artificial regeneration would be
applicable
6.2.2 The cost
norms have been worked out at the wage rate of Rs. 75.00 per day. Escalation in
the cost will be allowed to State Governments only after ensuring that their
approved wage rate in the State exceeds the limit of Rs. 75.00 per day. The increase in the cost norms would
be proportionate to the increase in the wages. In case the wage rate is less
than Rs. 75.00 per day, the cost per hectare would be less (on pro rata basis)
than the rates proposed in the scheme.
6.2.3 These costs may be distributed as follows:-
(a)
(b) Soil and Moisture Conservation
Activities: to an extent of 15% of the plantation components may be
permitted. These activities will be
carried out within the project area where necessary.
(c) The total expenditure on the following
items together may not exceed 20% of the plantation cost.
i) Overheads including
staff/establishment/vehicles etc (not to exceed 10%).
ii) Concomitant monitoring and evaluation
(not to exceed 2%).
iii) Microplanning (not to exceed 2%).
iv) Fencing (not to exceed 5%). For projects
requiring higher allocation for fencing, funds to the extent of 10% of
plantation cost may be authorized by suitably reducing the allocation under
item (i) above.
v) Awareness Raising (not to exceed 1%).
(d) Implements would be purchased from within
the overheads. Their cost is normally low. The watch and ward component over
the 5 years after plantation would be allowed as part of maintenance personnel
deployed for maintenance would also be made responsible for watch and ward.
6.2.4
Savings
under any items above could be used for the activities listed in items other
than (i). For example, savings for
fencing and overheads, could be used for extension/entry point activity.
6.3 Release of Funds
6.3.1 As stated in
6.3.2 The first instalment
of the funds to be released for implementation of the work programme will be
subject to preparation of the work programme after the micro-planning exercise,
and its approval by the NAEB. Further release of funds to FDAs would be linked
to satisfactory implementation of the work programme and utilisation of funds
provided earlier. Full amount for Entry Point Activities shall be provide while
releasing the first installment.
6.3 3 80% of the funds
released by the NAEB for the implementation of the work programme would be
transferred to the account of concerned JFMCs within 15 days of their receipt
at the FDA. When 50% of the funds released to a JFMCs has been utilised, the
balance 20% of the funds should be released.
6.3.4 FDAs would retain the overhead component for meeting their
administrative expenditure and release to JFMCs/ EDCs as per their requirement.
6.3.5 If the performance of any JFMC/ EDC is not found to be
satisfactory by the FDA, the FDA may decide to take action as prescribed in the
Memorandum of Understanding to stop further funding to the JFMC/ EDC concerned.
The FDA may also prevent further expenditure of the funds already released. In
such cases, the FDA may also authorise the Forest Department to utilise the
remaining funds for completing the works after seeking prior approval of the
NAEB.
7.
Project duration and maintenance of
plantations:
7.1 Projects
under the scheme can be up to five years duration. Planting will be permitted
up to the 4th year of the project.
Five years of maintenance will be permitted for all plantations as per
the proposal. The funds for maintenance
will be released when due. Advance work will be sanctioned up to the fourth
year of the Tenth Plan. The sanction of the project beyond Tenth Five-Year Plan
will be subject to the Scheme continuing during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. In
case the scheme is not continued during the Eleventh Plan, the State
Governments will have to meet the maintenance cost of such plantations beyond
Tenth Five-Year Plan at their own cost.
8.
Improved Technologies and Treatment of Problem
Lands:
8.1 Projects
under the scheme may include suitable components of improved technologies such
as tissue culture and clonal seedlings, root-trainers. As these may need higher
level of investments and supervision, and also appropriate know-how at the
field level, in such cases, the cost norms may be enhanced appropriately, but
not exceeding 25% of the prescribed plantation cost norm specified under the
scheme. Similarly for treating problem lands such as alkaline/saline lands, ravines,
etc., the above-mentioned enhanced cost norms may also be permitted. A note on
improved technologies is placed at Annexure I.
9.
Monitoring and evaluation:
9.1 The
NAEB, apart from the monitoring and evaluation done by the State Government,
would also get evaluation of the projects done by independent
agencies/consultants. The first evaluation will be done within 12-24 months of
sanction of the project. This would, in particular, ascertain the adequacy of
the peoples participation, functioning of JFMC/ EDCs, and the micro-planning
exercise. The final evaluation will be conducted in the fourth year of the
project. In addition, the National and State level steering committees would be
constituted to monitor the implementation of projects under the scheme, with
the following composition.
9.2 The National and State level steering committees would
be constituted to monitor the implementation of projects under the scheme, with
the following composition.
(I) National Level Steering Committee
(i)
Chairperson - Secretary (E&F)
(ii) Members (Official):
(a) Additional Secretary (NAEB).
(b) Additional
DG (Forests).
(c) Forest Secretaries (four State Governments) by
rotation for a period of two years.
(d) PCCFs from four State Governments by rotation
for a period of two years.
(e) Director General, ICFRE.
(f) Inspector General of Forests (NAEB).
(In the absence of the
Chairperson, Addl. Secretary, NAEB will chair the meeting)
(iv) Members (Non Official)
Non-Official representatives from
six FDAs (one each) by rotation for a period of two years and to be nominated
by the Member Secretary, National Level Steering Committee.
(v) Member-Secretary
- Joint Secretary (NAEB).
(II) State Level Coordination Committee
(i) Chairperson
- Chief Secretary
(ii) Members (Official)
(a) Secretary
(Forests)
(b) Secretaries in-charge of Forests,
Environment, Rural Development, Revenue, Tribal Development, Irrigation,
Panchayat, Public Health & Engineering, and Education Departments.
(c) PCCF
(d) Chairpersons of six FDAs to be nominated
by the PCCF.
(iii) Members (Non Official)
Six non-official
representatives from six FDAs (one each) by rotation for a period of two years
and to be nominated by Member Secretary, State Level Coordination Committee.
(iv) Member-Secretary
- Chief Conservator of Forests (in-charge).
10.
Use of Remote Sensing and Geographic
Information Systems for planning and subsequent project monitoring:
10.1 The
feasibility of adopting the Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development
(IMSD) approach devised by the National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad, which
has been adopted by several States for project formulation and prioritisation
of target areas for the Drought-Prone Area Programme (DPAP), may be examined
for its potential application for division/district level planning and to
provide inputs for village level microplans. IMSD is being used for the
preparation of thematic maps relating to present land use, soil condition,
availability of ground water, drainage pattern, etc using satellite remote
sensing data, at the district level, and to prepare a suggested approach to
development on the basis of land suitability analysis by overlay of the
individual spatial datasets using GIS. The indicative plan, which is prepared
in consultation with the people, prescribes areas in the division/district that
would be suitable for different land use, e.g. for afforestation, fuelwood/
fodder plantations, agriculture, horticulture, development of grasslands etc.
Species suitable for plantation in the area are also suggested as part of the
indicative plan. Village level microplans can then be prepared on the basis of
the district/division-level indicative plan. A major feature of IMSD output is
the suggestions for location of water conservation and harvesting features,
such as check dams, on the basis of drainage pattern of the micro-watershed
under consideration. Such maps along with relevant land use data have already
been prepared by the National Remote Sensing Agency,
11 The
projects, depending upon site characteristics, would include activities such as
those illustrated in Annexure H.
12
Component of grant, loan and subsidy:
12.1 There is
no loan component. The Central financial assistance to be provided under the
scheme will be entirely in the form of grant to the implementing State
Governments.
13.
Number of posts:
13.1
No staff is to be provided specifically
for the scheme.
14.
Establishment of FDAs and JFMCs:
14.1
No establishment or any other
administrative costs towards setting up and functioning of FDAs and JFMCs will
be permitted under the scheme, except as provided under the overheads.
**********
ANNEXURE A
STRUCTURE, COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF
FOREST DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
Forest Development
Agencies (FDAs):
FDAs are to be registered as Federation of all Joint Forest Management
Committees (JFMCs) within a territorial/wildlife forest divisions under the
Societies Registration Act, with the following structure:
General Body
|
Executive Body
|
|
Chairperson-
Conservator of Forests Members: Presidents
of JFMC General Bodies, not more than 50 at any time, to be nominated by
Chairperson on rotational basis for a period of one year[2], of which 20 would be
women representatives. In the event adequate number of women chairpersons are
not available, the women representatives will be drawn from the members of
the General Bodies of JFMCs. One non-official representative to be nominated by the apex
institutional framework of Panchayats. |
Chairperson- Conservator of Forests Member Secretary cum Chief Executive Officer Divisional Members Ex-officio Members (without voting rights) District Development Officer, District level Officers of
Agriculture, Rural Development, Animal husbandry, Soil Conservation, Tribal
Welfare, Industries, Public Health & Engineering, and Education
Departments[3]. ADM/AC to be nominated by DC/DM3. One non-official representative to be nominated by the apex
institutional framework of Panchayats. Fifteen nominees from the JFMCs, to include minimum of 7 women[4]. |
Note 1: FDAs for the Wildlife Divisions shall be confined to the
territorial jurisdiction of protected area network under their control.
Note 2: Executive Body of the FDA will co-opt the experts (without
voting rights) in such disciplines as are not represented to advise on the
preparation of microplans and for implementing specific components of the projects.
Note 3: . In case the situations so
warrant, the respective State Governments may also include participation of
other Divisional Forest Officers in- charge of Social Forestry/ Minor Forest
Produce/ IWDP/ Soil Conservation, etc Divisions in the Executive Body of the
FDA as ordinary members. However, the concerned Territorial/ Wildlife
DFO shall continue to be the Member Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of the
FDA.
The
General Body will meet at least once in a year, while the Executive Body will meet
at least once in three months.
Activities of FDAs
(i)
Implementation of centrally sponsored afforestation schemes.
(ii)
Other beneficiaries oriented activities like agro forestry,
avenue plantations.
(iii)
Take steps for value addition and marketing of produce.
(iv)
Inventorisation of land and other natural resources.
(v)
Environmental education.
(vi)
Awareness and active association in protection against poaching
and illicit felling of timber.
(vii)
Establishment and management of decentralised nurseries with
marketing arrangements.
(viii)
Assist in management of CPRs.
(ix)
Address socio-economic needs of people.
(x)
Management of existing captive water resources in the villages.
(xi)
Active involvement in forest fire fighting operations.
(xii)
Monitoring of activities of local NGOs.
Functions of FDAs
(i)
Approve plans for all afforestation related activities in forest
fringe villages, including the microplans.
(ii)
Provide support and assistance to JFMCs for micro planning.
(iii)
Organise training and awareness programmes.
(iv)
Implementation of water harvesting and soil conservation measures
with appropriate approvals.
(v)
Inter se prioritisation for scheme- and
activity-wise financial outlays.
(vi)
Decide entry point activities.
(vii)
Formulate guidelines for utilisation and sharing of usufruct.
(viii)
Evolve rules for use of funds created.
(ix)
Improvise technological improvements.
(x)
Develop Guidelines for employment generation opportunities.
(xi)
Establish and maintain decentralised nurseries.
(xii)
Coordinate and Monitor the activities of their constituent JFMCs.
(xiii)
Conceptualise innovative schemes, viz. establishment of botanical
gardens, sacred groves etc.
(xiv)
Deal with contingencies such as drought, flood and forest fires.
(xv)
Coordinate with DRDAs and other relevant government departments
to dovetail their schemes and programmes with afforestation schemes so that
watersheds can be developed in a holistic manner.
ANNEXURE B
STRUCTURE, COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS OF
Composition of
(i) General
Body: All adult members of the village subject to their willingness. The
meetings of the General body will be chaired by the President who would be
elected by consensus/majority vote and will hold this position for a period of
one year. It will be ensured that a woman member is elected as President at
least once in three year. Member Secretaries of the Executive Body shall be ex officio member the General Body.
(ii) Executive
Body: The President of the General Body shall also function as President of
the Executive Body. The respective forester/block forest officers shall be the
Member Secretary of this body. Treasurer would be appointed from the members of
the respective JFMC by the member secretary in consultation with the President.
The bank account of the JFMC shall be jointly operated by the treasurer and the
Member Secretary. One member representing the Panchayat of the area in which
JFMC falls will be nominated by the Member Secretary. There shall be 6 other
members drawn from the General Body who would be nominated by the Member Secretary
in consultation with the President, of whom three shall be women.
Functions of JFMCs/
EDCs: To assist
in:
(i) Preparation of microplans.
(ii) Choice
of species to be planted.
(iii) Suggesting physical and financial targets.
(iv) To
propose entry point activities.
(v) Awareness
programmes and usufruct sharing mechanisms.
(vi) Fund
Creation Activities.
********
ANNEXURE C
SUGGESTED TRAINING PACKAGE ON JOINT
|
Item |
Broad
Contents |
|
Introduction |
Rationale for decentralised structure. Role of FDAs and JFMCs Historical perspective on growth of JFM in What is JFM? Why JFM? Evaluation of JFM in Status of JFM in the State : - State
Government Policy and orders on the subject. - Briefly about JFM Projects being
implemented/planned in the State. |
|
Significance of sustainable natural resource management |
Linkages between sustainable natural resources
management, biodiversity, living conditions of the rural communities and
their income levels. Linkage between food security and degradation of
natural resources. |
|
Presentation of two success stories through audio-visuals |
|
|
Analysis of success stories |
Ingredients for success : - Involvement
of people. - Attitudinal
changes in the style of functioning of forest departments. - Building
rapport with people to win their trust and confidence. - Setting
up and functioning of Village Level Institutions (JFMCs). - Benefit sharing: short term and
long term. |
|
Identification of problems in implementing JFM in their own respective
domains by the participants |
The participants should be encouraged to identify
individually and through discussions in groups of two or three the problem
areas perceived by them in implementing JFM. The problem areas should be grouped logically.
|
|
Problem solutions by Group |
Divide the group in four-five parts and assign one
set of perceived problems to each group for discussion and suggesting
solutions. Consolidate and present the set of emerging
solutions. |
|
Traditional rights and obligations of local communities, and conflict
resolution |
- Discussion
on traditional right that the local communities may continue to enjoy in the
JFM Context. - Other
conflicting scenarios that may emerge before JFM approach is adopted (the
topic should focus on village dynamics, and, therefore, its content and
conduct would vary considerable depending on the local socio economic
condition and processes). - Conflict resolution to arrive on
consensual base for promoting JFM. |
|
Understanding communities and community institutions |
- Who
are the people (community profile)? - Differentiated
need, access, power and control. - Equity and other guiding principles
for developing effective community institutions. |
|
Steps in planning, initiating and implementing a JFM project in the
framework prescribed by the State Government (brief description and
discussion of the relevant activities) Organising village communities into
JFMCs |
- Motivation - Group
discussions - Entry
point activities - Registration
of JFMCs - MoU
between FDAs and JFMs including the salient features covered (as per the
model provided by the GO), viz. composition, rights and responsibilities of
JFMCs, and the forest department, quorum and frequency of meetings, membership
and fines to be imposed on defaulters, etc. - Legal
status, usufruct rights, - Creation
of village fund, its objectives and utilisation. - Project
formulation and commencement. - Record
keeping and financial management by JFMCs. - Project monitoring. |
|
Role of NGOs in JFM |
- As
motivators. - As
agents of change. - Raising
awareness. - Financial
assistance? (Big NGOs) - Encouraging tree planting on
Community/degraded lands. |
|
Participatory Rural Appraisal and Planning with People (for developing
effective JFMCs and participatory micro-planning) |
- Why
is it important to involve people in the planning process? (Villagers have
intimate knowledge and understanding of the local resources (e.g. forest,
water, tree species etc) Respect and use people's knowledge in planning). - PRA
is a methodology for obtaining people's knowledge in planning). - PRA
is a methodology for obtaining people's input and views for the planning
process. - Involve
different cross-section of village communities as they may have different
perceptions of village resources. - How
to prepare maps of the village and its resources. |