FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECT...
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23709 February 2002 ANDHRA PRADESH COMMUNITY SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECT ASSESSMENT provided by the Forest Department . The Executive summary Forest Department also endeavors to coordinate with other wings of Government Introduction: Andhra Pradesh is the fifth and other pressure groups for a holistic largest State in geographical area and also the development of these villages and these fifth largest State in forest area in the country. communities. The VSS are assured of The state is a distinct geographical entity employment through forest development occupying the east central plateau of India activities. The entire harvest is transferred to with 23.20% of its area being under forests. the VSS. They are however required to save These forest resources, as elsewhere in India, and replough a certain amount earned through are under tremendous pressure due to harvest and consequent sale of wood produce increasing demands and therefore, suffer from grown through their efforts on sustaining the degradation and denudation, resulting in poor initiatives initiated to improve the forests. socio-economic conditions and quality of life. Certain incentives for their active role in forest Nearly 70% of the cultivated area is rain-fed. protection like a share in the fines collected Erratic rainfall, low water table are limiting from those found guilty of committing Forest factors for intensive agriculture. The marginal offences and whom they apprehend are also in returns and low yields have induced farmers to place. On its part the Forest Department after expand their agricultural holdings into areas of formation of these samithies condtuct massive very poor potential, aggravating the problem programs for capacity building, motivation of soil erosion. Most of the rural people are campaigns, Participatory Rural Appraisal etc. Linder-employed and hence the low per capita In addition to development of forests, food income and consequent poverty. security and livelihood support occupy In the early 1990s soon after revision important status in this approach. of forest policy during 1988, there was a major Initially, there was lot of skepticism shift in focus of forest management in India in among the foresters about the effectiveness of general and in Andhra Pradesh in particular. this strategy as a solution for protection . This Forest management, wlhiclh till then was on an type of approach for managing forests was Estate approach, soon was decentralized and new to the people. Hence lot of effort was Participatory Forest Management withl active needed to convince the people about the participation of forest dependent communities, assurances of the Government on the returns especially the tribals was the new tool of forest promised to the people. if they take up Joint management. It began in the form of Joint Forest Management. With the passage of time, Forest Management (JFM) in 1992 through an both the local people as well as the forest order issued by the Government of Andhra officials started seeing the visual impact of Pradesh. It has grown into a massive JFM in rejuvenating degraded forests, and the movement withl nearly 25% of State's forests concept gained more acceptance. The success having been brought under JFM by the year stories spread from one village to another 2000. village. What was started as a small initiative Joint Forest Management is a concept has today attained gigantic proportions with or a philosophy wlherein all the forest more and more forest fringe villages being dependent villagers of a given village or its involved in joint management of forests. From hamlet/s organize themselves into a cohesive a mere 200 VSS in 1995, today there are more group with an objective of protecting, than 6700 VSSs in the state managing 1.68 regenerating and managing the Forests in the million hectares of forest area. vicinity of their village or hamlet/s. These The experience gained and the lessons cohesive groups so organized are called Vana learnt have promised an optimistic fututre. The Samrakshana Samithies (VSS). Since the forests that were fast degrading and depleting forest dependent villagers, as a matter of fact have begun to look up and improve. There has belong to poor and weakier sections, fiscal, been appreciable improvement in forest technical, managerial and moral support is density and quality. The initiative also has had r~~~~~~~~ F&>*rL e x xtr - F \ S Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized
Transcript of FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECT...
23709February 2002
ANDHRA PRADESH COMMUNITY SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTALFOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECT ASSESSMENT
provided by the Forest Department . TheExecutive summary Forest Department also endeavors to
coordinate with other wings of GovernmentIntroduction: Andhra Pradesh is the fifth and other pressure groups for a holisticlargest State in geographical area and also the development of these villages and thesefifth largest State in forest area in the country. communities. The VSS are assured ofThe state is a distinct geographical entity employment through forest developmentoccupying the east central plateau of India activities. The entire harvest is transferred towith 23.20% of its area being under forests. the VSS. They are however required to saveThese forest resources, as elsewhere in India, and replough a certain amount earned throughare under tremendous pressure due to harvest and consequent sale of wood produceincreasing demands and therefore, suffer from grown through their efforts on sustaining thedegradation and denudation, resulting in poor initiatives initiated to improve the forests.socio-economic conditions and quality of life. Certain incentives for their active role in forestNearly 70% of the cultivated area is rain-fed. protection like a share in the fines collectedErratic rainfall, low water table are limiting from those found guilty of committing Forestfactors for intensive agriculture. The marginal offences and whom they apprehend are also inreturns and low yields have induced farmers to place. On its part the Forest Department afterexpand their agricultural holdings into areas of formation of these samithies condtuct massivevery poor potential, aggravating the problem programs for capacity building, motivationof soil erosion. Most of the rural people are campaigns, Participatory Rural Appraisal etc.Linder-employed and hence the low per capita In addition to development of forests, foodincome and consequent poverty. security and livelihood support occupy
In the early 1990s soon after revision important status in this approach.of forest policy during 1988, there was a major Initially, there was lot of skepticismshift in focus of forest management in India in among the foresters about the effectiveness ofgeneral and in Andhra Pradesh in particular. this strategy as a solution for protection . ThisForest management, wlhiclh till then was on an type of approach for managing forests wasEstate approach, soon was decentralized and new to the people. Hence lot of effort wasParticipatory Forest Management withl active needed to convince the people about theparticipation of forest dependent communities, assurances of the Government on the returnsespecially the tribals was the new tool of forest promised to the people. if they take up Jointmanagement. It began in the form of Joint Forest Management. With the passage of time,Forest Management (JFM) in 1992 through an both the local people as well as the forestorder issued by the Government of Andhra officials started seeing the visual impact ofPradesh. It has grown into a massive JFM in rejuvenating degraded forests, and themovement withl nearly 25% of State's forests concept gained more acceptance. The successhaving been brought under JFM by the year stories spread from one village to another2000. village. What was started as a small initiative
Joint Forest Management is a concept has today attained gigantic proportions withor a philosophy wlherein all the forest more and more forest fringe villages beingdependent villagers of a given village or its involved in joint management of forests. Fromhamlet/s organize themselves into a cohesive a mere 200 VSS in 1995, today there are moregroup with an objective of protecting, than 6700 VSSs in the state managing 1.68regenerating and managing the Forests in the million hectares of forest area.vicinity of their village or hamlet/s. These The experience gained and the lessonscohesive groups so organized are called Vana learnt have promised an optimistic fututre. TheSamrakshana Samithies (VSS). Since the forests that were fast degrading and depletingforest dependent villagers, as a matter of fact have begun to look up and improve. There hasbelong to poor and weakier sections, fiscal, been appreciable improvement in foresttechnical, managerial and moral support is density and quality. The initiative also has had
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a direct positive bearing in the economic and development with other developmentsocial status of the forest dependent initiatives of State and the Government ofcommunities. These communities have had the India have been assessed. A comprehensiveadvantage of increased family income. There tribal development strategy and a tribalhas been increase in agricultural productivity development plan have been prepared.and reduction in migration. These The project objective is povertyachievements have given confidence to the alleviation through improved forestState's decision makers and the result is that management and community participation.this new project will graduate from Joint The project is unlikely to cause anyForest Management to Community Forest displacement (partial or full) of the people.Management with focus on alleviating rural The project promotes economic developmentpoverty through improved forest management (including livelihood) of the people in theand community development through project areas. The property being managed is aparticipation of the stakeholders. The project common property resource. However as thereseeks to usher in greater synergy between is likelihood of individual livelihoods of someforest development and poverty alleviation of the forest dependent members beingthrough a democratized participatory approach adversely affected, strategies for vvarding offand empowering forest dependent local such hardships have been analyzed andcommunities. As sustainability is the key provided. A framework for entitlement hasword, the project balances the local needs with been developed and strategies for suchexternal and environmental needs. This will be resettlements worked out.achieved through increased productivity of the A comprehensive and integratedforest resources, reduced dependence on Social and Environmental Assessment hasforests through substitution of demand and been made wherein key issues for forestryalternate livelihood opportunities, upgradation sector in general and for the project inof living standards and above all inculcating a particular have been identified. Likely impactssense of ownership and pride among the forest with regard to these issues, framework fordependent communities engaged in CFM. It screening and measures to mitigate negativewill also address the likely conflicts between impacts and to enhance positive ones havethe immediate and long-term needs by been suggested. Guidelines for Environmentaladequately educating the various stakeholders Management and Social Development,on sustainable management of forest Institutional arrangements for theresources. implementation, and M&E are provided.Le2al & Institutional Environment and Though the project does not provideForest policv: A detailed assessment of thie for any direct investments in procurement orexisting Forest Policy, Legal and Institutional use of pesticides, there is remote possibilitv ofEnvironment in the context of the various escalation in pesticide ulse due to intensiveinitiatives and structural and process changes agriculture and horticulture on one the handneeded to achieve the stated objective of the and improvement in livelihood andproject have been made. Conformity of the incremental income among land owningporoject to the World Bank Safeguard Policies members of the target group on the other Allhas been made with special reference to anticipated impacts are indirect and marginal.indigenous people, voluntary resettlement and However suitable strategies for Integrated Pestenvironment and pest management. Management have been suggested for warding
Tribals (indigenous people) constitute off any such impacts.about 30% of the population targeted. Various Legal setting: A review of the existing legalissues pertaining to clarification of rights, environment has been made. An analysis ofissues peculiar to their development, strategies the A P Forest Act 1967 and its scope andfor their holistic development including relevance to CFM has been made. The legalnatural resource management, livelihood status of the institution of VSS and the MOUsupport, capacity building, empowerment, between VSS and the Forest Department alsoparticipation in the processes of planning, has been assessed. A frequently notedimplementation, monitoring and evaluation, weakness in the legal framework for JFM ismainstreaming and coordinating their the absence of any legislation on the subject.
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The entire program is built upon Orders issued the VSS has been given certain powers andby executive branches of Government, without responsibilities for managing forestlands withclear linkages to enabling language in relevant entitlement to some benefits like NTFP andlegislation. The fact that Government Orders timber and bamboo. Extension of this Act haswhich are relatively easy to modify may have wider implications on forest resources in tribalboth positive and negative aspects. On one areas (as specified in the Fifth Schedule). Thehand, this allows flexibility for a new program Gram Sabha or the Panchayat is endowed withto adjust to circumstances as it goes along. right to ownership of NTFP. Further, theThe MOU annexed to the comprehensive ownership to NTFP is granted to meet theorder on JFM issued by the Government of bona fide requirements of local community.Andhra Pradesh during 1996. is an Endowing panchayat with the ownership ofundertaking by the Managing Committee of NTFP might result into competing claims withthe VSS to perform various duties and local community. In such event, the objectiveresponsibilities as detailed under the G.O., of the Act would conflict with the demands ofwhich include proper protection of forest and local communities. Obviously, this wouldplantations. The benefit sharing is subject to a warrant suitable amendment of either JFMsatisfactory performance of the duties and order or Panchayati Raj Act.functions as prescribed under the Order. Institutional setting. Historically ForestOther relevant Rules framed under the A P Department has had a strong hierarchical lineForest Ac 1967 that are relevant to CFM are: of command. The 'Estate management' naturea) A. P. Forest Offences (Compounding and of job and stress on forest protection hasProsecution) Rules, 1969 regulating disposal infused a policing approach, which essentiallyof Forest Offence cases. The VSS members restricted public contact. However traditionalwill have to be trained adequately in the system of forest protection basing on forestmatters dealing witlh such cases. beats has depended heavily on support fromb) A. P. Forest Produce Transit Rules, 1970 local villagers and fear and respect for law. Asregulating marketing of VSS forest products. years passed, there was dilution in publicc) The A.P. Forest Minor Forest Produce perceptionis on conservation of natural(Regulation of Trade) Act, 1971. The A.P. resources. This and increased generalScheduled Areas Forest Minor Forest Produce lawlessness threw the traditional philosophy of(Regulation of Trade) Regulation, 1979 The forest protection oLIt of gear. This, coupledA.P. Scheduled Areas Forest Minor Forest with increased workload, has put theProduce (Regulation of Trade) Rules, 1990 organizational structure and ftinctionaries inregulating the trade of certain minor forest the forest department under great strain. In thisproduce by creation of a state monopoly in background the initiative of Joint Forestsuch trade. The regulation referred is made Management, which is now leading tounder the V Schedule of the Constitution of Community Forest Management, basingIndia. The Government have appointed entirely on participation of local forestGirijan Co-operative Corporation Ltd.. dependent communities has provided a ray ofVisaklhapatnam, as an agent for any scheduled hope. In the light of this, an analysis ofareas for purchase of and trade in any minor strengths and weaknesses of the Forestforest prodtIce. . Departmnent and VSS has been made. Certaind) The Panchayat Extension Act to Scheduled institutional reforms, restructuring and effortsAreas (1996). Under the 7 3 "l Constitutional for capacity building and empowerment areAmnendment Act. Panchayat has emerged as suggested.one of the potential stakeholders in forestry Forest policy. The Indian Forest Policy hasmanagement and sharing of benefits derived its genesis in British colonial rule. Forestfrom it. The panchayat is now empowered to management in India began with the policy onlegislate on matters specified in the Eleventh reservation of large extents of forested landsSchedule of the Constitution. Items relating to for forest management. Initially forestforestry include land improvement, soil management had a limited purpose ofconservation, waterslhed development, social exploiting the timber resources. Subsequentlyforestry, farm forestry, minor forest produce, as more and more trained foresters startedftiel and fodder. Juxtaposed to this scenario, practicing scientific management of forests, it
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gained importance. Concepts like normal responsible for containing theforests, sustained yield, forest conservation diversion of forestland for non-etc. have evolved through years. A review of forestry use),evolution of forest Policy in India and in vii. Wasteland development. . TheAndhra Pradesh has led to Community Forest National Waste LandManagement is given below: Development Board wasa) First forest policy, 1894 highlighting constituted in 1985 attracting theintention of the state to recognize forestry as a focus of the country on theland use distinctly different from agriculture urgency of need for afforestation.and earmarking area for such land use. The c) The 1988 policy: The various initiativesmajor objective was timber production. taken were formalized in this Policy, highlightMeeting needs of local people was not on the of which was however recognizing localtop of list of priorities. This Policy paved way villagers' need for meeting their requirementfor legislation and the process of settlement for fuel, fodder, etc. The other feature is thatthat followed the reservation of forest areas. the Government of India took upon itself theThe Policy provided for state ownership and responsibility of approving management plansregulation and had very little for the local and thus heralded a regulation for reduction incommunities. tree felling. Green felling was discouragedb) The 1952 Policy essentially affirming unless its silvicultural necessity was proved.forestry as an important land use category, and d) As a sequel to 1988 Policy, the Governmentinsisting on one third of the country's land of India issued a circular for encouragingarea remaining under forest, elaborating the community participation in afforestation andtenets on protecting hill slopes and land from management of degraded forests. This paveddegradation, desertification, and earning the way for the concept of Joint Forestrevenue from forests on sustainable basis. This Management. The Government of Andhrapolicy quantified that atleast 1/ 3rd of countries Pradesh adopted this philosophy of forestland shall be under forests. Here again resources management through a Governmentcommercial exploitation of the forests received Order during 1992.preference and needs of the local communities e) Developments in the early 1990s witnessedreceived a back seat despite the fact that the a major shift in approach to forestry in India.Policy did mention the same. The focus shifted from 'estate management' to
Various states took a number of 'joint' or 'community management'. Theinitiatives. Some of the issues relating to Government of Andhra Pradesh came out withAndhra Pradesh are: its state forest policy during 1993 focusing on
i. AbolishingT system of forest participatory management of forests.contracts and encouraging Focal theme of Forest Sector Vision isdepartmental working, sustainable management of forest resources
ii. Establishment of Forest focusing on the protection and regeneration ofDevelopment Corporations to forests and forestland. At the end of theattract investments, decade, the role of foresters at least in respect
iii. Social Forestry. Agro Forestry and to the participatory management of forests isFarm Forestry, likely to change. The forester is more likely to
iv. Bio diversity conservation and be a facilitator, a social mobiliser and anenactment of a special Act for the extension worker. Improved forests protectionpurpose. and management systems in place, reduced
v. Widening the scope of Forest dependence on forests, self sufficiency ofLaws to cover specific issues such communities managing forests, greateras timber in transit, regulation of transparency are the intended end results.tree felling in private lands, Past experience; lessons learnt - wav forregulating saw mills and timber future: Joint Forest Management has beendepots in private sector etc. accepted as the central theme for all the
vi. The Forest Conservation Act 1980 forestry activities. State is providing budgetary- a landmark in the history of support from all the possible sources. Evenforestry in India singularly thoughl the World Bank aided AP Forestry
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Project gave a fillip to JFM subsequently the population.VSS were supported from the funds by the * Combined trainings/orientations/re-district administration. The number of VSSs orientations/deliberations/ fieldsupported through the district funds was more exposures/ inter-actions workshops arethan the number supported under APFP. found to be quite effective tools forSubsequently the state took a policy decision advocacy, capacity building, socialto support VSS activities under RIDF scheme mobilization, improving performanceof NABARD. Among other aspects of JFM, and skills of VSS members, NGOsthe following need a careful look: and functionaries or facilitators.
. Joint Account System and . Integration of Forestry Micro-plantransparency with Village Development Plan, Trial
* Involvemenit of NGOs Development Plan and Resettlement* Women Community Volunteers as Plan for rehabilitation of those who
instruments to address Gender issues are likely to be adversely affected,Following are the independent observations of would go a long way in effective andthe assessment team: overall development of the village and
the forests.* Forestry and environment * Coverage, continuity and cost
improvement can directly influence effectiveness of operations by VSSsthe poverty problem to a great extent. for their own sustainability as well asChallenge is how "to reach the for achieving the goals require topunreached" or "the poorest of the attention and consideration by thepoor" through their active State and/ or district administration.participation in planning, . Empowerment of women andimplementation and monitoring. addressing gender issues are very
* Rapport with the stakeholders by the crucial for the success of the program.Forest Department builds up the trust . Environmental education, socialrelationship. A viable micro plan, its mobilization, capacity building,implementation and concurrent awareness creation among VSSmonitoring by the stakeholders after members as well as villagers alongunderstanding the situation and with frontline facilitatorsanalyzing various factors then (functionaries) has significantlybecomes the reality. contributed to the whole process. It
* Establishing and maintaining should be further strengthened orbackward and forward linkages as reinforced to keep up the tempo built,well as integrating gender concerns for to sustain it and coordinate variousoverall development of rural and tribal process indicators and keyfamilies can be better done in a group performance indicators.rather than an individual. * Ensuring adequate preparedness in
. With the increased and active terms of policy, institutional andinvolvement of local population, JFM technological aspects before projecthas and can successfully conserve and expansion is crucial and vital.improve the quality of the existing Thrust areas for the successful implementationforests and plantations, as the forest in future are:area was and is under different stages * Sustainabilityof degradation. A portion of these . Rehabilitation of degraded forestsareas can also be re-clothed effectively . Improving rural economyby taking Up afforestation with . Strengthening povertv alleviationcommercially viable species by VSS. initiativesThis would achieve three main . Increased education and literacyobjectives namely, improving the . Increasing agricultural productivityenvironment, creating employment * Improving communication and otherand reaching the unreached infrastructures
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* Land development on watershed basis representing Southern Tropical Dryincluding non-forest land Deciduous and Thorny Forests. These
* Upgrading the skills of the rural forests are a home to a number ofartisans endemic species like Pterocarpus
* Dovetailing other rural and tribal santalinus, Shorea talura etc.development programs * These districts account for 77 % of the
* Marketing and processing of NTFPs forests of Andhra Pradesh.* Human Resource Development * 82 % of area presently under CFM in* Coordination with other agencies Andhra Pradesh and 78% VSSs
Associating Non-Government functioning in the state are in theseOrganizations. districts.
Project Description: The project aims at . The project focuses on 5000 villagesupgrading the initiatives taken in the area of (including hamlets).Participatory Forest Management from the . The project seeks to benefit 55000concept of Joint Forest Management (JFM) to families, living below poverty line.Community Forest Management (CFM). The total number of members targetedWhile JFM was more a partnership between for assistance is around one million.the forest dependent communities and the * About 20% of the members belong toGOAP. CFM will be more a democratic Scheduled Castes and 35% belong toprocess through delegation of the decision Scheduled Tribes (Indigenous People).making process and focuses at decentralizing * Nearly 50% of the members arethe entire process of planning and women.implementation witlh APFD and GOAP acting Project Goal: The overall goal is to provide amore as facilitators and providers of technical sustained income to rural poor throughand infrastructure support. There is therefore sustainable management of natural resources,greater emphasis on capacity building and while improving the ecology and environmentinstitutional strengthening. of the state. This goal is in tune with state'sTarget population: The Project seeks to Vision 2020.consolidate the participatory management Project objective: The development objectiveefforts initiated and saturate the areas brought is to reduce rural poverty through improvedunder community management with limited forest management witlh communityexpansion to have effective focus. participation.
The selected districts represent the The project objective is sought to bethree major regions of Andhra Pradesh achieved through a three-pronged strategy: (A)in terms of distribution of forest areas, creation of enabling environment forforest types and agro- climatic community forest management, (B)conditions. community development and (C) forest
management. Given below is a briefSeven of the selected districts description of each of these components and(Adilabad, Khammam, Karimnagar, activities proposed. An analysis of theseWarangal, Nizainabad, Medak and activities with regard to their linkages andMahabubnagar) covering the Teak monitoring mechanisms and the associatedForests belt are in the Northern region, riskls and presumptions is made in the form offour districts (Srikakulam, a logical framework separately.Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam andEast Godavari) are in the North A. Creation of enalbling Environment forCoastal area representing the transition CFM: The objective of this component is tobelt between Teak and the Sal forests. develop a conducive environment forThese forests are rich in bio-diversity community forest management, therebyand lie in the eco-sensitive Eastern improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.Ghats. The remaining three districts This component entails certain changes in the(Chittoor, Cuddapah and Nellore) are policy framework with regard to legal,in the Southern region of the state
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administrative and institutional issues. The objective is achieved and development isactivities contemplated include: sustained. Other policy changes planned are in(a) Capacity Building of Implementing the area of marketing, decentralization,Agency: This includes training of staff, utilization, sharing and reinvestmentdecentralization and delegation of powers to mechanisms etc.the front line staff and efficient time (d) Monitoring and Evaluation: M&E wouldmanagement, training in micro planning and be used as a key instrument for trackingfinancial management as well as silvicultural implementation progress and also to serve asand other technical aspects of forestry and useful feedback information to alltraining in information technology are stakeholders. A comprehensive M&E packagecontemplated. Interactive seminars for for monitoring activities and impacts isinformation dissemination are planned. The planned by way of Forest Managementexisting training facilities at various training Information System. M&E will be at threeinstitutions will be strengthened. In addition, levels: (a) Internal monthly monitoring by theresources would also be drawn from the APFD resulting in monthly, quarterly, semidistrict level capacity building centers already annual and annual reports: (b) Independentset up by GOAP with the assistance of DFID. concurrent monitoring and evaluation by a
third party with contractual arrangements(b) Capacity building and strengthening of using bench mark: and (c) A mid-termcommunity institLtions: in the areas of evaluation study prior to MTR and a posttraining, study tours and exposure visits. project study at implementation completionpolicy changes, strengthening institutional review.framework and ensuring proper coordination B. Forest Management: The activities heremechanisms for eflicient functioning. Training are intended to improve forest managementprograms and the workshops would be at the and improve returns to the community assetRange and District level for aspects like base. Following is a brief account of activitiesfinancial and business management, treatment contemplated:practices for forest management, harvesting (a). Improvement of forests within and outsideand marketing issues etc. There will be the designated forests through communityadequate stress on value addition and market management: A series of treatment practiceslinkages. Apart from the officers and staff of have been suggested for improvement ofthc APFD, NGOs would play a key rolc in this forests. Rejuvenation of degraded Teak,activity. At the grass root level services of Miscellaneous non teak hardwoods, bambooscommunity coordinators or women and Red sanders forests coupled withcommunity volunteers would go a long way in conservation and cultivation of species valuedensuring motivation and awareness campaigns for their non timber and medicinal value andand in monitoring and guiding the process of fodder species are planned. The technique ofchange. At the institLItional level certain management of natural regenieration involvesradical changes are contemplated in the seedling coppicing of viable rootstock in thedirection of devolution of power to the forests under treatment by cutting back flushcommunities and addressing gender issues. to the ground and coppicing the high stumpsThe managing committee of each VSS will and repeatedly clipping the resultant coppicecomprise only of members of the community shoots retaining the most promising ones.and will not have any representation of Coupled with this, repeated cutting back ofGovernment officials or NGOs. The rank growth and thorny bushes encourages theGovernment officials and NGOs will form an establishment and healthy growth of theadvisory body to suit their changing role. coppice shoots that are retained. Fire andThere will be 50% representation by women. grazing management, and soil and moistureEach VSS, in addition to a Chairperson will conservation works are the essential subsidiaryalso have a Vice Chairperson with either of silvicultural operations. Afforestation ofthem being a woman to address the gender village common lands and farmlands are theissLIes. other activities that will be taken up under the(c) Policy changes: A number of key policy project in areas outside the designated forests.changes are expected to ensure that the project A total of 315,800 ha is planned to be covered
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with such treatments under the project. In infrastructure would be essential to inculcate,addition, maintenance and tending of a further foster a sense of cohesion and togethernessextent of 70,000 ha of forest for which and raise the motivation level of the VSS. Thistreatments were initiated prior to the project also ensures a proper rapport between theare also planned. Forest Department and the VSS to engage the(b) Forest Inventory and Management community on issues related to forest
Planning. A full-scale inventory of all management. These investments would onlyproduction forests is planned during the fourth complement similar efforts of otheryear of the project. The inventory design will government agencies in the village.consider the dynamics of the degraded forest (c) Income Generation Activities: This isbeing treated through VSSs and the need to aimed at reducing poverty among the landlessestablish reliable estimates of NTFPs, small and forest dependent families in the fringetimber and the regeneration potential. villages by improving the skill base andIdentification and design of permanent sample providing avenues for alternative incomeplots for periodic measurement of forest generation. During the process of micro-plangrowth and yield potential will be included. preparation, the VSS would identify the most(c) Research and Extension: To facilitate two- eligible marginalized individuals or
way communication between researchers and households for income generation activities.VSS members, a massive research and The activities will be group based and theextension activities are planned. Broad areas range of options will include NTFP processingare: Seed technology, Tree improvement and as well as other non-farm activities.Forest management. (d) Fodder development. Development of(d) Forest Management Information System: silvipastures in and outside the designated
Computerization and development of an forests and augmenting fodder resources willintegrated computer-based MIS Package with receive adequate attention. Fodder anddue integration with spatial database is livestock are inseparably linked. Appropriateplanned. Such a pack-age will provide for mechanisms for coordination between Forestassessment and analysis of performance at and Animal Husbandry Department at district,various levels and will link investments and mandal and VSS levels are needed to ensureinputs to productivity, production and outputs. that fodder and pasture development activitiesDevelopment of hi-tech connectivity for to reduce pressure of grazing over the forestensuring quick dissemination of data in the lands.form of a web site and wide area network- areplanned. Studv obiectives and methodolo2v: TheC. Comnmunitv Development: This component overall objective of the studs is to examineis to assist the VSS in planning and developing social and environmental issues in the forestrycommunity infrastructure and enhancing sector in Andhra Pradesh and its implicationsopportunities for income generation and skill on the project design and imiplementationdevelopment among the marginalized groups. including development of a comprelhensiveSupport to engage NGOs and community and effective environmental management andwomen volunteers are planned. A social development plan to enhancecomprehensive and focused tribal environmental and social objectives fordevelopment plan, resettlement plan to mitigating the potential adverse impacts ot themitigate adverse social impacts due to the proposed project. The specific objectives are:project implementation, if any and an a) Social aspects:environmental management plan are included. To identify various socio-economic factorsThe following are the activities: influencing the living conditions of the
forest dependent poor communities and(a) Micro planning: A massive benchmarking examine its relation with the forestand micro planning exercise through PRA will developmentprecede all investments in the VSS. A format To identify all stakeholders and their roles andin this respect is given in this report. responsibilities.(b) Community infrastructure development:Developmenit of critical physical and social
To assess socio economic status of primary To suggest a monitoring mechanism forstakeholders and evolve strategies to deal ensuring environmental safeguards.with different groups. Methodology, approach and tools: For the
To establish transparency and accountability purpose of this study, stratified randomnorms and develop indicators for regular sampling technique was adopted. The districtsmonitoring. were stratified based on number of VSSs and
To establish a two way communication for percentage of ST members in the VSSs in thedisseminating information to the interest district. Five districts representing thesegroups and receiving feed back for permutations and combinations were selectedmaximizing benefit. at random namely Medak, Srikakulam,
To identify the likely conflicts that may arise Chittoor, Khammam and Visakhapatnam.during implementation and suggest From each of the selected district four VSSsconflict resolution measures. were selected at random. Thus, the study was
To assess the present status of women and conducted in 20 VSSs among five districts ofsuggest measures to enhance their the state. Primary data were collected frominvolvement. VSS members with the help of a checklist. A
To study the land use pattern, tenure and separate schedule was used to collect datacustomary rights of private and common from individual encroachers. PRA and focusproperties; examine the existing legal group discussion, individual interaction. jointaspects affecting such rights and suggest walks in the forests and the villages wereways to address these issues including employed for collection of information.developing an entitlement framework. Discussion was also held with NGOs wherever
To suggest ways for increasing the capacity of available. Data collection from primaryexisting institutions for making the stakeholders was followed by discussion withparticipatory process focal point of Project relevant district officials and academicians inor nature of alternative institutions for a specially convened meeting. Afterestablishing the process. preparation of interim status report, two state
To assess the socio-economic implications of and three regional level consultations werethe practice of Podu cultivation visa - vis held through workshops with stakeholdersJFM and suggest ways for better land use with the objective of fine tuning of the report.and design measures to mitigate any This final report has incorporated theadverse impact. suggestions that have emerged during the
To assess the impact of JFM on other consultations.stakeliolders including head loaders,cultivators, grazers and other forest Social & Environmental Base Line: Todependent people. determine the profile of the stakeholders, a
Environmental Aspects: framework was developed. This facilitatedTo assess the present environmental status identification of the various stakleholders whoof the project area with special reference are directly or indirectly associated with VSS.to forest resources. bio-diversity. soil Family was taken as a unit of development.moisture regime and intangible benefits of The rural society was seen as a congregationthe forests. of several units of families, which ultimatelyTo identify major environmental issues hias evolved, as the institution of VSSs. Thesewvith respect to proposed sLib-project VSSs may represent either the whole or ainterventions. major part of village/hamlet/ habitation. BasedTo identify monitoring indicators for on the data collected through PRA and focusassessment of impact of each sub-project groups discussions, the socio-economic andintervention on identified environmental cultural profile of the VSSs and otherissues and suggest measures to mitigate stakeholders, is presented. Secondary data isadverse impacts, if any. used, wlherever necessary. Emphasis is laid onTo develop environmental guidelines and vulnerable groups and gender.procedures for screening proposed sub-project interventions. Environmental and Social Impacts,
Screening and Assessment: Environmental
9
and social screening is aimed at identifying which involves the primary stakeholders, willrisks, issues and to assess the potential benefits enhance the status of fodder, fuel wood, NTFPand risks. An analysis of social and and timber without adversely affecting theenvironmental concerns provides the environment.triggering of mitigation and preventive Potential risks: The CFM project objectivemeasures. The problems have been identified and design will have no adverse impact on thethrough a consultative process and baseline environment, but ensure that varioussurvey. Key issues for forestry sector are: activities/interventions actually contribute toPodu cultivation, Encroachment of Forest environmental conservation and prevent anylands, Head loaders, Migration of population environmental degradation. This will befrom the forest fringe villages, Gender issues, possible if the project is implemented as perVulnerable groups, Resettlement issues, Issues plan strictly following all aspects of designdealing with indigenous (Tribal) people, quality specifications and upkeep ofInstitutional issues, Legal issues, Grazing, maintenance issues.Marketing of Wood and Non Timber ForestProduce, Sharing the usufruct and Planning Analysis of Alternatives: An analysis of thereforms. various options available for forest
management through traditional forestryThe main objective of this assessment is to following Estate approach, Social forestry byensure that development is sustainable with extending forests beyond the limits of state,concomitant social development and minimum Joint Forest Management and Communityenvironmental degradation. Environmental Forest Management has been made. Thisaspects are not isolated since they have social revealed that the option involving communityimplications, and social issues too in turn have participation has greater advantages in that itenvironmental implications. In order to ensures real participation of the communitiesascertain the impact of various environmental that depend upon the forest resources, ensuresissues on the society, various key holistic development of the community andenvironmental and social issues are studied has better chances of sustainabilitv. Theand projected. These issues have been comparison of 'With Project' and 'Withoutidentified throughl the baseline survey. The Project' scenario also vividly reveals theperceptions of the local people have also been advantages of going in for the Project at thetaken into consideration throuhgl a consultative present juncture. Though the investmentsprocess. Furtlher, this study provides an made in JFM have resulted in generalanalysis of potential environmental and social improvements in forests, it needs some moreconcerns and their screening, which is ained time and effort to ensure their sustainableat identifving potential risks and assessing the management. Definitely the general level ofpotential risks and benefits duly analyzing the awareness and appreciation of forests hasrelevant mitigation measures. improved, the commLinities involved in forestIssues perceived bl the people: DLiring the management need some more inputs in theconsultative process, people's views were forn of training, capacity building,elicited on various key issues that cropped up empowerment etc. The institLtion of VSSsduring JFM implementation and impact of also needs to be furtlher strengthened withwithdrawal of JFM on social and environment better structure and systems. The proposeddevelopment. Project addresses these areas, wlhich arePotential benefits: The three activities basically areas of consolidation and areas ofcontemplated in the present project under transformation. Community Forestassessment are: Enabling Environment, Forest Managemiienit is the best alternative available toManagement and Community Development. ensure the twin objectives of povertyThese will significantly contribute to alleviation and forest improvement.envirorirnental conservation and improvement Social Development & Environmentalof its productivity. The project will treat and Management Plan: The overall approach isprotect the forests from further degradation. holistic development of the forests and forestVegetative cover treatments under the project dependent communities. The focus is onthrough community management system, alleviation of rural poverty through integrated
10
development of diverse activities and their iii. Encroachers having other sources ofconvergence through Collaboration, livelihoodCooperation, Coordination, Commitment of iv. People not willing to vacatestakeholders, Convergence of various encroached landsactivities, Continuity, Cost effective measures v. People losing their house structures inand Conflict harmonization. the project area.
The productive potentials of the CFM will vi. Headloadersbe reinforced through better forest Guidelines for Implementationmanagement practices, dovetailing . At VSS Level, a VSS AdvisoryInformation Technology in Monitoring and Committee will be constituted toEvaluation and massive Extension efforts. It facilitate implementation ofwill be ensured that the identified vulnerable rehabilitation activities.groups like the STs, SCs, BCs and women are * Voluntary surrender of land by themainstreamed in the process of planning , encroachers should accompany theirdecision making, implementation, monitoring consent letters, which will be certifiedand evaluation and benefit sharing through by all the members of the Actiontargeted approaches, thereby reaching the Committee. Such families will behitherto unreached. Equity will receive provided with alternate economicadequate focus. Adequate backward and opportunities to help to set off theirforward linkages and intersectoral losses and restore their livelihood.coordination at state, district, division and * The process of educating andvillage level particularly with PRIs will ensure motivating the occupants ofintegrated development. forestlands will be carried out by VSSSocial development strategies: The key issues and NGO/Community Organizer.in social development are those concerned * In cases where occupants ofwitlh resettlement and economic rehabilitation forestlands are not willing to surrenderapart from development of community assets, their encroached forestlands, theyencouraging self employment together with should be encouraged to take upskill upgradation and forward and backward plantations in such lands. The sharinglink-ages. All these issues in the context of of benefits from such lands will beTribals have been addressed exclusively as decided by the VSS in consultationseparate chapters on Tribal Development. with VSS members and affectedResettlement, Capacity building and familiesInstitutional issues. . In cases where the encroachers haveRehabilitation antd Resettlement Frame sizeable operational holdings, outsidein'ork: This study revealed two types of the forest area, the approach will be topossible adverse impacts on livelihoods help them increase their farm earningsconseqLient to project implementation and of by providing irrigation facilitiesthose families depending on cutting forest (vhere ever feasible) access togrowth and selling as headloads of fuel and improved farm inputs and focusedsmall timiber for livelihood. It was noticed that agricultural extension. They will alsoencroachments have been caused mostly by be supported with income generatingthe landless poor in Tribal tracts for eking activities. Where people havetheir livelihood through cultivating dry constructed houses on the encroachedagricultLiral crops on these encroached lands. land in the project area, they will beAny recovery of such lands will have adverse provided with house site and housingimpact on the livelihood of people dependent as well under the housing scheme foron suchI lands. the poor of the state government. InEntitlement Framework: Broad categories of case of more than 20 families need toaffected families are be relocated, a new housing site willi. Encroachers witlh land holding outside have be developed with all necessary
project area also. infrastructLre and civic amenities.ii. Encroachers totally dependent on * Those, who will be provided with
encroached lands for their livelihood .
1 1
alternate income generating activities, An analysis of existing conflictwill be supported with: harmonization mechanisms has been made and* Skill training for income suggestions for their improvement have been
generating activities given separately for intra VSS, between VSS,* Financial assistance (up to a between members and non members of VSS,
maximum of Rs 25,000) to take up between VSS and Gram Panchayats, betweenIGA VSS and FD, between VSS and NGOs.
* Support to access bank loan Tribal Development Strategy: The Tribals,* Support from DIC and KVIC who are our contemporary ancestors are
Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Issues primarily forest dependent. Historically, theyrelated to economic rehabilitation will also be have been associated with forests well beforeaddressed at different levels of grievance the advent of scientific management ofredressal mechanism (at Forest Section, forestry and enunciation of forest policy inITDA/DFO and District). India. Though they are forest dependent, theirMonitoring and Evaluation: There will be welfare is not the concern of forestinternal and external monitoring. The internal department. It is the subject matter of Tribalmonitoring of physical and financial aspects Welfare Department in the Governancewill be done by the DFO at the divisional scenario. This bureaucratic divide has resultedlevel . At VSS level, it will be carried out by in conflicts and tension between forestthe VSS with assistance from management and tribal welfare and has beenNGO/Community Organizer and Village one of the reasons for forest depletion andAdvisory Council. slow pace of mainstreaming of the tribals.Budget: At the project level, the cost of Tribal development mechanisms in theplanning and implementation of rehabilitation context of this Project will have to work inactivities will be part of the overall budget of close association with the existing Tribalthe project. At VSS level, the cost of Development Agencies like the ITDA,rehabilitation activities will constitute integral MADA, TRICOR and GCC dulycomponent of the micro plan. supplementing their efforts where there areC'onflict harmonization strategies: A variety of gaps. The Project will act as nodal andconflicting situations either have already coordinating instrument in ensuring proper andsLirfaced or are anticipated based on the efficient delivery of all ongoing welfarepresent experiences in the implementation of measures for overall upliftment of TribalJFM. The parties include passive and active members of VSS. Any direct investment frommembers of VSS, non-participating villages, the Project will be in the event of gaps only.panchayat, NGO, VSS president, FDpersonnel and policies of the state. The Issues: The underlying philosophy is to reducesources of conflict are varied. It ranges from the dependence of tribals on the forests forlocal political situation. power struggle, and their economic subsistence to narrow the gapmanagement capability of VSS, sharing of in the levels of development of tribal and non-benefits, forest protection mechanism, tribal through socio-economic developmentmembership to VSS, perception of and mainstreaming activities. The primestakleholders to government policies. The issLies are:study has gone into details of the following - Access to resourceissues in this regard: - Unemployment & under employment
* Protection of forests, - Traditional practices* Privatization of forest land. - Low literacy* Membership. Delegation of authority, - Poor health cover
* Local politics, - Access to amenities, service, infrastructureBeLocalepoitsric. - Poor communication
* Benefit sharing. -Clua niomnPriority and choice of stakeholders, - Low ilevel of skeill
.Transparencv, and - Unfavorable development environmentNature of NGO involvement:. - Lack of market support
- Poor infrastructure
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- Poor communication facilities suggested. It may be ensured that either the- Inadequate linkages and committed Chairperson or the Vice Chairperson is a
institutional support woman. The tenure of such a committeeStrategies for Tribal Development are: Social should be long enough for having properdevelopment impact and stability. Duties and
* Institutional development responsibilities of all the partners and* Economic development functionaries should be clearly spelt out and* Development of natural resources adequately canvassed. Proper linkages to other* Development of Village infrastructure Self Help Groups and institutions that exist at
Capacity Building Strategies: The proposed the village level should be ensured preferablygraduation from JFM to the concept of CFM through the Panchayati Raj Institution.calls for massive efforts through extension, Systems: Establishment of systems in VSStraining programs and initiatives to trigger a functioning are needed in respect of:change in the mind set. The hitherto led are i. Financial managementslated to become the leaders. This requires ii. Maintenance of records ofsincere and concerted efforts from the Forest meetings and discussionsDepartment and the Communities. The silver iii. Sharing of usufruct and equityline is that required institutions exist with a iv. Transparency in financialwell-directed approach. What is needed is mattersfinding suitable catalysts for change and v. Micro planningmanaging it when it happens. In this backdrop vi. Cost sharing especially inthe component of capacity building assumes respect of developing andcritical importance. Rightly the Project design maintaining communityhas accorded a key statLts to this crucial assets.activity in the first component of the Project, vii. Re-investments in forestwhich envisages creation of enabling management and villageenvironment for CFM. The structLres, the development build insystems and the processes need attention and economic self-reliance.development for CFM to succeed. viii. Conflict resolution.The structure: The present institutional ix. Marketing and businessstructure of a VSS envisages a managing administration.committee of 10 to 15 elected representatives x. Rural enterprise managementfrom VSS of which atleast 30% shall be Processes: To make the Structure andwomen. The concerned Forest Section Officer Systems work well, the processes withis the memuber-secretarv. Other members adequate human interventions needed are:include an officer nominated by P.O., ITDA, i. Awareness building andrepresentatives from nNGOs and others motivationdepending on the need and the Village ii. Imparting / upgrading skillsAdministrative Officerl Village Development iii. Confidence building measuresOfficer/ Villaue Teacher as Ex-Officio iv. Transfer of powers andmember. The duration of this committee is two responsibilities for assetxears and there will be an Memorandum of managementUnderstanding between the Forest Department v. Planning and implementationand the VSS. Where NGOs participate in VSS vi. Monitoring and Evaluationactivities, they also become signatories to theMOU. It is suggested that the managing Various training programs planned tocommittee is represented solely by the address these issues and for other areas andmembers of the VSS and that all the components of the Project for the VSS, NGOsGovernment representatives from Forest and and Forest Staff are:other Departments / agencies and NGOs plav r Social mobilizationan advisory role. There should be increased - Book-keeping. transparency and financialrepresentation for women (atleast 50%) and in managementaddition to Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson is - Value addition and mark-eting, of NTFP
and medicinal plants
13
- Monitoring and Evaluation Simplification ojf Paper work: The staff is- Soil and Moisture Conservation often overburdened with unproductive paper
> Conflict avoidance and resolutions work, resulting in taking away the time, which> Gender issues could be utilized effectively. Pragmatic time- Information technology and work management measures are likely to- Extension methodology and infuse efficiency in the system. Proper
communication skills delegation of powers and decentralization of> Management of Change. decision making processes will also be helpful.> PRA and participatory micro planning Environmental management strategies: The- Participatory forest management major component here will be forest
> Modern nursery and development and environmental management.- Silvicultural technology What is referred here is the physical
The training programs and the environment dealing mostly with forests. Theworkshops on above themes are planned at the various developmental initiatives for forestRange and Division level and a few selected improvement are dealt in detail.programs at Circle level and specialized Environmental monitoring design throughprograms at state level at the A.P.Forest measurable indicators is also suggested.Academy, Dullapalli. In addition, the A P Environmental scoping: The scoping exercise,School of Forestry Yellandu and the Regional undertaken through process of consultationsResearch Centers at Rajahmundry, Tirupathi and focus group discussions and analysis ofand Warangal are proposed for up-gradation to secondary data indicated the following areasmeet the massive training requirements. that need special attention:
In addition to these, in house trainings, - Environmental Awareness: Generally, it isstudy tours and eCXposure visits are planned to low at the VSS level and needs focus inprovide first hand information to the training courses and awareness campaigns.staklieholders. - Environmental Knowledge Base: TheCapacitv of tile Forest Departnment in terms environmental knowledge-base is poor,of staff strength: The vacancies of the front sharing of information to help get a completeline staff at the interface level with the picture of environmental issues in a spatialcommunity in respect of Forest Section context is extremely difficult, sharing andOfficers, Beat Officers and Asst. Beat Officers communicating information to variousare very large and this is an area that might stakeholders is limited. Development of aaffect the efficiency of the Forest Departments knowledge sharing mechanism needsas they are the key implementing staff. This development.has been so owing to the Government's policy < Institutional Capacity: The capacity ofof ban on recruitment. This isstie needs to be APFD and VSS in integrating environmentaladdressed as it can have a vital impact on the information into decision-making needsproject. Mechanisms of buttressing the Forest upgradation. Access to expertise andDepartment's capacity throIghl selective effective partnerships in mainstreamingspecial recruitment, sharing the responsibilities environmental issues into their functioningwvith NGOs, engaging assistance of needs focus.commtinity coordinators and women - Holistic approach: Development followingcominunity volunteers. a holistic approach has been found missingEmpowerrment of Front Line Staff: As of now, in all the earlier efforts. However the presentthe Forest Section Officer is the member Project mainstreams a mechanism forsecretary of the VSS. The Beat Officer at the intersectoral coordination at various levelsnext level, though being a member of VSS including the one at the crucial village level.plays only a secondary role. This situation Well thought out vertical and horizontal flowcould be changed with the Beat Officers taking of information would ensure holisticup independent responsibility for smaller VSS. development.This would increase the capacity of the front > Policy, Legal and Institutional Reforms: Aline staff to give attention to the development series of Policv changes, Legal reforms andof VSS and guide them to the inplementation Institutional restructuring are dtilyof the concept of CFM.
14
contemplated to ensure focus on the operations need huge initial investments, theydevelopment agenda of the Project. can be practiced over limited extents.' Consultation: The process of consultation Silvicultural treatment andwith and amongst stakeholders especially at management of forests covered under theVSS level and with NGOs is of a fairly high project broadly follow these principles withorder. The process should continue in its suitable modifications to suit the site-specificpresent form with greater clarity of agenda requirements. In small pockets devoid offor holistic planning and development at viable rootstock of desired species and wheregrass-root level. favorable site conditions are available like
>' Transparency: Ensuring transparency is fertile soils with good moisture retentionvital to enhance institutional credibility and capacity and feasibility of providingin avoidance of conflicts. The system of supplementary irrigation from nearby waterdisplay of the Income and Expenditure source, intensive management throughaccounts of the VSS at prominent places of planting genetically superior high yieldingassembly in the village in practice at present Non Wood Forest Products and species valuedmay serve limited purpose owing to illiteracy for their medicinal properties are to be takenand lack of a holistic approach among up with adequate land preparation. Forestsvillagers. Frequent meetings and sharing of covered under the Andhra Pradesh Communityinformation and appraisal by the Forest Management Project can be broadlymanagement of the VSS would go a long categorized into:way in ensuring this. Joint walks with the o Teak Forestsvillagers and members in the course of i Non Teak- Miscellaneous Hardwoodvisiting Project sites will not only build Forestsconfidence among members hut will also L Red Sanders Forestsgive an opportunity to elicit information o Open and Scrub Forestsdirectly from a cross section of members and i Bamboo Forestsenhances level of transparency in decision In reality however, these forest classes occurmaking and implemenitation process apart either singly or in combination. The scrubfrom being an effective means of concurrent forests would be converted throughprocess monitoring. afforestation with NTFP, medicinal plants and
Forest imp-rovement: Various management fodder species.techniques that were practiced in Andhra Details of silvicultural interventionsPradesh can be categorized into those dealing needed for rejuvenation of natural regenerationwith natural re-generation and those dealing like cutting back, coppicing and singlingwitlh artificial regeneration. Management of viable root stock, tending and shrub andnatural regeneration has been practiced since climber cutting, decongestion and moundingthe beginning of the scientific management of bamboo clumps, nursery and plantationforests. This is done through canopy technology for artificial regeneration, firemanipulations wherein the canopies were protection, soil and moisture conservationopened to encourage establishment of natural strategies etc. have been dealt in great details.regeneration, silvicLultural systems lik-e the Pest management strategies: The proposedSelection system, the coppice with standards project does not finance or support anyand the coppice with reserves also encouraged pesticide as part of any project activity.natLral regeneration. Though these systems are However, the pest management plan has beenhighily cost effective, they invariably result in developed to ensure that any anticipatedfuture crop comprising mostly of predominant induced impacts of the project more in theand dominant species to the disadvantage of a form of spin-offs like increased use ofnumber of other species. The species that pesticides due to intensified agriculturaldominated were not necessarily the most practices among the land owning members ofvaluable and desired ones. Artificial the communities supported through thisregeneration wherein the existing natural stand Project, intensive plantation activity owing tois either supplemented with or replaced by one economic reasons etc. are adequatelyor a combination of desired species, ensures addressed during and beyond the Projectenrichment of forest systems. As these implementation. This plan is completely
15U
consistent with concepts of organic farming decision making. Some of the reformsand promotion of Integrated Pest suggested are:Management. The three fundamental goals of . CFM should work through the existingIPM are (a) safety. (b) cost effectiveness and structure, but sufficient capacity(c) durability. They are kept in view in should be introduced within the VSSdeveloping the pest management plan, which to sustain and expand the project-is appropriate in a forestry situation. The induced processes. These are to bestrategies suggested here to guard against any organically linked with the PRIs topossible abuse of pesticides are in tune with ensure accountability and transparencythe Integrated Pest Management Strategy and further supported to take fullfollowed under similar situations. advantage of other ongoing projects/
* Building awareness about the health schemes.hazards of misuse and mishandling of . At present VSSs have been formed aschemical pesticides and the need for a result of a G.O. not backed by law.IPM It is better to remove administrative
* Building awareness about the use of discretion by enacting a suitableIPM techniques legislation to cover CFM.
* Collation and dissemination of . Entry of new members into a VSSappropriate indigenous technical needs to be regulated as it hasknowledge potential for conflicts.
. Promoting the use of biological * To ensure effective and activecontrol participation by women in VSS
* Rearranging nursery and plantation affairs, a quorum for the presence ofactivity cycle to avoid those stages women in the general body and/orwhen insect populations assume managing committee meetings is to bestatus of pests fixed.
* Integration of IPM into Packages of . As per the present practice, thePractices for the area. secretary of the VSS (Forest Section
* Building partnerships with private Officer) and the VSS president jointlysector and NGOs to assist in IPM operate the bank account. Thisextension services development arrangement needs to be made more
* Website development in local democratic (and less bureaucratic) tolanguages, advisory services and guard against any misuse of funds.extension * There is an imminent need to look
* Improving the information and beyond the period of the presentknowledge base on pests, chemical project and ensure fIture investment,pesticide use, banned chemical use, if needed. The issue of mobilizing andhealth impacts, IPM use and trends in harnessing social capital beyond thea spatial context using GIS. demands of the project, needs to be
Institutional Reforms: Institutions are both examined carefully.individLials/ organizations and the framework . CFM is likely to have challenges inof policy, law, convention and cultLre within the area of conflict management.whiclh they operate. They are the Hoowever, rather than institutionalizearrangements to undertake specific activities. such management, local skills andTime has come for the institutions to emerge initiative should be developed to dealas development agents to advocate, promote, with conflicts as and when they arise.provide a platforn for dialogue and encourage Implementation Arrangements: Theempowerment and decentralization besides Government of Andhra Pradesh through itsproviding awareness. basic skill and Forest Department will be the implementingknowledge. An effective institutional agency. Implementation of the Project will bearrangement is essential to achieve the success steered and monitored through a Projectof the project, especially as a large number of Monitoring Unit (PMU) under the overallstakeholders are involved in planning and leadership of the Principal Chief Conservator
16
of Forests of Andhra Pradesh (PCCF). centres for monitoring the performance ofHowever the day to day affairs will be various components and activities apart fromattended to by the PMU headed by a Project their assigned role in processing remoteDirector (of the rank of Additional Principal sensing and GIS data. They will also act asChief Conservator of Forests / Chief nodal agencies for monitoring implementationConservator of Forests) and assisted by three of FMIS.Conservators of Forests to look after APFA, Dullapalli: Since the project lays lot ofMonitoring and Evaluation, Procurement, emphasis on capacity building and HRD, theDisbursement and Reimbursements and APFA, Dullapalli will have to be sufficientlyGeneral affairs and Issues. with DCFs/ ACFs, strengthened. To supplement this Academy,FROs and supporting staff. This project unit the A P School of Forestry Yellandu and thewill be responsible for coordination and three Regional Research Centres atmonitoring and reporting. The respective field Rajahmundry, Tirupathi and Warangal willunits of the Forest Department will implement also have to be sufficiently upgraded.the project activities. The activities of capacity Intersectoral coordination: The primarybuilding and training will be coordinated by concern of the project is poverty alleviationthe Conservator of Forests and Director, A P through forest development. The approach toForest Academy Dullapalli. The Conservator achieve this objective is through communityof Forests (Research and Development) will action and multi sectoral co-ordination by waycoordinate the activity of Applied Research of technical and financial inputs. Anand Extension. The governance structure sets institutional mechanism is desirable at variousout the decision-making powers and levels to ensure proper coordination inresponsibilities for different agencies and at achieving holistic development. Suchdifferent levels coordination is vital at Village, Division,Vania SamraksJhana Sulnithies: Vana District and State levels.Samrakshana Samithies (VSS) or Village Inter sectoral coordination committeesForest Protection Committees are the grass that exist at ITDA level, District level androot level organizations which will be the State level are to be revitalized for ensuringprincipal instruments in channelizing all the proper coordination among various interestdirect investments of the Project. These VSS groups and stakeholders and line departments.function through a managing committee, In addition, a committee at Forest Divisionwhich is an elected body of 10 to 15 members level under the DFO is suggested to ease thewith a Chairperson as its executive head. load on the committee under the chairmanshipIVon Governmental Organizations (NGOs): of District Collector, wnho is otherwiseOwing to the massive nature of process change overloaded with multifarious duties. Theseinvolved and limitations of the Forest committees with members from other lineDepartment to handle the same, NGOs will Departments/ Agencies lik-e the Rturalhave to assume a proactive role. They will be Development, Social Welfare. Tribal Welfare.required to play major role in areas of social Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry.mobilization, awareness campaigns, Rural Energy, Health & Sanitation, Familymlotivation, capacity building, value addition Welfare and a host of NGOs working in theseand market support, micro planning etc. In areas and the VSS can ensure properplaces where NGOs are not available, coordination for holistic development. AtCommunity Facilitators will have to be village level, coordination will be ensuredengaged for the same purpose. In each village througLh Panchayati Raj Institutions and thea volunteer, to ensure delivery of intended VSS Advisory Committee.services and as instruments of monitoring the Monitoring and Evaluation: The CFMprocesses, may be engaged. project should be able to provide a learningRegional Geomatics Centres: In the APFP platform to various stakeholders to developthree Regional Geomatics Centres wvere set up more sustainable and integrated workingat Rajahmundry, Kurnool and Warangal. relationships and results to enable theThree more centres are proposed to be set up management to be continuously adaptive in itsat Adilabad, Visakhapatnam and Tirupathi. approach to achieve the developmentThese Regional centres wvill be the nerve objective. Therefore a comprehensive and
17
participatory system is to be adopted. A four Impact assessment/evaluation: As a part of thestage M&E system is proposed here. M&E system, it is very important to establish
- Input and Output Monitoring the net impact of the CFM on socio-economic- Process Monitoring indicators, poverty and population. For- Performance Monitoring meaningful participatory M&E process,- Impact Assessment/Evaluation appropriate indicators at the field level need to
Input and Output Monitorineg: The objective is be identified so that the stakeholders and theto ensure that inputs are delivered in time. local communities themselves are able toAnd the processes are in place. In case any assess the impact of the activities. A fewproblem is encountered, this could serve as an preliminary field level impact indicators are toearly warning for taking corrective measures. be clearly generated in consultation with allThe reports from the field are consolidated at the stakeholders. The communities canhigher levels. These form the basis of evaluate these indicators themselves and theimplementation monitoring. The financial benefits when evident will provide themindicators need to be seen along with physical greater incentive to protect their access andindicators to ensure that the funds disbursed maintain them.have actually been utilized. These indicators Institutional arrangement for Monitoring andare monitored, generally at three levels, Evaluation: The PMU will be overall in chargenamely village or VSS level, district level and of monitoring all the components of thestate level. At the lower level, all project Project. It will establish a centralized databaseactivities are recorded, like area covered, work and periodically update it. In the Field, thecarried out to improve overall productivity and Regional Geomatics Centres will assist theenvironment. At district level, the information PMU. These centres, while coordinating theprovided by VSSs are compiled and random various initiatives in the field of Geomaticssampling carried out to verify, covering all like Remote Sensing applications, creation andselected VSS areas. At state level, PMU do updating of GIS database etc. will also takecontinuous monitoring to achieve the required up implementation of FMIS and monitoringgoals in terms of quality and targets set. the Project activities. These RegionalFLurther strengthening the existing PMU is Geomatics Centers will function Linder thevery vital. PNlMU thlen would become supervision of the respective CFs who willresponsible for overall planning, monitoring provide the required logistics.and consolidating the achievements for A coInpLIterized Monitoring packageadvising the state besides financial will be developed which will be installed in allmanagement and control. the Ranges, Divisions, Circles. RegionalProcess Monitoring: The sustainabilitv of Geomatics Centres and in the PMU. It will beinfrastructure and institutions created under comprehensive package covering all thethe Project is now the prime concern for the Project components and activities. It willstakleholders. Some of thie indicators are - therefore be essential to have sufficientlyfrequency of meetings of Management trained manpower to provide the requiredCommittees and General Bodies, level of support to make the package operational. It isattendance, repair and maintenance of in this background that services of specialistsinfrastructure, gender involvement. (Project Scientists) will be utilized. They willtransparency of actions. participative levels, be engaged for a period of 3 years, by wlhichconflicts resolutions etc. Attitudes and time the staff of APFD will acquire thebehavior patterns are very important from required skills to handle the monitoringsustainability point of view. Based on the package. Women CommLinity Volunteers willtrends in forest areas and villages, as well as be engaged as extension workers and forsocio-economic environment of the assistance in monitoring the Project activities.stakeholders and the consultative process, the Micro-planning: Planning process occupieskey indicators are. an important slot in forest management. ThePerformance Monitoring: Keeping in view the system of working plans is a well-establislhedspecific objectives of CFM, sample matrix is and institutionalized process in drawing upprovided by component, the performance long tern and short-term strategies in forestindicators and critical assumptions: management. Community participation has
18
shifted the focus of planning from divisionlevel to village level. Micro plans are villagelevel plans that are an integral part ofcommunity forest management. However, toinstitutionalize this decentralized planningprocess and to thwart possible conflictsbetween working plans and micro-plans,suitable measures are suggested. As the entireexercise of microplanning is in the process ofevolution, it will have to be ensured that theaspirations of the Communities expressed inthe micro plans are not in conflict with thesilvicultural prescriptions of the workingplans. Since the working plans are largerdocuments covering larger areas including theareas covered by the micro plans, it would benecessary that working plans lay broad andpractical guidelines for silvicultural treatmentof the forests. Site specific planning dulyincorporating the needs and aspirations of theCommunities involved in Community ForestManagement under the umbrella of thesilvicultLral details, as prescribed by theworking plans, can be the domain of theMicro-plans.
With the inception of Joint ForestManagement, Rapid and Participatory RuralAppraisal techniques, Baseline surveys andBenchmarking and Micro planning hasreceived attention. However, it was noticedthere is no uniformity and totality in approach.Most of the micro plans prepared are projectspecific and address the issues that theconcerned projects support and address.Consequently, there are lot of gaps and there islittle scope for holistic development of villagesin general and the VSS in particular. To haveuniformity and objectiveness, a format for aMicro plan is suggested in the report.
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