Public Hearing on Joint Forest Management (JFM), held in Sandni village (Southern Rajasthan) on 30th October

A public hearing was organised by Lok Van Vikas Parishad Pratapgarh, in collaboration with Society for Promotion of Wastelands Development (New Delhi) and Prayas (Devgarh). The purpose of the pulic hearing was to get the views of the local communities actively engaged in Forest protection. Sandni being the first Village Forest Protection Committee (VFPC) to be registered in Pratapgarh Block, was chosen as the venue for the hearing.

The meeting was attended by over 500. People from 42 forest protection commitees some located as far away as 80-90 Kms away from Sandni participated. The participants also included journaists, NGOs and others interested in JFM. The pnael comprised of Shri Samar Singh retd Secretary to Government of India, Dr. A. K. Banerjee known in India and abroad for starting the Arabari experiment on JFM in west Bengal. Shri Sawai Singh, Chairman Rajasthan Samagrah Seva Sansthan, Bal Mukund Sanadiya, Chairman Prayas and Shri V. K. Misra Executive Director SPWD.

One after the other representatives from the forest protection committees addressed the meeting and the panelists in giving details of the work carried out by the VFPCs, problems being faced by them and what kept them motivated despite the problems. The major issues that came up in the VFPC presentations were

1. The village people did not buy the forest departments argument that Natural Forests come up witout any contribution from the local community. More than one presentation brought home the point that the VFPCs had indeed invested a lot lot in terms of mandays to protect the natural forests.

2. They were having problems in stopping illegal trafficing of wood in thier areas because of lack of cooperation from the forest Department. A striking example cited by Gotra during during the public hearing was that of the same truck being caught in the forest four times, but being let off because help from the local forest officials. In this case an attempt was also made to sience and discredit the VFPC chairman by offering him money. As it happened, the chairman deposited the money in the VFPC bank account as fine collected.

3. In most VFPC presentations, it was apparent that healthy forests were the overiding concern. It was clear that the people saw thier survival and that of thier future generations related to good forests in the area.

4. A number of presenters seemed absolutely clear that the hope for protecting the forest lay in keeping the local communities involved.

Senior Forest Officers opted to stay awayn from the public hearing despite having been invited . The forest Department was represented by Shri Mukut Singh ACF, rangers and Foresters. Shri Singh while addressing the gathering mentioned that all governemnt policies, including policies on forests, was meant to be people oriented . It was possible that some distortion creep into the efforts to implement the policies. This needs to be sorted out through dialogue.

In the end the gathering was addressed by the panelists.

Shri Sawai Singh expressed surprise that despite heavy investments being made, both in terms of manpower and funds, the forest cover has shrunk drastically. In his opinion the major reason was lack of true democracy and accountability . Instead of the governement serving the people, it was people serving the government. Leave alone the people , even Prayas could not get information out of the forest department despite trying for six months. On the one hand governemnt is talking of gram swaraj and giving more rights in the ward sabha, on the other it is coming up with anti people policies like the land aqusition act etc.

Dr. Banerjee said that he had been to many parts of India in connection with forest protection and mangement by people, but he had not seen such enthusiastic participation by the local communities . He was heartened to see the regeneration of the forest as a result of the community efforts to protect it in lieu of the benefits they envisage from it. It has now been proved that unless people living near the forest protect it, no forest department can do so. He was happy that the women came to the meeting in large numbers , but remarked that more of them should have spoken at the meeting.

Shri V. K. Misra on behalf of SPWD mentioned that the views articulated by the participants needed to be conveyed to the central and State Governments. A delegation led by VFPC members should be constituted for the purpose.

Shri B.M. Sanadia mentioned that forests could not be viewed only in terms of thier economic value. We alos have to take into account thier role in the sense of well being they have provided to the the people . There was a need to start a movement for forest regeneration and protection of forests jointly with people was a right step towards this.

Shri Samar Singh reiterated that in a Democracy the involvement of people was essential. The organisers will take up the issues raised. He was happy that the protection of the forestrs was a major priority for the people. he streessed the need for the people and the forest department to work together to sort out the issues in a true spirit of partnership. He felt it was unfortunate that the forest department could not attend for whatever reasons. He highlighted the need to raise the issues at Jaipur level

The meeting closed with a rally through the town of Pratapgarh.