Community Forest Management of Protected Areas

Creation of protected areas, National Parks, Sanctuaries etc. are in the news world over because of endangered eco-systems, threatened wildlife and faulty bio-diversity conservation policies. India has followed the western oriented idea of notifying areas as national parks and sanctuaries under the "fence and protect policy" probably because of the enormous amounts of moneys to be handed over by western agencies to governments that would follow suit. As a result, traditional communities who have always depended on natural resources, mainly available in our forests, for their livelihood and needs are being evicted. This has resulted in centuries old traditional rights being all of a sudden usurped in the name of protection of eco-systems and protection of threatened species.

The forest dwelling eco friendly hill communities have in the past always ensured that the rich and diverse forest stretches are preserved and protected. For instance, in the hill state of Uttaranchal, which was created by the merging of the Garhwal and Kumoan regions of Uttar Pradesh, forest eco system is insulated against the forces of eco devastation mainly due to the efforts of the hill communities. More than 70% of the hill people are fully or partially depended on the forest. Forests cover more than 65% of the geographical area of Uttaranchal. This is more than the forest cover recommended for the hilly regions.
In contrast, the state of Uttar Pradesh from which Uttaranchal was carved is left with less than 4% forest cover. The percentage of forest in the mother state of Uttar Pradesh represents a dismal scenario. Forty-four of the 70 districts in Uttar Pradesh have a forest cover of less then 1% as against the expected 33%. Ten districts are pegged at having a green cover ranging from 1 to 5%. Yet another 10 districts fall under the 5-10% category while two have been registered as having a forest cover of 15% level. The total green cover of the State has been pegged at the 4.46% mark (as against the expected 33%). The total forest area is around 7.05%. This is despite the fact that laws, regulations administrative structure and bureaucratic matrix covering the forest stretches for both the states are the same. Elsewhere in the country, the ground reality regarding the forest preservation is far from edifying. The reason for this striking difference is not far to seek. The self imposed laws and regulations followed by the forest dwelling hill communities in utilizing the forest resources in Uttaranchal are the major factors in protecting and sustaining the forest stretches of the state.

RLEK is convinced that only those conservation strategies which are community based i.e. which assign roles and responsibilities to people residing in & around protected areas, would serve the cause of environment protection and conservation much better than the present systems.

It is with this belief that RLEK has prepared a Community Forest Management Plan of Protected Areas (CFM-PA) of the proposed Rajaji National Park by the Van Gujjar community. This community is culturally homogenous; it is a tribal community; it has a high level of dependence on the forest for survival; it has low economic disparity; it has clearly defined forest use areas; it has a good perception of gender equity and involvement of women. This makes it an ideal community to undertake the implementation of the CFM-PA.

This plan is the first of its kind for protected areas and its acceptance by government and its successful implementation would not only have a strong and long lasting impact on the local tribal community but could also become a replicable model for the national and international tribal communities and the environment.

The foreword to the plan has been written by Mr. Justice P. N. Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India and presently the Vice-Chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Commission. The plan has been submitted to the Prime Minister of India in a meeting he had called at the Raj Bhavan, Lucknow, on the 3rd of July, 1996. In the Rajya Sabha, on the 19th of July, 1996, in answer to starred question no. 145 with reference to this plan the Minister of State for Environment and Forests assured the House that with the recent emphasis on involvement of local communities in protection and maintenance of forests in consonance with the national forest policy of 1988, the central government are in the process of making suitable changes in the existing forest laws, including Indian forest Act, 1927 and wildlife (protection) act, 1972. The government is making suitable changes in forest laws to allow involvement of local communities in protection and maintenance of forests."

On August 16, 1997, Prof. Saifuddin Soz, India's Minister for Environment and Forests, released the book"Community Forest Management in Protected Areas.. Van Gujjars' proposal for the Rajaji Area".

This plan, prepared with the close involvement of the Van Gujjars, includes proposals which aim to provide "a practical model of community forest management in protected areas (CFM-PA) in which local people are the lead managers and the Forest Department role is that of supporter and monitor and a specific, practical structure through which to implement CFM-PA in the Rajaji area which assures environmental protection while respecting the needs, rights and traditions of local people."

This plan says that so far van gujjars as well as other local people have been ignored in Rajaji Park area policies. The Van Gujjars have been the primary target of eviction as they live in the core area. The plan proposes that the Van Gujjars become lead managers of the core area while other groups have lead management roles in relation to the resources and areas that they use.

The plan carefully analyses six major ecological problems of this area (forest deterioration, depletion of ground cover, weed infestation, widlife problems, soil erosion and forest fires. It presents several studies and facts to challenge the official view which mainly blames the local people and their animals for most of these problems. It documents “past destructive forest management practices, present poaching and tree felling, and the extensive system of illicit fees resulting in over exploitation by local people, as the principal causes of ecological problems.”

The plan shows that the ecological problems of the Rajaji Park area are “due to overall structural problems in the management system. The system must be re-structured with decision making authority placed in the hands of groups with the highest investment in forest protection.”

The van gujjars are particularly suited for CFM-PA as they are a homogeneous closely knit group with “strong social and ecological values. They have clearly defined areas of forest use both as families and a community, plus a traditional and effective decision making structure to enforce regulations. They are specifically motivated, and request that they be given the opportunity to manage the forests.” Some other groups of local villagers “are also motivated to take responsibility for management of minor forest produce resources and are explicitly requesting involvement.”

This is book is very reasonably priced at Rs. 395 and is available with Natraj publishers, Rajpur Road, Dehra Dun.

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