Some Suggestions For New Draft Forest Policy 2018: Promoting Community Based Research

Some Suggestions For New Draft Forest Policy 2018: Promoting Community Based Research 

Virat Jolli:     India is one of the mega biodiverse country of the World with variety of habitats for flora and fauna. Though, we have protected areas for conserving these habitats and associated animals but long term studies are lacking which are important for their effective conservation. Currently some large mammals have been able to attract Government help and are now thriving well in their respective habitats. However ,there are variety of fauna about whom detailed and long term monitoring studies are lacking. Such species of fauna if monitored on long term basis can give valuable information. For example fauna like butterflies, beetles, spiders, bees, bats, fishes,  amphibian, reptiles and birds can be monitored on a long term basis. These fauna are critical component of ecosystem structure and functioning. Therefore,  Government should promote field based and citizens science through NGOs.

As a researcher and trustee of NGO, I find Forest Departments are reluctant to provide access to NGO’s and individual researcher to conduct independent research in Forest and protected areas. Only fewer Government Institution have access to protected area and they are not in a position to do comprehensive research considering the vast size of our country. In a democratic country, its important to involve NGO’s and independent researchers to verify and investigate the current forest wealth of nation. There involvement will ensure protection of forest.

The power to grant permission to carry out field studies in the forest and protected area should be assigned to DFO/Conservator of Forest which is currently awarded by PCCF. In current scenario PCCF lack knowledge regarding the current state of forest and  protected area at the local and regional level. CCF/DFO being posted at that place better know the threats, challenges and thrust area for future research. Therefore Government should consider to decentralise some of its power from top to bottom.

The village panchayats and NGO will be assigned the task of maintenance of nursery, plantation, afforestation, Watershed development in the Eco zone of protected area and area adjoining the protected areas. For restoration activities funds should be provided in the same mode. 

Fund should be provided to NGOs for organising workshop and training for promoting sustainable agriculture/forestry/sustainable management of natural resources in the areas adjoining the protected areas.

Restoration of project affected villages in protected areas should be assigned to Village panchayat assisted through local NGOs.

Government should consider for awarding 5 stage grants to NGOs to be spent in villages located in Sanctuary and ecozone of protected areas.

·         Stage-1 Initiation Grant: 1^st Year- Rs 5-10 lakhs

·         Stage-2 Development Grant: 2^nd year – Rs 10-20 lakhs

·         Stage-3 Continuation Grant: 3^rd Year – Rs 20-30 Lakhs

·         Stage-4 Continuation Grant: 4^th Year – Rs 30-50 Lakhs

·         Stage-5 Completion Grant: 5^th Year – Rs 50 Lakhs

The grant will be for community based projects with identifiable and monitorable and measurable targets. Next level grant should only be provided once target has been achieved. These grants are meant for providing employment and development of green infrastructure in the region. 

Suggestions if accepted will conserve India's natural heritage along with strengthening of democracy.