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| Dilawar proposes cross-departmental JFM | | | Early Times Reporter
Srinagar | Mar 31
In a significant initiative having far reaching influence on the developmental progress of Rafiabad area in Baramulla District and the rest of the State, the Government has decided to dove-tail and pool resources in related programs of Forest, Horticulture, PHE and Irrigation departments for eco-development and Joint Forest Management (JFM).
Stating this here today, the Minister for PHE and Irrigation, Mohammad Dilawar Mir said that to accelerate rural development in the Rafiabad area and potentially the rest of the State, it is proposed to constitute a pilot project involving the Forest department and several villages in the upper reaches of Rafiabad for starters. He said, under a newly considered institutional arrangement, that would allow financial support to flow into the JFM program from other departments and the private sector, several villages of Rafiabad, including Brandub, Khamoh, Braman, lariangan, Kutru Naribal, Ladu and Ladoora, would be selected for the creation of new Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC's).
Villagers too have agreed to cooperate with both the Forest and Horticulture Departments and concerned staff to curb de-forestation in the area while earning livelihoods from aforestation and other joint forest management activities. "Much of our forests including those in Rafiabad area have been devastated by severe deforestation, causing climatic change and drought conditions detrimental to agriculture and horticulture activities, the Minister said. He added that the creation of the proposed JFM village committees would go a long way to bring about a turn around in this trend.. He said there was a need to ensure greater cross-departmental coordination in conservation and rural development. If this pilot project takes off well, it could have an important demonstration effect for future efforts in the rest of the State, he added.
Elaborating on the proposed JFM, Dilawar said that funding for the pilot project is sought from corporate social responsibility funds of companies operating in the State, Central and State rural/horticulture development and forest conservation schemes, and other potential sources. The planning and implementation of the project will be supervised by designated joint forest management and forest protection officers, local police, the Department of Horticulture, PHE and special advisors with experience in similar efforts. For the first time, villagers will be able to generate livelihood through both direct participation in aforestation and forest conservation, as well as through the development of value added income generating activities, such as small scale horticulture, agriculture and eco-tourism, he added. |
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