Status of Working Plans in Andhra Pradeshas on 23.08.2017

Need for Working Plans:-

Working Plan is an organized and mandatory document which prescribes the

management at the Forest Division level for a period of 10 years. It is also a Policy

Implementation Document, where the Vision of the Forest Department for next ten years

is reflected in clear Statement of Objectives with several mandatory Actions and the

measurable Indicators for gauging the progress towards achieving the Objectives. To

achieve the Vision of the Govemment of India the Policy Objectives are already

enunciated in the 1988 Forest Policy Statements that are broadly related to Ecological,

Biodiversity, Production, Economic and Social Objectives. Therefore, the Management

Plan (Working Plan) should prescribe appropriate Actions so that the Objectives of the

Forest Policy are fully accomplished. Further every prescribed Action must be linked

with a set of Performance Indicators, that are quantifiable, the measurement of which

shall indicate the progress (either positive or negative) towards achievement of the

Objectives.

To achieve the forest policy objectives and certain intemational commitments,

Govemment of India has revised the existing 'National Working Plan Code, 2004" and

communicated new guidelines in the form of "National Working Plan Code, 2014". As

per the prescriptions of the Working Plan Code, all forests are to be managed under the

prescriptions ofa working plan / scheme prepared on the basis ofprinciples of sustainable

forest management and recognized and innovative silvicultural practices. The authority as

designated by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govemment of Indi4 approves the

working plan for this purpose. Generally no timber harvesting is done in any forest area

without an approved working plan / scheme. It is the duty of the owner / manager of the

forest area to ensure the preparation of the working plan / scheme. While a detailed

working plan is prepared for large areas such as forest division, working schemes are

prepared for smaller areas for a specific purpose or areas like private, village, municipal,

cantonment forests, etc. Even working schemes have all major elements of working planl

and Ihese schemes also need the sanction of competent authority designated by the

Ministry of Environment & Forests. Further, the Honorable Supreme Court of India has

passed orders (in WP No. 202195) insisting for the preparation of working plans /

schemes for all types of florests.

State of working plans in Andhra Pradesh:-

Govemment of India (GOI) has linked release of funds under Finance Commission (Forest)

Grants for managing the forests as per the prescriptions of Working Plans approved by GOI.

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Further, at least 80% (16 out of 21 in AP) of Working Plans should be in place every year for

getting fuI1 budgetary releases under FC (Forest) Grants from 2012-13 onwards. In the State of

Andhra Pradesh out of (21) numbers of Working Plans, (14) numbers of Working Plans are in

currency as they are approved by Govemment of India. Out of the balance 7 numbers of

Working Plans, I Working Plan expired on dt.3l-03-2013,2 numbers of Working Plans expired

on dt.3l-03-2014, I Working Plan expired on dt.3l-03-2015, 1 Working Plan expired on dt.31-

03-2016 and 2 numbers of Working Plans expired on dt.31-03-2017. There is a need to

immediately get the approval of GOI for at least another 02 numbers of Working Plans so as to

receive 100% FC Grants from Government of India. Out of the 7 expired working plans, 3

numbers are in DWPR stage and the balance 4 are in PW?R stage. Among the 3 DWPRs, I

DWPR of Visakhapatnam Division came up for discussion before the Standing Consultative

Committee( SCC) meeting on 07.04.2017 which concluded with the instructions to prepare the

DWPR as per the new NWPC-2014. The DWPR of Guntur Division is under progress. The

DWPR of Atmakur WLM Division was sent to R.O., Chennai for scrutiny. It can be discussed in

the SCC meeting as soon as possible. Out of the 4 PWPRs, PWPR of Krishna Division was

submiued to R.O., Chennai, 2 PWPRs of Paderu and Chittoor (East) Divisions are under

progress and 1 PWPR of Chittoor (West) was retumed for rectification. It is expected that final

approvals for at least the desired 2 numbers of Working Plans can be obtained before 31 -10-

2017.

Working plans in Residuary Andhra Pradesh (after bifurcation):-

The abstract of the Status of the Working Plans showing the Numbers and the Names of

the Divisions for the Residuary State of Andhra Pradesh is stated in the Table given

below.

sNo

Status of Working Plans Divisions in Residuary Andhra Pradesh

Names of the Divisions

1 WPs in Currency as on Date. Vizianagaram, Kurnool, Markapur WLM,Giddalur, Kadapa. Nellore, Narsipatnam,Proddatur, Srikakaulam, Eluru, Nandyal,Kakanada, Ananthapur, Rajampet WLM

74

2 WPs expired for which DWPRapproved bv SCC & Finalabbroval reolired from GOI.

Nil0

3 WPs expired and for whichPWPRs bre aDDroved bv theSCC and oWPRs pehdingaooroval bv SCC.

Atmakur WLM1

4 WPs exDired and for whichPWPRs are approved by theSCC and DWPRs awaited.

Visakhapatnam and Guntur

5 WPs expired and for whichPWPRs riot yet approved. Krishna, Chittoor (West), Chittoor (East)

and Paderu4

2

List of Divisions in Residuary Andhra Pradesh showang the Status ofworking plans

No.

2

Workinq Plan Status of Andhra Pradesh State as on 23.O8.2017

s.No.

Name ofthe

Divisiono

G(,

Government of India Reference through whichit is approved

Vizianagaram

ooo-o-

MoEF,GOI,ChennaiF. No.F(C)A/1 L.6/ LlW P / AP/ROSEZ/ 2074/ r33, dt: 30.03.2015

2013- 14 to 2022-23

2Ku rnool MoEF.GOi,ChennaiF.No. F(C)/1 1 .6/ L/wP/ AP /RO

SEZ| 2OL4 / 5L, dt: 03.03.201 52Ol3-14 to 2022-23

3Markapur WLM

MoEF,GOI,ChennaiF.No. F(C)/1 1 .6/ llWP/ AP I ROSEZ/2O74/ 5t, dt: 03.03.201 5

2Ot3-74 to 2022-23

4 Giddalu r MoEF,GOI,ChennaiF.No. F(C)/11 .6/ 1 /WP / AP /ROSEzl 2074 / 5t, dt : 03.03.201 5

2OL3-14 to 2022-23

5Kadapa MoEF,GOI,ChennaiF.No. F(C)/1 1,6/ 1/WP/ AP /RO

SEZ| 2OL4/ 5L, dt: 03.03.20152013-14 to 2022-23

6MoEF,GOI,ChennaiF.No. F(C)/1 1 .6/ t lWP/ AP /ROSEZ| 2Ot4/ 57, dt: 03.03.2015

2Ot3-14 to 2022-23

7Na rsipatnam

MoEF.GOI,ChennaiF. No.F(C)/1 1 .61 7lWP/ AP/ROSEzl 2Ot4/ 5t, dt: 03.03.2015

2OL3-74 to 2022-23

8Prodd utur

MoEF,GOI,ChennaiF. No.F(C)/1 1 .6/ llWP / AP/ROSEZ| 2OL4 / 5L, dt: 03.03. 201 5

2013-14 to 2022-23

9Srika kulam

MoEF,GOI,ChennaiF.No.F(C)/1 1 .6/ 1lW P/ AP / ROSEzl 2Ot5 / tO4, dt: 30.03.2015

2Ot3-14 to 2022-23

10Eluru MoEF,GOi, Bangalore,

F.No.F(C)A/1 1.6 / s7 lwP / AP / 451.3,dt:.12.L2.20t3

2Ol2-73 to 202L-22

11Nandyal MoEF.GOI, Banga lore,

F. No. F(c)A/ 1 1. 6 / 29 lw P I AP / 4572,dttL2.72.2OL3

2Ot2-73 to 202!-22

t2Kakinada

MoEF,GOI, Banga lore,F.No. F(C)A/1 1. 6 / to lw P / AP / 4884,dttL2.t2.2073

2012-13 lo 2021-22

13AnantapUT

MoEF,GOI, Bangalore,F.No. F(C)A/1 1. 6 / 239 | AP lw P7 352,dt:18.06.2010

2010-11 to 2019-20

l4Raja mpet WLM

MoE F, G OI, Ba nga lo re,F. No. F(C)A/1 1. 6 / 216 I AP lw P / 6230,dt:23.L2.2009

2009- 10 to 2018- 19

15ChittoorWest

c)

Oroo-

0)

cl

PWPR returned to the Divisional Forest Officerfor rectification of lapses pointed out.

Expired on3L.O3.20L7

16ChittoorEastWLM

PWPR Under Proqress.Expired on3t.o3.20t7

l7Visakhapatnam

DWPR Under Progress. In the SCC meeting itwas instructed to prepare the DWPR as per thenew NWPC- 2014.

Expired on31.03.2013

18 DWPR Under Prog ress.Expired on31.03.2014

19AtmakurWLM

DWPR submitted to R.O,Chennai. Discussion onapproval diC not take place in the SCC meeting.Approval is awaited.

Expired on31.03.2014

20Krishna PWPR submitted to R,O,Chennai. Discussion on

approval did not take place in the SCC meeting.Approval is awaited.

Expired on31.03.2015

PaderuPWPR Under Progress

Expired on31.03.2016

3

Period

I

1

Nellore

I

I

I

Guntur

I

211

Separate Management / Working Plans / Scheme:-

Separate Management Plans are prepared for National Parks / Wild Life Sanctuaries /Tiger Reserves / Territorial Forests / Forest Development Corporations / OtherGovemment / Non-Govemment Agencies having exclusive geographical jurisdiction. In aTerritorial Forest Division though the macro unit of management is the Divisional forestarea (excluding areas allotted to other agencies or diverted for non-forestry use-e.g.Protected Areas, APFDC Areas, SCC Ltd Areas, RoFR Areas. Irrigation Reservoir Areas,Mining Areas etc.), yet the micro / primary unit of management is the Compartment.Therefore the Area ofeach ofthe Compartment is thoroughly analyzed before prescribingappropriate strategies for achieving the management objectives in consonance with theprinciples of 1988 forest policy of GOI. Once the analysis is made either the fullCompartment or part of the Compartment is treated with a special type of managemenlintervention. All the Compartments / Sub-Compartments having same type ofmanagement intervention are kept under common silvicultural prescriptions and these

areas (Compartments / Sub-Compartments) are kept under an exclusive managementplan, known as independent working circles. Therefore the total area under each of theindependent working circles, when summed up, should exactly match the total area underthe Divisional working plan. Some of the management issues cover overlapping forestareas irrespective of the Silvicuitural prescriptions and therefore Compartments / Sub-Compartments having those features are to be managed with additional silviculturalprescriptions. Therefore such special areas, in addition to be in one of the Independentworking circles, are allotted to one/many of the Overlapping working circles.Sometimes, though the areas are managed under similar silvicultural prescriptions, for thepurpose of approval of the management plan by different managing Agencies yet they arekept under exclusive overlapping working circles (e.g. JFM Areas, CFM areas underRoFR Act, Tiger Reserve Buffer areas). For each of the Working Circles (Independent &Overlapping), annual physical and financial projections are forecasted in the workingplan for a period of l0 years and the same is reviewed after completion of 5 years (Mid-Term Review) and finally the revision of the existing Working Plan starts two yearsbefore the Completion ofthe existing working plan period.

Major Independent Working Circles:-In most of the Divisions of Andhra Pradesh under the management intervention ofindependent working circles, exclusive Compartments i Sub-Compartments are allottedto either of the below mentioned working circles.

(1)Bio-Diversity Working Circle:-Compartments / Sub-Compartments in Hills with canopy density more than 0.4 or someof the Compartments / Sub-Compartments in Plains with canopy density more than 0.4 orMangroves forests or Grasslands or Water bodies or areas having diversity of species orpresence of endangered species are allotted to Bio-Diversity working circle. Very littlemanagement interventions like erection of water harvesting structures along the streamsare carried out in such areas.

(2)Conservation Working Circle:-Compartments / Sub-Compartments surrounding the Bio-Diversity Working Circle areaor Compartments / Sub-Compartments in Hills with canopy density less than 0.4 orCompartments / Sub-Compartments susceptible to excessive soil erosion orCompartments / Sub-Compartments in the catchment of lakes & other water bodies areallotted to Conservation working Circles. Management intervention like Soil andMoisture Conservation works, Check Dams, Percolation Tanks, Seed sowing in Contourtrenches, Pitting & Planting oflocal species in large gaps are carried out in these areas.

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(3)Degraded Forests Improvement Working Circle:-(Including special areas having Teak, Red Sanders etc.)Forest Areas in Plains with canopy density of more than 0.1 and less than 0.4 and notfalling in Bio-diversity or Conservation Working Circle are allotted to this WorkingCircle. Management intervention like tending of existing root stock, seed sowing in SMCftenches, other water harvesting structwes, Labour lntensive Plantation of local species inlarge gaps, Semi-Mechanical Method of Plantation of local species in large gaps withleveled area are carried out in these areas,

(4)Plantation Working Circle:-(Including Teak / Red Sanders / Eucalyptus / Shelterbelt / Other Species)Forest Areas in Plains with canopy density of less than 0.1 and suitable for planting andnot falling in Bio-diversity or Conservation Working Circle or Degraded ForestsImprovement Working Circle or areas having matured (seed origin / coppice / clone)plantations (inespective of canopy density) without any naturally regenerated forestry(sapling/pole) crops as under canopy are allotted to this Working Circle. Managemenlintervention like Artificial Regeneration, felling of the matured crop and artificialregeneration of commercial long rotation high value species, short rotation high yieldingspecies. Fuel wood species, SMC works etc are taken up in this working circle.

Major Overlapping Working Circles:-In most of the Divisions of Andhra Pradesh under the management intervention ofoverlapping working circles, the Compartments / Sub-Compartments are allotted to anyone or many of the below mentioned working circles.

(l)Non-Timber Forest Products (Overlapping) \ilorking Circle:-All the Compartments having the potential for production of Non-Timber Forest Products

[e.g, Beedi Leai Canes and other Forest products like (Gum Karaya. Honey, HillBrooms. Tamarind etc.)] that are leased to GCC Ltd. except the Compartments alloued toBio-diversity Working Circie are allotted to this Overlapping Working Circle. Planting ofNTFP seedlings, sowing of NTFP seeds in gaps, non-destructive collection of NTFP.improvement techniques and research in augmenting the production are taken up in suchpotential areas falling in other independent working circles.

(2)Bamboo (Overlapping) Working Circle:-Compartments having adequate number of Bamboo clumps excluding the Compartmentstouching the Sanctuary / National Park Boundaries and Compartrnents allotted to Bio-Diversity Working Circle are allotted to this Overlapping Working Circle. Activities likedecongestion of Bamboo Clumps, harvesting of matured bamboos, SMC Works foraugmenting the proliferation ofbamboo rhizomes e1c. are taken up in such potential areas

falling in other independent working circles.

(3)Wildlife (Overlapping) working Circle:-All the forest areas outside the PA areas, where wild life prominence is there, are keptunder this working circle. Activities like mitigation of man-animal conflict, creation ofwild life corridors, improvement of wildlife habitat for herbivorous animals andcarnivorous animals, creation of lbdder plots for wild animals in interior forest areas andcreation of fodder plots in forest fringe areas for domestic animals are taken up in suchpotential areas falling il other independent working circles.

Miscellaneous Regulations:-Creation ofBase Camps, Strike Forces, Mobile Parties, Flying Squad parties, engagementof professional lawyers for prosecuting the offenders and confiscation of forest producewith vehicles, Offence Cases Tracking, Illegal Encroachment eviction forces, Fireextinguishing instn:ments, watch towe6, wild life protection force etc. are the majoractivities described under this prescriptions. The activities of forest protection in general(e.g. protection from fire. illicit felling, illegal encroachment, poaching, hunting, killingof wild animals, smuggling etc.) is kept in a separate sub-section under theseprescriptions, as much thrust is laid on forest protection.

Forest Areas under Joint Forest Management:-Compartments / Sub-Compartments falling within the forest areas handed over to theviliage communities for the purpose of management and benefits sharing among the VSSMembers are managed under these prescriptions. However, the respective silviculturalkeatment practices prescribed under other independent / overlapping working circles areincorporated into this working circle based on the Micro-Plan prepared for the VSS formanaging such areas with emphasis on forestry related benefits to the village population.

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