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Joint Forest Management Resolution
KARNATAKA
Notification No. AHFF/232/FAP/83 dated 12.4.93
- Ref: 1. G.O. No. FFD/75/FAP/83, dated 23.1.86
Letter No. 6-21/89-FP, dated 1.6.90 from the Secretary to
Govt. of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi
Correspondence ending with letter No. B2CR 100 100/MIS/90-91
dated 29.1.90 from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Bangalore.
Preamble
The National Forest Policy 1988 envisages people’s
involvement in the development and protections of forests. It has also been felt that
forest management programme need to be reoriented in such a manner that they respond to
rural community’s needs and that the forest produce, fuelwood, minor forest produce,
timber etc. are made available to the villagers preferentially, apart from a share in the
proceeds, so that village communities are motivated to identify themselves with the
development and protection of forests.
The Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, in
their letter dated 1.6.90 read (2) above have also issued guidelines for involving village
communities and voluntary agencies in the regeneration of degraded forest lands. They have
asked the State Governments to take appropriate action along the suggested lines.
The guidelines suggested by the Government of India envisage the
formulation of a Joint Forest Planning and Management (JFPM) Scheme charged with the
responsibilities of preparing plans for the development and protection of forests with
community participation and managing the same as per the approve plans. Grasses, lops and
tops and pruned materials are to be given to the beneficiaries free of charge, apart from
a share in the usufructs of minor forest produces and also from the final harvest of the
standing crop.
The Government in their earlier order dated 23.1.1986 read (1)
above have issued order for sharing 50 percent of the produce on all lands with the
mandays, panchayats, provided that the panchayats take care of the plantations after they
are 3 years old and until harvest. Further, it was mentioned that out of the 50 per cent
share given to panchayats, half the quantity was to be given at confessional rates to
small and marginal farmers and landless labourers and the balance was left to the mandal
panchayats to be sold independently or through the Forest Department. The balance 50 per
cent of the produce retained by the Forest Department will have to be disposed on
seigniorage rates to be fixed by the Government and subsidiary produces in the form of
fodder and lops and lops willbe handed over to panchayats for free distribution or at
concessional rates at the discretion of Mandal Panchayats. The bamboos produced from
Social Forestry Project were ordered to be given to the cooperative societies of STs at 50
per cent of the rate fixed by the Forest Department for the purpose of cottage industries.
As regards the produce from the plantations on roadsides and canal banks, it was ordered
to be retained by the Forest Department.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has stated the
"Process Plan" of the Western Ghats Forestry and Environmental Project funded by
ODA of the UK depends mainly on the JFPM and the ODA authorities have insisted for a
Government order authorizing the principles of Joint Forest Planning and Joint Forest
Planning and Management. Accordingly he has sent detailed proposal on the above scheme to
the Government for consideration.
In Chief Minister’s budget speeches of March 3rd,
1992 and 22nd February, 1993 announcement have been made emphasizing the need
for people’s involvement in forest management, covering Joint Forest Planning and
Management principles.
Keeping in view the Government of India guidelines and the
announcements made in the Chief Minister’s budget speeches for the year 1992-93 and
1993-94 a comprehensive scheme of Joint Forest Planning and Management for people’s
participation in planing, development, protection and regeneration of degraded forests and
other Government wastelands has been prepared after extensive discussions held at a series
of meetings convened by the Development Commissioner involving voluntary agencies.
Although, the Joint Forest Planning and Management scheme would result in people’s
involvement in a large measure, it is also proposed to involve individuals and adjoining
land-holders both in rural and urban areas, under a revised "Tree Patta Scheme"
and also tackle lands belonging to other Government Departments. However, the latter two
would be outside the Joint Forest Planning and Management Scheme and sharing of forest
produce will be between the beneficiaries / institutions and the Department.
It is hoped that with the involvement of village communities
under the spirit of Joint Forest Planning and Management, degraded forest and other
Government wastelands will be protected fully and will be regenerated, besides meeting the
genuine needs of the local population. It is also expected that this scheme of Joint
Forest Planning and Management would lead to more sustainable forest development.
Government have examined all aspects of the above scheme and
finally decided to supersede the earlier government order issued vide reference (1) above
regarding sharing of forest produce from the plantations raised under ODA/World Bank
assisted Social Forestry Project. Accordingly, the following orders are issued.
G.O. AHFF/232/FAP/86, dated 12.4.1993
The Government are pleased to accord approval for the
implementation of the following schemes with immediate effect. These orders supersede the
Government Order No. FFD/75/FAP/83 dated 23.1.1986.
Joint Forest Planning and Management (JFPM) Scheme in the State
wherein Village Forest Committees (VFCs) shall be associated with various aspects of
forest management like planning, implementation, protection, harvesting and sharing of
produce, permitting the Forest Department to incur expenditure towards setting up of the
Village Forest Committees and creation of the "Village Forest Development Funds"
from out of the provision made in the current year’s budget under the head of Account
"2406-01-102-1-19" (Plan) (State Sector) in respect of Village Forest
Committees.
"Tree Patta Scheme" for trees on roadsides, canal
sides and other similar areas including urban areas and sharing of forest produce between
the beneficiaries / institutions and Forest Department.
Scheme to plant trees on lands belonging to institutions,
communities and Government Departments other than Revenue Department with mutual consent.
The entire cost on raising and maintaining plantations in such
lands shall be borne by the Forest Department.
2. Sharing of forest produce under the above three schemes shall
be as follows :
2.1 Joint Forest Planning and Management : The total proceeds
derived from the sale of forest produce at the notified (concessional) prices as well as
in public auction shall be shared between the Government beneficiaries and Village Forest
Committees as per the ratios given below :
50 per cent of the Government.
35 per cent to the beneficiaries through Village Forest
Committees as per rules to be framed for this purposes and
25 per cent to a special fund to be called the "Village
Forest Development Fund",. This "Fund" shall be operated by the Village
Forest Committees as per the rules to be framed by the Government in this regard.
2.2 Tree Patta Scheme : Beneficiaries under the scheme are
eligible for 100 per cent usufructs. The final harvest shall be shared in the ratio of
75:25 between the beneficiaries and the Government.
2.3 Schemes of planting trees on land belonging to institutions,
Communities and government departments other than Revenue Department : The net income
arising from the final harvest of trees raised under this scheme will be shared in the
ratio of 50:50 between the forest department and the concerned
institutions/community/government department (other than the Revenue Department).
3. The Forest Department shall execute suitable agreements with
the respective beneficiaries (individual/village forest
committees/institutions/departments other than Revenue Department) under the above three
schemes.
4. This order is issued with the concurrence of the Planning
Department and the Finance Department, vide their No. PD 13 PFD 92, Dated 21.10.92 and
U.O. No. FD 515 EXPR.4. dated 16.1.1993.
Annexure
(G.O. AHFF 232 FAP 86 dated 12.4.93)
Aims of VFCs
With a view to involve people towards the planning,
protection, regeneration development and management of forest areas and other Government
lands degraded due to biotic pressure and to perform similar duties, it is proposed that
beneficiaries in the village constitute themselves into Village Forest Committees. The
formation, the composition, duties and responsibilities, the mechanism of sharing of
produce and other modalities of Village Forest Committees are proposed.
Areas covered under JFPM
Joint Forest Planning and Management shall subject to issue
notification by the Forest Department for each class, subclass or category of land in
respect of each village or group of villages shall be introduced in the following classes
of lands in the State :
Degraded forest land, where they canopy cover is o.25 and less.
Non-Forest government wastelands under the control of the
Revenue Department, like C and D class lands and transferred for the purpose of Joint
Forest Planning and Management to Forest Department
Roadsides and canal sides and foreshores of tanks.
Composition of Village Forest Committees
The Village Forest Committee shall be formed for any village
or for a selected group of villages. The general body of the committee consists of
beneficiaries who shall be as given below :
Any person belonging to village for selected group of villages
and interested in Forest Development and Conservation shall be eligible to become a member
of the general body of the Village Forest Committee by registering his/her name with the
Secretary of the Village Forest Committee upon payment of a sum of Rs. 2 per member for
the general category and Rs. 1 per member of the Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes.
However, only one member per family (consisting of the husband, wife, dependent, children
and dependent parents) would be eligible to become a member of the general body of the
Village Forest Committee.
Formation of VFCs
The beneficiaries interested in participating in the scheme of
JFPM may appoint few facilitator/promoters to enable a meeting to co be convened and take
other necessary action to constitute the VFC. The facilitator/promoters shall approach the
Concerned Range Forest Officer and declare their intention to participate in the programme
with a list of beneficiaries. The Member Secretary shall register the beneficiaries of the
village for the purpose of constitution of the VFC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
All Village Forest Committees shall be registered as
associations under the Karnataka Societies Act by the respective Deputy Conservator of
Forests before they can participate in the JFPM.
The Village Forest Committee shall register itself with the
Deputy Conservator of Forests (Territorial) having jurisdiction over the areas, duly
giving bye-laws governing its duties, responsibilities, powers and jurisdiction. It shall
also indicate the village level boundaries for all legal and administrative purposes. If
more than one village fall in the jurisdiction of the same Village Forest Committee.
All the general body members except the ex-officio members and
representatives of non-governmental organization shall be the beneficiaries of the Village
Forest Committee.
Ex-Officio Member of VFCs
In addition to the registered members the following would
also be ex-officio members of the general body.
Mandal Panchayat member elected to the area’s mandal
panchayat from the village or the selected group of villages.
Concerned village accountant
Concerned mandal panchayat secretary
Agricultural Assistant/Agricultural Extension worker/Agriculture
Extension Officer concerned with the mandal panchayat
The officials of the Animal Husbandry Department at the village
level
Forest activators/extension workers of Social Forestry concerned
with the village or group of villages
Forest guard concerned
Forester concerned
School teachers working in the primary school/middle/high school
in the village and
One representative from the local non-governmental organisation
if any (to be nominated by the Deputy Conservator of Forests concerned)
None of the ex-officio members including non-government
organizations representatives would be entitled to any of the benefits under Joint Forest
Planning and Management.
Managing Committee of VFC
There shall be a managing committee for each registered
village forest committee which shall manage the affairs of the Village Forest Committee on
day to day basis. The management committee shall also be responsible for due performance
of the duties and responsibilities of the Village Forest Committee. The Management
Committee of each village Forest Committee shall consist of the following :
Chairman – to be elected by the registered members of the
general body (ex-officio members including the NGO representative would not be eligible to
vote, but the mandal panchayat members represented on the general body may take part in
voting and may also contest the election for the post of chairman).
Apart from the chairman, there will be 14 others including 10
elected members and 4 ex-officio members as follows
Elected Members –10
Schedule Caste/Scheduled Tribe 2
Women members 2
Landless labourers 1
Village artisans 1
General category members 4
(women members may belong either to the general category of
Scheduled Caste / Schedule Tribe Community)
Ex-officio member 4
The Village accountant
Mandal panchayat secretary
One non-government organisation representative (to be nominated
by the Deputy Conservator of Forest concerned)
Conduct of election for Managing Committee of the VFC
To conduct the elections of the Managing Committee of the
VFC, a meeting shall be convened by the forester concerned and the revenue inspector of
the Revenue Department will be the Presiding Officer for such election and conduct the
meeting for electing members.
Dissolution of Promoters Committee
If the elections are completed the VFC is constituted, the
promoters committee, if any, will stand dissolved automatically.
Functions of the Managing Committee of the Village Forest
Committee
The tenure of the Managing Committee will be 5 years.
The quorum for the meetings of the Managing Committee shall bee
not less than 1/3rd of the total number of members (i.e. five inclusive of
chairman).
The Committee shall meet at least once a month. The meeting
shall be convened by the ex-officio secretary of the committee.
The members of the Managing Committee shall have the powers to
apprehend the forest offenders and hand them over to the forest authorities to take
further action against the offenders under the provisions of the relevant Forest Acts and
Rules.
The Managing Committee members shall have the powers to check
and prevent those indulging in forest encroachment, illicit cutting, smuggling and
poaching etc.
The Managing Committee shall have powers to seize wood illegally
cut and impound cattle for unauthorized grazing.
The Managing Committee shall have powers to levy fine for
unauthorized grazing as per rules to be framed and notified in this behalf. The fine so
collected shall be credited to the Village Forest Development Fund. The accounts of such
fines shall be maintained properly by the Member Secretary.
The audit of the accounts of the village forest committee and
village forest development fund shall be conducted by the local audit cell or the State
Audit Department at least once in two years. The audit committee and a copy of the same
shall be sent to concerned Range Forest Officer / Deputy Conservator of Forests.
Member-Secretary i.e. forester, shall be mainly responsible for
maintaining all records together with the cash book and other accounts of the Village
Forest Committee and Village Forest Development Fund properly. To asset the
Member-Secretary maintain the records, cash book and other accounts properly and for
errands, the Village Forest Committee may provide assistance of a clerk and a dalayat on a
part time basis as is necessary. The part time employees shall be paid consolidate wages
as may be fixed in the rules, and they shall not be entitled to any other benefits like
dearness or other allowances, pension, gratuity or PF etc.
The Member-Secretary shall be fully responsible for preparing
and maintaining accounts of the Village Forest Committee and Village Forest Development
fund. The accounts shall be approved by the Managing Committee and placed before the
general body of the Village Forest Committee once every year. The concerned range forest
officer shall scrutinize the annual accounts of the village forest committee and village
forest development funds once a year and shall report to the Deputy Conservator of Forests
for necessary action, if any irregularity is noticed
Other modalities fore the functioning of the Managing Committee
and the Village Forest Committee shall be governed by rules/directions framed/issued by
the State Government of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest in this behalf from time
to time.
Termination of Membership, Dissolution of the committee, etc.
If any member of the managing committee fails to attend
three consecutive meetings of the committee, he shall be removed from the membership of
the committee by the Range Forest Officer on the recommendation of the Member-Secretary,
after giving the member concerned an opportunity of being heard.
The Range Forest Officer is empowered to disqualify any member
of the Committee permanently or for a specified period, on the recommendation of the
member secretary, if it is found necessary to do so in the interest of proper maintenance
of the forest of the committee.
If a member of the managing committee is found guilty of any
forest office by a competent government or other authority concerned, he/she shall
automatically cease to be a member of the Village Forest Committee for lifetime.
If a committee fails to function properly, or if there are
instances of financial irregularities, misappropriation or violation of any rules and
regulation stipulated thereon, the Deputy Conservator of Forests concerned can supersede
the committee on the recommendations in writing of the Member-Secretary/Range Forest
officer/Assistant Conservator of Forests, without paying any compensation for any work
that might have been done prior to such supersession.
Appeal against any penal action by the Range Forest Officer
under clause 11(i) & 11(ii) above may be preferred to the concerned Deputy Conservator
of Forests. The Deputy Conservator of Forests may delegate his powers under clause 11(i)
and clause 11(ii) to the jurisdictional Assistant Conservator of Forests, if he find it
necessary.
If there is any confusion or deadlock on any issue, the matter
shall be referred to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, whose direction/decision
shall be binding on Village Forest Committee.
Maintenance of records and other papers
The Village Forest Committee shall maintain minute book where
the proceeding of the meetings of the Committee as well as the Annual General Body
meetings shall be recorded under the signatures of the Chairman and the Member-Secretary
of the managing Committee. Copies of all such proceedings of the same shall be sent to
concerned Range Forest Officer for record, immediately after the meetings are over.
Complete physical account of all works taken up and all
expenditures incurred including the details of forest produce permitted to be collected
free, shall be kept by each village forest committee. The details of the timber, etc. sold
together with the names of beneficiaries shall also be maintained. Such details shall be
sent to the Range Forest Officer in the prescribed from once in every quarter without
fail.
The officials of the Forest Department shall inspect the forest
under JFPM scheme frequently and suggest necessary action to be taken by the Village
Forest Committee.
Management Plan
The Deputy Conservator of Forests will select on priority basis
such sensitive areas, where villagers are willing to share their cooperation in
protection/.planning/regeneration. The Village Forest Committee shall be entrusted with
the responsibilities of protection/planning/regeneration, keeping in mind the interest of
the Village Forest Committee, distance of the area from the village, population of the
village, sharing mechanism of the forest product, etc. (as per the management plan duly
prepared and approved).
After a critical analysis of the protection issues and the needs
of the forest produce in the village, the Deputy Conservator of Forests/ (Range Forest
Officer) will prepare a proposal for the planning, management, development, protection
etc. of the degraded forest committee. If feasible, a preliminary socio-economic survey of
the village may be undertaken for the purpose. The management plan shall aim at
sustainable development and will include methods for development of degraded forest areas
for sufficient production of fuelwood, timber and fodder, distribution of forest produce
and also the regulation of cattle grazing. The management plan shall also prescribe the
quantities and modalities for removals of forest produce for procurement and distribution
every year. The management plan will be for 5 years.
The Deputy Conservator of Forests/Assistant Conservator of
Forests/ Range Forest Officer or his authorized officer will submit the management
proposals before the managing committee of the Village Forest Committee. The prescriptions
will be discussed along with suggestions of the Managing Committee. If any, If proposals
are required to be amended it shall be done.
After the amendment, if any, the management plan will be put
before the village forest committee for its approval. The committee will be informed about
the proposals and the execution of the management plan. These will be discussed in the
general body of the Village Forest Committee and final acceptable points will be agreed
upon. After obtaining the approval of the Village Forest Committee, the Deputy Conservator
of Forests will give his formal acceptance for the execution of the plan. This shall
become joint management then. Once the plan is accepted, it shall replace the existing
management/working plans.
The pattern of implementation of management plan working scheme
shall follow instructions and guidelines issued from time to time by Government or
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. The funds available under other Government schemes
may be utilized for the purpose of implementation of such management plan/working scheme.
If permitted under the relevant rules or guidelines governing such Government schemes.
The Forest Department shall utilize the personal labour of
beneficiaries who shall be paid for it as decided by Village Forest Committee to develop
the areas of JFPM. The services of non-beneficiary labourers could also be utilized on
suitable payment, wherever village forest committee desires.
The village forest committee shall ensure smooth and timely
execution of the various works listed in Joint Management Plan. The Forest Development
shall provide necessary technical guidance or assistance to the Village Forest Committee
when asked for.
No agriculture for cultivation of plantation crops shall be
taken in the land covered under JFPM.
The Village Forest Committee may carry out extension and
educational activities to facilitate the implementation of Joint Management plans.
Harvesting of forest produce shall be carried out as per
approved plan under the guidance of Karnataka Forest Department.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed by the Deputy
Conservator of Forests/RFO and the Managing Committee of the Village Forest Committee for
the due performance of the agreed functions of approved management plan. The model
proforma of MOU will be prescribed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for
different categories of area.
14. Duties and Responsibilities of VFC
The Village Forest Committee shall help the Forest Department in
preparing the Joint Forest Planning and Management plans for the areas assigned to it.
The Village Forest Committee shall assist the Forest Department
in planning, protection, conservation and development of forest areas and other Government
Wastelands, assigned to it in a village or group of villages, as per the approved
management plan.
The Village Forest Committee shall effectively perform its
duties and responsibilities as per MOU and Joint Management Plans and play and important
role in the management of the forests falling under its jurisdiction.
The Village Forest Committee shall also play an important role
in the development of any Government land assigned to it for the purpose. In case of
afforestation, the Village Forest Committee shall assist in identification of land, choice
of species and mode of protection. The protection of the forest and plantations raised on
such lands after three years, preferably through its volunteers or through paid watchmen
employed by the Village Forest Committee out of its resources.
The Village Forest Committee shall play important role in
enriching forests by preventing encroachments, regulating grazing, preventing forest fire
and illicit cutting, preventing smuggling of forest produce and poaching of wild animals
and such other functions which are needed to develop forest resources.
Other conditions stipulated for the JFPM
As regards the cost of conservation, planning, protection,
regeneration, development, management and the cost of raising and maintenance of
plantations of JFPM areas the Forest Department shall meet initial costs and for 3 years
thereafter.
No lease shall be granted on forest lands or any other
government wastelands to the Village Forest Committee since the purpose is limited to
providing tree cover to such lands based on the principle of JFPM.
In case of default by a beneficiary or a group of beneficiaries
or by Village Forest Committee as a whole, the penal clause prescribed under the scheme
shall be enforced.
Lands belonging to government departments other than revenue
department and community and institutions vacant lands may also be taken up for
afforestation, but these shall be outside the JFPM.
Role of Government Departments and Officers of the
Departments in the JFM
There should be conscious attempt to ensure that the
benefits from JFPM areas go to the people, not as a philanthropic gesture from a
benevolent donor, but as a responsible and honorable partner in forest management and
related activities.
The Village Forest Committee shall be organized as a sort of
meaningful partnership with communities to manage JFPM land. For this, the officials of
the Forest Department should be motivated and professionally trained in the processes of
Joint Forest Planning and Management .
The problems arising from the interaction between the Village
Forest Committee, between members of the same Village Forest Committee and the villagers
outside Village Forest Committee, should be arbitrated by the Range Forest Officer /
Assistant Conservator of Forests/Deputy Conservator of Forests as early as possible.
Leadership of senior officers of the department to provide
clear, coherent and unambiguous guidance and frequent site visits will be crucial for the
success of the scheme.
An integrated approach and interest shown by different
departments like Revenue, Agriculture, Horticulture, Irrigation, Forest, Animal Husbandry,
Sericulture, will be useful to make the scheme successful.
Senior Officers of the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests and
above should attend at least one meeting of each Village Forest Committee once in 6
months.
The success of the scheme shall depend largely on relevant
information and training provided to the members of the Village Forest Committee. Special
care should be taken to provide frequent information to the Village Forest Committee; the
members shall be trained properly in all aspects of forest management. Frequent visits by
Village Forest Committee members to spots of spectacular success and failure may be
arranged and regular self-evaluation by the Village Forest Committee made. Such visits may
be organized once in a year to areas outside the State where such programme have
succeeded.
Village Forest Committee should not become an extension of the
Forest Department, but these shall be strong village bodies, having functional autonomy
and independent bargaining power to get rural credits, bank loans and other genuine
facilities. All the government departments should take special care to ensure this.
On the request of the concerned Village Forest Committee, the
Forest Department/Revenue Department shall hand over the areas available under their
control (based on the priorities) and within the jurisdiction of the Village Forest
Committee for the planning, management, development and conservation of the forests to the
Village Forest Committee concerned, after MOU is signed. No lease or grant of such lands
to these village forest committees shall however be permissible or made.
The areas to be handed over for planning, management,
development and conservation to the Village Forest Committee shall be notified as JFPM
forests, but will continue to be legally governed under the provisions of the Karnataka
Forest Act.
The areas already developed under plantation raised under
various schemes like World Bank/ODA aided SF, NREP, RLEGP, DPAP, JRY and the plantations
raised under various watershed development programme may also be notified as JFPM forests
but will also be simultaneously notified as "protected areas" in accordance with
the provisions of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act before handing over the same to Village
Forest Committee for its further management.
Necessary amendments to the Karnataka Forest Acts, revenue acts
and societies registration act shall be issued separately to enable Village Forest
Committee to manage the areas assigned to them as per the management plans with full legal
jurisdiction.
The Animal Husbandry Department shall advise Village Forest
Committee on livestock management, including fodder development, stall feeding and
improvement in cattle breed.
The Agriculture Extension Officer /Assistants shall advise the
Village Forest Committee on different extension strategies to be evolved to motivate
everybody in the village to become willing partners in the management of the forest lands
and other government lands assigned to the Village Forest Committee as a sustainable link
with the culture and agriculture based activities in the village.
When the area are closed for grazing, an attempt should be made
to provide alternatives, especially to those belonging to proper sections and landless.
An attempt shall be made to help Village Forest Committee in
those areas where the majority is willing to participate in the programme.
Disposal of Forest Produce and Sharing
The beneficiaries identified through the Village Forest
Committee will be entitled to grasses, leaves and fuelwood free of cost, from the JFPM
areas of forests as well as other non-forest lands, upon fulfillment of the prescribed
conditions. The beneficiaries shall also be entitled for lops and tops and pruning free of
cost. The distribution of such produce will be supervised by the Managing Committee shall
ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the above forest produce to all the right
holders. The Committee may work out its own principles and mechanisms for distribution of
produce with a view to meeting the needs of the local population.
Regarding disposal of minor forest produce/fruits, timber and
fuelwood the requirements of the local village should be treated as a first charge on such
final produce. The surplus, after meeting the demands of the concerned villages, shall be
disposed of by the Village Forest Committee through open public auction.
As it would be difficult to determine exactly the local needs of
the villagers in absolute terms, 50 per cent of the mInor Forest Produce, fruits, timber
and final harvest shall until further orders be made available for local sale through
Village Forest Committee to meet the needs of the local villagers at rates to be fixed by
the Forest Department from time to time. The balance 50 per cent of the Minor Forest
Produce, fruits, timber and final harvest will be disposed of through public auction.
The proceeds arising from local sale by the Village Forest
Committee as well as those arising from the disposal through auction, after deducting all
the expenditure incurred on the final harvest and auction, shall be shared between the
government, beneficiaries and the Village Forest Committee in the ratios mentioned below :
As far as the degraded forest land and non-forest government
waste lands belonging to the Revenue Department are concerned, the sharing would be on
the following pattern :
50 percent to the Government
25 percent to the beneficiaries through the Village Forest
Committee as per the rules to be framed for the purpose and
25 per cent to a special fund to be called the "Village
Forest Development Fund". This fund will be operated by the Village Forest Committees
as per the rules to be framed by the government in consultation with the Principal Chief
Conservator of Forests.
Role of NGOs in the JFPM
The voluntary agencies /NGOs with proven track record may be
involved for motivation and organisation of Village Forest Committees for planning,
protection / regeneration and development of forest lands and other government lands
covered under JFPM. The State Forest Department should take full advantage of the
expertise and experience of such voluntary agencies and NGOs. While drawing management
plans, the NGOs should also be consulted.
The NGOs shall perform all other functions in the ex-officio
capacity of the members of the general body and the Managing Committee of the Village
Forest Committee. The NGOs are not entitled to any benefits accorded under the scheme.
If there are more than one active group of NGOs in the locality,
one representative from each of such groups may be selected by the NGOs themselves and
their names forwarded to the Deputy Conservator of Forests for nomination provided under
the scheme.
NGOs may play a supportive role in assisting Forest Department
and Village Forest Committee to develop joint participatory management programme and break
the communication barriers.
NGOs may assist in disseminating the information regarding
guidelines/resolutions for community involvement issued by Government/Forest Department
among village communities.
NGOs can play an effective role on an extension agency between
Village Forest Committee s and Government Departments.
Village Forest Development Fund
This fund is created on the account of each Village Forrest
Committee. The initial expenditure required for opening of the account shall be met from
the funds provided by the Forest Department in this regard. The fund shall be operated by
the VFC as per the rules to be framed by Government in consultation with the Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests. Fines and penalties collected by the Village forest
Committee as stated under the above rules shall be credited to this fund. Besides 25 per
cent of the final disposal of forest produce as per para 17 above shall also be credited
to this fund. All payments received by Village Forest Committees shall be credited to this
fund. Village Forest Development Fund shall be used only for the development activities of
the forest as per the approved management plan of the Village Forest committee. In any
way, this fund shall not be used for the benefits of the members personally or shared as
profit among the members.
The operation of village Forest Development Fund shall be in
joint account system in the name of chairman of Managing Committee of Village Forest
Committee and the Member-Secretary, i.e. Forester. However, the maintenance of records and
accounts relating to Village Forest Development Fund shall be the responsibilities of the
Member-Secretary as stated as paras 10 (ix) and (x) and 12(1) to (iii) of the above.
Tree Patta Scheme
The main features of the scheme and conditions stipulated
under it are as follows :
It is proposed to grant "Tree Pattas" to the adjoining
land holder both in rural and urban areas. Where no private lands exist about the roadside
or canalside or where the private land holder is not willing, the tree pattas will be
issued to other willing beneficiaries of the Village Forest Committee.
If no individual is willing to avail the facility of "Tree
Pattas" the village Forest Committee shall be given the responsibility of managing
the same. In case the Village Forest Committee is also not willing the Forest Department
shall maintain the trees along roadsides/canalsides in urban areas, if individuals are not
willing to avail of the scheme, the Forest Department will manage.
A normal rental of Re. One per tree per annum shall be charged
from the Tree Patta holder/village forest committee.
Usufructs and minor forest products/fruits from trees on
roadsides, canalsides shall be enjoyed by the Tree Patta holder free of cost provided he
maintains the trees as his own cost after the 3rd year of its planting.
The tree along roads/canalside lands shall not be cut except
with the prior permission of the Forest Department in writing. Upon such permission being
granted, the produce shall be shared between the Tree Patta holder and the Government in
the ratio of 75:25. The grant of permission will also be subject to the Tree Patta holder
agreeing to replant the areas in the manner agreed upon between him and the Forest
Department.
Beneficiaries are entitled for 100 per cent usufructs
The trees will be enumerated, listed and handed over to the Tree
Patta holder under this schemes.
To decide all matters concerning the grant and implementation of
the "Tree Patta" scheme a committee shall be constituted in each taluk
consisting of the following :
Assistant Commissioner - Member
Assistant Conservator of Forests/Range Forest Officer –
Member Secy.
Block Development Officer at the Taluk -Member
Chairman of the concerned mandal panchayat -Member
Tahsildar of the taluk -Member
One prominent NGOs representative, if available -Member
(to be nominated by the Deputy Conservator of Forests)
All disputes relating to the grant of implementation of the
"Tree Patta" Scheme shall be referred to the Deputy Commissioner of the
District, whose decision thereon shall be final.
Annexure
(G.O. No. FEE 94 FAP 93 Bangalore dated 16-12-1996)
Clause 3 Areas covered under the Joint Forest Planning and
Management
After sub-clause (a) of clause 3 in annexure to G.O. dt.
12.4.1993, clause be shall be introduced as follows.
"The state forests which are predominantly inhabitated by
tribal population or where the Forest Dependent tribals living in and around the State
Forests are traditionally dependent upon the forests for their livelihood and cultural
identity also be subjected to the Joint Forest Planning and Management involving the
tribals"
The existing sub-clauses b & c become c& d respectively.
Clause 4 – Composition of Village Forest Committee :
After the sentences "Any person belonging to Village
(or selected group of villages) and interested in forest development and conservation
shall be eligible to become a member of the general body of the Village Forest Committee
by registering his/her name with the Secretary of the Village Forest Committee, upon
payment of a sum of Rs. 2/- per member for general category and Re. 1/- per member of the
Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes "the following sentence shall be inserted and
the remaining words shall be deleted :
"Whenever any person in the village thus becomes a member
of the Village Forest Committee his/her spouse also automatically becomes a member of the
Village Forest Committee without payment of additional membership fee. For the purpose of
membership of the general body of the Village Forest Committee, husband and wife on every
family thus become the members of the village forest committee on payment of the above sum
by either husband or wife. However, for the purpose of sharing of benefits as per clause
17 each family will be considered as unit and not individual members of the family (family
is defined as husband, wife, dependent children and dependent parents for the purpose of
this scheme)".
Sub Clause (d) of clause 6 – Ex-officio members on the
village forest committee.
The words "Agricultural Extensions Worker"
appearing in sub clause (d) of clause (6) of the annexure 1 to the G.O. dated 12-4-1993
shall be deleted.
Sub clause ii of clause 7 – Managing Committee of the
VFC
The last sentence of sub clause ii of clause 7 of Annexure I
to the GO dated 12.4.1993 shall be deleted and its place the following sentence shall be
substituted :
"Forester or the Forest Guard with SSLC qualification, or
Agricultural Assistant, in that order of preference, can be nominated as the Ex-officio
Member Secretary".
(a) sub clause viii of clause 10 – functioning of the
management committee of the Village Forest Committee
The existing sub clause viii of clause 10 of Annexure –
I to the GO dt. 12.4.1993 shall be deleted and the following shall be substituted.
"The audit of the accounts of Village Forest Committee and
Village Forest Development Fund shall be conducted either by the local audit cell of the
State Accounts Department or by a chartered accountant once in a year".
Sub clause ix of clause 10
The last sentence of sub clause ix of clause 10 of the Annexure
– I to the GO dated 12.4.1993 shall be deleted and the following sentence shall be
inserted in its place:
" To assist the Member Secretary to maintain records, cash
books and other accounts property and for running errands the Village Forest Committee may
provide the assistance of a clerk and a dalayat purely on honorary basis. The honorary
employees shall be paid an honorarium of not more than Rs. 2000/- p.a. per person by the
Management Committee."
Sub-clause x of clause 10
In subclause x of clause 10 of Annexure I to the GO dated
12.4.1993 after the first sentence, the remaining sentences shall be deleted, and the
following sentence shall be substituted.
"The Accounts of the Village Forest committee and the
Village Forest Development fund shall be got audited either through State Accounts
Department or through registered private auditors (Chartered Accountant) and placed by the
Management Committee before the general body of the Village Forest Committee within 6
months of the closure of the financial year".
VI (a) Sub clause i of clause 11 – Termination of
Membership, Dissolution of the Committee, Appeal and Review etc.
The existing words in sub clause i of clause 11 of Annexure
I to GO dated 12.4.1993 shall be deleted and the following words shall be substituted :
"If any member of the Management Committee fails to attend
three meetings of the Management Committee consecutively, he/she will automatically cease
to be a member of the Management Committee.
Sub clause iii of clause 11
The words in the existing sub-clause iv of clause 11 of
Annexure to the GO dated 12.4.1993 shall be deleted and the following words shall be
substituted in their place.
"If a member of the Management Committee is found guilty of
any forest offence by a competent government or other authority concerned, he/she shall be
debarred from becoming a member of the Management Committee for a period of 6 years from
the date of commission of the offence through a resolution of the Management Committee of
the Village Forest Committee".
Sub-clause iv of Clause 11
The words in the existing sub-clause iv of clause 11 of
Annexure to the GO dated 12.4.1993 shall be deleted and the following words shall be
substituted in their place :
"If a committee fails to function properly, or if there are
instances of financial irregularities, mis-appropriation or violation of any rules and
regulations stipulated thereon, the Deputy Conservator of Forests concerned will dissolve
the Management committee by a speaking order only after due enquiry and giving an
opportunity to the Management Committee of Village Forest Committee to explain why the
committee should not be dissolved".
Sub clause vi of clause 11
Sub clause vi of clause 11 of the Annexure I to the GO dt.
12.4.1993 shall be deleted and the following words shall be inserted in their place :
"If there is any confusion or deadlock on any issue, the
matter shall be referred to the Deputy Conservator of Forests of the jurisdiction, whose
direction/decision shall be binding on the village forest committee and the other
concerned".
Sub clause vi of clause 11
After sub clause vi of clause 11 of Annexure to the GO dated
12.4.1993, sub clause (vii) shall be added as follows :
"The Management Committee shall meet at least once in a
quarter to carry on the business concerning the management of the Village Forest
committee"
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