Forests are a boon for humanity and ecology. Since times immemorial masses and tribals dwelling on its fringes have been dependent upon them for their survival. The blind human race for progress and development without basic concern for conservation of forests has resulted in large scale destruction and depletion of forests.

Forest degradation has generated several ecological and environmental problems and has bred many social infirmities. Consequently it is the obligation of all the stake-holders to infuse sustainability in the management of forests. Healthy forests are the quintessence of an ecologically conserved socio-economic fabric. To achieve the objective of improving the condition of the forests as well as poverty alleviation the Government of Uttar Pradesh has launched the Uttar Pradesh Participatory Forestry Management and Poverty Alleviation Project with the assistance from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) previously known as Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC).

The project aims at the participatory rehabilitation of degraded forests and the enhancement of the livelihood of the local people. Its basic objectives are to restore forests and to augment forest resources, secure sustainable forest management by improving forest administration, community organisation and active participation of stake holders, conserve and manage the wild life and improve the income of Target Forest Dependents and their livelihood options thereby improving environment and alleviating poverty.

The most notable intervention under the project is for restoration of degraded forests along with enhancement of income of the people living close to such forests. The basic approach shall be the adoption of Joint Forest Management (JFM) and Eco-Development (ED), emphasis on non-wood forest produce (NWFP), Community Development and livelihood security enhancement, capacity building and ensuring sustainability. The Total Forest Intervention area and the Joint Forest Management area under the project are 20200 ha and 60300 ha respectively. Fixing boundary pillars, drainage line treatment, renovation of 118 permanent nurseries, establishment of two units of clonal nursery and two units of Non Wood Forest Produce Research Centres is provided. Unlike conventional forestry projects, the species to be introduced will be decided by Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) based on their requirements which will stress upon NWFP (non wood forest produce) and fodder grasses with minimum emphasis on timber species because the forest dependents (mostly the poor) can benefit directly from the extraction, consumption and marketing of these NWFPs that are not controlled by the government. By this emphasis on NWFPs for forest development and management, the augmented non-nationalised forest resources will be utilised by the poor villagers and provide them with a source of food, livelihood and income generation. Most project activities will be implemented by JFMCs and Eco Development Committees (EDCs). With the technical support of the Experts and Foresters, JFMCs and EDCs will formulate micro plans which will be incorporated in the plan of the Project. The work will be entrusted to the JFMCs and EDCs and the project cost will be paid to them for the execution of the works.

In order to ensure successful implementation, the Project lays special emphasis on Capacity Building of the participating communities through thematic trainings, exposure visits and various institution building programmes. Training for all staff members of 96 partner NGO teams, members of 800 JFMCs and 140 EDCs and members of 3760 Self Help Groups (SHG) is provided.

The livelihood enhancement activities proposed in the project are directed towards training of rural persons/village level workers to increase their skill which in turn will lead to enhanced income. These activities include medical health care camps, promotion of indigenous social medical practitioners, development of peer health group, development of village agricultural extension officer, development of village masons for better housing, promotion of micro insurance, extension of school buildings/construction of JFMC/EDC office buildings, improvement of link road, promotion of biogas and improved stove, promotion of Solar lamp and installation of drinking water facilities.
The Project also provides for the implementation of Income Generating Activities through Self Help Groups. It lays down guidelines for SHG formation, Corpus Fund, Election of SHG management committee members, making Business Plan, Release of support Fund, Release of seed Fund and Loans for Individual Members. It also incorporates strong awareness campaign about environment and forests for the children in schools under ‘Children Forest Programme’ which will contribute to the conservation of forests and environment in the long run by encouraging the involvement of school children in plantation activities and by educating the students through environment related awareness programmes. This programme is to be implemented in Noida and Greater Noida, Lucknow, Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur and Agra districts. A total number of six hundred and fifty schools are estimated to be covered under it.

The UPPFMPAP will be implemented in fourteen districts namely Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Pilibhit, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Sonabhadra, Allahabad, Lalitpur, Mahoba, Hamirupur, Jhansi, Balrampur, Shrawasti and Chitrakoot embracing fifteen territorial forest divisions (Renukoot, Obra, Sonabhadra, Mirzapur, Allahabad, Lalitpur, Mahoba, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Chitrakoot, North Kheri, South Kheri, Bahraich, Shrawasti and Pilibhit) and five Wild Life Divisions (Dudhwa, Katarniaghat, Sohelwa, Kashi and Kaimur). The project period will be of 8 years (2008-09 to 2015-16) at an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 575.2 crores out of which JICA loan portion is Rs. 468.2 crores and rest Rs. 107.00 crores will be borne by the State Government.

For effective planning, implementation and monitoring of this project the Project Management Unit has been constituted at State headquarter level as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act 1860. At the field level Divisional Management Units and Field Management Units constituted at Forest Division and Range level, respectively shall be responsible for the implementation of the project in the field for which money will be allotted to them by the Project Management Unit.

The Project Management Unit pledges itself for successful implementation of the Project and seeks cooperation of all concerned.

Rupak De
Chief Project Director