Date:07/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/07/stories/2006090700660900.htm

New Delhi

11th Plan to focus on inter-linking of forest managements

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Management planning for protected areas would be a priority in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan and each sanctuary or national park would be facilitated to maintain a database of information on its biodiversity and habitat status.

Making a presentation on the concluding day of the conference of Principal Chief Conservators of Forests and Chief Wildlife Wardens here, a member of the Planning Commission, S.K. Khanduri, said important wildlife habitats of the country would be conserved and protected with participation from people.

While steps would be taken to increase interfaces with communities, communication and surveillance of forests and wildlife would be augmented through the Integrated Forest Protection Scheme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, he said.

The Planning Commission would encourage people living in deep forests to voluntarily shift to the fringes to provide inviolate space for wildlife. An appropriate programme, including provision for livelihood opportunities, would be formulated as suggested by the Tiger Task Force to facilitate this.

Overuse of resources was identified as a major cause of land degradation, Mr. Khanduri said. Forest and biomass resources would be created in all cultivable vacant lands to strengthen the life support system of communities.

The Eleventh Plan would focus on consolidating forest managements by augmenting productivity and linking forests with livelihood and gainful employment opportunities. Non-timber forest produce must be handled well and provided market links to provide value addition and better returns to communities, Mr. Khanduri argued.

An enabling environment would also be created to encourage farmers to take up tree growing. The subsidised supply of raw material to industries from government forests would be discouraged while domestic and international trade of farm forestry produce would be augmented by support price mechanisms and exim/tariff regulations, the presentation said.

Involving corporates

The corporate sector would be encouraged to participate in the development of degraded land for forestry, without compromising on the priorities of local communities.