In a developing country like India, forest sustainability can be achieved if the basic needs of the communities’ are addressed. The recent realisation and growing recognition of community participation has become the focus of attention in the field of natural resource management. This concept is known by different names such as community forest management, collaborative forest management, Joint Forest Management and Social Forestry. There are three main principles applied in this new forest management system which are 1) Awareness and institutional arrangement for forest conservation; 2) Policy, practices and monitoring mechanism of sustainable forest management operations; 3) Sustainable harvesting mechanism, value addition and marketing. All such operation should be examined in terms of economic viability, social acceptance and ecological safety.

The mission and vision and the operational plan together with monitoring mechanism has been designed at PPA in such a way that basic needs of the people living in and around the forest area are met and the members of the community are involved as partner with the strategy to integrate social and economic development with environmental protection, and integrating different sectors such as solar energy, water irrigation, agriculture, animal husbandry, over and above the rural development.

The PPAs of Jabarra Dugli and Sankra Chandanbahera have been established in consonance with IUCN category VI where the focus has been on the management of the protected area to ensure long-term protection and maintenance of biological diversity, while also providing a sustainable flow of natural products and services to meet the community needs.

The goal of the PPA can be achieved by adopting integrated ecosystem approach. Integrated ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. It is based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization which encompass the essential processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems.

Thus, the application of the ecosystem approach helps to reach a balance of the three objectives of conservation; sustainable use; and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

The findings of the study can be analysed keeping in mind the principles of the ecosystem approach.

Principles of the ecosystem approach (CBD guidelines Decision V/6)

Principle 1:
The objectives of management of land, water and living resources are a matter of societal choice.

It has been revealed through the study that people living under the PPA area, depend on the forest and other natural resources like land, water for survival. Hence, the sustainable management of the forest has been a choice they have made themselves. 

With the realisation that a large proportion of the agriculture based rural population depends heavily on forest resources for subsistence energy, fodder, nutrition, medicines, income and the maintenance of farming systems, experiments in participatory management of natural resources involving communities have been attempted to transform relationship between state forestry bureaucracies and local people. Approaches have included PPA project based plantations and dissemination of wood saving technologies such as solar energy within local communities.

Nurseries, agro-forestry, input for agriculture have been identified as some of the strategic approaches to meet the challenges of sustainable livelihood of the people. This approach is aimed at addressing the increasingly scarce resources including land and raw material availability with agriculture and forestry viewed as mutually compatible and complementary. The integration of different natural resources has been aimed to create a larger productive base for the community.

Principle 2:
Management should be decentralized to the lowest appropriate level.

For effective decentralization, in addition to policy, empowering people and building capacity will determine it’s future. In case of PPA, the proper design of creating awareness and series of training from time to time has brought obvious change. To provide incentives and motivations for improving the socio-economic status of the village communities the training has helped to develop a positive attitude for the forests and its sustainable management. During the implementation process, the community had received motivations through awareness, knowledge and capacity building programs, monetary (subsidy) and non-monetary incentives as well as direct and indirect benefits relating livelihood. This resulted in development of positive perception and attitude which was reflected in their positive behaviours. Such empowerment has helped the community not only to understand their rights but also responsibilities and take effective decision while allocating the resources for protection, fire control, engaging labourers during coup felling, raising fund by supplying paid solar energy etc.

The PPAs established in the areas where JFM is being practiced and the JFM committees formed have been functioning for a number of years are as follows:

Dugli Jabarra PPA

The JFM committees are provided with protection money at the rate of Rs 300 per ha to ensure protection of the PPA area from fire, grazing, illicit felling etc. This is unique in case of PPA whereas other JFM committees where PPA is not being practiced are not getting the protection money. The committee members decide about employing the watchers and fix the wage rate. They are also being empowered to utilize the funds received form the timber sharing as well as for development purposes as per the consensus of the committee. The protection money is transferred to the account of the committee directly by the MFP Federation. The president of the committee and the forester is the joint signatory for the bank account. The samities have spent the money for protection purposes as well as other developmental activities at the village level. They have also been involved in monitoring of the forest resources by themselves, keeping the records and also analyzing the trends in the forest. They are also empowered for collection, processing, value addition and marketing of the NTFPs at the processing units at Dugli and Sankra.  

Dugli Jabarra PPA

Principle 3:
Ecosystem managers should consider the effects (actual or potential) of their activities on adjacent and other ecosystems.

The samity members have been educated and trained on the potential impact of their existing practices of harvesting different forest produces like aonla, mahua leaf, kalmegh, tikhur etc., and are in turn being trained on adopting non destructive harvesting of the species. The samity members have been educated and trained on the potential impact of their existing practices of harvesting different forest produces like aonla, mahua leaf, kalmegh, tikhur etc and are in turn being trained on adopting non destructive harvesting of the species which has resulted in regeneration of the species which could be observed through the yearly grid survey data. They are adopting the non destructive harvesting practices in both PPA and non PPA area. 

Community participation for combating forest fire

Forest protection against fire has immense role in forest health, regeneration and wildlife conservation. Participation of the community as one of their responsibilities to fight against fire has brought significant change. The plant survival rate has increased after the number of the fires incidences reduced. The affect of intervention on the number of fire incidence in plantations and nearby forests areas was evaluated.

Through the focus group discussion it has been found that there was a significant reduction in forest fire incidences. Fire watchers were identified by the community and were trained by the forest department. Watchers hut are established in the fire prone forest area. Initially community were not proactive in fire fighting exercise but gradually they became active and have brought significant change in reducing the occurrence of forest fire. The analysis indicate that involving communities in forestry activities have helped in reducing the number of forest fire cases. It has also developed a sense of ownership due to perceived benefit. They now feel concerned about the health of forests.

Gauging the relevance of fire control in plantations and forest areas, assessment of the capacity building programs including orientation activities was conducted, to test the efficacy in controlling forest fires. Through awareness programs people learn to value the forests for tangible and intangible benefits.

Soil Conservation

Soil erosion due to diminishing forest cover and net water availability (in streams and springs) is a related major issues, highly dependent on the land use. Different type of soil cover has effect on both water quality and quantity.

Communities’ perception about the relative advantages of soil conservation measures

After establishing the PPA the villagers like Dayaram of Munaikera village shared that the soil erosion has been arrested due to forest conservation which has resulted in improved agricultural productivity. During FGDs held at Jabarra, the villagers shared that PPA has resulted in raising the level of well water during the dry season.

Communities’ perception about the benefits of activities in agriculture

At the focus group discussion and through semi structured interview, it was found that the members of the community have perceived the benefit of PPA project in different areas. The protection measures taken by the community has brought significant improvement in soil conservation that in turn has improved the productivity of agricultural crop. Not only that, introduction of biofertiliser, capacity building of the community on the agricultural technique has also resulted better yield of production. Awareness, knowledge, financial inputs and above all the market has helped economic gain to the community.

Controlled grazing and livestock management

While the PPA project emphasised on forest protection which involve controlled grazing it has also provided a way out for regulatory grazing through rotational basis and introduction of better quality of fodder. Livestock management component was introduced so that the community can be motivated indirectly to take care of the natural resources and promote community forestry. The activities included establishment of breeding centre in the village, community motivation for veterinary health camp etc. Communities’ perception about the activities of livestock management, in order of usefulness was a major issue as it was directly linked with the day today life of the community and significantly affects the natural regeneration of the ground cover.

Agro-forestry and horticulture

After the introduction of PPA project there has been number of training related to nursery, agroforestry and horticulture, raising plantation of lemon grass, Aswagandha, Aloevera on the bunds of agricultural field as a part of ex situ plantation and propagation. Ensuring the utility of the activities in horticulture, it was necessary to find out the benefits perceived by the community. Some of the benefits thought off while designing the project were increase in productivity, cash crop availability, and more utilization of the land available. By increasing the productivity, the households are able to provide variation in diet of their families for a longer period of time along with some financial gains by selling the product in the market. Cash crops including medicinal plants have been a major source of better financial returns. Some of the villagers mentioned that earlier they used to buy vegetables but now they sell vegetables.

The study reveals that many women and children used to go to forest to collect some tubers or nuts etc. Now the same time earlier spent to collect some tubers from the forest is saved. Increase in income due to income generating activities have saved time and changed in pattern of life of women and children. The time thus saved is also used in other domestic work.

Principle 4:
Recognizing potential gains from management

Amongst various activities and related benefits, direct income generation has been through wage earning to forestry work. Such work has provided both direct incomes to the wage earner as well as the benefit of the activities when the work was completed.

With the increase in income the socio-economic condition improves, which in turn affects the quality of life. It has been found that the community perceived significant change for good, in the life pattern of women and children.

Hence it can be inferred that the community participation approach leads to a number of benefits, resulting in socio-economic development, lowering the dependency of the community on the natural resources and the forests as well as developing the feeling to work for the common cause, which is of great importance for sustainable management of community forestry. It can very well be taken as both direct and indirect benefit which has facilitated the process of people centered forest management under PPA Project for sustainable development.

It has been observed that the people themselves have realized the effect of destructive harvesting practices of NTFPs like uprooting of kalamegh, setting fire in order to collect Mahua flowers etc and have changed the practices to non destructive harvesting.

It has also been shared by the Baidrajji, Tularam Dhurv from Chandanbahra that PPA has been a real boon for the forests. He says that previously the local dealers would indiscriminately fell trees for timber without any regard for the forest. Consequently the forest would loose its important species and people like him would face immense difficulty in collecting medicinal species. It was also not possible for the people of the villages to patrol the forests day and night to check the destruction of the forest. Now ever since the protection the forest has again revitalized and he can again find rare species like Vishnukandh, Jagmandal, and Gantvarani which he believed were almost absent.

 People are getting good returns money through selling of the NTFPs which can be considered as direct value of the products. Some of the NTFPs being easily purchased at the village level are, aloe vera, Amla, Dhawaiphool, chirayata, Mahua, tikhur etc.

Several processing units have been established in Sankra and Dugli. For value addition of the products and to ensure quality, NTFPs are being graded into different categories to ensure the price for the best quality raw materials as well as to ensure the quality of the finished products and their price in the open market

In the processing centre processing of several products like tikhur powder, lemongrass, mahul patta, Baichandi chips ect is taking place and is giving good returns o the villagers. To quote Dugli, villagers have earned a net profit of Rs 3548 through lemon grass processing.

In the processing Centre at Sankra and Dugli several medicinal plants are being supplied for preparation of medicines, which are being used to treat patients.

Apart from selling and value addition in NTFPs the villages are also being trained to produce vermi compost. They are producing and selling it with the brand name “BANASRI” at the rate of Rs 500.00 per quintal. The processing and packaging cost comes around Rs 3 – 4/- per kg. They earn a net profit of one rupee per kg. Upto now in the division, different committees have sold vermi compost of total Rs 39,50,000.00.       

Principle 5:
Conservation of ecosystem structure and functioning, in order to maintain it, services should be a priority target of the ecosystem approach.

The interaction between the biotic and abiotic elements in the ecosystem will determine it’s function with a flow of energy and recycling process. The interaction with geo physical system with biological system will ensure productivity. The flora and fauna which constitutes the biological system can not remain uninfluenced near human settlements. The individuals of human society interacts with the elements of forest ecosystem as per the social norm, structure and system. The social norms and cultural behaviour will determine the practices for conservation and harvesting of the forest resources. The inter connectedness between the institutional system of cultural behaviour and the biological process of the forest ecosystem together form the structure and function of the forest ecosystem as a whole. The people in PPA have realized that to get the sustainable supply of any target species, they have to maintain other species as well and accordingly have developed social norms for conservation.  
Through in situ conservation protection against felling, grazing, and fire have been given to the forest area to conserve the rare and endangered species and increase their density in the forest area and thereby conserving ecosystem structure and function. Through the efforts made for in situ conservation visible changes have been found in the forest area in terms of regeneration status, density of the forest, species richness etc. Samity members have been trained to conduct quadrate survey of the same sample plots on a yearly basis and prepare a resource inventory whereby the change in the status of the forest has been documented as well as areas of intervention has been identified especially for sustainable harvesting and management of NTFPs for sustainable livelihood development.

Through the comparative assessment of the regeneration status of Sankra PPA it has been found that between 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 the regeneration status of Sal and Tendu has been improving over the protection period. The established regeneration in Sal and Tendu has been 752 and 454 respectively. In terms of percentage increase maximum percentage increase in regeneration has taken place in Senha followed by Saja and Dhawda between the period 2003-04 and 2005-06 in Sankra P1.

Based on medicinal plant survey under the shrub category Bibirang and Hasiyadpar had the maximum density. Bibirang has economic importance too. Under the herbs category Kaali musli and Kalmegh excelled in terms of density. There were certain species which were absent in the base year (2002-03) but have come up in large number in the next year worth mentioning are, Bichudank [0-149], Teenpaniya[162] and Genji Kand [600].

There has been a promising increase in the density of some species like Bhui amla [from 4 individuals to 808 individuals in the plot], Kalmegh [176 to 1200 individuals] Chirchira[62 to 353 individuals] and Ban Adrak[1-248 individuals].
 
Under the climbers category Malkangini excelled in terms of percentage increase and the relative density of the plot. Overall the species of economic importance have performed well in terms of increase in density.

In P2 of Dugli the regeneration status of Saja and Dhawda has been improving. The established Saja and Dhawda in the area are 435 and 231 respectively. Looking at the percentage increase in total regeneration we may infer that during the protection period maximum increase in regeneration has taken place in Sal and Saja. There has been an increase of 432.5% and 629% respectively in the two species.

The presence of new seedlings of all the species shows the signs of protection in the area.

Based on medicinal plant survey under the herbs category Kaali musli, Genji and Lajwant had the maximum density.

In the Shrubs category Charota has the maximum density. The species has good market demand as well.

Principle 6:
Ecosystems must be managed within the limits of their functioning.

PPA areas have been demarcated keeping in view their density, species richness and the ecosystem of the area has been managed by the respective JFMCs through in situ conservation. The forest ecosystems are managed through active participation of the community in terms of fire control, grazing management, controlling illicit felling. Apart from that the silvicultural operations are carried out as per the working plan prescriptions  by involving the community.

Principle 7:
The ecosystem approach should be undertaken at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales.

The PPAs are demarcated within the total forest area and the fixed grid points are marked within the PPA for yearly survey, to assess the regeneration status for five years. The impact of the project could be seen spatially and the changes could be measured at a temporal scale over the period of five years.   

Principle 8:
Recognizing the varying temporal scales and lag-effects that characterize ecosystem processes, objectives for ecosystem management should be set for the long term.

The long term objectives have been set in PPA in view of forest ecosystem of Dugli and Sankra area (Kindly consult Section 1 for background of the area) and the community need.

Principle 9:
Management must recognize that change is inevitable.

Microplanning document of the villages have been prepared keeping in mind the forest eco system processes and have been made dynamic. There has been scope for modifying the microplans based on the changing need of the community as well as ecological conditionalities.

Principle 10:
The ecosystem approach should seek the appropriate balance between, and integration of conservation and use of biological diversity.

It has been observed through the study that while efforts have been made for conservation of the forest resource base, there has been promotion in processing and value addition of the NTFPs. Also, new areas have been explored for livelihood, like Tikhur powder making, extraction of lemon grass oil, mohul leaf plate making, baichandi chips making etc by using the biological diversity from the forest (Kindly refer the section on Value addition, processing and marketing). New areas for sustainable livelihoods have been explored and developed by creating a balance between the utilization of the forest resource base on a sustainable basis and thereby linking the forest directly with the survival of the people.    

Principle 11:
The ecosystem approach should consider all forms of relevant information, including scientific and indigenous, along with local knowledge, innovations and practices.

Efforts have been made to create data base through the grid survey, by making inventories of the local forest resources by scientific experts and developing marketing information system by engaging experts on marketing. Local medicinal persons (vaids) have been engaged for processing of the herbs and treating the people in the ayurvedic centres. The indigenous knowledge of the Kamar tribes, who used to be hunters and gatherers, are being utilized for the protection of the forest, especially from fire.     

Principle 12:
The ecosystem approach should involve all relevant sectors of society and scientific disciplines.

As a whole, the impact of the PPA has been seen outside the forest in the following areas:
Control over ‘out migration’

Pratap, Ramji and Halal shared that before the implementation of PPA they used to migrate seasonally to Nagri, Dhamtari and Kurud for one to one and half months in the months of October and November, to work as agricultural labourer as there was no opportunity for work in their home area. But, though they had to seasonally migrate, they could not have any savings as they had to spend the money for their food etc. Moreover, the families also underwent stress because either they had to leave the children with the grand parents, or the whole family had to be taken, incase there was no one to look after them at home.

Through the introduction of PPA, there has been emphasis on in situ conservation, which has created a rich resource base for the villagers for creating livelihood opportunities and in turn has changed the ‘push factor’ for out migration into the ‘pull factor’ in the following manner: 

Increased availability of NTFPs

The people have stopped migrating to other places as they did in the last five years, because  now through the protection programme of the forest, a number of NTFPs are available to them, like Chiraita, Mahul patta, Aonla, the selling of which helps them to earn their livelihood. 

Opportunity of earning through the nursery

Under PPA, a Nursery has been established at Jabarra, where 70 -80 persons of which  90% are women, get daily work through out the year, at the rate of Rs 35 and Rs 40/- for women and men respectively.

Rain fed monocropping to irrigated double cropping

Due to creation of the irrigation facilities under the villages through different projects like SSGSY, and also from the VFC account, people have started getting assured amount of water for irrigation to raise double crop a year. This ensures food security on one hand and on the other, by selling the products in the market, they better their earning level. 

Nutrition supplement as well as creating livelihood base through kitchen garden

From the VFC account they have created sources for solar driven drinking water in the village. Through this they are not only getting safe and potable drinking water but also are raising ‘kitchen gardens’. According to Ramji of Jabarrahad to say earlier, “Pahele hamlog sabji khareedte the, lekin ab bechte hai”, it is a changed scenario at present. Now, they have started selling vegetables in the market which they are now raising in their kitchen garden. This has a two fold impact. On the one hand they can consume vegetables and on the other they can also earn money by selling them in the market.

Change in the lifestyle – A Journey from “Khud Bhat to Sukha Bhat” 

According to the participants “pahele hamlog khud bhat khate the, ab sukha bhat khate hai”. With the increased income as well as the opportunities to raise crops, they not only have food security but also have increased choices where they can afford to have sukha bhat with vegetables and dal. It is not merely confined to change in their food habits but this has had a positive effect on their self acceptance and self respect. It has also created a feeling among themselves which enables them to hope to get into the mainstream from being marginalized.  

Revival of the traditional products  

Bhagbani of Jabarra shared that after the introduction of the PPA, they have again started making ropes from Mahul leaves which are being used for making newar cots. Prior to PPA, mahul trees were nearly destroyed and the rope making was nearly stopped. Through the introduction of PPA, mahul trees have started regenerating and therefore, there has been a revival in rope making.

Way Forward
Positive trends in forest conservation, improvement in livelihood of the community, introduction of new technologies for processing and value addition have encouraged to think for further improvement in the following manner:

1. The inconsistency in regeneration of some of the species providess clue for improvement to meet the market demand and enhance economic benefits of the community.
   
   In Sankra PPA, a unique feature has been observed that there has been a certain decrease in the regeneration status of most of the species (except Bija and Senha) between 2003-04 and 2004-05. But what stands out as a peculiarity is, that between 2004-05 and 2005-06, there has been a spectacular increase (often more than double) in the regeneration status.
   
   Regeneration of amla, Karra and Harra has also not improved over the period.
   
   Tikhur which also is an economically important species did not have any considerable increase over the period.
   
   The Low Relative Density was recorded in Bankundru followed by Baichandi [0.65] and Satavar [0.65] whereas Baichandi again is an economically important species and  has high market demand.
   
   In P1 Sankra it has been observed that important species like Charota and Dawaiphool were already present in insignificant numbers and in the final year their number has come down even more. Other species like Baichandi, Satavar and Punarva have shown very little increase from a previous trivial presence (or absence as in case of Punarva).
   
   In Dugli area as compared to the other species there has not been any significant increase in the regeneration status of tendu in Dugli. The regeneration status of Harra and Amla has also not improved much. Presently there are only 3 and 11 established Harra and Amla respectively for stocking the area.
   
   Based on medicinal plant survey under the herbs category Kaali musli, Genji and Lajwant had the maximum density where as tikhur, Safed musli, Keokand, Jungle piyaz had the lowest density. Of these species Tikhur, Safed musli and keokand have economic importance and hence attention needs to be paid for their development. In P2 area of Dugli some of the species like Vajradanti, Tikhur, Kaalmegh, have decreased over the time. Since these species have economic value and affect the livelihood of people attention needs to given for their development.
   


2. Although the conservation through community participation has been taking place, participatory monitoring will facilitate the process of certification which has already been initiated.


3. Though the community members have been involved in grid survey and preparation of inventory but they have been doing it against payments. Efforts should be made to involve more members of the community for forest resource survey through sensitization on voluntary basis to ensure sustainability of such efforts even when there is no project funding.


4. Developing communication strategy for educating the community members on non destructive harvesting techniques of the NTFPs on sustainable basis to have a balance on conservation and livelihood of the people.


5. Involving community members in preparation of livelihood plan in consistence with the working plan and microplan and its implementation through identification of Common Interest Groups which could be developed as Common Enterprise Groups (CEGs).


6. Capacity building of the community members to prepare and implement their business development plan for livelihood with clearly defined mechanism and understanding of reinvestment plan based on the forest resource utilization for making them self reliant.


7. Exploring potentials of more number of NTFPs and developing market linkages at the local and national level.


8. Exploring potentials for developing brand equity of the products produced in the processing centres to have a competitive price in the open market.


9. Developing information kiosk at a central place may be at the processing centres to create an information hub at the village level so that the villagers will have access to market information as well as other trends including the technological innovations.


10. Incentive for the forest field staff involved in PPA should be encourage forest officials for a programme like PPA in other division also.
11. Although women participation in formal meetings has not been significant but they take part in NTFP collection, processing and also appreciate the effect of forest conservation, some orientation and formal training will build their capacity and confidence to be active partner in PPA project.