Integrated Afforestation and Eco-development Projects :
Government of India has sanctioned six IAEP projects for Kota, Jhalawar, Banswara, Tonk, Udaipur, and Sariska Tige reserve area envisaging plantations over 15000 hectares in degraded and barren forest areas during Ninth Plan period. The total outlay of these projects is Rs. 1800.00 lacs. All these projects are in progress.
Development of Non Timber Forestry Products including Medicinal Plants :
This scheme is being implemented in various districts of the state in which multipurpose species like Bmboo, Khai, Mahua, Bahera , Aonla, Ratanjot, Chitrk, Moosli which mainly yield non timber forest products are being planted.
The total project envisages plantation over 4000 hectares at an estimated cost of Rs. 536.99 lacs during ninth plan period.
Rehabilation of degraded forests by association of tribals :
This scheme has been sanctioned by Government of India as a pilot project for tribal dominated pockets in Udaipur, Dungarpur & Pratapgarh areas of the state for the period 1998-99 to 2001-2002. The total outlay of pilot project is Rs. 107.64 lacs in which plantation has to be done over 800 hectares.
Banas Project :
This is 100% centrally sponsored scheme which will be implemented to start with in districts of Tonk, Jaipur, and Dausa wherein intensive soil and moisture conservation measures would be taken up in agriculture, forest and wastelands in catchment area of river Banas. An amount of Rs. 800 lacs has been sanctioned for the year 1999-2000.
Based on the experiences gained and constraints observed during the implementation of various projects and schemes the department has taken certain initiatives which are narrated below :
Janta Van Yojna :
With the objective on involve VFPMCs and other institutions in executions of works in forest/plantation areas apart from their protection and management, the scheme of Janta Van Yojana was started in the year 1996-97. Under this scheme, the work of plantation & protection responsibility in a particullar area are given for five years to a VFPMC, Gram panchayat, Sainik Kalyan Sangathan or experienced NGO and according to the work done by it , the payment is dade.
Transparency in Works :
Department has taken the following steps to ensure transparency in different afforestation works. As a result of these steps, quality and quantity of various works has tremendously improved.
- VFPMC is being constituted and microplaning exercise is being conducted before under taking the plantation work in a village.
- The plantation area is being divided in small plots based on either the natural features of the work site or by distinct marking in hte area. The size of the plots may very from 2-5 ha. and work measurements are recorded plot wise so that these can be test checked easily.
- A modified plantation card is being maintained for every site showing the sketch map of the site as well as the details of plot wise activities undertaken in the area.
- A board is being fixed on each plantation site having the site map of the area and other details of the plantation.
Monitoring and Evaluation :
To assess the performance of the various afforestation activities of the department regular monitoring and evaluation is carried out at the headquarter . regional and division level. The survival percentage and the success of plantations are assessed on the bases of either total enumeration or sample plot enumeration. are assessed on the basis of either total enumeration or sample plot enumeration.
Besides in-house concurrent evaluation of the various afforestation activities independent evaluation through the state and national level consultants is also being done to evaluate the performances of the on going Externally Aided projects.
The results of concurrent evaluation are very encouraging, as the survival percentage of plants has been found between 55% to 94 %. Thus the average survival percentage comes over 75 % in the plantations
Amrita Devi Vishnoi Smriti Award :
In remembrance of the sacrifice made by Amrita Devi Vishnoi and others in village Khejadli for protecting trees the state government has instituted the " Amritl Devi Vishnoi Smriti Award" in the year 1997. An award of Rs.5000/- is given to a VFPMC/Panchyat/Village level institution for doing commendable work of forest protection and Development. Two awards of Rs. 25,000/- each are given to individuals who have done commendable work in forestry development and conservation or wildlife protection and conservation.
