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Dialogue for better forest management in M.P.

BHOPAL: General Body meetings of Forest Committees constituted under the Joint Forest Management scheme would be held during the Forest Awareness Week, being organised for the first time in Madhya Pradesh between April 21 and 26.

Under the Joint Forest Management Scheme, 14, 428 Forest Committees were set up in the State. Through these committees, 20 lakh villagers were supposed to be involved with the State Forest Department in the management of about 60, 000 square kilometre of forest area.

An official statement here said that the main purpose of these meetings is to provide an avenue for dialogue between forest officers and villagers to chalk out a strategy for better forest management.

It is being pointed out in Forest Department circles here that the Forest Committees should be subjected to social audit or statutory provisions to find out whether funds meant for raising plantations, prevention of forest fires and illicit felling were utilised properly. The General Body meetings should also be utilised to take cognizance of their working, it is being emphasised

World Forestry Day is celebrated around the world on March 21.The Forest Awareness Week, being organised for the first time by the State Forest Department during the election year, acquires political significance for the ruling side as it would help in mobilizing the local population, particularly tribals, and provide them an opportunity to put forward their claims under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.

It is learnt that during the Forest Awareness Week, there are plans to distribute bicycles, pressure cookers and blankets to forest dwellers and tribals through funds meant for community development. Under the existing State policy, 100 per cent of the tendu leaf bonus gets distributed to the tendu leaf pluckers.

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Dialogue for better forest management in M.P.

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