SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
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322<br />
The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy <br />
International Conference<br />
JFM emerged as a tool for improving the socio-economic status of the forest<br />
dependent communities. This concept work with dual benefits, first it provide<br />
livelihood to the local people and halt the migration and second, it removes the<br />
pressure from the forest and help in the protection and development of forest.<br />
Uttarakhand is at second place in term of number of villages which have taken up<br />
joint forest management in India. <br />
2) Van Panchayats <br />
In 2001, after the formation of the state of Uttarakhand, the Van Panchayat<br />
Rules were further amended to provide a greater role to the Forest Department in the<br />
functioning of the Van Panchayats. The main functions of Van Panchayats are as<br />
follows: <br />
a) To develop and protect forests by preventing indiscriminate felling of trees<br />
and to fell only those trees that are marked by the forest department and are<br />
useful for silviculture. <br />
b) To ensure that there is no encroachment on Van Panchayati land and no<br />
violation of rules under the Kumaon and Sodic Land Act of 1948 and that<br />
no land is encroached on for agricultural practices without prior<br />
permission. <br />
c) To construct and fix boundary pillars and to maintain them. <br />
d) To carry out the directives of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in developing<br />
and protecting forests. <br />
e) To distribute its produce amongst right holders in an equitable manner. 20<br />
per cent of the area of the forest must be closed for grazing every year. <br />
The Van Panchayats manage forest lands under their control and members are<br />
entitled to rights; earlier, landless villagers had also been given the rights of users.<br />
The Forest Department provides necessary technical help in the management of<br />
panchayati forests. The share of forest panchayat income is about 80 per cent of the<br />
total produce. So far, 5.45 lakh ha land has been brought under Van Panchayats for<br />
which an amount of Rs. 732.04 lakh has been created as part of the Van Panchayat<br />
Fund. The total funds available for each Van Panchayat works out to Rs. 6,065.45 or<br />
Rs. 13.43 per ha which appears to be highly (State Focus Paper, 2007-08,<br />
NABARD). <br />
3) Education <br />
Crucial for social development is the development of women, youth and<br />
children of the society. It is important to address women’s development and raise<br />
awareness through education; the development of youths should focus on further<br />
training, providing employment opportunities, and making then self-reliant. They<br />
should be able to get both self-employment and wage employment. Children are the