The Forest Research Institute has carried a countrywide project on “Dependence of Forest Fringe Village Communities on Forests” and ecological assessment of forest fringes in the 275 Rainfed districts of 27 states and one union territory of India. The project, which was funded by National Rainfed Area Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, attempted to collect data for the first time in India from forest fringe villages on sample basis. This data was then compiled, synthesized and analyzed by FRI experts to generate invaluable information on the extent of dependence of forest fringe dwelling communities on forests and the impact of their dependence on the forests in terms of forest degradation and biodiversity loss. FRI has published this information into one National Report and six Zonal Reports.
A Dissemination Workshop was held today in the Board Room of FRI to discuss and deliberate upon the further use of the data and information generated in the project and the way forward. Dr. Savita, Director, F.R.I. gave an opening remark and introduced the project. Presentations were made by Sh. Manoj Kumar, Sh. Neelesh Yadav and Dr. S.P.S. Kushwaha on various aspects of the project as well as the outcomes. This workshop was attended by Dr. Mohnish Mullick, PCCF, Dr. S.P. Subudhi, CCF and Dr. Neena Grewal from Uttarakhand Forest Departments, Dr. Harsh Mehta from IISWCR, Dr. Arijit Roy from IIRS, Dr. Pratap Singh from WII, Ambrish Kumar from BSI, Dr. Ajeet Kaur from UCOST and representative from FSI, Directorate of Forest Education and IGNFA. The extent of data and its usefulness in the future Endeavour for management interventions were appreciated by one and all.