Transforming a barren landscape into lush greenery

By Jaideep J.Shenoy

HASSAN, MAY 6. Social involvement in implementation of Government-aided schemes more often than not provides excellent results. This is better than suggesting a scheme to people, which is either alien to them in the form of technology or that which requires a level of management beyond them. The social forestry scheme implemented in H.B.Kavalu in Hassan taluk is one such scheme, which has yielded good results.

Located 25 km. from Hassan in Shantigrama hobli, H.B.Kavalu is an ideal example of what local involvement can achieve in transforming a barren landscape into greenery. Taken up for implementation in 1987-88 in an area of 152 acres at a cost of Rs. 10.66 lakhs, the once barren hillock adjacent to the village now presents a pleasing sight filled with fully-grown trees.

The waiting period of nearly 13 years has been worth it as the trees planted in 1987-88 are now ready for harvesting. The main varieties include acacia, eucalyptus, sissu and surgi, which are important for fuel wood, and fast growing. Out of the 2.28 lakh saplings planted, nearly 1.3 lakh saplings have survived -- a success rate of 60 per cent.

Local authorities say that the social forestry programme has also been undertaken under the Western Ghats scheme, the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY), the Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) and the RLEGP. With the control over the disposal of the forest produce being vested with the Karnataka State Forest Industrial Corporation (KSFIC), the local authorities estimate that the yield from the sale of first crop will be Rs. 7 to Rs. 8 lakhs.

To ensure continuity in planting even when the mature trees are falled, the authorities have left empty pockets measuring 15 to 20 acres in the area where new saplings can be planted. As most of the planting is done manually, it provides work to the local villagers who otherwise tend to migrate in search of work. In all, 20,000 mandays have been generated in first round of planting.

The villagers have expressed satisfaction with the progress of the social forestry scheme in their neighbourhood. They note that with local watch and ward being used extensively to protect the plantation, cases of vandalism or theft have been negligible. The villagers collect dead twigs and leaves generated naturally by the plantation for their day-to-day use, while ensuring that the natural eco-system is not disturbed in any manner.

The Forest Department vouches that the scheme has by and large helped in soil conservation and recharging of ground water levels in the area. Stating that the scheme has also provided a constant source of employment to the local people, the officials concerned say that the formation of village forest committees (VFC) will ensure better co-ordination between the beneficiaries and the local authorities including the Forest Department.

Under the VFCs, the villagers and the Government share the revenue generated equally. While the Government's share is remitted directly to the Treasury, the money due to the villagers is used to undertake local development works and to buy saplings to keep the plantations going. The process continues until the freshly planted saplings are ready for harvesting.

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Section  : Southern States
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