Guwahati, Feb. 7: The Assam government has finally agreed to the creation of forest development agencies (FDA) in every forest division of the state. This is expected to increase people?s participation in the conservation and protection of the state?s forest resources and to improve their livelihood. State forest minister Pradyut Bordoloi said here today that the creation of FDAs would also help the forest department to get funds directly from organisations without having to go through the normal channels. The department often gets funds after a long delay as the money has to come through the revenue department.
The minister said the FDAs would be registered under the Societies Act. Various schemes would be implemented at the grassroots level through the joint forest management committees and eco-development committees under the divisional forest officers. Altogether 35 FDAs will be created with 50 people as members.
Bordoloi said villagers living in the fringe areas of the forest would also be members of the FDAs and be directly involved in forest management.
?Villagers will be involved in the process right from the drawing of schemes till its implementation and subsequent maintenance and upkeep,? Bordoloi said.
He said the concept of joint forest management would be introduced simultaneously with the opening up of the forest sector. This would lead to income and employment generation and thus economic uplift of villagers living in the fringe areas of reserve forests.
To improve the livelihood of people, the forest department plans to plant fast-growing trees on the fringe areas of reserve forests and encourage people to develop non-timber produce like wax, honey, fruits and nuts. Researchers have found that the state has the potential for cultivation of sandalwood and agar, both of which have a huge market in the state.
?Proper and scientific management can provide enough for the needs of everyone,? Bordoloi said.
He said the department is working on a plan to restore the glory of Manas National Park.