Note on the Progress of Joint Forest Management in Andhra Pradesh

 Introduction:

During 1992 Government of Andhra Pradesh adopted, Joint Forest Management (JFM) as a strategy for protection, improvement and development of forests with the involvement of local communities by forming them into Vana Samrakshana Samithies (VSS). From February 2002 the Government adopted Community Forest Management (CFM), advancement over the Joint Forest Management (JFM) with devolution of more powers to the VSS in management of their activities. VSSs are village level forest protection committees organized for the purpose of protection and management of forests vested with them. While they are responsible for protection and management of forests under their charge, they are also expected to provide assistance to the Government in protection of the remaining forests. They are entitled for all the benefits accruing from natural forests managed by them. In respect of plantations they are entitled to benefit in proportion to the period of management of plantation by them.

Achievements:

There are 8343 VSSs in the state actively involved in the protection and development of forests. These VSS are managing 22.89 Lakhs Ha of forest area brought under them. A total of 15.39 Lakhs members are involved out of which 3.23 Lakhs belong to SC and 4.65 Lakh to ST communities.

Funding Sources:

 Following are the major schemes under which the VSS are funded

• World Bank funded APCFM Project : 5000 VSS
• Forest Development Agency : 1288 VSS
• NABARD RIDF schemes. : 2055 VSS:

A. APCFM Project:

Andhra Pradesh Community Forest ManagementProject is being implemented by the Forest Department with an objective of poverty alleviation through improved forest management and community participation. The Project is being implemented since 2002-03 ( 26 th November 2002). It is for duration of 5 years (till September 2007). The Project is being implemented in 5000 Vana Samrakshana Samithies in 14 Districts benefiting 3,26,000 families.

The following are the important achievements upto 2004-05:

• As against the Project target 315800 ha under forest treatment, an area 275735 ha has already been treated.
• As against the total project cost Rs. 653.97 Crores, so far Rs. 244.09 Crores has been utilized.
• As against the total 9664 capacity building programmes like trainings, workshops & Seminars and study tours, so far 5980 programmes have been conducted.
• Upto 2004-05, net revenue of Rs. 59.48 Million has been earned by VSSs through productivity enhancement of forests and forest based enterprises.
• Upto 2004-05, 18.78 Million mandays have been generated.

Important activities being taken up during 2005-06:

• Total financial outlay of the Annual Work Plan is Rs. 21000.359 lakhs. This has been revised as Rs.150.000 Crores.
• So far for the first two quarters, the Government have released Rs. 10500.00 lakhs on 04-05-2005 , out of which Rs. 9351.622 lakhs was distributed for utilization. Upto November, 2005 Rs. 5750.187 lakhs has been spent.
• Following are the targeted activities for the year 2005-06.
1. Raising of plantation over 60185 ha, ie., 39420 ha of under planting bamboo in natural forests; 3522 ha of afforestation of barren hills; 11805 ha of afforestation through semi mechanical method; 5438 ha inter planting with palmarose and medicinal plants. Out of the targets of 60185 ha so far upto November 2005 49213 ha has already been planted. The Planning Programme however is in full swing.
2. First year maintenance of plantations raised during 2004-05 over an extent of 19181 ha;
3. Second year maintenance of plantations raised during 2003-04 over an extent of 2687 ha;
4. Treating 451 VSSs on watershed basis to saturation level;
5. 1185 training programmes (including 30 individuals for overseas training programmes), 482 workshops and 261 study tours to ensure capacity building of the Communities, NGOs and Government agencies involved in Project implementation;
6. Implementation of tribal development activities in 1300 VSS and implementation of Village Development activities with income generating.

B. Forest Development Agency:

Government of India has formulated a scheme titled “National Afforestation Programme: (NAP) to be implemented during Xth Plan period (2002-03 to 2006-07) through “Forest Development Agencies” (FDAs). So far, in Andhra Pradesh, 28 FDA Projects have been sanctioned by the Government of India. Out of 28 Projects, 13 Projects were sanctioned during the year 2002-03, 10 projects during 2003-04 and 5 projects during the year 2004-05. the total outlay of all the projects is Rs. 76.92 Crores and the no of VSSs / EDCs involved in implementing these projects is 1288. The total of 43910 Ha. Forest area is proposed to be treated during the project period. The physical and financial achievements are as follows;

Total Project Outlay ------------- Rs. 7692.08 lakhs

Amount released so far ---------- Rs. 3348.69 lakhs

Amount utilized upto March 05 -- Rs. 2253.90 lakhs

Forest area treated -------------- 16240 ha.

Achievements during 2003-04:

Achievements during 2004-05

 Achievements during 2004-05

 FDA Scheme Beneficiary household/families particulars

 C. NABARD RIDF Projects:

RIDF-V (JFM) covering 917 VSS with an outlay of Rs.50.47 Crores, RIDF-VI (JFM) covering 659 VSS with an outlay of Rs.42.13 Crores and RIDF-VIII (JFM) covering 479 VSS with an outlay of RS.13.88 Crores are under operation in the state. RIDF-VIII (JFM) is sanctioned during the year 2002-2003. The project is for a period of three years to be completed by 2004-2005.

 Achievements during 2003-04 and 2004-05 (Rs. In lakhs):

Budget allocation under the three Schemes, for 2005-2006, is as follows: