mRrjk[k.M 'kklu Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management...
Transcript of mRrjk[k.M 'kklu Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management...
Funded by :Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA)
mRrjk[k.M 'kklu
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management
Project (UFRMP)
Salient Features and Summary of Progress of Works
(Up To May 2015)
&
Plan of Operations (2015-16)
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
Funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Salient Features and Summary of Progress of Works
Loan Agreement for the Project was signed on April 11, 2014. As per the agreed Minutes of
Discussions (MoD), a Tripartite Agreement between JICA, MoEF and Government of
Uttarakhand, following are some of the salient features of the Project:
Project Aim
The Project aims at addressing the problem of forest
degradation in the identied forest fringe areas of the
State. The Project would be implemented by Forest Van
Panchayats (VPs), which are community-based
organizations in forestry sector, ensuring their capacity
development in the process. The project aims at
controlling forest degradation, improvement of
livelihood options and income generating activities of
the people living in the target area, thereby, reducing
their dependence on forests.
The natural catastrophic disaster in Uttarakhand in June
2013 led to massive slope failures (sediment disaster) and damage to roads in forest areas. Forest
department personnel, posted in remote areas of the State, where presence of other departments is
less, nay negligible, can play a very crucial role in combatting such natural calamities effectively
and in a timely manner. To address this issue, a component of disaster management, which
includes treatment of landslides and reconstruction of damaged forest roads in disaster affected
forest areas as well as developing a good infrastructure and capacity building of forest personnel,
has also been kept in the Project.
Total Project Cost
Rs. 807 crore
Duration of the Project
8 years
Number of VPs
750
Target area for Eco-restoration
37500 ha (50 ha per VP)
Project Components
Project components include forestry works, livelihood interventions, and income generating
activities. These interventions would be implemented by VPs with Uttarakhand Forest
Department (UKFD) providing the necessary facilitation support. Treatment of landslides and
reconstruction of damaged forest roads in disaster affected forest areas will be executed by the
forest department.
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
01
02
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
Operational Area
The Project is being implemented in 17 forest divisions; 13 for forestry and livelihood
components and 6 for disaster affected forest areas. The forest divisions have been selected on the
basis of scientic parameters based on ground situation. These forest divisions are: Alakhnanda
Soil conservation, Civil Soyam (Pauri), Tehri Dam I, Narendra Nagar, Lansdowne Soil,
Ramnagar Soil, Ranikhet Soil, Civil Soyam (Almora), Nainital Soil, Bageshwar, Champawat,
Pithoragarh and Mussoorie Forest Division. The disaster related works would be implemented in
Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts (two forest divisions
overlapping) that were most adversely affected in the disaster.
During the Project period of 8 years, eco-restoration, livelihood improvement and community
development activities will be carried out in 750 Van Panchayats within the selected 13 forest
divisions. The selection of Van Panchayats for these activities is to be done in four phases by
following scientic parameters related to forest degradation, cluster approach and socio-
economic criteria. The rst batch of 150 Van Panchayats has already been selected and selection
of 250 VPs for the second batch will commence soon. The third and fourth batch will consist of
250 and 100 Van Panchayats respectively and will be selected in subsequent years.
PROJECT TARGETS
No. of Target Van Panchayats (VPs) : 750
Target Districts
Components 1-3 in 9 Districts (13 Forest Divisions)
Component 4 (Sediment Disaster Mitigation) in 5 districts (6 Forest Divisions)
Rehabilitation of Degraded Forests - 37500 ha
NTFP Plantation : 500 ha
Bio-diversity Conservation and Wildlife Management
Sacred Groves: 13
People's Bio-diversity Registers (PBRs)- 13
Quick Response Team: 1
Primary Response Teams: 20
Capacity Building and Awareness about Man-Animal Conict: 20 villages
Other Eco-Restoration Activities
Development of Model Departmental Nurseries: 13
Community Development Activities
Number of VPs : 750
Number of SHGs : 1500
03
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
04
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
Eventually after meeting the primary
elegibility criteria of Van Panchayat (VP) as
indicated in the box along side, further
detailed analysis was carried out for:
- Past performance/ area managed in
the past
- Extent of degradation in their vicinity
within the watershed
- Potential for cluster formation
- Target group population (ST/SC)
GIS technology was adopted for carrying out
spatial analysis of forest cover in proximity to
each Van Panchayat. The technology also
provided unique visualization support to
study potential for cluster formation. The VPs
were then assigned a score based on different
parameters and arranged in descending order.
The top scoring 10-20 VPs in each range,
totaling 150 VPs were then selected in the 1st
recommendation, to be treated in the 1st
batch, subject to further reconnaissance. A list
of additional 50 VPs was then selected as
stand by to ll the gaps created, by discarding
VPs during reconnaissance.
Van Panchayats in the selected ranges with
less than 10 years of experience in managing
forests (i.e., constituted after year 2005), and
having less than 20 ha area under their
management (VP area < 20 ha), were agged.
Rest of the VPs were considered to have fairly
good experience in managing VP forests both
in terms of area as well as years of experience.
PRIMARY CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
OF VAN PANCHAYATs (VPs)
The primary criteria for selection of Van
Panchayat for assigning treatment areas are:
- The VP must be located in the priority
ranges of the project.
- The VP should have an elected body.
- The VP should have given consent to
participate in the project.
- There should not be any similar on-going
intervention.
- VPs qualifying as per above criteria are to
be further evaluated for their past
performance, extent of forest degradation
in the vicinity, possibility of cluster
formation, target group population
(socially/economically weaker sections
such as BPL, ST and SC population).
Interaction with Van Panchayat (VP) representatives
at Bhingrara, Champawat
Division
Range
Division
Range
Alaknanda SC Aser Simli Range
Ranikhet SC
Gagas Range
Attagad Range
Gairsain Range
Tharali Range
Chanthria Range
Almora C&S Gananath Range
Tehri Dam
Dharkot Range
Jageshwar Range
Nailchami Range
Kosi Range
Nanital SC Mukteshwar Range
Okhalkanda Range
Bageshwar Kapkot Range
Dharamgarh Range
Bageshwar Range
Ramgarh Range
Pauri C& S
Champawat Lohaghat Range
Bhingrara Range
Devi Dhura Range
Pabo Range
Pauri Range
Satpuli Range Narendranagar
Maniknath Range
Jaiharikhal Range
Saklana Range
Matiyali Range
Ramnagar SC
Ringlana Range
Nainidanda Range
Pithoragarh Pithoragarh Range
Didihat Range
Gangolihat Range
Dhumakot Range
Mussoorie
Mussoorie Range
Raipur Range
– 1
Chalusain RangeLansdowne
Selected Forest Ranges/Forest Divisions for the components (1-3):
Eco-Restoration, Community Development &
IGAs and Other Support Activities
05
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
Selected Forest Divisions for Component 4
(Erosion Control and Sediment Disaster Mitigation)
Division
Uttarakhashi and Tehri Garhwal Districts Uttarakashi Soil Conservation Division (Non-
Territorial)
Uttarakhashi and Tehri Garhwal Districts Uttarakashi Forest Division (Territorial)
Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli Rudraprayag Forest Division (Territorial)
Badrinath Forest Division (Territorial)
Bageswar Forest Division (Territorial)
Pithoragarh Forest Division (Territorial)
District
and Rudraprayag Districts
Chamoli District
Bageshwar District
Pithoragarh District
Uttarakhand Forest Resource
Management Society
The Project is being implemented in Society
mode . U t t a r akhand Fores t Resource
M a n a g e m e n t S o c i e t y ( U F R M S ) , a n
autonomous Society has been constituted under
Society Registration Act 1860. A High Powered
Committee (HPC) at the State level, called the
Governing Body of the Society, headed by the
Chief Secretary of the State is in place, as the
highest policy decision-making body, guiding
the Project at the apex level. An Executive
Committee (EC) is also in place headed by Principal Secretary (Forest) and PCCF as Vice
Chairperson, to oversee implementation of the Project at regular intervals. The Project is being
implemented by a Project Management Unit (PMU), established at the State level. In the eld, the
Project is implemented by DMU (Divisional Management Unit) at DFO level and FMU (Field
Management Unit) at the Forest Range level. PMU is registered as an autonomous body under the
Society Registration Act, 1860. A DAC (District Advisory Committee) proposed at the District
level, headed by District Collector will ensure Inter-Sectoral Convergence (ISC). DAC would
form an important strategy not only to achieve the Project goals but also impart sustainability to
the Project ingenuities.
Project Management Consultancy
At the State level, PMU will be assisted by a Project Management Consultancy (PMC) to
augment its capacity in providing necessary skill sets required for process improvement and
expertise in various elds in Project implementation. Field Level Experts (FLEs) would also be
put in place to assist DMU at the division. Field level NGOs (FNGOs) would also be involved in
06
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
High Powered Committee (HPC) meeting chaired by
the Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand.
Project implementation. The need for FNGO is felt because of lack of staff required for skills like
community participatory approach, prevailing social structure and its attitudes and dynamics in
the Project area. The FNGO would ll this gap by providing support of qualied professional
staff to cover the social engineering aspects of the Project. Each VP will be given NGO support
for handholding.
Livelihood
Livelihood related activities would aim at
improvement of Basic Human Needs (BHNs),
Community Development Activities (CDAs)
and Income Generation Activities (IGAs).
Under CDA, activities will be taken up aiming
at community mobilization for creation of
small community infrastructure having
potential for enhancing incomes of local forest
dependent people on a sustainable basis. VPs
will be provided with a revolving fund under
the Project to provide small loans for IGAs to
be executed through SHGs along with required
facilitation to enhance their capacities and
develop linkages for micro credit from banks and other nancial institutions. Focus would be on
making SHGs self reliant through various need based support & evolving strategies as the Project
progresses. Two SHGs will be supported at each village level.
Micro-Plans
All the eld interventions would be based on
comprehensive micro plans, prepared through
a process of participatory planning approach.
Need-based and site-specic comprehensive
micro plans shall be prepared at the very onset
of the process through Participatory Rural
Appra isa l (PRA) technique . Var ious
community development and livelihood
improvement activities that can be taken up for
alleviating the sufferings of the stakeholders
and for overall integrated development of the
village will also be a part of micro planning
process. Interventions would be planned and implemented by VPs, selected on the basis of
selection criteria and in clusters in micro watersheds. VPs falling in one cluster will have their
own site-specic comprehensive micro plans. Micro-planning process would be facilitated by
Forest Department (FD) and FNGO teams engaged at FMU level. In Reserve Forest (RF) areas,
where it is not possible for VPs to carry out Project interventions, the works would be executed
through FD.
07
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
Interaction with villagers exploring possibilities in
eco-tourism under livelihood related activities.
Training of Field Functionaries.
Project Progress
Activities to be completed by April 2015
Progress
Registration of Uttarakhand Forest
Resource Management Society (UFRMS)
Complete
Constitution of High Powered
Committee/Executive Committee of the
Society
Complete
Establishment of Project Management
Unit
Complete
Preparation of Composite Management
Plans for VPs , to be prepared by Forest
Divisions
Complete
Establishment of DMUs/FMUs Complete
Procurement of Project Management
Consultancy
In nal stages
Procurement of Field NGOs
In nal stages
Selection of rst batch of VPs (150) Complete
Sediment Disaster Management
Out of the total Project cost of Rs. 807 crore, Rs. 150 crore has been earmarked for disaster
management component. Activities under this component would include landslide management,
construction of emergency shelters, reconstruction of damaged forest roads and capacity
building of forest department personnel and VPs for future preparedness to ght natural disasters
in the State. These works would be implemented through forest department. The technical know-
how would be provided by a consultancy appointed for this purpose by the PMU as per
international bidding norms as applicable in JICA Projects. Since 65% of the total geographical
area of the state is designated as forest and forest personnel can play an effective role in this area,
this would go a long way in enhancing the overall capacity of the State in ghting natural
disasters.
Consolidation Phase/ Post-Project Continuity
The last two years of the Project period will be specially focused on consolidating the efforts in
the light of experience gained during Project implementation and evolving strategies for post
Project continuity. Emphasis would be on building strong institutions of local self-governance
(VPs & SHGs), which would not only help in accomplishing Project targets but also lay a
formidable base for achieving sustainable livelihoods, an elixir for addressing problems of
ecological destruction.
08
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
Action Points for 2015-16
Following activities will take place in 2015-16
1. Micro-Planning in VPs.
2. Entry Point Activities (EPAs) for developing rapport with the community.
3. Vegetation mapping using differential GPS in the rst and second batch of VPs.
4. Eco-restoration of degraded forests (on the basis of interventions planned in respective
micro-plans), including fodder development in VPs, rejuvenation of water bodies
(Chal-Khal) and distribution of seedlings having fodder and fruit value to villagers for
plantations in private lands.
5. Establishment of Model Nurseries (in Forest Divisions) for supply of plants to VPs.
6. Formation/adoption of SHGs in rst batch of VPs (150).
7. Capacity Building of VPs/SHGs and Uttarakhand Forest Department.
8. Exposure visits for all the stakeholders.
9. Selection of potential Income Generating Activities (IGAs).
10. Development of business models for SHGs.
11. Formation of clusters for development of market linkages in rst batch of VPs.
12. Selection of second batch of VPs (250).
13. Strategy for convergence with other schemes for community development.
14. Selection of major sites under sediment disaster mitigation component with the help of
PMC.
15. Preparation of estimates, bid documents for the selected sites for execution of works with
the help of PMC.
16. Procurement of contractors for execution of works listed at 14 and 15 above.
17. Construction of NTFP, Centre of Excellence (NCE).
18. Community Based Eco-tourism; nalization of destinations/ eco-tourism circuits,
construction of facilities and capacity building of community at Titalikhet (Soni area),
Devrapani and Nuna top in Almora district.
19. Bio-diversity conservation initiatives; selection of Sacred Groves.
20. Identication of wildlife hotspots with respect to man-animal conict and formation of
Primary Response Teams (PRTs) and Quick Response Teams (QRTs).
09
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
Launching of the Project
The Project activities have now started in the eld (VPs) in 2015-16. All the preparatory
activities, which were required to be completed before the Project goes to the eld are now
complete. Rapport building with the community (VPs) in all the VPs selected in rst batch has
started and rst round of meetings with respect to micro-planning exercise have been organized.
It is a part of preparation for the micro-planning activities, which would form the basis for all the
interventions to be carried out in the eld.
Uttarakhand Forest Resource Management Project (UFRMP)
12
Foundation Laying of NTFP Centre of Excellence
(NCE) at Dehradun.
JICA team visit and interaction at Mussoorie.
Interaction with DMU Chiefs at Forest Training
Institute (FTI), Haldwani.
Interaction with Villagers regarding JICA Project
at Nuna VP, Ranikhet.Orientation Programme of Field Staff and Village
Panchayat (VP) representatives, Ranikhet.
Pre-Bid Conference, Selection of PMC, Dehradun.
UTTARAKHAND FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROJECT (UFRMP)85, Rajpur Road, Dehradun-248001
Phone & Fax : 0135-2740605 | E-mail : [email protected]