WORKSHOP HELD ON JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Participatory management of forest resources deliberated

GANGTOK, 30 Sept: Forest Minister Bhim Dhungel has congratulated all the stakeholders of the JICA assisted Sikkim Biodiversity and Forest Management Project [SBFP] for their contributions and delivering on their individual responsibilities for the smooth operation of the project in the state. He further credited the achievements recorded in the project so far to active participation and concern from the grassroot level.
The Minister was speaking as the chief guest in the state-level workshop on Joint Forest Management for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources organized by JICA assisted SBFP, Department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management at the conference hall of Saramsa Garden today. The day-long workshop was attended by members of Joint Forest Management Committees & Eco-development Committees, Panchayat members, NGOs and community organizers along with officials and staffs of Forest Department.
The workshop intends to strengthen and spread participatory management of natural resources in the state through collaboration of all stakeholders. The aim of the workshop was also to create a common platform for various schemes and programs to strengthen the livelihood, ecotourism and biodiversity conservation activities implemented by the department through the participation of local people.
Speaking further in the workshop, the Minister stated looking at the visionary programmes and policies of the state government, the centre and other countries have extended financial and technical support to the state. While speaking on the SBFP project, he mentioned that the project has not only been doing well in the state but it has also created job opportunities to local people at different levels.
The Minister stated that the state has also recorded various landmark achievements in forest and environment and in the increase of forest area. He also assured to look into the issues placed by the participants earlier in the workshop.
Likewise, Special PCCF-cum- SBFP Project Director, SBS Bhadauria stated that the SBFP project is planned for a period of 10 years beginning from 2010-11 to 2019-20 which is being implemented in North, South, West and East districts through 26 forest ranges covering 180 JFMCs and EDCs. He also dwelt upon the progress and achievements under the JICA project.
He also stated that the micro plan of the project would be reviewed every year to improve implementation. The success of the first phase of the project would help to extend the period of the project in the state, he added.
Earlier, Conservator of Forest [T], YP Gurung spoke on joint forest management, while Deputy Team Leader PMC, Ganesh Yadav gave his presentation on the progress of the JFM. The workshop started with the welcome address by Additional Project Director, Karma Legshey and concluded with the vote of thanks by DFO East [T] Nombi T Bhutia.
The Minister also released the microplan of 45 JFMCs and EDCs which are taken as initial intervention village. Earlier, the programme also saw presentations by SHGs and Echo-Stream on marketing study of income generating activities.