Now, women roped in to nurture saplings planted by forest department
29 January 2020
Published by https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
INDIA – Dehradun: In a bid to increase the survival rate of lakhs of newly planted saplings, the Rudraprayag forest division has started an initiative in which local women in the villages will be hired to look after the plants. Till now, plantation watchers — with salary of Rs 8,000 a month — took care of the plants, but still the survival rate of the saplings had not improved. Under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act (CAMPA), several crores of saplings were planted in the state.
In a pilot project, one plantation spread over 10 hectares each in all the six ranges of Rudraprayag forest division — Agasthyamuni, Khakra, North Jakholi, South Kakholi, Rudraprayag and Guptkashi — has been handed over to women Self Help Groups (SHGs) for upkeep. Each forest division is given additional funds annually for the maintenance of these plants, and forest officials are of the opinion that women, by playing an active role, will not only help in safeguarding the newly planted ‘mini forests’ but will also ensure that saplings are protected from ‘forest fires’, which are primarily responsible destruction of saplings.
“Till now, each plantation is looked after by one plantation watcher. But it is not possible for one man to look after all the plants. Now, with SHGs in the role, we will have over hundred eyes and hands to safeguard the saplings, especially from forest fire. It will also promote transparency in the system as these women will be responsible for taking care of each sapling. They will also get paid for it. We have given a month-wise checklist to these women to which they will have to adhere to ensure that the saplings survive,” said Vaibahv Singh, DFO, Rudraprayag forest division.
Rudraprayag forest division is spread across 59, 867 hectares of land and has massive plantation of kachnar, gooseberry, bamboo, deodar and ringal — based on topography and location.
Environmentalists have praised the initiative as it creates a win-win situation for the hill women and the forest department. They say women had spearheaded some of the world renowned movements to protect trees. “In the hills, women have always been emotionally connected to the forests; for example, the Chipko Movement. Hence, it is a praiseworthy move by the forest department. It would not be taxing for these women to do the task as they go to the jungle to collect fodder every day,” said Padma Shri KS Rawat, founder of Maiti Aandolan who initiated a similar move in 1995 under which a girl plants a tree in her parents’ place on her wedding day and thereafter her mother takes care of it.
The women are all agog about the new initiative, saying the hills will be saved now, “These are our forests, we will always need fodder for our livestock. By protecting the plants, we are protecting our future,” said Manju Devi (38) of Mahila Mangal Dal Jakholi, Rudraprayag.
