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JOINT
FOREST MANAGEMENT |
Chapter II
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Micro Plan
Micro Plan is the working Plan of the VSS. PRA technique is employed for Micro Plan preparation. Micro Plans are prepared by a trained team of Forest Department staff facilitated by the VSS members, local residents and NGOs / Activists in some of the areas.
The Plan is formulated according to the formats and procedures laid down in the PFM guidelines. It consists of five parts.
Part I - Area, geographical features, Forest - people inter dependency, yearly outflow of Forest resources, analysis on the basis of inter dependency, utilisation of the forest management area, the status of the forest area.
Part II - Management (Suggestions for the future), analysis of activities on the basis of short term objectives, summary of programmes, conflicts and resolutions (steps to resolve conflicts).
Part III - Resource Management (Forest and Non Forest), VSS Management (including financial management).
Part IV - Responsibilities of participating institutions, limitations, steps to vercome threats.
Part V - Policy declarations and maps of VSS.
Micro plans are revised adopting the same methodology. The micro plan thus prepared is sent to the Divisional Forest Officer, who in turn forward it to the Conservator of Forests with his comments. The Conservator of Forests is empowered to make amendments in the Plan if required. All activities covered under any other approved Plan/Project for the area selected for the PFM, is also included in the micro plan. However, no activity contrary to the existing Acts & Rules are to be undertaken in the forest areas.
The approved activities in the micro plan are implemented
by the Executive Committee of VSS. The works undertaken by the VSS are
minor works to be carried out inside or along the forest fringes, and
do not require any technological expertise. Hence, these works are executed
by the VSS members themselves.
The VSS handles money through a system of operation and core funds, leading
to total transparency and accountability. The following mandatory procedures
are followed to ensure transparency
1. Monthly Review of the activities and financial transactions
of the VSS
2. Audit of half yearly and annual Accounts by a team consisting of the
nominated member of VSS and an Officer designated by DFO
3. Exhibition of the Plan of Activities and Financial Particulars in the
Notice Board of VSS Office
4. Presentation of the report on the activities undertaken and audited
financial statements in the General Body meeting.
5. At least 15 days notice (pasted (stuck) on trees/ public places) to
the people about the meetings
The VSS receive financial support from National Afforestation Programme and other sources through FDAs.
Table 2.2
Flow of funds to Fringe VSS
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Forest management operations for the ensuing five years is given in the
micro plan of VSS. Action plan is prepared for each year and submitted
to the Conservator of Forests for approval. Once the action plan is approved
and when sufficient funds are available with the Divisional Forest Officer,
the advance money (credibility fund) is released to the VSS on request
for carrying out the works. This amount is credited in the operational
fund, a joint account of the President and Secretary. After the completion
of the work as per estimates, the Bill is submitted to the Divisional
Forest Officer for approval. DFO in turn ensures the quality of work and
approves the Bill. The amount thus withdrawn from the operational fund
is transferred to the core fund.
The funds for forest protection under Kerala Forestry Project at the rate of Rs. 700 per hectare is also distributed in the same way with the rider that 50% of the amount is to be set apart for future forest management.
FDA receives funds directly for the National Afforestation programme (centrally sponsored programme), based upon its project proposal.
Treatment Plan is prepared with 2% of the total planting cost. Approval for the entry point activities at the rate of Rs. 4000/- hectare is given, after the completion of Treatment plan.
Monitoring
Primary monitoring of the activities is undertaken by VSS. They forward a monthly report to the Range Officers. A consolidated report for three months of VSS is sent to the DFO. The report is placed before the Executive Committee of the FDA, in the Circle Review Meeting and afterwards forwarded to Regional Chief Conservator of Forests. A consolidated progress report with achievement, problems, remedial measures and policy recommendation are sent to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests once in six months.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests reviews the report of performance and project activities of VSS and follow up action are taken on the issues which could be rectified at Department level. Those issues, which require Government decisions, are reported accordingly.
The status of VSS in the State as on 30-9-2003 is given in Appendix V and the details of training conducted on PFM during 2002-03 is given in Appendix VI.
PFM has been introduced in Kerala as a component of Kerala
Forestry Project for the formation and institutionalization of VSS. The
Ministry of Environment and Forests provide funds for National Afforestation
Programme only to the ongoing VSS through FDAs. At present 13 out of 33
FDAs have got their proposals approved and started receiving funds. However,
there is no provision for either formation or institutionalisation of
new VSS. In this circumstances, if central assistance is not forthcoming,
the Forest Department may have to explore the possibilities of raising
needy resources to sustain and continue the programme.
* See Brown for a pro-PFM approach. A summary is given in Appendix III