A Feedback on Social forestry Project from Ambala District (Haryana)

An evaluation study of Farm Forestry and village woodlots plantations under Social Forestry project has been carried out in Ambala District in Haryana. It has been found that there is marked deviation from the stated objectives of the programme. The main reasons for thia have been identified as low awareness among the villagers about the programme and non-invement of the villagers and panchayats in the management of the village woodlots and non-consideration of wood market conditions. It is suggested that the villagers and panchayats should be involved in management of these plantations from the planning stage itself by evolving joint management plans, extension and publicity efforts should be strengthened. In Farm Forestry the thrust of the programme should be shifted towards the small farmers and multipurpose trees should be demontrated. Market forces should be taken into consideration while deciding planting targets.