downtoearth-subscribe

Private rights

private sector participation in forestry projects will only be allowed in degraded and denuded forest lands. The recently approved Approach Paper to the Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) says that the concept of privatisation of forest areas was not conducive in the Indian context and would therefore, not be encouraged in forest resource management. Within the proposed scheme, local communities would have the right to avail the full benefit of forest produces in their respective areas.

The Centre's social audit panel, recently suggested designing commercial forestry programmes to meet the needs of small and largescale industries. The panel recommended developing a sustainable district forestry programme, its major components being conservation forestry, community forestry, commercial forestry and cross linkages.

Related Content