Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 19: The shared endeavors of Social Forestry Department and Gram Panchayats has substantially proved of huge magnitude towards creation of green assets in rural pockets of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir Government, after successfully establishing three tier Pancahyati Raj system in the Union Territory, devolved powers and responsibilities with respect to various departments, which marked the beginning of collaborated working between Department of Social Forestry and Gram Panchayats.
Vacant community/state lands under the control of Gram Panchayats are being utilized for taking up plantations which are being maintained by Village Panchayat Plantation Committees (VPPCs). Various successful plantation units have been established in Gram Panchayats during past 4 years under new decentralized working set up.
“The plantation assets are yielding benefits to local people in the form of grass and leaf fodder, fuel wood and small timber on equitable basis which is catalyzing the economic well being of rural people”, stated Nazir Benazir, member of J&K Executive Committee, CAMPA. The Executive Committee sanctions and monitors various afforestation activities being funded under CAMPA in Jammu and Kashmir.
The collaborative working between Social Forestry and Gram Panchayats is an apt example of responsive local self governance which can help accelerate the pace of development in rural areas besides making GPs self reliant.
During past nine months of this financial year, 27932.25 quintal fodder and 17982.855 quintal fuel wood has been distributed among 29043 households in 20 districts of the UT. An amount of Rs. 3.33 crore is expected to be transferred to the Village fund accounts of 45 Gram Panchayats as 75% share of the proceeds of mature plantations.
The Sarpanchs and Panchs besides other prominent civil society members suggested to increase the development of Rain Water Harvesting Structures in Kandi belts of these districts to ease out the issues of water scarcity. People are appreciative of benefits which have started accruing due to afforestation and Water and Soil Conservation works. Benefits like increase in agricultural productivity, enhanced supply of forest based produce and supply of water besides moderation of climatic conditions are the expected outcomes of these interventions.
Follow our WhatsApp channel