THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, April 9: Van Samitis (VS) are set to play a bigger role in the conservation, management, and protection of forests in Jharkhand. They will evolve into more active and dynamic bodies rather than remaining limited to office bearers. Sources said these committees will function as an extended arm of the forest department.
State to strengthen joint forest management system
Speaking to The Jharkhand Story, PCCF and HoFF Sanjeev Kumar said, “There are 10,500 Van Samitis in the whole of Jharkhand. The state government had passed a resolution on joint forest management way back in 2001. Now it’s time to rework and re-strengthen it.”
He added, “It can play a vital role in the containment and mitigational measures for the human animal conflict. My plan is that each of the VS will give training to 50 people of their respective contiguous areas to first get aware of what man animal conflict is and how well it can be handled without any harm or loss to either animal or human”.
On the issue of illegal arms like muzzle-loaded guns (locally called Bharutwa Bandook), he said, “It would be looked into as to how a VS can lend any help in this matter.”
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Focus on anti-poaching, water management, and community role
Officials noted concerns over poaching linked to such weapons, especially during festivals. The HoFF stressed strict action against illegal cultivation, saying, “Strict instructions have been given to all the district level forest division officials to curb and contain such illicit cultivation with all firmness of law and wrongdoers be taken to task”.
He also emphasised that forest land must not be used for illegal activities and said such crops would be destroyed on the spot.
Highlighting the role of local knowledge, Sanjeev Kumar said, “Van Samitis can lend a big hand in surface water management. The Samiti members have traditional knowledge like live water stream, catchment area, command area, etc., and such homely wisdom of these locals can help the forest department to have more and more check dams or water harvesting structures.”
He further said, “Van Samitis should identify catchment area, live streams and then locations where rain waters can be stored, which will help in building multiple benefits from recharging of underground water to water on the surface”.
Calling for stronger institutional participation, he said, “We have many instances where individuals are working for the forests and conservation. Their contribution is important. Now Van Samitis are a big umbrella. Here, the Van Samitis are to prove their worth. It will get a boost.”
