Description

The Odisha government is launching an initiative aimed at empowering local communities for better forest management. As part of a new phase under the Forest Rights Act, 100 villages in the state will receive direct funding into their bank accounts to support forest protection and management. This effort is designed to promote local governance through the involvement of gram sabhas (village councils).

Initiative Overview

The Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) has approved Community Forest Resource (CFR) plans for 100 villages in Odisha. This marks the beginning of a pilot phase, with future plans to expand the initiative to 400 villages. The PAC has allocated ?16 crore for the development and implementation of these plans.

Funding Model

Each village will receive Rupees15 lakh annually, which will be directly deposited into the bank account of the respective gram sabha. This approach allows villagers to independently manage their funds, promoting accountability and encouraging local decision-making. Additionally, Rupees 1 lakh will be provided to technical agencies for developing management plans.

Empowering Gram Sabhas

The gram sabhas will take the lead in activities such as tree plantation and creating community-specific forest management plans. This change represents a shift from the previous model, where the Forest Department managed funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The new initiative empowers the gram sabhas to handle these responsibilities directly, strengthening local governance structures.

Moving Away From Forest Department Control

This initiative signals a move away from the Forest Department's control, as well as the Vana Surakhya Samiti (VSS). Villagers will now have the authority to manage their Community Forest Resource plans, fostering self-governance and active community participation in forest conservation.

Geographical Scope

The districts benefiting from this initiative include Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Dhenkanal, and Bargarh. These areas are ecologically rich, with diverse forest resources.

Forest Rights Act, 2006

The Forest Rights Act (FRA), passed in 2006, recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities in India. It aims to protect the livelihoods of these communities, empower them, and ensure sustainable forest resource usage. The Act grants both individual and community rights, encouraging the sustainable management of forests.

Community Forest Resource Rights

The CFR rights under the FRA allow communities to protect, regenerate, and sustainably manage forests. These rights enable local communities to access minor forest products, manage grazing, and control access to water bodies.

Challenges In Implementation

Despite the positive framework, there are challenges in implementing the initiative. Issues such as delays in execution, difficulties in proving eligibility, and conflicts with conservation laws can hinder progress. Furthermore, opposition from industries dependent on forest resources may complicate the successful rollout of the initiative.

Status Of CFR Titles In India

As of late 2024, Maharashtra leads the country with over 8,661 villages granted CFR titles. Chhattisgarh follows with 4,328 titles, and Odisha ranks third with 3,659 titles issued to date.

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