DEVOLUTION OF FOREST MANAGEMENT - Vasundhara

18The interim needs of the community are being addressed arbitrarily. For example, thecommittee turned down the request for wood by a Harijan person for repairing hishouse that had broken down. While, a person from the Agharia community (who ispresently the Secretary of VSS) was able to procure wood for setting up an oil mill,easily from the forest.Encroachment of common grazing land and its subsequent conversion intoagricultural land has led to tension between two dominant castes in the village. Thisescalation of tension has in turn affected the unity of the village posing a challenge tothe sustainability of the community institution and unity in the village. Effect of thepolitical turbulence is also seen in the institution with different opposing factionsbearing different political stand.Recently five cases of tree felling have been discovered by the VSS. The existingPresident and Secretary have shown callousness in dealing with such a grave situationand this has also caused great resentment among people.Due to the current crisis and disillusionment relating to forest protection activityvillagers have stopped the active protection work (i.e. patrolling) since April 1999. Inaddition to this the discovery of tree felling cases has further contributed to thedownfall.After these recent problems, a decision has been taken to hold a meeting of thecommittee to review the situation and bring about necessary changes, which may leadto changes in the Secretary and the President. A majority of the villagers seem to bein favour of such a change. The community institution seems to be at a criticaljuncture and it would be interesting to see how the village handles the current crisis.IMPACTS OF FOREST PROTECTION ACTIVITY:Forest Regeneration1. Existence of 648 trees per ha in the sal belt and 246 trees per ha in the bamboobelt indicate the existing management system has enabled successful growth andestablishment of root coppices, tree seedlings, saplings and improvement of forestconditions which was once denuded. Complete closure of the protection patch,introduction of penalty systems, formation of 10 member committee forsupervision of protection activities, decision of imposing fines against patrollingduty defaulters, measures taken tackling and fighting against forest fires duringthe initial years (1985 - 90) has laid down the founding stone of regaining forestvigour which was once full of herbs and shrubs. Operational rules such asprohibiting carrying cutting instruments and associated fines if noticed, restrictingthe cattle and villagers of other surrounding villages, allowing cattle of Surugudaonly during pre-monsoon season, selection of mango grove for grazing duringother periods of the year were further encouraging steps towards its goal. Further,conflict resolution between Suruguda and Chhatenpalli villages in demarcatingarea of protection and assistance of FD in shaping the committee to a formal setup has increased their enthusiasm helping the forest growth over years.