DEVOLUTION OF FOREST MANAGEMENT - Vasundhara

52.5 Forest Resource of the villageForests adjoining to the village are Bindha Reserve forest (R.F. ) and Bhalutungri Khesra forest.At present, Suruguda village is protecting 80 hectares of the Reserve Forest and 40 hectares ofKhesra forest (revenue forest). Bindha R.F. was declared as Reserved Forest in the year, (videnotification no: 1166FD/12F-M/2-152/62-CF, OFA, 1972).The forests is mixed Sal forests, the main forest species are Sal and its associates such as Asan,0Dheuru, Bheru, Sidha, Karda, Char, Kendu, Dhuben, Salhaya, Kekat, Banem, Khair, Gamharetc. The R.F. is on the hills and the lower part of the R.F. has a gentle slope and a dominant cropof Sal coppice. The vegetation in the upper reaches is dominated by bamboo.2.6 Village Management, Institution & Decision MakingWith the cessation of Gauntia system the control of Gauntia got weakened in the postindependentperiod. And instead many community institutions emerged. However,this does not mean that the role of Agharia community has diminished rather in newsituation in all most all community institution they play an important role.In Suruguda village, number of committees have been formed to manage differentmatters like the school committee Puja(festival) Committee etc. However decisionsrelating to village matters are taken in the village committee meeting in a collectivemanner.This forum is also used to solve disputes within the village. Normally disputesrelating to inter-personal conflict, functioning of other committee are referred to thevillage meeting. The affected person intimate the ward member about the dispute,who in turn calls the village meeting by circulating notice through Katuala 5 . Onlymale are allowed in this meeting and the women are not allowed. The decision takenin such meeting is normally adhered to. In case the matter is not resolved within thevillage or there is violation it is refered to civil administration.3.0 FOREST MANAGEMENT3.1 FORESTS AROUND SURUGUDA: THE CHANGING SCENARIOThe forest was in full vigour around 1950-55 when subsequent coupe felling by the governmentaccelerated the process of forest degradation. The last leasing operation (leasing of coupes tocontractors for timber felling) was carried out around 1970-75. During it’s better days, the foresthad a good concentration of trees like Sal, Bija, Karla, Bamboo, Khair, Gamhar, Kendu,Domkurlu, Kurlu, Vherua, Dhaula, Dhuben, Salheya, kekat, Banem, Sishu, etc.The forest got degenerated further between 1975-85. As one sees the following are themajor behind degeneration of forest in the year 1975-85.a) forest was leased out by the government to the contractors.b) Extravagant use of wood by villagers, especially by the Agharia community. It could beobserved that every Agharia house has consumed a lot of wood. At places one shall find thata whole tree has been used.5 Katual is a person who has the responsibility to inform the household about the schedule of themeeting