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VIBRANT GUJARAT

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF GUJARAT FOREST SECTOR

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Table of Contents

1. Biodiversity & Forest Ecosystem

1.1 Global Scenario

1.2 India Scenario

1.3 Gujarat Scenario• Overview• Key Government Initiatives and Opportunities for Collaboration• Other Government Projects & Initiatives• Awards & Accolades

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1.1 Biodiversity & Forest

Ecosystem: Global Scenario

4Sources : Adams, E. 2012, World Forest Area Still on the Decline, http://210.212.144.11/ntfp/index.html

BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEM SNAPSHOT OF THE GLOBAL SCENARIO

Some 80 percent of the people living in developing countries depend on non-timber forest products, such as fruits and herbs, for their primary health

and nutritional needs

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Africa Asia Europe North andCentralAmerica

Oceania SouthAmerica

in M

illio

n H

ect

are

s

World Forest Cover, 1990 - 2010 (in Million Hectares)The world forest cover decreased from 4168

million hectare in 1990 to 4033 million hectare in 2010, i.e., a loss of over 3 percent in two decades.

The spread of planted forests has been accelerating. Planted forests now cover nearly 264 million hectares, comprising

nearly 7 percent of total forest area.

1990 2000 2010

Approximately 14 million people worldwide are formally employed in the forestry sector.

Forests cover 31 percent of the world’s land surface, just over 4 billion hectares. This is down from the pre-industrial area of 5.9 billion hectares.

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1.2 Biodiversity & Forest

Ecosystem : India Scenario

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BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMINDIA SCENARIO

Sources : Forest & Environment Department, Government of India

According to Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA), India is at 10th position in terms of forest area in the world.

As per India State of Forest Report 2013, the forest cover of India is 6,97,898 sq km, which is about 21% of the total geographical area

Over 45,000 plant species and 91,000 species of animals

have been recorded in India

India is house to 4 of the 34 identified biodiversity

hotspots

Important National Legislations:• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972• Indian Forest Act, 1927 • Forest (conservation) Act, 1980• Protection of plant varieties and Farmers Right Act, 2001• Biological Diversity Act, 2002• The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest dwellers,

(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006• The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

REDD+India has come out with a draft national policy on 'reducing

emissions from deforestation and forest degradation' (popularly known as REDD+ initiative) which will enable local communities to

get financial incentives for increasing forest cover

National Parks = 102Wildlife Sanctuaries = 527Community Reserves = 4

Total Area under Protected Areas = 1,66,852 sq. km

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BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMBIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: INDIA SCENARIO

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

India signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992.

Objectives:• Conservation of biological

diversity• Sustainable use of its

components• Fair and equitable sharing of

the benefits arising out of commercial utilization of biological resources and traditional knowledge

To fulfill the above objectives, the Biological Diversity Act,

2002 (BDA, 2002) was enacted in 2003.

Functions of NBA:

• Advise the government of India on matters relating to conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of utilization of biological resources

• Regulate activities and issue guidelines for access and benefit sharing

• Take necessary measures to oppose the grant of IPR in any country outside India on any biological resources obtained from India or knowledge associated with such biological resources derived from India

• Advice the State Government in the selection of areas of biodiversity importance to be notified as “Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)” and suggest measures for their management

• Provide guidance to BMCs• Other functions to achieve goals of

BDA, 2002

3 tier structure is in place to achieve the objectives of

BDA, 2002

National Level: National

Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

State Level: State Biodiversity

Board (SBB)

Local Level: Biodiversity

Management Committees (BMCs)

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BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMINDIA SCENARIO: FOREST & LIVELIHOOD

Sources : Forest & Environment Department, Government of India; TERI; http://www.iifm.ac.in/sites/default/files/working/IIFMWP-13-10-01.pdf

There are around 1.73 lakh villages located in and around forests. Almost 40 to 60 per cent of their total income is derived from sale of forest products

People living in these forest fringe villages depend upon forest for a variety of goods and services like

collection of edible fruits, medicines; firewood for cooking (some also sale in the market); materials for agricultural implements; fodder for livestock; and

collection of a range of marketable non-timber forest products.

Forestry & logging contributes to nearly 1.2 percent to India's

GDP

The Indian forest products industry had total revenue of

USD 65,844.6 million in 2011, representing a

compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5 percent between

2007 and 2011

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1.3 Biodiversity & Forest

Ecosystem: Gujarat

Scenario

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BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMFOREST COVER IN GUJARAT

The Forest area of Gujarat is about 11.05 % of total geographical area of the State

Forest Cover map of Gujarat

Sources : Department of Forest, Government of Gujarat, http://www.fsi.org.in/cover_2013/gujrat.pdf, Socio Economic Review 2013- 14

Estimated tree cover outside forest area is around 7,837 km sq (~4 percent of the

geographical area of the state)

Bamboo bearing area in the forests of the state is around 4,091 km sq.

02,0004,0006,0008,00010,00012,00014,00016,000

1991 2001 2011 2013

11,90712,913

14,619 14,653

Increase in forest cover (in sq. km.)

Has almost 1315 species of medicinal plants

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BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMBIOGEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE IN GUJARAT

Gujarat contains four out of the ten biogeographic zones in India and covers six major ecosystems

Moist and dry deciduous forest are located mainly in

the eastern belt from Banaskantha to Valsad

Natural ecosystems of Gujarat range from wetlands (34,750 sq. km), grasslands (8,483 sq. km) and deciduous forests (18,868 sq. km) to deserts (23,000 sq. km). Its coastline, which spreads across almost 1600 km, houses variety of

coastal ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries and mudflats

Sources : http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/radioserials/indian_flora.pdf, , Department of Forest, Government of Gujarat

The State harbors 14 percent of fish, 9 percent amphibians, 19 percent of

reptiles, 37 percent of birds and 25 percent of the

mammals recorded in the country

Out of 16 Forest types found in India, 4 are present in Gujarat

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

Littoral and Swamps (including Mangroves) Thorn Forests

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BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMBIODIVERSITY

Gujarat is very rich in biodiversity, owing to varied biogeographic zones. So far, 4,228 species of plants and 2,728 species of animals have been recorded.

Sources : , Department of Forest, Government of Gujarat

Almost 8.6 percent of state’s geographical area is protected wildlife area.

Out of the 8 threatened mammalian species in India, each having a single

population in the world, 2 of them (the Asiatic lion and Wild Ass) are found only

in Gujarat

The rare great Indian bustard reserves, the world's only four-horned antelope

and the Black Buck are some other valued species protected in Gujarat

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BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMWETLANDS IN GUJARAT

The extent of wetlands in Gujarat is about 34,750 sq. km (17.6% of the state’s geographical area) and 62% & 5.7% of India’s coastal wetlands and inland wetlands

respectively are in Gujarat

Sources: Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

9 protected areas have been identified in the wetlands of the state:

• Great Rann Wildlife Sanctuary• Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann• Marine National Park• Marine Sanctuary• Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary• Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary• Porbandar Bird Sanctuary• Khijadia Bird Sanctuary• Chharidhund Conservation Reserve Great White Pelican, Nalsarovar

Giant Sea Anemone in Marine National Park, Jamnagar

Gujarat’s wetlands can be categorized in three types: (i) Inland wetlands,

(ii) Coastal wetlands, and (iii) The Rann

Oriental Darter and Cormorant at Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

Western Reef Egret near Jamnagar coast

Avicennia marina in Marine National Park, Jamnagar

White Rann

Diversity of flora and fauna is high in the wetlands of Gujarat.

• A total of 3,23 species of wetlands of India are endemic or globally threatened, and at least 30 of them are from Gujarat.

• Of 114 endemic wetland plants of India, 11 are found in the wetlands of Gujarat

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1.3 Gujarat Scenario

Key Government

Initiatives and Areas for

Collaboration

15Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIESECOTOURISM

Non-conventional

sources of energy in &

around protected

areas

Training and capacity

building of government officials and community

Land Use pattern

Management

Development of research,

laboratories

Development of modern

technology for preservation

of sites

Development of infrastructure and facility for

Eco Tourism

Eco friendly vehicles

Eco Development Livelihood/Pr

oductivity enhancement

activities

Habitat improvement

Water resource development

Corridor Development, linking various

eco tourism sites

Wildlife rescue and treatment

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COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES: ECOTOURISMUNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS: SITES FOR ECOTOURISM (1/2)

Flamingo city, Kutch

Located in the mudflats of the Rann, the area is the largest breeding

ground of flamingos, a migratory species.

Banni Grasslands, Kutch

Has been identified as the last remaining habitats of the Cheetah in

India and a possible reintroduction site for

the species

The Ranns, Kutch

Are the world’s only saline desert spread in 25,000 sq. km. and is

house to several sanctuaries and reserves

Saputara

Saputara Hill Station is located in the Sahyadri Hill at an altitude of approximately 1,000 metres

Sasan Gir, Junagadh

It is the sole home of the Asiatic Lionsand is considered to be one of the most important protected areas.

Mangroves, Gulf of Kutch & Khambhat

Gujarat holds nearly quarter of India’s mangrove cover and so far 14

species of mangroves have been identified

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COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES: ECOTOURISMNATIONAL PARKS & SANCTUARIES: SITES FOR ECOTOURISM (2/2)

Gujarat has a varied landscape which includes dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands, wetlands, marine ecosystems and rich moist deciduous forests. These habitats are home to some

extremely rare wildlife such as Asiatic Lion, Wild Ass, etc

1. Gir Wild Life Sanctuary

2. Wild Ass Sanctuary

3. Nal Sarovar Birds Sanctuary

4. Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary

5. Barda Wild Life Sanctuary

6. Hingolgadh Sanctuary

7. Marine Sanctuary

8. Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary

9. Khijadia Bird Sanctuary

10. Ratanmahal Sanctuary

11. Kutch Desert Sanctuary

12. Gaga Wild Life Sanctuary

13. Rampara Sanctuary

14. Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary

15. Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary

16. Porbandar Birds Sanctuary

17. Pania Wild Life Sanctuary

18. Balaram Ambaji Sanctuary

19. Jambuhoda Sanctuary

20. Purna Wild Life Sanctuary

21. Kutch Bustard Sanctuary

22. Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary

1. Gir Forest National Park 3. Vansda National Park

2. Blackbuck National Park 4. Marine National Park

Sanctuaries

National Parks

18Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat, Tourism Department, Government of Gujarat

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND AREAS FOR COLLABORATIONMARINE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & PARK

India’s first Marine Wildlife Sanctuary and first Marine National Park were created here in the Gulf of Kutch in 1980 and 1982, respectively

Gujarat has the longest coastline in India with rich biodiversity. Similar marine parks and museums can be established along the coast of Gulf of Khambhat with water activities like snorkeling, fishing,

etc

It is an archipelago of 42 tropical islands along the northern coast of Jamnagar district and

the southern coast of Kutch, covering an area of 458 sq. km

Landforms include grasslands, marshy areas, rocky shores, mudflats, creeks, estuaries, sandy strands, coral reefs, and mangroves

Houses 52 coral species, about 80 bird species including Painted Stork,

Darter and Black-necked Ibis and smaller cetaceans like Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, etc

Some of the finest coral reef fringe islands are found at Pirotan, Narala,

Ajad and Positara

Sea Anemone Octopus

Birds at Pirotan island

Platecoral

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SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENTGUJARAT FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (GFDP)

Communities involved in the project have experienced improved infrastructuralfacilities, developed economic activities and have diversified their income structure.

Objectives

• Enhance the quality and extent of forest through improved forest management, rehabilitation and protection and livelihood of the population in the project villages. This involves diversification of the households’ economic activities and improvement of the local infrastructure

• Training of the community members for better implementation of forest management regimes and alternative production techniques

Sources : https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2012-gujarat-forestry-development-is-en.pdf, http://www.gujaratforest.org/project-at-glance.htm

Project Area

12 Tribal & 3 Non Tribal Districts 13 Territorial Forest Division (including 6 PAs) & 1 Territorial sub division, 1 Wildlife Division (1 PA), 10 Social Forestry Divisions of Gujarat State. Forest areas in Rajkot Forest Division for

Grass lands and Jamnagar MNP division, Kutch (W) /Kutch (E) division for Mangroves

Project Period

2007-08 to 2016-17

Project Cost

~USD 130 million

Project Activities include

Forest Development Management

Social Forestry Development Management

Wildlife Conservation and Development

Community / Tribal Development

Support activities like survey, capacity building, research etc

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2

3

4

5

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SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENTGUJARAT FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (GFDP)

Success Story: Custard Apple

Six Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) formed in Chhotaudepur Forest Division of Vadodara District. The region naturally grows variety of custard apple

In consultation with the state Forest Department, the JFMCs decided to collectively market the custard apple and linkages were established with fruit markets

They collected nearly 13.8 tons of custard apple and sold them to fruit markets of Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Reliance Fresh in Vadodara. They earned a net profit of ~USD 3,260 in 11 – day season

MarketSales

quantity (kg)

~Average rate

USD/ kg

~Total Income (USD)

Reliance Fresh

7,138 0.4 2,855

Mandi 3,600 0.17 589

Mandi 3,080 0.12 382

Total 13.818 3,826

Total Villages involved = 6

Net Profit = ~USD 3,260

The experiment was taken as a pilot and has now been expanded to three clusters of about 30 JFMC villages of

Chhotaudepur Forest Division

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

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SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENTSPECIAL SCHEME FOR MEDICINAL PLANTS: GUGAL

“Gugal” (Commiphora wightii) an important Ayurvedic plant is decreasing. To address this, the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), India sanctioned a Gugal project of ~USD 1.28 million to

increase its production.

Gujarat Scenario

• Financial outlay USD 2.905 Million for 2007-08 to 2009-2010; Amount spent – USD 2.903 Million

• 7661 Ha planted against a target of 6486 Ha

• 0.5 million plants distributed to farmers (against a target of 0.5 million)

• 400 Ha planted during 2012-2013

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

Objectives

Undertake baseline survey / inventory for Gugal distribution in Gujarat

Establish MPCAs for Gugal in medicinal plants hotspots

Identify CPTs and seed production areas

Afforest and promote the cultivation of important medicinal plant species

Standardize sustainable harvesting methods of conservation concern species

Supplement supply of Gugal gum resin for its use in the Ayurvedic medicines

Explore the commercial viability of Gugal as an option for farmers in degraded lands / NWFP focus species

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SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENTSPECIAL SCHEME FOR MEDICINAL PLANTS: DASHMOOL

National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), India sanctioned INR 500 lac to fulfill the increasing demand and improve the quality of medicinal plants used in preparation of Ayurvedic medicine

called “Dashmool”

Establishment of medicinal Plant Development Areas

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

Objectives

Conservation and development of dashmool plants

Standardization of sustainable harvesting

Enhancement of the people’s participation

Empowerment of local people

Improvement of the economic condition of local people

Development of the data base

Stakeholders

Traditional practitioners and health healers, Pharmaceutical industries and traders, Forest

department, Research organizations, Universities, NGOs, GSFDC Ltd., AYUSH.

Work Strategy

Establishment of Medicinal Plant Development Areas for dashmool plants, distribution of seedlings and supporting

activities like marketing infrastructure and HRD.

Concentrated Forest areas of 500 ha. For Dashmool plantations in Valsad, Surat and Narmada districts

Shivan, Bael, Patala, Tetu, Arni, Pithvan and Salparni are proposed for plantations.

Plant population of 5625/ha

Annual harvesting of the roots of the shrubs, three year cycle for tree species under hedge

Mechanism for replanting of harvested areas

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2

3

4

5

23Sources : Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Limited (GSFDC)

Scope of adding many more herbal product including MFP to augment resource mobilization and employment generation for the tribal and rural poor

Objectives:• To enhance the collection of existing MFP• To ensure expansion and growth of the Corporation as well as

diversifying the activity and income bases in the long run

Opportunities:• GSFDC is planning upgradation of the unit

looking to its current manufacturing capacityagainst the demand for its products in themarket and Government Ayurvedic Colleges andHospitals

• During the year 2014-15, the Corporation hasplanned to establish a Modern Laboratory andlatest machineries and equipments to improveon both on quality control and capacity building

Achievements:• The unit manufactures 22 types of Powder (Churna), 4 types of Tablets, 2 types of Oil and 8 types of Proprietary

products• GSFDC has a processing capacity of 1,50,000 kgs. per annum for Honey• State-of-art fully automatic Honey treatment plant and bottle filling plant to guarantee the ‘organic’ characteristics

of honey to the valued customers• Current network of retail sale counters spread throughout the State viz; Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar,

Ambaji, Junagadh, Jamnagar & Rajkot with a view to ensure required supply of genuine forest products andayurvedic medicines to the consumers

• Dhanvantari unit is a leading supplier of Honey to various Dairies viz. Sugam Dairy (Vadodara), Vasudhara Dairy(Chikhali, Dist. Navsari), Banas Dairy (Palanpur) for Ice cream manufacturing

SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENTDHANVANTRI - AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS & WILD HONEY PROCESSING UNIT

24Sources : Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Limited

Assist the tribals fetch a remunerative price for the MFP collected by them through the mechanism of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and removal of middlemen

Objectives:• Collection/procurement, processing and marketing of MFP• Introducing various schemes for tribal farmers including cultivation of medicinal plants by the tribal farmers and buy

back of these raw drugs by the Corporation at remunerative rates• Conduct training programs for tribal farmers through seminars with the help of experts

Opportunities:• Increased trade of other MFPs

other than the fournationalized MFPs

• Partnership with marketingcompanies to get betterremuneration from the tradeof MFPs

Impact• Through the Gujarat MFP Trade Nationalization Act, 1979, the trade of four MFPs viz., the Timru leaf, Mhowra

flower, Mhowra Seeds and Gums were nationalized in Gujarat• Besides Timru Leaves (Bidi Leaves), Mohwra Flowers (Madhuca indica), Mohwra Seeds, Puwad (Cassia tora), all

types of gums and Wild Honey and about 100 other MFPs are collected and traded by the Corporation• Collection and sale of MFPs by the tribals generate employment particularly during summer when other income

generation opportunities do not exist

Achievements:• The Corporation pays approximately USD

0.1 million to USD 0.2 million per annum asprocurement expenditure to the tribals

• After introduction of PESA and Forest RightsAct (FRA), GSFDC has been doing theseactivities on behalf of Panchayats andTribals respectively on no profit no loss basis

SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENTMINOR FOREST PRODUCE (MFP) AND MEDICINAL PLANT MATERIAL COLLECTION

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SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENTSTATE BAMBOO MISSION: TOWARDS A BETTER LIVELIHOOD

Project on Bamboo Development in Gujarat State under National Bamboo Mission

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

Objectives

To promote the growth of the bamboo sector through as an area based regionally differentiated strategy

To increase the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas, with improved varieties to enhance yields

To promote marketing of bamboo and bamboo based handicrafts and to generate employment opportunities

To establish convergence and synergy among stake-holders for the development bamboo

To promote, develop and disseminate technologies through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge

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2

3

4

5

Objectives

The full length bamboos are supplied to primitive tribe

individual and co-operatives at concessional rates

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OBJECTIVES:

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIESECO DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

World Bank assisted Eco Development Scheme has been implemented around the Gir Sanctuary since 1998 - 99

Source: Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

• Improve Protected area Planning Process and Building Capacity

• Protect and Manage Eco-System and Habitat• Upgrading Amenities for the Protected area

Staff

• Environmental Education

• Impact Monitoring and Research

• Participatory Micro-planning and implementation Support.

• Reciprocal Commitments to Forest Alternative Livelihoods and Resource Uses

Improved Protected Area Management

Village Eco Development Effective and

• J.F.M. and Voluntary Relocation Options

Extensive Support for Protected Area Management Through:

The model is now being replicated across the state

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GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIESSOCIAL FORESTRY: CSR INTERVENTIONS AND PPP PROJECTS

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

Vision for the future: Activities to be undertaken

Supplying high quality fast growing planting stock for agro forestry plantation and expanding agro-forestry under MGNREGA

Raising tall seedlings for strip and urban plantations and also village forests, including plantations on ponds/ lake sides

Expanding urban and industrial forestry to improve green cover in cities/ towns and industrial areas

Developing and propagating biotechnology interventions in agro forestry

Bringing technological advancement in agro-forestry plantation and developing locally suitable agro forestry combinations and integrated forestry plantation models/ packages

Raising tree cover along the river banks and in and around ponds/ water bodies

Creating a mass movement involving civic society, school/ colleges, institutions, etc for tree plantation and their subsequent care

Implementing program at Taluka level to intensify tree plantation and improve tree cover under “Apno Taluko Vibrant Taluko” (ATVT)

28Sources : http://www.wri.org/our-work/topics/forests

OTHER COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIESCONSERVATION THROUGH MODERN TECHNOLOGY (1/2)

The advancement in technology and its online applications can be used to understand the status of forest and forestry in different areas of Gujarat

A dynamic online forest monitoring and alert

system can be adopted that empowers people everywhere to better

manage forests.

The mapping application unites

satellite technology, open data, and

crowdsourcing to have timely and reliable information about

forests

Such a system has been used by: Brazil

(Amazon)

The State’s Forest & Environment Department is in the process of

implementing MIS/ GIS Integrated Mapping with PDA / Smart Phone

This system will be useful in tracking activities like:

• Land management• Plantation &

Nursery• Eco tourism• Alert for fire• Tree cutting

• Wildlife rescue• Forest offence• Encroachment• Animal – man

conflict

Objective:• Minimizing paper work• Seamless & easy working environment

using latest ICT• Protect the Forest Area & save Man –

Animal Conflict• Improved communication

29Sources : http://www.wri.org/our-work/topics/forests, http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_KW/pdf/sustainability_report/group_approach_sustainability_fy11.pdf, http://www.wri.org/blog/changing-landscape-forest-management, http://greenpeaceblogs.org/2014/04/07/7-steps-companies-must-take-stop-deforestation/

Technological shifts are helpful in enabling greater accountability and transparency, leading to strong commitments and establishing clear expectations of their suppliers

Advancement of technology and its more extensive applications are changing the way of forest management

Consumer Goods Forum, a group of more than 400 retailers, manufacturers, and other organizations, has pledged to mobilize resources

to help achieve zero net deforestation by 2020. This will be done by adopting technologies which will allow tracing of the

entire supply chain.

Such mechanisms are encouraging business to disclose more information to the public, resulting in improved accountability.

This is also helping the companies in managing their risks better, whilst contributing to the conservation of nature

Companies which are tracking their supply

chain are:

OTHER COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIESCONSERVATION THROUGH MODERN TECHNOLOGY (2/2)

30Sources : Department of Forest & Environment, Government of Gujarat

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION IN GUJARAT

Organic farming

Vaccination of domestic

animal around protected

areas

Better agricultural/ho

rticultural practices

Eco development in fringe villages

Environment Education &

Research

Use of Forest produce such as

timber, medicinal plants (supply

chain)

Tree farming both for

environment conservation

and commercial

use

Climate Change

mitigation mechanisms

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1.3 Gujarat Scenario:

Other Government

Projects

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BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMGUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTS

State of Gujarat has been at the forefront in implementing schemes initiated by the Central government and other agencies like Japan International Cooperation Agency. They are mentioned

below:

Centrally Sponsored Schemes

Schemes implemented in FY 13Plantation Physical Targets

(ha)Financial Targets

(USD million)

13th Finance Commission 1500 3.47

Intensification of Forest Management Scheme 0 1.01

Mangroves and Coral Reefs – Management (Proposed)

4700 1.11

Fodder Development Scheme (Proposed) 500 0.46

Total 12631 6.05

Externally Aided projects (Japan International Cooperation Agency)

Jica project – Non - Tribal 4698 3.37

Jica project - Tribal 16820 10.7

Total 21598 14.07

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

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GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSMANGROVE DEVELOPMENT: A SUCCESS STORY

The mangrove forest cover of Gujarat stands second behind West Bengal

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat, The New Indian Express

Objectives

Every year approximately

12,000 ha are being planted through

peopleparticipation

(Community based organizations and

PPP)

Soil conservation in coastal areas

Protection from natural disasters

like cyclones, Tsunamis etc

Increase in biodiversity and fish production

Source of food and livelihood

for people living on the coasts

Objectives and advantages of

mangrove development

Over 2.5 times increase in less than 2 decades

(from 397 Sq Km in 1991 to 1103 Sq Km

in 2013)

The mangrove restoration project by Gujarat Ecology Commission envisages to achieve:

Enhanced capacity of communities to regenerate and sustainably manage mangrove resources for increased livelihoodopportunities

Increased support from industry in conserving and regenerating mangroves

More proactive involvement of the government in community basedregeneration and conservation of mangroves

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GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSJOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT (JFM) PROGRAM IN GUJARAT

The Joint Forest Management program , initiated in 1991 in the state ,is a step forward for involving people in the management of natural resources, along with the government, on

care and share basisUnder this , the families at the village level form communities. These JFM committees protect forest area against encroachment, cultivation, fire, illicit cutting and grazing. NGOs or voluntary organizations train the

village organization to carry out JFM activities.

Timber: 50% in degraded, 16% in

good forests

NTFP (including grasses) - free

Poles: 50% of collected poles

Firewood: Free

What people

get

Progress So Far

The total forest area brought under JFM till June, 2013 is 4.29 lac hectares (20% of the

total forest area) involving 3,288 JFMCs

There has been a considerable increase in the forest cover, owing to various

management interventions , most important being JFM

• 3288 JFM committees covering 4,29,235 ha of forest land

• Over 2 million beneficiaries

• 312 Eco Development Committees

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GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSJOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT (JFM) PROGRAM IN GUJARAT: MEETING THE MDGS

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

MillenniumDevelopment Goals

Promote gender equality and empower women

Eradicate Extreme Poverty

Achieve universal primary education

Reduce child mortality

Improve maternal health

Combat HIV/ AIDS, malaria and other

The State Government’s initiatives to

achieve these goals:

6 new biodiversity hotspot sites have been created

To date, 40% of reproductive women and children have got benefited through reproductive and child care camps by better access to

vaccinations and free medicine to pregnant women

Women SHGs have been established as democratic village institutions in the project area. SHGs have access to banks with

savings.

Ensure environmentalsustainability

Good Governance

Develop a global partnership for development

Over 2,000 village level democratic formal institutions for forest management have been established. 40 percent are women in these

organizations

At least 40% of the plantations in degraded forest areas are rehabilitated into open forest, 40% of the plantations in open forest

are rehabilitated into moderately dense forest

Micro plans have been prepared and approved by the general bodyof organizations and all of them on an average have ~USD 416 corpus fund available for implementation of micro and forest management

plans

6 ecotourism sites created

36

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSSOCIAL FORESTRY: SALIENT FEATURES

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

Salient Features

To monitor the impact of the Social Forestry, Gujarat was first to take initiative to conduct tree census to estimate total tree population in the state

The annual rate of improvement in tree cover is over ten percent during the last decade

Tree population has improved by 19.2% in a decade (2003-13) in Gujarat State

Total number of trees has increased from 251 million (excluding dangs) in the first counting in 2003 to 268.7 million in the second tree counting and then to 301.4 million in the third tree counting in 2013

The growing stock of timber and fuel wood has also increased substantially due to increase in the number of trees

Highest increase in Ardusa (Ailanthus excelsa) trees from 3.97 million in 2003 to 9.77 million in 2013 (150 percent increase in ten years)

Implementing tree plantation on private farm land and promoting agro forestry

Dominant trees in non forest areas in Gujarat

NameNo. of trees (in Millions)

Percentage of total trees

Neem(AzadirachtaIndica)

45.48 15.09

Deshi Baval(Acacia nilotica)

28.11 9.33

Nilgiri (Eucalyptus sp)

27.33 9.07

Ardusa(Ailanthus Excelsa)

9.77 3.24

As in 2009, the economic contribution of the tree outside forests (TOF) in the GDP of the state was

about USD 726 million

37

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSSOCIAL FORESTRY: GUJARAT AS A ROLE MODEL

Social Forestry was seen as a people’s programme. Under this initiative, the state embarked upon an ambitious mission of organizing and motivating people to take up tree plantation on lands like Panchayat lands, wastelands, roadsides, canal sides, school and

college compounds and other government and private lands.

The cumulative achievement of Social Forestry works (1969 - 2012)

Strip Plantations 1.03 lakh ha.

Panchayat Lands (Village Forest) 1.32 lakh ha.

Private Degrade Lands Seedling 2.46 lakh ha.

Seedling Distribution (VM) 491 crores

As a result of this programme, the total number of trees in the non forest areas increased from 251.0 million in 2003 to 301.0 million in 2013 which is a commendable increase of 5 million trees per year

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

A major initiative of the Gujarat Government in promoting Social Forestry is the celebration of Van Mahotsav on a

massive scale. The celebration of Van Mahotsav takes place at the district,taluka and village levels to create awakening towardsafforestation and helps build strong links between trees andpeople. Tree plantation campaigns are conducted in urbanareas and about 90 to 100 million seedlings are suppliedannually.

38

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSSOCIAL FORESTRY: SUCCESS STORY

Anand is a model district of Social Forestry development, including agro-forestry, where people have benefited both socially and economically

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

Case study: Anand• Anand is a leading district in term of agro-forestry,

animal husbandry and agriculture

• Earning from agro-forestry has become one of the main economic activities for farmers in the district

• Anand, which is a non forest district in central Gujarat, has now become one of the greenest districts in India with highest density of trees in non forest areas

• Tree density of 66 trees/ hectare

• There is a well organized market system for timber trade and movement of wood to other states

17.5

18

18.5

19

19.5

20

20.5

21

21.5

2003 2008 2013

19

20.12

21.1

Trees population in Anand District (in Million)

Case Study: Malav Village (Panchmal District)

• Malav Village in Panchmal District is known for agroforestry of Eucalyptus species (Nilgiri)

• 80% of the farmers of Malav village adopted agro-forestry

• About 10.88 Lacs Eucalyptus trees are raised in the village and every year about 1 Lac trees are harvested

39

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSSOCIAL FORESTRY: CULTURAL FOREST

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

Sanskritik Van in Gujarat• “Punit Van” at Gandhinagar• “Mangalya Van” at Ambaji• “Tirthankar Van” at Taranga• “Harihar Van” at Somnath• “Bhakti Van” at Chotila• “Shyamal Van” at Shamlaji• “Pawak Van” at Palitana• “Virasat Van” at Pavagarh• “Govind Guru Smrutivan” at Mangadh• “Nagesh Van” at Dwarka

Objective of establishing Sanskritik Vans or Cultural Forests

• To increase active participation of the people for increasing tree cover

• To make people acquainted with our ancient culture• To strengthen our cultural & traditional values for

protecting trees• To connect people with the tree plantation & protection• To develop cultural sites• To create awareness among people about religious &

medicinal plants

Gujarat Forest Department developed ten Sanskritik Van on sites spread across the state, as a part of the initiative state level Van Mahotsav celebration

40Sources : FAO, Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSINTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROJECT (ICZMP): GUJARAT SCENARIO

ICZMP: A World Bank aided project being implemented in the Gulf of Kachchh with GEC as the State Project Management Unit

Boundary Definition

Enforcement

Policy making

Incentives and

Disincentives

Development of guidelines/

standards

Appropriate control

measures

Activities under ICZM

Monitoring

Zoning

GEC is working with Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited to develop a fifth generation

oceanarium

Achievements

Mangrove plantation in 8180 ha.

Workshops on sea turtle conservation and hatchery management have been conducted

Coral transplantation has been completed in 8 sq.mt area

Field hatcheries near Dwarka have been developed and several baby turtles have been released into the sea

Bio-physical data collection has been undertaken for data collection and protocol development for the mapping of bio-physical parameters

Formation of 104 CBOs and 40 Eco-development committees under socio-economic development

283 Self Help Groups have been formed

161 Social Audit Committees have been formed and 538 community members were given training by Unnati, Ahmedabad

Out of 160 villages, PRA exercise is completed in 149 villages

Many trainings and workshops have been conducted to strengthen the capacity of the state for effective coastal zone management

41

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTS BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION THROUGH ACCESS & BENEFIT SHARING

Sources : Gujarat Biodiversity BoardNote: ABS: Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanism

IncentivesCommercial utilization of Bio-resources Initiatives

Conservation of Biological Diversity

Sustainable use of Biodiversity components

ABS mechanism for Biological Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge

Vision for next 5 years

Constitution of BMC’s in all the village panchayats of Gujarat

Signing of ABS agreements through ABS mechanism

Legal support

governed by

Biodiversity Act, 2002, Govt. of India

Biological diversity Rules, 2004, Govt of India

Gujarat Biological Diversity Rules, 2010: Notified by the Govt. of Gujarat

Government of Gujarat

National Biodiversity Board

UNEP - GEF

Financial support

from

42

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTS (1/2)ECOLOGICAL CONSERVATION: A COMBINED EFFORT OF THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE

Mission: To collectively contribute towards conservation, restoration and enrichment of ecosystems, natural heritage and environment through ecological education, studies and research

Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation is a member of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural

Resources (IUCN). The Scientific & Industrial Research Organizations (SIROs) Department of Science and Technology, Government of India,

recognizes it as a Scientific Institute. It is also a member of State Board for Wildlife, Government of Gujarat and Indian Society of Geomatics.

The Foundation conducts focused training programmes for Forest Officers including front-line forest staff, scientific officers and

researchers, local communities and eco-guides from various States of India on topics relating to ecology, biodiversity, climate change,

environment etc. It also trains students (of High-school, Colleges and Universities) under the aegis of National Green Corps (NGC) – MOEFCC, Government of India and Nature Education Camps (NEC) Department of

Forests and Environment, Government of Gujarat

In 2008, GEER Foundation was awarded “Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award for the year 2006” - from Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India

Almost 3368 camps have been held all over the State under the auspices of GEER Foundation and other territorial and local Conservators of Forests

wherein 1.89 lakh students and 3500 teachers have been trained on different aspects of conservation of nature, ecology and environment" (as on Dec 2013)

For the purpose of Ecological and Nature Conservation Education, the GEER Foundation also maintains Indroda Nature Park (Botanical Garden, INP Zoo, Dinosaur Park, Earth-Fossil Park, Aranya Udhyan) and Hingolgadh Wildlife

Sanctuary.

43

GEER Foundation specializes in ecological conservation aimed at conserving nature through its use in developing conservation management plans

Envi

ron

me

nta

l Im

pac

t A

sses

sme

nt To understand the impact of

fast emerging developmental changes on Gujarat’s environment. Major works:

EIA of Sardar Sarovar Project on Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary and Velavadar National Park (completed)

Collection of Baseline Data pertaining to Biodiversity and Socio-economics in Dholera SIR Area (ongoing)

Stat

us

Surv

ey

and

Atl

as

Status reports, surveys and atlas help take stock of the present and chalking out a future course of action. It involves comprehensive study and evaluation of the existent ecospheres, endangered species and status of nature education in Gujarat. Major works:• Evaluation Reports on Centrally

Sponsored Scheme for Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs by MoEF, GoI (completed)

• Status of Dugong in India (completed)• Ecology of the Coral Reefs of Gujarat

(ongoing)

Eco

syst

em

Re

sear

ch

To build action plans for conservation and management of various ecosystems of Gujarat. Major works:

• Action Plan for conservation and management of Nalsarovar wetland (completed)

• Study of Wetlands in Gujarat with Special Emphasis on the Information Networking on Habitat and Diversity (ongoing)

• Wetland study of Chhari Dhundhin Rann of Kachchh (ongoing)

Bio

div

ers

ity

Re

sear

ch

Biological studies are undertaken at different sanctuaries and National Parks of Gujarat. Based on these, special measures are designed and implemented to conserve and enhance the existing flora and fauna.

• Biodiversity of Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (completed)

• Biodiversity study of “Northern Tapi Forest” areas of Gujarat with special emphasis to small mammals (ongoing)

Spec

ies

and

To

pic

Sp

ecif

ic R

ese

arch Gujarat's rich Biodiversity has been adequately

captured in the species-specific research conducted by GEER Foundation. Major works:• Study of Identifying Coral Reef health

indicators in the Gulf of Kachchh (completed)• Socio-Economic Feasibility Study of Bamboos &

their Products in Gujarat State (completed)• Biodiversity and Coral Transplantation in the

Gulf of Kachchh) under Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ongoing)

• Impact of forestry interventions in urban and sub-urban areas of Gujarat

• (proposed)

Re

sear

ch o

n C

limat

e C

han

ge

As a step towards assessing & addressing the issues related to climate change, GEER Foundation undertakes various scientific studies at state level. Major works:• Assessment of carbon storage potential

of forest areas of Gujarat (ongoing)• Study of Green House Gas emissions of

Gujarat and modeling its future trends(ongoing)

• Impact of global warming on disaster patterns in Gujarat (ongoing)

• Assessment of carbon storage potential of tree cover (outside forest area) of Gujarat (ongoing)

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTS (2/2)ECOLOGICAL CONSERVATION: A COMBINED EFFORT OF THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE

44

GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTSSOIL AND MOISTURE CONSERVATION

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

The Department has implemented soil and moisture conservation works intensively such as construction of check

dams, van talawadis, gully plugging, and forest tanks.

From 1995 – 96 to 2010 – 11, a total of 8,298 van talawadi (forest pond) and 9,249 check dams were constructed by the

department

Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat

45

1.3 Gujarat Scenario

Awards and Accolades

46

BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMAWARDS & ACCOLADES

• India Biodiversity Award-2014, jointly instituted by Indian government and the UNDP, for its contribution towards the conservation of the Whale sharks.

• Sanctuary's Best Protected Area Award 2013- Gir Forest National Park

• National award for the best wildlife and eco-tourism site of 2008- Gir national park and sanctuary

• Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award for 2006, 2007 and 2008 for outstanding performance in social forestry and reclamation of wastelands in Gujarat. The Award has been constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India

• Teri Award 2007 for Water conservation work at Girnar Forest

• Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award 2006 by Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India for unique contribution in the field of research leading to conservation of nature & wildlife

47

BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEMWEBSITE PROVIDING DEPARTMENT DETAILS

Department of Forest & Environment, Government of Gujarat: http://www.envforguj.in/

GEER Foundation: http://www.geerfoundation.gujarat.gov.in/

Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Ltd.: http://www.gsfdcltd.co.in/

Gujarat State Biodiversity Board http://www.gsbb.in/

Gujarat Ecology Commission: www.gec.gujarat.gov.in/

Gujarat Environment Management Institute: http://www.gemi-india.org/

48

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