Question

How has the participation of local people helped in the protection of the Sal forest in West Bengal?

Answer 1

1. The far-sighted forest officer, A.K. Banerjee, changed the strategy.
2. He involved the local villagers in the protection of 1272, hectares of badly degraded Sal forest. In return, the villagers were given employment in silviculture (management of forests for the production of timber and harvesting operations).
3. Besides employment, villagers were given 25% of the harvest.
4. They were also allowed to collect fodder and firewood on a nominal payment.
5. With the active participation of local villagers, the Arabari forest underwent a remarkable recovery and became thick and green by 1983.
6. Now the worthless forest was valued at % 12.5 crores.
7. The success of the Arabari project encouraged the Forest Department to extend the Joint Management of Forest Lands (MFL) in other areas also.
8. For this, they established Forest Protection Committees with local people.