Chapter VI
Findings and Suggestions
Findings
1. VSS is successful in places where community leadership is effective and Officers are keenly involved.
2. Department has yet to go a long way to adapt themselves to the new approach. Readiness to serve the community in the interest of the forest is less than needed; barring a few exceptions.
3. It has helped to bring institutional issues to the table. (for eg: permission to cut trees planted in their own settlement).
4. Awareness programme for the community is inadequate.
5. Forest fire occurrence reported to be decreased.
6. Vigilance against forest fires has decreased forest fire.
7. Grama Panchcyat ward member is an ex-officio member in the executive body of the VSS. Beyond that the panchayats do not actively co-operate with VSS activities.
8. Collection and marketing issues related to Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) need urgent attention.
9. A well-integrated strategy is to be formulated for the successful implementation of JFM. Greater inter sectoral co-ordination between Govt., Ministries and Departments is required.
10. In dealing with protections of forest areas, tribal and gender concerns show, that forest management is a challenge in conflict management. The forest strategy needs to recognize this factor explicitly and take steps to resolve such conflicts.
11. The NGO's/NGIs are to assist the FDs in PFM activities. In these three VSS the NGIs (Non Govt. Individual) played an active role in the initial stages of implementation. There was no active involvement later. The reason is attributed to the stopping of honorarium. Inspite of this the NGI in Kurumbanmoozhy participate in VSS activities.
12. Gender issues receive limited attention. The intention of increasing women participation is present in JFM. But they do little to address the crucial constraints that women face.
13. Instances of constructive political interference are reported for certain VSS especially in the initial stages of formation where as in some other cases politicians manipulate the VSS to decide their party strength.