In Uttarakhand, a state known for its hilly terrain and rich forest resources, Van Panchayats have played a crucial role in preserving and maintaining the forests. These institutions were established with the aim of involving local communities, who are directly dependent on forests for their livelihoods, in sustainable forest management practices. The key features of Van Panchayats in Uttarakhand include:

Community Participation:

Van Panchayats comprise members from the local community, often elected by the villagers themselves. These members are responsible for making decisions related to forest protection, afforestation, and sustainable use of forest resources.

Forest Management:

Van Panchayats are tasked with managing and protecting the forests in their jurisdiction. This includes preventing illegal logging, controlling forest fires, and regulating grazing and other activities that might harm the ecosystem.

Afforestation and Reforestation:

Van Panchayats are actively involved in planting new trees and restoring degraded forest areas through afforestation and reforestation efforts.

Economic Benefits:

While the primary focus is on environmental conservation, Van Panchayats also work to provide economic benefits to local communities. They often engage in activities like non-timber forest produce collection and sale.

Environmental Education:

These institutions also play a role in educating the local communities about the importance of forests, biodiversity, and sustainable resource management.

Legal Recognition:

Van Panchayats in Uttarakhand are recognized under the state’s Forest Conservation Act, which grants them certain legal powers to manage and protect their designated forest areas.

Overall, Van Panchayats have been successful in fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among local communities toward their forests. This model of community-based forest management has received praise for its positive impact on forest conservation and rural development. It empowers local people to take charge of their natural resources and contributes to the broader goal of environmental sustainability.

Selection of Van Panchayats in UFRMP:

Van Panchayat (VP) / Village Forest Council is an autonomous local institution having legally demarcated village forests. They were formed for sustainable management and protection of forests and its natural resources. The first VP, approved by the government, was formed in 1921. Uttarakhand has more than 12,000 VPs managing around 4,96,185 ha. of forests. The area under each VP ranges from small tracts of land to more than 2,000 ha. All the community forests are managed as per the guidelines in the Van Panchayat Act (Find attached document Van Panchayat Act 2005). It’s the joint responsibility of the state and communities to manage the Forest Council. For effective results, the Revenue Department guides the forest communities.

When it comes to selecting Van Panchayat as part of an Uttarakhand Forest Resources Management Project (UFRMP), the criteria often align with the overall goals and objectives of the project. These criteria are designed to ensure that the selected VPs are best suited to contribute to the successful implementation of the project and the sustainable management of forest resources.

Here are some specific selection criteria that might be considered for a Van Panchayat in a UFRMP:

Eligibility Criteria for Van Panchayat in UFRMP:

• Approximate area availability (it is proposed to treat 50ha average area under each VP)
• Willingness of VP members to participate in restoration works
  Locations of certain VPs on SOI topo maps with approximate coordinates (Latitude-Longitude)
• Division/ Range wise list (which could not be located) have been provided to PMU
• Feedback on errors in plotting of VP locations, if any

Selection Criteria & Parameters of evaluation of VPs:

• Past performance of VPs
• Extent of forest degradation
• Possibility of VP cluster formation
• Distance from RF
• Population and Target group population Approach:
• Visualization / analysis of degradation and possibility of cluster formation requires study of maps showing VP locations
• Geographic Information System (GIS) shall be adopted to study such location-based information from SOI maps, FSI Forest Cover maps, Watershed Maps, etc.

Rejection of Van Panchayat:

• At times feasibility may be impacted due to reasons such as
  • Other on-going projects
  • Inactive VP
  • Non-workable area (rocky or very steep slopes)/ insufficient workable area
  • Alternate use by local community (grazing, etc.)
  • Old plantations
  • Final Selection after field feasibility report

It’s important to tailor the selection criteria to the specific goals and context of the UFRMP, while also considering the broader principles of community-based forest management. Ultimately, the goal is to select Van Panchayat who can work together to ensure the success of the project and the sustainable well-being of both the forest ecosystem and the local community.

During the Project, eco-restoration, livelihood enhancement, and community development activities will be carried out in 38,000 ha of forest area involving 839 Van Panchayats selected from the 13 forest divisions. Van Panchayats are chosen for these operations based on scientific metrics related to forest degradation, a cluster strategy, and socio-economic criteria.

PMU is headed by the Chief Project Director, who is responsible for the project’s overall execution.

• To head the PMU at State level and also the CEO of the Society.
• To Supervise and review the progress of Project Implementation.
• Allocation of duties within the PMU.
• Appraise the HPC and EC on Project progress.
• To Liaise with UKFD, Govt. of India, Government of Uttarakhand and JICA.
• Liaison with different Line Departments of Uttarakhand for convergence. Represent the Project within and outside the State.

The Chief Project Director is supported in the project’s execution by project Director and Deputy Project Director their main responsibilities:

• Aid and assist to Chief Project Director in all the activities related to forest development component and Van Panchayats (VPs).
• Preparation of M&E guidelines and various Project implementation manuals related to forestry.
• Review and consolidate APOs and casting of budgetary provisions.
• Consolidate progress reports, submitted by FMUs (physical & financial).
• Help in establishing GIS/MIS data base & thematic maps required for Project implementation and monitoring and Assessing training needs in the forestry sector.
• Liaise with district administration and facilitate timely elections of Van Panchayats and Conflict resolution within VPS and VPs vs. Gram Panchayats (GPs).
• Mobilization of VPS with respect to identified Project activities.

The PMU is currently collaborating with consultants for information on micro watersheds, livelihoods, and forestry interventions. The Consultant has more than three decades of sector experience and is a subject matter expert. The PMU consults subject matter experts/consultants with regard to the various elements necessary for the effective execution of the term.

ROLE OF FIELD NGOS (FNGOS)

The Field NGOs (FNGOs) are responsible for strengthening the capacity of Van Panchayats (VPs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) in their area of operation for sustainable forest management and improved livelihood. It involves community mobilization, facilitation of participatory micro-planning processes, convergence with other schemes and projects, providing guidance in income generating activities (IGAs), management of revolving funds to be provided to SHGs and to capacity building of VPs and SHGs in implementing the Project activities. FNGOs are also to assist in capacity building of community level resource persons. In executing the above tasks, FNGOs provide qualified personnel to be placed in the field and work in close coordination with PMU/DMU/FMU to achieve the desired Project objectives.

Selection of VPs to be taken up in the Project is being carried out in batches. Eventually a total number of 750 VPs are to be taken up in the project duration. Selected VPs would be implementing various interventions under the Project. From each VP, 2 SHGs (in all 1500 SHGs from 750 VPs) will be provided support for livelihood and income generating activities.

The FNGOs are providing the services of field level coordinators (FLCs) and Marketing Specialists (MS) for working with the local community of the selected VPs and facilitate micro planning, adoption of existing SHGs or, if required, formation of new SHGs, facilitating income generating activities, organizing various training programs, providing handholding support to the village community and convergence with different Government schemes.
At the DMU level, Field NGOs engage MS and field coordinators (FLCs) in batches at the FMU level.

MARKETING SPECIALIST

Marketing Specialist works in close coordination with DMU and report to DMU Chief/ DFO about various developments and the inputs provided, and also apprises his FNGO about the progress made at regular interval.

The indicative list of tasks assigned to Marketing Specialist include,
inter alia, the following:

1. To prepare monthly work plan of Field coordinators for assigned tasks for the purposes of SHG formations/adoption, capacity building and IGAs in close coordination with DMU/FMU.
2. To identify the training needs of the SHGs and organize training programs and exposure visits.
3. To guide SHGs in all the activities from identification of potential activities, development of business models and micro financing.
4. To mobilize subject matter specialists as per requirement of SHGs.
5. To facilitate linkages between SHGs and market, financial institutions and other schemes/programs to mobilize resources based on convergence.
6. To facilitate development of enterprises and setting up of cluster level organizations.
7. To prepare monthly and quarterly reports and submit these to DMU.
8. To participate in review meetings.
9. Any other Project related activity as the situation arises.

FIELD LEVEL COORDINATORS (FLCS)

Field Level Coordinators (FLCs) report to their respective FMUs and the DMU and are the link between VPs/SHGs and DMU/FMU. They require to carryout capacity building activities so as to enable the VPs/community in executing various Project activities. They carry out the following tasks and report to FMU/DMU in the format devised for this purpose:

1. Mobilize VPs for Project implementation to achieve Project objectives.
   Guide VPs in selection of Entry Point Activities (EPAs) and preparation of micro-plans.
2. Capacity building of village resource persons as per requirements of the Project.
3. Formation of new SHGs or adoption and revival of existing SHGs.
4. Support SHGs in identification of potential IGAs and developing business models with support from market specialists placed at DMU level.
5. Assist VPs/SHGs in record keeping and organise meetings.
6. Convergence with other Government Schemes in augmenting livelihood options for the community.
7. Record the progress of the field level Project activities as per requirements of the Project.
8. Organize various training programs and exposure visits at VP/SHG level.
9. Prepare various monthly reports for submission to DMUs.
10. Any other Project related activity as the situation arises.
11. Intimate FMU/ DMU while making field visits and report back to FMU/DMU.
12. Attend review meetings.
13. Send an account of the tasks accomplished to FNGO for review.

FOREST CAPACITY BUILDING INSTITUTION:

Establishing institutional capability and boosting governance structures that look after and manage forest resources. Building strong institutions is a necessary step in the development of numerous stakeholders’ skills, knowledge, and competence in the field of forestry, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local communities, researchers, and farmers. Key elements of forest institution-building include:

Training and Education:

Providing training programs, workshops, and courses on topics such as forest management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable logging practices, ecosystem services and involved in forest-related activities.
Technical Expertise: Enhancing technical skills related to forest inventory, monitoring, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and data analysis.

Community Engagement:

Empowering local communities to participate in forest management decisions and equipping them with skills to engage in sustainable practices, such as agroforestry and non-timber forest product collection.

Decentralization:

Empowering local authorities and communities to participate in decision-making processes and manage forests at the local level also Encouraging research and innovation in forestry practices to adapt to changing environmental conditions and improve resource management.

Networking and Collaboration:

Facilitating collaboration among different stakeholders, organizations, and agencies to share knowledge and experiences.

Building institutions and increasing capacity both support the environmentally, socially, and economically beneficial use and conservation of forests. These initiatives are crucial for combating problems like deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss while preserving forests’ ability to offer critical ecosystem services to both the present and future generations.