Funds be provided to states in proportion of forest area
Bhopal:Tuesday, August 18, 2009:Updated 15:21IST The Minister of State (independent charge) for Forests, Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Mineral Resources Shri Rajendra Shukla has urged the center that in view of the difficulties being faced by the states due to the definition of forests given by the Supreme Court forests should be again defined clearly.
Only those areas may be considered as forests that are notified under the Indian (Forest) Act, 1927. According to the definition given by the Supreme Court, in an order all such areas that are recorded as any type of forest under any government record have been defined as forests.
Shri Shukla said that under the proposed scheme for regeneration and increase of forest cover the states should be provided funds in proportion to the forests there. Shri Shukla referred to the non-receipt of Asiatic lions from Gir sanctuary of Gujarat in Kuno-Palampur urged the center for action in this regard.
Shri Shukla was addressing a conference of forest ministers of states chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi today. Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment Shriairam Ramesh also attended the conference attended among others by Madhya Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary, Forests, Shri Prashant Mehta; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri A.K. Dube; Chief Wildlife Patron Shri R.S. Negi; Principal Chief Conservator (Working Plan and Forest Land Record) Shri H.S. Pawala and others.
Shri Shukla informed that The 1543 families living in 24 villages situated in Kuno-Palpur sanctuary have been relocated for relocating the Asiatic Lions. All preparations for relocation of the Asiatic Lions had been completed in 2005 only as per the project report; however these Lions have not been received from Gir Sanctuary of Gujrat. He requested that the Government of India might make available the Asiatic Lions to Madhya Pradesh.
As an alternative arrangement Government of India had proposed that the project be taken forward through Asiatic Lions bred in Zoos. Central Zoo Authority had sanctioned Rs. 71 lakh 28 thousand for establishment of breeding center for Asiatic Lions in Palpur-Kuno sanctuary in year 2008-09. The same has not been received till now. He requested to immediately release this amount and provide for transfer of zoo bred Asiatic Lions.
Shri Shukla stressed the need for an integrated scheme at national level for increasing the forest cover. He said that Madhya Pradesh has chalked out such a scheme, the cost of which is Rs. 115 crore in first three years. From the fourth year Rs. 38.50 crore would be required annually. This scheme should be financed by the center.
For this the funds available under National Afforestation and Eco Development Board or CAMPA fund may be utilized. The Government of India may implement it in entire country, he suggested.
Shri Shukla informed that Madhya Pradesh has utilized more than Rs. 150 in the last two years under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for forestry works. This is a negligible amount considering the enormity of the task and the availability of funds under the scheme. If the Government of India amends the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to make resources available to the implementation departments at the state level, then all forestry activities provided in the working plans can be properly financed.
The activities like energy plantation, fodder development and plantation of fruit trees can be implemented on a wide scale, he added. He said that for ecologically unsustainable land use even outside the Protected Areas it has been made compulsory to obtain permission of the National Wildlife Board as well as National Tiger Conservation Authority. This is causing hindrance in development and creating dissatisfaction among the people.
Welcoming the GOI’s initiative for private sector participation in afforesttion Shri Shukla said that the recommendations made at the workshop of investors organized by Madhya Pradesh government have been set to Government of India.
These may be incorporated in the national policy. He said that eco tourism should be recognized as a forestry activity under Forest (Conservation) Act 1980. Development of infrastructure for eco tourism on forestlands should be recognized, he added.
The Minister of State said that in view of forest protection administration has been restructured in sensitive areas. Under this field units have been organized into forest check-posts. They have been equipped with facilities of communication, transport and protection.
The state has developed many systems using information technology, telecommunication and remote sensing. Facilities proposed by the GOI for the range offices and forest check-posts may be included in the existing Intensification of Forests Management Scheme as specific sub-scheme.
Shri Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh has constituted eco-system services cell. The cell has started functioning from year 2009 and is estimating the impact of scientific forest management on the water reservoirs and rivers with the cooperation of ISRO.
With the help of Space Utilization Centre 60 automatic weather stations have also been established in forest areas. These will help monitor the impact of forests on environment and simultaneously collect weather related information.
Shri Shukla said that it is essential to clearly demarcate the forest areas excised under the Forests Right Act by boundary pillars in order to protect the remaining forest areas. He requested the central government to make available necessary financial resources to the states so that the areas of the forest rights holders can be properly demarcated and rest of the forest areas can be delineated to avoid complications in the future. Madhya Pradesh wold need about Rs. 200 crore for this purpose.
The Minister of State informed that there are 735 villages located inside the Protected Areas of the state. A package of Rs. 10 lakh has to be made available to each family to effect relocation of villages. The state would need nearly Rs. 3200 crore to relocate 31980 families from just 117 critical villages out of the total 735 villages.
In view of the increasing man-animal conflict it is essential to do it as soon as possible. He requested to make available Rs. 1000 crore each in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and Rs. 1200 crore in 2011-12 for this purpose.
Shri Shukla said that officers and other staff posted in the wildlife wing should be given 30 percent wildlife area allowance and the same should be borne by Government of India. He also requested the central government to provide Rs. 50 crore per year for the next five years to mitigate the problems of forest employees posted in remote areas so that accommodation can be constructed for the employees living in the interior areas and hostels can be constructed in the big towns for education of children.
He said that the sanctioned strength of Madhya Pradesh Cadre of Indian Forest Service is 296. However, the state has received only 10 Indian Forest Service officers in last ten years. Every year minimum4-5 officers are needed for proper cadre management.
In next six years about 50 direct recruit officers will retire. There will be a sudden vacuum and the state will suddenly need large number of officers. He requested Government of India to pay attention to this issue and allot at least 4-5 officers every year to Madhya Pradesh Indian Forest Service cadre.
Only those areas may be considered as forests that are notified under the Indian (Forest) Act, 1927. According to the definition given by the Supreme Court, in an order all such areas that are recorded as any type of forest under any government record have been defined as forests.
Shri Shukla said that under the proposed scheme for regeneration and increase of forest cover the states should be provided funds in proportion to the forests there. Shri Shukla referred to the non-receipt of Asiatic lions from Gir sanctuary of Gujarat in Kuno-Palampur urged the center for action in this regard.
Shri Shukla was addressing a conference of forest ministers of states chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi today. Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment Shriairam Ramesh also attended the conference attended among others by Madhya Pradesh Additional Chief Secretary, Forests, Shri Prashant Mehta; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri A.K. Dube; Chief Wildlife Patron Shri R.S. Negi; Principal Chief Conservator (Working Plan and Forest Land Record) Shri H.S. Pawala and others.
Shri Shukla informed that The 1543 families living in 24 villages situated in Kuno-Palpur sanctuary have been relocated for relocating the Asiatic Lions. All preparations for relocation of the Asiatic Lions had been completed in 2005 only as per the project report; however these Lions have not been received from Gir Sanctuary of Gujrat. He requested that the Government of India might make available the Asiatic Lions to Madhya Pradesh.
As an alternative arrangement Government of India had proposed that the project be taken forward through Asiatic Lions bred in Zoos. Central Zoo Authority had sanctioned Rs. 71 lakh 28 thousand for establishment of breeding center for Asiatic Lions in Palpur-Kuno sanctuary in year 2008-09. The same has not been received till now. He requested to immediately release this amount and provide for transfer of zoo bred Asiatic Lions.
Shri Shukla stressed the need for an integrated scheme at national level for increasing the forest cover. He said that Madhya Pradesh has chalked out such a scheme, the cost of which is Rs. 115 crore in first three years. From the fourth year Rs. 38.50 crore would be required annually. This scheme should be financed by the center.
For this the funds available under National Afforestation and Eco Development Board or CAMPA fund may be utilized. The Government of India may implement it in entire country, he suggested.
Shri Shukla informed that Madhya Pradesh has utilized more than Rs. 150 in the last two years under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for forestry works. This is a negligible amount considering the enormity of the task and the availability of funds under the scheme. If the Government of India amends the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to make resources available to the implementation departments at the state level, then all forestry activities provided in the working plans can be properly financed.
The activities like energy plantation, fodder development and plantation of fruit trees can be implemented on a wide scale, he added. He said that for ecologically unsustainable land use even outside the Protected Areas it has been made compulsory to obtain permission of the National Wildlife Board as well as National Tiger Conservation Authority. This is causing hindrance in development and creating dissatisfaction among the people.
Welcoming the GOI’s initiative for private sector participation in afforesttion Shri Shukla said that the recommendations made at the workshop of investors organized by Madhya Pradesh government have been set to Government of India.
These may be incorporated in the national policy. He said that eco tourism should be recognized as a forestry activity under Forest (Conservation) Act 1980. Development of infrastructure for eco tourism on forestlands should be recognized, he added.
The Minister of State said that in view of forest protection administration has been restructured in sensitive areas. Under this field units have been organized into forest check-posts. They have been equipped with facilities of communication, transport and protection.
The state has developed many systems using information technology, telecommunication and remote sensing. Facilities proposed by the GOI for the range offices and forest check-posts may be included in the existing Intensification of Forests Management Scheme as specific sub-scheme.
Shri Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh has constituted eco-system services cell. The cell has started functioning from year 2009 and is estimating the impact of scientific forest management on the water reservoirs and rivers with the cooperation of ISRO.
With the help of Space Utilization Centre 60 automatic weather stations have also been established in forest areas. These will help monitor the impact of forests on environment and simultaneously collect weather related information.
Shri Shukla said that it is essential to clearly demarcate the forest areas excised under the Forests Right Act by boundary pillars in order to protect the remaining forest areas. He requested the central government to make available necessary financial resources to the states so that the areas of the forest rights holders can be properly demarcated and rest of the forest areas can be delineated to avoid complications in the future. Madhya Pradesh wold need about Rs. 200 crore for this purpose.
The Minister of State informed that there are 735 villages located inside the Protected Areas of the state. A package of Rs. 10 lakh has to be made available to each family to effect relocation of villages. The state would need nearly Rs. 3200 crore to relocate 31980 families from just 117 critical villages out of the total 735 villages.
In view of the increasing man-animal conflict it is essential to do it as soon as possible. He requested to make available Rs. 1000 crore each in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and Rs. 1200 crore in 2011-12 for this purpose.
Shri Shukla said that officers and other staff posted in the wildlife wing should be given 30 percent wildlife area allowance and the same should be borne by Government of India. He also requested the central government to provide Rs. 50 crore per year for the next five years to mitigate the problems of forest employees posted in remote areas so that accommodation can be constructed for the employees living in the interior areas and hostels can be constructed in the big towns for education of children.
He said that the sanctioned strength of Madhya Pradesh Cadre of Indian Forest Service is 296. However, the state has received only 10 Indian Forest Service officers in last ten years. Every year minimum4-5 officers are needed for proper cadre management.
In next six years about 50 direct recruit officers will retire. There will be a sudden vacuum and the state will suddenly need large number of officers. He requested Government of India to pay attention to this issue and allot at least 4-5 officers every year to Madhya Pradesh Indian Forest Service cadre.
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