Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
As per Forest Survey of India, the total recorded forest cover of West Bengal is 13.4% of total geographic area of the state. The forest cover, including forests created outside the recorded forest area is 15.52% of total geographic area of West Bengal which was assessed through satellite imagery. Reserved forests constitute 59%, protected forests 32% and unclassed forests constitute 9% of the total forest area of the state.
Around 3.3% of the state comes under Protected Areas consisting of 5 National Parks and 15 Wildlife Sanctuaries. A special mention must go to Sunderbans which has been declared as a biosphere reserve due to its unique ecosystem and also a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The new state government is determined to conserve these forests and help local communities through sustainable livelihood solutions.
Increasing and conserving forest cover: During the past 34 months, government has planted 6.2 crore saplings in close to 10,000 hectare area. This step also provided employment to the tune of 78.6 lakh man days. About 4,386 Bon Suraksha committees have been formed to conserve forests. A new body, West Bengal Wasteland Development Corporation Limited, has been formed and it has completed tree plantation over 1,260 acres of land.
Eco-tourism: A total of 20 eco-tourism projects have been undertaken by West Bengal Forest Development Corporation comprising of 17 projects for North Bengal and 3 for South Bengal. The main aim is to provide more livelihood opportunities to local communities as the more tourists visit these places. Construction has begun in many locations and Lamahata eco-tourism project has already received completion.
Benefits to the people: As there are many Kendu (Tendu) leaves gatherers in forest area, government has increased the procurement of these leaves from Rs 48 per chata (2000 leaves) to Rs 75 per chata, benefitting a lot of families especially in rural and tribal areas. Rs 4.5 Cr has been distributed as compensation to all families who lost any member of their family or has their crop damaged because of wild animals.
Increase in revenue: There has been an increase of 38% in revenues from forest wood during the tenure of new government, with revenue for 2012-13 being Rs 104.24 crore as compared to Rs 75.33 crore in 2010-11.
International assistance: The state government is taking international assistance in its quest to conserve bio-diversity. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is assisting West Bengal in a Rs 406 crore project where as World Bank is assisting with Coastal Zone Management Project at Purba Medinipur.
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
As per Forest Survey of India, the total recorded forest cover of West Bengal is 13.4% of total geographic area of the state. The forest cover, including forests created outside the recorded forest area is 15.52% of total geographic area of West Bengal which was assessed through satellite imagery. Reserved forests constitute 59%, protected forests 32% and unclassed forests constitute 9% of the total forest area of the state.
Around 3.3% of the state comes under Protected Areas consisting of 5 National Parks and 15 Wildlife Sanctuaries. A special mention must go to Sunderbans which has been declared as a biosphere reserve due to its unique ecosystem and also a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The new state government is determined to conserve these forests and help local communities through sustainable livelihood solutions.
Increasing and conserving forest cover: During the past 34 months, government has planted 6.2 crore saplings in close to 10,000 hectare area. This step also provided employment to the tune of 78.6 lakh man days. About 4,386 Bon Suraksha committees have been formed to conserve forests. A new body, West Bengal Wasteland Development Corporation Limited, has been formed and it has completed tree plantation over 1,260 acres of land.
Eco-tourism: A total of 20 eco-tourism projects have been undertaken by West Bengal Forest Development Corporation comprising of 17 projects for North Bengal and 3 for South Bengal. The main aim is to provide more livelihood opportunities to local communities as the more tourists visit these places. Construction has begun in many locations and Lamahata eco-tourism project has already received completion.
Benefits to the people: As there are many Kendu (Tendu) leaves gatherers in forest area, government has increased the procurement of these leaves from Rs 48 per chata (2000 leaves) to Rs 75 per chata, benefitting a lot of families especially in rural and tribal areas. Rs 4.5 Cr has been distributed as compensation to all families who lost any member of their family or has their crop damaged because of wild animals.
Increase in revenue: There has been an increase of 38% in revenues from forest wood during the tenure of new government, with revenue for 2012-13 being Rs 104.24 crore as compared to Rs 75.33 crore in 2010-11.
International assistance: The state government is taking international assistance in its quest to conserve bio-diversity. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is assisting West Bengal in a Rs 406 crore project where as World Bank is assisting with Coastal Zone Management Project at Purba Medinipur.
