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CITIZEN'S CHARTER ( http://www.forests.tn.nic.in ) INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION: Forests in Tamilnadu are rich in bio-diversity and comprise of valuable forest wealth, which are protected and conserved by implementation of various schemes, funded by the State and Central Governments as also aided by the external agencies. OBJECTIVES:
1. AREA UNDER FOREST COVER: The geographical area of Tamilnadu is 1,30,057 sq.kms. of which 22,699 sq.kms. is under forests, which accounts for 17.45% of the total geographical area of the State. To increase the forest/tree cover to the required optimum coverage of 33% as per National Forest Policy 1998, the plans are formulated and schemes proposed for implementation of conservation-oriented programmes, so that the people's needs are met without allowing the forest cover to come down. 2. FOREST DEVELOPMENT IN TAMILNADU: During the first five year plan, the State of Tamilnadu had 17,441 sq.km. of forest area, which worked out to 13.4% of the total area of the State. Due to implementation of various small and massive a forestation schemes the forest cover in Tamilnadu has been increased to 22,699 sq.km. at the end of the VIII Five Year Plan. 3. In order to redress the grievances of the public, grievance day will be observed in the Forest Department as indicated below:-
2. Office of the District Forest Officer ...Once in a month
4. Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests....Once in 3 months In all the scheme areas hoarding will be erected providing information of the respective schemes, cost of the scheme, progress made etc., in each scheme area. Sale of timber, minor forest produce, sandalwood etc., are conducted in open auction and calling for tenders and transparency is maintained throughout in all aspects. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE SET UP: In Tamilnadu, the Forest department is functioning with the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests as its head. Under his control six Chief Conservators of Forest functioning as follows, namely:
The various wings are headed by Chief Conservators of Forests. Each wing is divided into several circles headed by Conservators of Forests as stated below: A .CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (TERRITORIAL),CHENNAI- TERRITORIAL WING.
B. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (SOCIALFORESTRY) CHENNAI - SOCIAL FORESTRY WI 1 .Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry, Salem.. 2. Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry Tiruchi.
4. Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry, Chengalpattu. C. CHIEF WILDLIFE WARDEN, CHENNAI - WILDLIFE WING 1. Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Northern Region, Vandalur. 2. Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Southern Region, Tirunelveli. 3. Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Western Region,Coimbatore. 4. Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Project Tiger, Tirunelveli. D. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (TAMILNADU AFFORESTATION PROJECT) CHENNAI Two Conservator of Forests. E. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (RESEARCH) - RESEARCH WING
F. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT)
FUNCTIONS: Functions of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Conservator of Forests of different wings of the Offices of this department are narrated below: 1. PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS, CHENNAI He is the overall head of the Tamilnadu Forest department, who advises the Government on the policy of the department. He is the Chief administrator of this department. 2. CHIEF WILDLIFE WARDEN, CHENNAI Chief Forest Officer on wildlife matters of the State as per Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Controls the administration of wildlife including their protection, both inside and outside wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks. 3. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (TAMILNADU AFFORESTATION PROJECT), CHENNAI. In charge of Tamilnadu Afforestation Project, execution, planning and monitoring and co-ordination of all activities under Tamilnadu Afforestation Project. 4. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (TERRITORIAL), CHENNAI Controls the forest administration in territorial wing, which includes monitoring of forest protection and execution of forest policy. 5. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (SOCIAL FORESTRY), CHENNAI. Take care of social forestry activities and their execution, especially over non-forest lands. Implementation of Joint Forest Management work in the Reserve Forest areas. 6. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CHENNAI In charge of development and planning of the department, formulation of new proposals/projects and overall financial planning. 7. CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS (RESEARCH) CHENNAI In charge of all research programmes and Human Resources Development Programmes. 8. MAJOR DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT: Following major schemes are under implementation for achieving the objectives set out for the department.
FOREST CORPORATIONS: There are forest-based Corporations in the State which represent the commercial wing of the department viz:
3.1O ECF - AIDED TAMILNADU A FORESTATION PROGRAMME Massive afforestation scheme called TAP is launched with the main objective to meet the requirements of the local people for wood, non-wood forest produce and to bring about balanced ecological up gradation. With the financial assistance from Overseas Economic Co-operation Fund (OECF), Japan this Programme is to be implemented for a period of five years. Every year 200 villages are selected for execution of the following works under this Programme.
The main strategy of the scheme is to ensure the participation of the local people in planning, execution, benefit-sharing and monitoring and evaluation through Joint Forest Management. One of the main component of this project is the buffer zone activity, where, the minimum needs of the target villages are fulfilled. Under the Tamilnadu Afforestation Project, Buffer Zone activities are implemented in the Programme villages. Each Programme village will be eligible for Rs.6.00 lakhs. Which will be spent over a period of 3 years at the rate of Rs.2.00 lakhs for each year. The Buffer Zone component consists of providing Community halls, School buildings, imparting of training to the villagers in typewriting, tailoring, basket weaving etc. 3.2 WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: The majority of the catchments area of the river systems, reservoirs, canals, tanks fall in forests. Hence, watershed development works are taken up in all the catchments areas to increase the ground water level, regulate water flow in streams, rivers etc., and improve the fertility of the land below. 3.3 COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME: This Programme is implemented to stabilize shifting sand dunes, conserve mangrove and other unique coastal vegetations and to reduce the impact of heavy winds and cyclones on the hinter land. 3.4 INTEGRATED TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: Main object of implementation of this Programme is to create tree/vegetation based capital assets in tribal and forest areas which will generate sustained benefits to the tribal. Land improvement measures, employment-generation, improving the infrastructure facilities and education are given adequate impetus under this Programme. The programmes are being funded under the schemes such as FREEP, ITDP,WGDP & EGDP etc. 3.5 FOREST PROTECTION: This Programme is implemented in Tamilnadu with the objective to protect the forests from the biotic interference. Through various schemes efforts are being taken to strengthen the infrastructure for protection by equipping the department with modern facilities to overcome the challenges posed by the anti social elements. Provision of wireless equipment, fast-moving vehicles, modern arms etc. are part of this Programme. 3.6 FORESTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: Under this Programme well-oriented research and development schemes will be implemented to meet the requirements of the current and foreseeable future of this department. 3.7 BIO-DIVERSITY CONSERVATION: Of the total forest area of the state, 2911 Sq.kms. are under wild life conservation covering five National Parks, six Wildlife sanctuaries and eleven Bird sanctuaries to continue to conserve and to protect the flora and fauna. It is proposed to create new sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves by doubling the area under protected areas network. Various schemes are implemented with the help of State and Central Government assistance under this Programme. 3.8 HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: Under this Programme the effectiveness of the human resources will be enhanced through appropriate training and skill development measures. MINIMUM NEEDS PROGRAMME: To meet the requirement of fuel wood, small timber, cattle feeds of the people thereby increasing the forest resources, this scheme is implemented in Tamilnadu with the (50%) funding from the centre under the AOFFP. CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS. To conserve and develop medicinal plants and non-wood forest products in and around forests and to generate employment opportunities to the tribal people this scheme is implemented in the state with the funding from the Centre. 3.11 HILL AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: This scheme is implemented in Tamilnadu in the Nilgris district to restore the fragile eco-system of Nilgris through biological up gradation of the degraded forests through afforestation, soil and moisture conservation and development of natural habitat and appropriate eco-awareness programmes. 3.12 WESTERN GHATS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: This scheme is implemented in the 24 selected Taluks of Dindigul, Coimbatore, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Erode, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli districts. Afforestation, construction of checkdams, construction of percolation ponds, fire control measures, awareness and publicity are executed under WGDP. 3.13 EASTERN GHATS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: Under this scheme afforestation and soil conservation measures are proposed to be taken up under Part-II Schemes of 1998-99 for the development of Eastern ghats of the state. 4.SERVICES OF FOREST DEPARTMENT: 4.1 JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME: The Government of Tamilnadu stand committed to involve local people in reforestation and protection of degraded forests and to share with them the sustainable benefits from these forests. This arrangement will be known as "Joint Forest Management" and the involvement of people will be ensured through Village Forest Council. In case the land belongs to Government, the approval of the concerned District Collector shall be obtained and in case of lands within the jurisdiction of the Panchayats, the approval of the concerned Panchayat shall be obtained before implementing the project. The unit of management under Joint Forest Management will be hamlet/group of hamlets/entire village, the abut ant degraded forests, community and private lands. In each of the identified Management Unit, the people's representative body called Village Forest Council (V.F.C.) will be formed which will be fully involved in the planning and execution of works, protection, harvesting and benefit sharing in the management unit with focus on the degraded forests. The Forester concerned will initiate the process of formation of V.F.C. The V.F.C. will meet as and when called for but in any case, at least once in three months. Each V.F.C. will elect an "Executive Committee", in such a manner that one hamlet elects at least two members, one of whom is a woman. Each V.F.C. will elect a minimum of 5(five) and a maximum of 15 (fifteen) members to the Executive Committee. BENEFIT SHARING: Sharing the sustainable benefits from the degraded forests, Government lands and community lands lying within the management unit, with the members of V.F.C. and among them is the most important component of J.F.M. scheme. The guiding principle of this benefit sharing will be equitable distribution and the individual beneficiaries will be decided by the Executive Committee. District/Divisional Forest Officer will conduct sample survey of the unit of Management and decide about the quantity of firewood available for supply to landless and poor households. Fodder and green leaf manure will be given free of cost to members of V.F.C. except big farmers, subject to availability. Grazing will be allowed free of cost depending on the carrying capacity except kin regeneration areas which will be closed for grazing for 3 years. All Non-wood Forest Produce (minor forest produce) for domestic consumption will be given free of cost to the members of V.F.C. subject to availability. Any surplus quantity will be sold by Executive Committee. Sustainable Non-wood Forest Produce (N.W.F.P.) available will be decided by District/Divisional Forest Officer will be sold by Executive Committee. The sale proceeds so received will be distributed equitably among the members of V.F.C. by the Executive Committee after remitting 25%(Twenty five percent) to Village Forest Development Fund. A Joint Account in the name of the V.F.C. will be opened in a local or nearest bank or post office with the President and Member-Secretary as signatories. All the V.F.C. funds will be kept in this account. The President and Member-Secretary will together be responsible and accountable to the V.F.C. for all financial transactions. INFORMATION TO THE PEOPLE: Forestry extension is a system to establish a continuous exchange of information on forestry activities, information materials, services, between the public and the department. For taking up the massive afforestation works and for motivating the people, extensive and interpretation centres are essential. Hence, 15 afforestation and interpretation centres are selected for taking up of forestry extension works viz.
Besides these centres, it is proposed to disseminates information on all developmental activities on rules regarding timber transit, on tree-growth on private holdings, on visit to sanctuaries etc., through the range officers and through information centre in the Office of the District Forest officers. 5.CONCLUSION: Forestry operations are mostly labour oriented. Every extra investments leads to larger employment opportunities, particularly to the poor people in rural and hilly areas during lean season. The Government are fully aware of increasing the output of forests, to conserve and develop the forest wealth in the state or economic, social and ecological reasons. All necessary steps will be taken to upgrade this valuable gift of nature with the full participation of people. MINISTRY FOR FOREST AND PRINTING. ANNEXURE-II
1,DLFO,IFFI, 1,DLFO,SF. 1.DLFO,IFF 1.DLFO,SF, NAMAKKAL CHENGALPATTU VRIDHACHALAM MADURAI 2,DLFO,IFF2, 2.DLFO,SF 2.DLFO.SF, 2.DLFO,SF. SALEM VELLORE TRICHI SIVAGANGA 3.DLFO,SF, 3.DLFO,SF, 3.DLFO.SF. 3.DLFO,SF, COIMBATORE VILLUPURAM PUDUKOTTAI RAMNAD 4.DLFO,IFF, 4.DLFO,IFF 4.DLFO,IFF 4.DLFO,SF, DHARMAPURI TIRUVALLUR AYYALUR TIRUNELVELI 5.DLFO,RF, 5.DLFO,IFF 5.DLFO,IFF, TIRUPATTUR SIRUMALAI KOVILPATTI 6.DFO,AFF, 6.DLFO,SF. T.V.MALAI TIRUCHENDUR 7.DLFO.SF. VIRUDHUNAGAR
1.WLW, 1.WLW,MWLS 1.WLW,GSWLS 1.DD CHENNAI OOTY SRIVILLIPUTHUR TIRUNELVELI 2.WLW,PCWLS 2.WLW,IGWLS, 2.DFO 2.DD,KMWLS NAGAPATTINAM POLLACHI TIURNELVELI AMBASAMUDRAM 3.DD,AAZP, 3.DFO VANDALUR KANYAKUMARI 4.DD,GULF OF MANNAR,RAMNAD 5.ACF,FPS TIRUNELVELI
1.DCF,SFRC 1. ACF,VVK, 1.DCF,IWR COIMBATORE MADURAI COIMBATORE 2.PRINICIPAL 2.ACF,VVK 2.DCF,SFRI, TNFTC, TIRUNELVELI CHENNAI 3.ACF,VVK 3.ACF,ST, KRISHNAGIRI TRICHI 4.ACF,VVK 4.ACF,TT, TRICHI TRICHI 5.FUO,CHENNAI 6.DCF(GENETICS), COIMBATORE 7.DCF,MFP, SALEM 8.ACF.ST. DHARMAPURI
1.WPO TRICHI 2.WPO SALEM 3.WPO COIMBATORE 4.WPO COIMBATORE |
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