SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt

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