Chapter-3

Analysis and Findings of the Study

3.1    Overview

The major emphasis given in undertaking afforestation programmes by the department of forest, Government of Jharkhand has been to increase the area under forest cover with the help of community participation of fringe villages. To win the confidence of community people in the plantation programmes a large number of JFMCs were formed in all the districts of the state. It was also ensured that from the total allocation of fund for plantation schemes 15% of it should be utilized for the creation of durable community assets/infrastructure under interface to fulfil the most pressing needs as well as tackle the burning issues of community people. After September 2001, all the state plan plantation schemes have been conducted through Joint Forest management (JFM) system in which involvement of community people is prerequisite.

 This chapter also look into all the aspects related to the plantation schemes in order to understand the actual survival rate of species, current and intended benefits of the schemes, process of decentralization of forest management, status of community assets created, institutionalization of JFMC mechanism, sustainability of JFMCs, creation of village level common fund, involvement of women in these programmes, overall impact of the programmes on community people of target villages etc. In this regard elaborate interviews were conducted among forest officials, JFMC members and community people/beneficiaries. In addition to interviews, FGDs were also conducted at 15 places among community people with good presence of women to understand their view points on various aspects of plantation programme. Necessary information was also collected from all the sample plantation sites to estimate the survival rate of species and their health. Findings of the current assessment study of the plantation programme have been analyzed in the following pages on the bases of above mentioned indicators.

In the first part of the analysis,  discussion has been made on responsibilities owned by community in the plantation programme as well as impact of the programme on the basis of select indicators and subsequently analysis of plantation schemes have been done based on the sample plantation sites.

3.2    Different Role Played by the Community in Plantation Programme 

            Beneficiaries were asked a number of questions regarding their participation in indifferent activities of the plantation programme. Majority of them gave affirmative response in this regard but there were variations in their responses with different questions. The responses of the beneficiaries have been summarised in table-3.1. These responses have also been presented with the help of pie-diagrams and bar diagrams. It is as follows:  

 

Table-3.1

Role Played by Community People in Plantation Programme

3.2.1 Involvement in Project Implementation

         Majority of beneficiaries (80%) opined that they participated in the implementation of the plantation programme. A significant proportion of them were uncertain while responding to these questions but in due course they responded well when they were probed thoroughly.

 

3.2.2 Protection and Maintenance

         More than two third (72%) of the beneficiaries responded that they were part of the protection and maintenance of the plantation programmes in their respective villages. Those who replied in negative some of them were not fully aware about the current plantation programme.

 

 

3.2.3 Participation in Meetings and Skill Development Programme

         More than half (64%) of the beneficiaries replied that they had participated in meetings and skill development programmes during the implementation of different plantation schemes. Those who gave negative response (36%), a number of them were not aware of such programmes as when and where organised. See pie-diagram as given below.

 

 

 

3.2.4 Participation in Plantation Work

         A big majority of beneficiaries (89%) were of the view that they actively participated in plantation activities during advance work as well as creation. Regarding participation in the implementation programme, most of the respondents understood that they worked as daily wage labourers during nursery raising, advance work (cleaning, pit digging) as well as creation/plantation. It was also reported that women community formed major proportion of labour force.

 

 

 

 

3.3.   Socio-Economic Impact of the Plantation Programme 

         The sample beneficiaries in different districts of the state were asked several questions related to impact of the plantation programme on select socio economic indicators among community people. The responses of these questions were divided into three sections i.e., impact to a great extent, to some extent and not at all. The important questions put before them were increase in income level, employment opportunity, motivation for protection and maintenance, availability of forest products, participation of women in group work, access to safe drinking water and sanitation etc. These responses have been summarized below in table-3.2 and also presented with the help of pie-diagrams and bar diagrams. It is as follows:

 

Table-3.2

Impact of the Programme on Select Development Indicators

SL No	Indicator	Impact (%)
		Great a extent	Some extent	Not at all
1	Increased Opportunity of Employment	20	64	16
2	Motivation for Protection & Maintenance of Forest	28	52	20
3	Increased Income	12	60	28
4	Increased Availability of Forest Product	12	72	16
5	Participation of Women in Group Activities	16	80	4
6	Improved access to safe drinking water, sanitation	20	48	32
7	Improved Awareness	28	60	12
8	Desire for Self Development	12	68	20

 

 

3.3.1 Increase in Employment Opportunity

         Regarding the increase in employment opportunity, one fifth (20%) of the respondents expressed their view that it increased to a great extent. On the other hand a big section of them (64%) felt that it increased only to some extent. A small number of respondents (16%) did not feel any change in this regard.

 

 

 

3.3.2 Motivation for Protection and Maintenance 

         Half of the respondents (52%) expressed that the current plantation schemes motivated them for protection and maintenance of the forest to some extent. While 28% of the beneficiaries had their opinion that this project motivated them to a great extent to take care of forest resources and a small proportion (20%) of beneficiaries did not feel change in this regard.

 

 

 

3.3.3 Increase in Income

         Regarding increase in the level of income, majority of the respondents (60%) opined that     they felt it to some extent while 12% of them realized that it increased to a great extent.           A significant number of beneficiaries (28%) did not feel any change at all. See pie-            diagram as given below.

  

 

 3.3.4 Increase in Availability of Forest Products

         More than two third of the beneficiaries (72%) were of the view that due to current   plantation programme availability of forest products increased to some extent while           a small proportion (12%) of them felt that forest resources increased to a great extent. A        significant proportion of beneficiaries (16%) did not feel any change at all. It has also been presented through pie-diagram as given below.

        

 

 3.3.5 Participation of Women in Group Activities

         A large number of respondents (80%) expressed that this project gave an opportunity to      women community to work in group to some extent. A small section of beneficiaries felt    that this project motivated the women to a great extent to work in group. A very small        proportion of the respondents (4%) did not see any change at all.

  

  

3.3.6 Improved Access to Safe Drinking Water

         The responses of beneficiaries showed that half of them (48%) felt that this project was       able to improve the access to safe drinking water to some extent. A significant number of        beneficiaries (20%) felt that it improved to a great extent. On the other hand about one          third (32%) did not feel any change in this regard. It has also been presented           through pie diagram as given below.

 

 3.3.7 Improvement in Awareness

The analysis of responses showed that 60% of them felt improvement in awareness level to some extent while 28% of them had their opinion that plantation programme improved their awareness level to a great extent. But only 12% of the respondents felt that improvement in awareness level was not at all.           

          

 

 3.3.8 Desire for Self Development

The responses of respondents for the question related to desire for self development showed that 68% of them felt it to some extent. A small proportion (12%) of respondent felt this desire to a great extent. But a significant number of respondents (20%) did not feel any such desire for self development. The responses of this question have also been presented through pie diagram as given below.

 

 

 3.4    Social Change

         Regarding social change among the community members, the sample beneficiaries were asked some questions. The important social change indicators selected to assess the impact of the project were harmony, social position, livelihood opportunity, social cooperation, education or awareness level. The responses have been shown below in table-3.3. These responses have also been represented with the help of pie-diagrams, which are given below.

 

 

Table-3.3

Social Changes among Community People

 

 

 

3.4.1 Change in Harmony

Social change among community members as assessed through questions showed that 84% of the respondents believed that the project had brought social harmony among them. The number of respondents (16%) did not agree over the issue that the project had any impact on harmony. The responses have been represented through pie-diagram, which is given below.

  

 3.4.2 Change in Social Position

The responses of the respondents over the change in social position, 64% of them felt that their social position had changed due to current plantation programme. On the other hand 36% of the respondents had opposite view in which a few of them could not respond to this question. The responses of the beneficiaries have been presented through pie-diagram. It is as follows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4.3. Improvement in Livelihood Opportunity

The analysis of responses of the beneficiaries showed that 52% of them had improved their opportunity through this project. On the other hand almost equal number of respondent (48%) did not feel any change. It also included some of those respondent who did not respond or not sure about it.

 3.4.4. Change in Social Cooperation

The analysis of this social indicator had shown that the majority of the beneficiaries (88%) believed that the project had brought social cooperation among them. But significant respondents (12%) had opposite view in this regard.

 3.4.5. Change in Education/ Awareness

The responses of the beneficiaries on the impact of the project over education and awareness level, a majority of them (76%) felt that it had positive impact over education and awareness level. A significant number of them (24%) felt that it did not create any impact on education and awareness level. The responses have represented through pie-diagram, which is given below.

  3.5    Availability of Forest Products

         Regarding the change in availability of forest products, the respondents were asked             several questions to know their opinion. The main queries were availability of fuel wood,        fodder, food and nutrition supplements, NTFP for self use, small timber, large timber etc.     The responses of beneficiaries have been given below in table-3.4. The responses have        also been presented through pie-diagrams as well as bar diagrams.           

 

Table-3.4

Availability of Forest Products through Current Plantations

 

 

 3.5.1 Availability of Fuel Wood

         A big section of the sample respondents (84%) expressed their opinion that due to the          current plantation schemes the availability of forest products increased to some extent.         While the equal proportion of respondents 8% each were of the view that it increased to            a great extent and there was no change at all.     

3.5.2 Availability of Fodder

         Regarding fodder availability a big majority of respondents (80%) were of the view that it     increased to some extent while 12% said that it increased to a great extent. A significant          section of respondent did not feel any change in the availability of fodder. It has also been shown through pie diagram as given below.

 3.5.3 Availability of Food and Nutrition Supplements

         More than two third of the beneficiaries (88%) were of the view that due to current   plantation programme availability of food and nutrition increased to some extent while       a small proportion (8%) of them felt that it increased to a great extent. A very small       proportion of beneficiaries (4%) did not feel any change at all. It has also been         presented through pie-diagram as given below.   

 3.5.4 Availability of NTFPs for Self Use

         Regarding availability of NTFP for self use three fourth of the respondents (75%) did not see any change at all. About 20% of them were of the view that it increased to some extent. A very small section (5%) of them felt that it increased to a great extent. The responses have also been presented through pie-diagram as given below.

 3.5.5 Availability of Small Timber

         More than two third of the beneficiaries (76%) were of the view that due to current   plantation programme availability of small timber increased to some extent while 16% of   them felt that it increased to a great extent. A small proportion of beneficiaries (8%) did      not feel any change at all. It has also been presented through pie-diagram as given below.

 

3.5.6 Availability of Large timber

         Regarding availability of large timber 64% of the respondents did not see any change at all while 32% of them were of the view that it increased to some extent. A very small section (4%) of respondent felt that it increased to a great extent. It has also been presented through pie-diagram as given below.

3.6    Assessment of Afforestation Programme through Sample Check

A detailed analysis of the afforestation programme has been done in the following pages with reference to sample plantation sites, selection of species and condition of planting stock, protection and maintenance, community assets created under interface, peoples’ participation and role of women and NGOs, survival rate of species and reasons of damage and death of species, documentation and upkeep of records, current and intended benefits of plantation schemes, summary of interviews with forest officials, JFMC members, community people etc.

 

3.6.1 Analysis of Plantations Conducted under Different Schemes

   Altogether 244 plantation sites of different plantation schemes were visited to estimate the survival rate of species and their health. The plantation sites were selected through stratified random sampling technique in all the 24 districts and the concerned forest divisions. Among these plantation sites a total of 13,242 ha area and 2,13,84,492 lakhs plant species were found. While drawing the sample of plantation sites and area of plantation from each district it was assured that correct proportion should be maintained and the sample should cover all the plantation schemes and different year of plantation. These plantation sites were spread over 52 forest divisions and 76 forest ranges. The highest number of plantation sites was sample from the district of Deoghar (25) followed by Ranchi (17), Dumka (17)), West Singhbhum (15), Palamu (15), Hazaribagh (14), Saraikela Kharsawan (12), etc. In the district of Pakur and Khunti only two sites each were covered. Refer tables-3.5 and 3.6 for further information.

 

   The distribution of plantation sites in terms of scheme of plantation it was found that RDF scheme covered more than 50% (120) of the plantation sites in total sample and it was followed by QGS (83), MFP (21), SC& A (16), Lac Development (4) and also a few road side plantation. The year wise distribution of plantation sites revealed that during 2005-06 the highest number of 107 sites was covered and it was followed by 74 sites during 2004-05 and 64 sites during 2003-04.

 

Except one plantation site called Leda-6 (under Sarvil, Lazora, Chiniwadi villages), which was conducted on RF land, and rest 243 were conducted on PF land. Prior to current plantation majority of the area was degraded forest,             barren land, village pasture, ravines, etc. At some of the plantation sites there were natural degraded Sal and Asan forest with other natural vegetation like bushes of Lantana, Van tulsi, etc. 

 

The topography of the plantation area was hilly and undulating in the most of the cases while a small number of plantation sites were also located in plain area. At certain plantation sites there were wide variations in topography as features like hills, undulating patches, plain patches of land, ravines, degraded lands, etc. were observed. Regarding the soil category it was observed that in majority of the sites soil types were Laterite, Red, Loam, Sandy Loam, Sandy, Murmi, Rocky, Bouldery, etc. Significant variations were observed in soil type at a certain plantation sites.

 

3.6.2 Selection of Species and Condition of Planting Stock

The common species planted in majority of the districts were Amla, Shisham, Neem, Bakain, Bamboo, Khair Gamhar, Chakundi, Sagwan, Karanj Acacia Mangium, A. Springwale, A. Auricaliformis and some fruit plants on the demand of community. Other species used in different districts with lower frequency were Chhatwan, Simaruva, Arjun, Kaju, Jamun, Mahogani Harre, Bahera, Subabul, Casia Gluka, Sharifa, Semal, Tamarind, Kusum, Parari etc.

 

Selection of species was decided in group meetings with forest officials, JFMC members and community in most of the districts through mutual agreement. During the selection of species certain factors were taken into account such as suitability of the species in accordance with topography and nature of soil category, climatic conditions etc. There was constant demand of fruit plants by community people of the target villages and in most the cases forest officials obliged them by planting a few variety of these species in spite that they had poor survival. During the replacement of dead species, fruits species were used at several plantation sites as observed by evaluation team during field visit.  

 

Temporary nurseries were established with a variety of seedlings at the entire plantation sites in the respective districts. Since the plantation year of 2004-05, forest department decided that certain proportion of stumps of Shisham, Teak, Gamhar, etc. should be used under the schemes of RDF and QGS. The proportion of stumps to be used at a RDF plantation site was up to 50% while under QGS it was up to 25%. Stumps of these species were used with varying proportion at most of the plantation sites in different districts. But during the field visit of sample plantation sites revealed that the proportion of stumps used was negligible.  

 

The condition of planting stock was good at most of the plantation sites. But during informal discussions with the field level forest officials as well as JFMC members revealed that at some of the plantation sites seedlings were not mature enough, which were used. It was due to lack of adequate time while growing the seedlings in nurseries and also due to casual approach by concerned forest staff. It was commonly reported in all the districts that 2 to 3.5 months old seedlings were used at majority plantation sites.

 

3.6.3 Protection and Maintenance of Plantations and Assets Created under Interface

Continuous Protection Trench (CPT) was the most common protection measure was taken up by the forest department around all the plantation sites in the respective districts. Apart from trenches, barbed wires, stone walls where stones and boulders were adequately available, etc. were also adopted for protection at some locations a plantation sites. But such protection work was very limited as they were used at few patches to fill the gap where digging of trench was very difficult due to hard layer of rocks. Cattle guards /paid watch and wards were also appointed on full time basis for three years by paying 26 days wages as prescribed the government. The foresters and forest guards along with JFMC members and community people were also responsible for protection and maintenance of plantations.

  

The important assets and infrastructure created under interface activities in the whole state were installation of hand pumps, wells, tanks, construction and repair of village link roads and footpaths, pucca platforms, overhead tanks for water supply, and daily use items like solar lamp, LPG gas lamp, sports goods, chairs, tables, carpets etc.  Renovation and repairs of wells, tanks, foot paths, etc. were also taken up under interface activities.

3.6.4 Peoples’ Participation and Role of Women

The participation of community people including women in the plantation programme gave a mixed picture. It was average to low in most of the JFMCs in the respective districts. But under some JFMCs where members were having better awareness level and realized their obligation towards the current plantation programme, the participation was good and improving further. Participation of women in plantation programme was lackluster at most of the JFMCs.

 

In majority of the districts the forest officials were of the view that the maximum participation of community including women was observed during raising of seedlings in nursery, advance and completion work of plantation, etc. Soon after the wage employment period was over most of the community people hardly had any interest or obligation to take care of plantation. NGOs and similar other agencies hardly played any role in the current plantation programme as reported by forest officials and JFMC members in all the districts.

 

3.6.5 Comments on survival Rate and Reasons of Death of species

The average survival rate of plant species estimated for the whole state of Jharkhand was 76% of the plantations conducted during three consecutive years (2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06). There was some variation in survival rate of plant species across different districts. The highest survival was estimated in the district of Lohardaga, which was 85%. In the districts of Chatra, Garwa, Jamtara, Bokaro and Dhanbad the survival rate of plant species varied from 80% to 85%. The districts with lower survival rate of below 75% were Ranchi, Latehar, Deoghar, East Singhbhum, Sahibganj, etc. The lowest survival rate of species was estimated in the district of Khunti, which was 57%.

Scheme wise survival percentage revealed that it was highest under Lac Development (80%), followed MFP/Bamboo Plantation (79%), QGS (78%) and RDF (76%). In the districts of Lohardaga and Chatra the survival rate of species under RDF was highest (85%) among all the districts. On the other hand in the district of Khunti it was the lowest (57%). Under QGS the highest survival rate of 85% was estimated at two districts namely Simdega and Chatra. It was lowest (67%) in Latehar district. Under MFP and Bamboo plantation the highest survival rate of 87% was estimated at Saraikela-Kharsawan district while the lowest survival was estimated at Bokaro district (71%). Under SC & A scheme the highest survival was estimated at Giridih, Hazaribagh and Garwa districts, which was 85% and above while the lowest of 63% was found in the districts Koderma and Palamu.

 

On the basis of year of plantation it was highest (81%) during 2005-06 followed by 77% during 2004-05 and 71% during 2003-04. Similar trend was observed in majority of the districts as the recently planted species had higher survival rate. But in the district of East Singhbhum the highest survival rate was observed during 2003-04, which was 90%.

 

High survival rate of species was maintained through early replacement of dead species. Normally the replacement of dead species was conducted twice in the first year of plantation (in August same year and again July next year) at the respective plantation site.

 

The main reasons of damage and death of species in majority of the districts were unprotected grazing by domestic cattle, biotic pressure, erratic monsoon behaviour, droughts and intense heat during summer, wild animals including elephants, termite, damage caused by community, etc. Death of species also occurred due to shallow depth of soil cover, rocky bed underneath thin layer of soil, etc. The rocky beds become very hot during summer season resulting into death of species. For further detail see table-2.5 and 2.6, as given in the following pages.

           

There was slight variation in the overall survival rate of species in some districts between estimation of scheme-wise average and year-wise average. But such variation was not observed when the estimation of survival percentage was done for the whole state.

 

3.6.6 Documentation and Maintenance of Records

The documentation and maintenance of records in majority of the forest divisions and forest ranges in the respective district was average as observed by the evaluation team during the field visit of sample plantation sites. Although, it was claimed by forest officials of the concerned forest divisions that the plantation journals were prepared for all the sites but these journals could not be made available to the evaluation team in a number of cases. Several reasons were cited for this anomaly. It was reported that journals were under the possession of some certain forest officials and they were on leave or engaged in some other activities and hence could not be made available. It was a common pretension by forest officials of SF and Afforestation divisions that they handed over all the documents and records to concerned forest divisions (especially 2003-04 plantation year) and therefore, no records were available with them. Although, it was not very frequent but such state of affairs were faced by evaluation team in some divisions. The forest officials of these divisions should have kept a copy of all the documents and records prior to submitting them to territorial divisions. It showed callousness and poor management on their part.

 

The records of individual species planted at different plantation sites were not maintained in the plantation journals or at any level in the forest department, which was observed in all the districts. These records should have been maintained in nursery register while drawing the seedlings for plantation at the selected sites.   

 

3.6.7 Benefits of Plantation Programme

Forests have been perennial sources of livelihood to the community people of fringe villages since time immemorial. In the state of Jharkhand as well, a big section of community people have been availing these forest resources for their livelihood. The important forest products collected by community people were Sal leaves, Tendu leaves, Mahua, Chironji, seeds of different species, fuel wood, fodder for cattle, fruits, Tamarind, herbs and shrubs, etc. Apart from these forest resources, the community people have also been availing some small and big timber through illegal means. Some of illegal mining and quarrying were also operating in the notified forest areas, as reported by forest officials in some districts. Though, the current plantation schemes were able to accrue limited benefits but it had instilled a sense of confidence and desire for development among the community people of the JFMC villages. The concerted efforts made by forest department through a series of plantation schemes to revive the degraded forest areas and bring more areas under forest cover had assured the community people that availability of forest resources  would continue on sustainable basis. Group meetings among JFMC members and community people, their interactions with forest officials and creation of community assets under interface activities also boosted the confidence of the community people that the process of development of development had begun.

 

The notable benefits accrued to community people from the current plantation programme were lopping of trees, fallen twigs and leaves of Acacia group of species, which were available in huge quantity from the plantation area and used by community people as fuel. Besides, the plantation schemes also accrued benefits in the form of wage employment of 3 to 4 months and assets and infrastructure created under interface activities also benefited them to some extent. These assets were able to fulfill the basic needs like drinking water facilities (hand pumps, well, etc.), irrigation facilities (wells,  tank, diesel pump sets etc.), foot path and link roads, pucca platforms, overhead tanks for water supply, distribution daily use items like solar lamp, LPG gas lamp, sports goods, chairs, tables, carpets etc. 

 

Under the usufructs sharing mechanism, which were agreed between forest department and JFMC members, the community people would get a major share of the plantation when they were commercially exploited after maturation.

 

3.6.8 Summary of Interviews with Forest Officials and JFMCs Members

It has already been discussed in the preceding chapters, as scores of forest officials of different positions namely DFOs, ACFs, RFOs and foresters were interviewed in all the districts to know their point of views on current plantation programme. The main issues raised during the interviews with the above mentioned forest officials were physical and financial achievements of the plantation programme, the process of implementation of the programme, protection and maintenance, survival percentage and health of species, decentralization of forest management, sustainability and institutionalization of JFMC mechanism, creation of village level common funds, peoples’ participation including women, role of NGOs, limitations of the programme, most crucial positions in the implementation and management of the programme, etc. The summary of interviews is as follows:

 

Ü  In all the districts, the concerned DFOs as well as other officials under whose jurisdiction the plantation programme was conducted have shown satisfaction over the physical and financial achievements of the plantation schemes. But the DFO of Saraikela, Sri D. Venketeshwaralu was of the view that it could not be achieved up to expected level due to acute shortage of frontline staff (forest guards and foresters), lack of cooperation from community people, excessive biotic pressure, etc. DFO, SF, Chaibasa, Sri Madhukar said that poor soil condition and related factors affected the plantation programme.

 

Ü  Vis-à-vis the process of decentralization of forest management, the majority of forest officials were of the opinion that this process has been in the beginning phase but going on in the right direction. Forest officials raised a number of points that affected the process of decentralization. These were lack of awareness among community, poor livelihood opportunity among the community of fringe villages, low level of literacy, laidback attitude among JFMC members and community people such as unwillingness to take initiatives, laziness, low level of commitment, etc.

 

Ü  According to Sri Vishwanath Shah, DFO, Afforestation, Chaibasa, the process of decentralization helped in quicker and efficient decision making based on local factors. This process created more interactions, better understanding of field conditions, micro-level planning and benefits to community. Sri K. K. Tiwari, DFO, South Division, Chaibasa said that community people were involved in most of the plantation activities and their suggestions and opinion were given a patient hearing. The efforts taken by forest department, as regular interactions and meetings with community and JFMCs officials also accelerated the process of decentralization of forest management. DFO, SF, Chaibasa, Sri Madhukar stated that community people have started extending their cooperation generously to forest officials during the plantation programme.

 

Ü  DFO, Dalbhum Division, Sri A.T. Mishra convincingly said that decentralization process has started bringing positive results. The JFMCs have started performing in better way with good results. The committee members are now on the forefront in protection of forests, forest fire, illegal felling of trees, etc. In a number of committees a handsome amount has been collected, as village level common fund.

 

Ü  To ensure the sustainability as well as institutionalization of JFMC mechanism very little efforts were made in the whole state, barring a few exceptions here and there. Similarly there was no headway in the direction of creation of village level common fund. Creation of such common fund at village level would give a new direction to JFMCs in becoming self reliant in formulating future course of action in case there was no flow of resources from any source. A number of forest officials were found clueless during the discussion on this point and some of them expressed their opinion that they should be issued directives and guidelines from the higher authority so that they could take some initiatives in this direction.

 

Ü  In the district of East Singhbhum, especially at Dalbhum forest division, the issue of sustainability and institutionalization of JFMCs mechanism have been truly addressed. The evaluation team visited six JFMCs/plantation sites at Chakulia forest range under this division during the process of evaluation. In most of the JFMCs cultivation of Kaju had been incorporated along with other species. A number of JFMCs were chiefly engaged in Kaju cultivation. Presently majority of the JFMCs under Chakulia forest range have more than Rs. one lakh in their respective bank accounts, which earned by selling Kaju.

 

Ü  Prior to 2003, there was a common practice of auctioning the Kaju plantation areas and the entire funds used to go to forest department. Since 2003 the auction system was stopped and a new initiative was taken by the forest department. Under each JFMC village, three bank accounts were opened such as--- 1.) Village Development Fund (Gram Vikas Nidhi), 2.) Forest Development Fund (Van Vikas Nidhi), and 3. Management Committee Fund (Karyakari Fund). In each bank account of the three committees an equal proportion of 30% income from Kaju was deposited (total 3x30=90%) and the rest 10% fund was deposited with DFO office bank account by demand draft (DD). This system was strictly followed by all the concerned JFMCs.  The above system of fund distribution into four sections almost became an act. The forest department was yet to take a decision as how to utilize the money deposited in different bank accounts of the concerned JFMCs.

 

Ü  There was mixed responses by forest officials regarding the participation of people including women in plantation programme. In majority of the districts the participation of community people including women was below average. It was reported that participation of community people was mostly observed in good number during daily wages employment at the time of nursery raising, advance and completion work of plantation, etc. When the plantation season was over the community people showed little commitment in plantation programme. Other factors affecting their participation were lack of awareness among them, low level of literacy, poor livelihood opportunity in the vicinity of target JFMCs, etc.

 

Ü  To ensure higher participation of women in plantation programme, DFO, Dalbhum made a provision by reserving 5% posts of JFMCs presidents for women. Sri Viswanath Shah, DFO, Afforestation, Chaibasa said that the participation of women was ensured through membership in JFM Committees. Shri Maduhakar pointed out that there was good participation of women in most of the plantation programme in his forest division.

 

Ü  Regarding the most crucial position/official for the implementation and management of the plantation programme, forest officials especially DFOs said that forest guards and foresters were very important positions. It was further added that wherever forest guards, foresters stood at forefront and worked hard the results in the plantation programme was very good.  Some of the officials were of the view that RFO was the backbone of the department followed by forester and forest guard. Majority officials advocated that both forest guards and foresters were very crucial positions as they keep direct interaction and communication with the community people. But the assessment of evaluation team revealed that DFO was the most crucial position.

 

Table-3.5

Survival Rate of Species on the Basis of Plantation Scheme

 

  3.7    Grading of Districts based on the Performance of Components of Plantation Programme (On 1 to 10 Scale)

                                                                                                                          

         In the above section of this chapter a detailed analysis of plantation programme has been done on the basis of different project components adopted under the state plan by the department of forest, Government of Jharkhand. If the current assessment of plantation programme was analyzed with reference to survival rate of species and community assets created under interface activities, there would be small variations of grading across the different districts in the state.

 

         The final grading of each district along with average survival percentage of species has been summarized in tabular form, which is given below. The average grading of each district was calculated on the basis of 11 main components of the plantation schemes namely physical achievements, survival percentage, health of species, maintenance, sustainability, degree of peoples’ participation, satisfaction over perceived benefits by community, composition and function of JFMCs, role of implementing agency, flow of fund, planning, implementation and maintenance by JFMCs, etc. Refer annexure to have a detailed view of grading given separately to each of the 11 components of the plantation programme along with the average for all the districts.

 

         On the basis of grading given to each district it was found that East Singhbhum ranked at number one position with a grading of 6.7 and it followed Chatra (6.5), West Singhbhum (6.4) and Saraikela Kharsawan (6.2). Deoghar, Garwa, Dhanbad and Ranchi districts achieved an average grading of 6 in each case. On the other hand districts of Palamu, Latehar, Bokaro, Sahibganj and Pakur had the average grading of 5.7 in each case. Khunti district had the lowest grading (5.2) among all the districts. The above analysis showed that the average grading of all the districts varied from 5.7 to 6.7 making one point difference. Since the average survival rate in each district was very good (57% to 84%) and the physical achievement of the project was equally good, hence whatever variations found in the final grading were guided by the other nine components of the plantation programme as described above. Grading based on overall performance of each component of plantation schemes was not an easy task. Finally the grading of each district was estimated as an average of performance under each component. The observation and experiences of the evaluation team during field visit to the sample plantation sites, interviews with forest officials, JFMC members, community people, etc. as well as primary and secondary information collected from these districts also helped in the grading process. Table-3.7 is given below for further reference:

 

Table-3.7

Average Grading of district based on the Component of Plantation Programme

(Scale 1 to 10)