Panel formed for dialogue between Forest Deptt, NGOs

Panel formed for dialogue between Forest Deptt, NGOs

A COMMITTEE has boon formed in a meeting held here on Thursday to hold regular dialogue between Forest Department and representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations to resolve issues like implemnting Village Forest Rules, rural development and department's schemes jointly, problems in JFM villages etc.

Pravcen Pardeshi. Principal Secretary. Forest, presided over the meeting organised at Van Sabhagruha. Seminary Hills. A K Saxena. Head of Forest Force, will he the chairman of the committee consisting of Shree Bhagwan. Dr Mohan Jha. both Additional Principal Chief Conservators of Forest, and Chief Conservators of Forest from Amravati and Gadchiroli districts.

According to reliable sources, representatives of NGOs criticised Village Forest Rules issued by the government and alleged that the government wanted to interfere in village development process. Pardeshi clarified that these rules had been issued to strengthenJFM mechanism in the State. These rules would not be applicable to villages coming under   Penchayai   Extension   to Scheduled Areas (PESA). Cummunity Forest Righis (CFR). And Foresi Righis Act (FRA). There is no need far villages to worry. where claims aboul jungles have been granted by the Collector.

In an attempt to clear the confusion prevailing in NGOs. Pardeshi mentioned that the department was working in such villages to give backing to JFM villages and that was why the government issued Village Forest Rights. The ultimate intention of the government is to promote protection and conservation of flora and fauna, he pointed out.

It was also clarified that the rules could not be applicable to any village except the decisions of Gram Sabha. The meeting tried to remove confusion relating to the rules.

The other issues such as convergence, availability of working plans to Gram Sabha. problems related to different wages, eco-tourism, payment of share of JFM to villages etc were also discussed and it was agreed to address these issues through process of dialogue and pi I icy change.

A K Saxena. HoFF. Dr Mohan Jha. APCCF. Maypokim Ayer.SanjeevGaur. TSK Reddy. MSK Reddy. CCFs. Srila-xmi, Ashih Thakre. Adarsha Reddy. AshokGimepunje. DCFs. MohanI Iiahai Hiralal. Satish Gogulwar. Ktshor Rhhe. Devaji Tofa. Dilip Gode. Suryabhan Khobragadc. Norma ftiihak. Gumvani Viiidya. KislwrGunwle. PralibhaSliiinJc. ParomiiaGoswami. PurnimaUpadhyay. KishorKore.CkuiamNitrawireand representatives of NGOs. took pan in discussion.

Posted in: News 2014