Early Times Report
jammu, Mar 10: Around half a dozen Forest Development Agencies (FDAs) have failed to utilize Entry Point Activities (EPAs) component for welfare of forest dwellers.
National Afforestation Programme guidelines, which envisage that village communities are to identify Entry Point Activities with the help of concerned Forest Development Agencies have not been followed by the FDAs.
"The main purpose of the EPA was to create durable community assets including construction of firewood stores, installation of solar lights, public toilets, ponds etc. which directly help them to improve their livelihoods. The EPAs were specially devised for the marginalised sections including landless, poor women, primitive tribes and Scheduled Caste etc," a source told Early Times.
He informed that it has been observed that the many FDAs had not undertaken any activity against the component for Entry Point Activities, although an expenditure to the tune of lakhs was booked by FDAs in Baramulla, Kulgam, Tangmarg, Jammu, Kishtwar, Ramnagar, Reasi and Udhampur districts.
"These FDAs have been directed to explain reasons for the expenditure and not taking up the EPAs, but till date no report has been submitted by the concerned agencies in this connection," the source claimed.
When Early Times contacted a senior official of the Forest Department in this connection, he admitted that several FDAs had not taken up any Entry Point Activities. He further said that the main purpose of doing this activity is to establish cordial relations with the village communities and create awareness about the programme. |
