JICA on Sikkim recce to inspect and assess damages as well as progress of Forest projects

RS13.12 CRORE SANCTIONED BY JICA
SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 03 Feb: Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] representatives are in the state at present to review the JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Project [SBFP] and to assess the damages to the infrastructures under the Forest Department incurred by the 18 September earthquake. In response, JICA has sanctioned Rs 13.12 crore to provide financial support to the state to rebuild the Forest Department’s infrastructures devastated by the earthquake.
JICA representatives, Miho Horikawa and Vineet Sarin, arrived in the state on 31 January and have been visiting various project sites of SBFP and are also visiting other sites to make spot assessment of the damages to forest infrastructures in the state by the earthquake.
The JICA representatives accompanied by Forest Department officials made visits to various sites of SBFP project in East and North Sikkim to review the progress of the project on the field. They also participated in the stakeholder’s consultant workshop on ecotourism held at Dzongu on 31 January where Mr Sarin encouraged the locals to take full advantage provided by the JICA to develop ecotourism in Dzongu and to generate economical activities and also to safeguard their unique resources. The team also met the Dzumsas of Lachen and Lachung and discussed the conservation and livelihood priority of the community.
The JICA representatives interacted with the officials of SBFP, Project Management Unit [PMU] officers and Project Management Consultants [PMC] in a review meeting at Forest Department conference hall today.
In the meeting, SBFP, PMU and PMC briefed JICA representatives on the physical and financial progress of the activities under biodiversity conservation and forest management, ecotourism, joint forest management and infrastructure development.
Mr Sarin mentioned that they have been visiting various spots to review the physical works on the field. He expressed his happiness with the progress of the works under the SBFP till date. However, he indicated that there was a need to speed up the pace of works as there were many more coming up.
Mr Sarin stressed that focus needed to be given on the quality and on biodiversity protection and promotion of ecotourism in the state. Ecotourism projects will be a flag bearer for the whole country, he expressed. He stressed that the project will be beneficial to the state for the preservation and development of its biodiversity in a more scientific way.   However, he stated that the main focus of the project is to improve the socio-economic condition of the people. He mentioned that JICA would like to support Sikkim to rehabilitate and rebuild its damaged infrastructures.
Mr Sarin mentioned that the response and support from the state government is exemplary and encouraging and indicated the government’s interest towards the promotion of ecotourism and biodiversity preservation. He also observed that the people are also enthusiastic for the commencement of the project.
Ms Horikawa also expressed her satisfaction with the progress of the project in the state so far.
APCCF-cum-Project Director [SBFP], Dr Anil Mainra stated that all the suggestions given by the JICA representatives will be taken seriously and will be included in due course. He also expressed his gratitude to JICA for supporting Sikkim morally and financially in the time of natural disaster and for lending a helping hand in conserving the unique biodiversity of the state.
It was informed that during 2011-12, activities for village and forest development, income generation and capacity building and exposure visits for JFMCs and EDCs were included in the selected 45 targeted villages initially and plantation on 100 ha of land in 25 monasteries and temples were carried out. To enhance the biodiversity improvement efforts, 5 JFM nurseries and 5 propagation nurseries to propagate rare and important species have been established so far and construction work is in progress to create 6 Range Offices, 10 Block Offices and 4 Check Posts. In addition various manuals on the Ecotourism Policy, Joint Forest Management Manual and Community Organizers Manual have been developed.
It was informed that to strengthen the capacity of the Forest Department staff, a detailed training master plan and training plan has been prepared. Development of the GIS and MIS capacity of the Forest Department is on the track as formalities for acquisition for software and hardware and creation of facilities are in progress. Under the project various major infrastructures like Office Building at Deorali, Training Institute at Pangthang, Butterfly Park at Rang Rang are proposed and works are in various stages of development.