DEVOLUTION OF FOREST MANAGEMENT - Vasundhara

101987 Prakruti Mitra Prize awarded to Suruguda1988 Conflict with Chhetenpalli and demarcation of boundary of forest area1988 Forest Protection committee formally got structured by the FD (10members committee was formed under the leadership of DukaluPrushet)1988 Penalty system strengthened by fixing different rates of fines.1988 Application forwarded to DFO, Collector for grant for construction ofmeeting hall of the committee which was accepted1989 President and Secretary were re-nominated. This happened with thehelp of the FD.1989 Paid watchers appointed for some days since the villagers were busy inharvesting of crops1989 Vana Mahotsav organised by the committee1989 Banabandhu award received by Suruguda people1989 National award ‘Indira Priyadarshini Brikshya Mitra Award’1989 Visit by Industry Minister and Forest Minister. (This case is overhighlighted by FD. Hence,any officer or minster come to these localitypay a visit to the village.)1990 Inauguration of meeting hall of the forest protection committee1990 Fine amounts increased in order to put more pressure on offenders1990 Shri Gangadhar Patel, the Sarpanch was appointed as Samiti Chairman1990 New committee formed. The earlier President and Secretary resigned.New President – Bhupal Patel and Secretary – Pabitra Patel (9/9/90).1990 Committee was dissolved in the presence of Forester. Reorganisation ofthe committee with Dukalu Prushet as President and Pabitra Patel asSecretary (10/10/90)1990 Cleaning operation in 50 acres of reserve forest1991 Occurrence of forest fire1992 Formation of new committee under the Presidentship of Dukalu Prushetand Purna Panda as Secretary1996 Firewood cleaning in reserve patch1997 Bamboo and firewood cleaning in reserve patch1997 New committee formed. The new President and Secretary selected wereManbhula Sa and Gangadhar Patel respectively (11/2/97)1997 Change in committee. President – Sukru Guda and Vice-President –Motiram Chowdhury (17/5/97)1998 Change in committee. President – Pabitra Patel and Vice President –Sadashiv Patel(15/11/98)4 female members were included in the committee for the first time1998 Bamboo harvest in reserve patch1999 Firewood cleaning in Khesra forest1999 Bamboo harvest in reserve forestThe committee arbitrarily stopped firewood cleaning3.3 EXTERNAL THREATSExternal threats over the forest from neighbouring villages Chettenpalli, Badakhalia,Kolabira, Chauran Mahul, Jhariapalli, Benidhipa continued even after the beginning ofprotection efforts. Gradually, after a few years the pressure declined as the message ofprotection by Suruguda people spread.