Darjeeling & Tea Are Synonymous

In the Darjeeling hills, the Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme was initiated in 1990-90 when a number of informal forest protection committees (FPCs) were set up with the help of the local NGOs. These were formally registered between 1993 and 1995. At present, 73 FPCs are functioning in the Darjeeling hills covering an area of 19406 ha., which constitutes about 30% of the total forest area in the region. Simultaneously effective steps were taken to curb illicit felling and the writ of the Forest Department was consolidated inside the forests. The efforts were also made to boost the sagging morale of Forest staff, which had touched its nadir during the Gorkhaland agitation. The basic necessities inside forest locations, which were destroyed or damaged during the agitation, were restored. Regular training and workshops were organised for the staff to prepare them for participatory forest management.

Before formally registering FPCs, motivation camps are held to explain to the local people the basic concepts of the JFM scheme and the role of FPCs. The point that was sought to be driven home is that ecological restoration of denuded forests is linked to their economic well-being. Besides training, a host of support activities aimed at providing economic security to the people are also undertaken. They include eco-development works like construction of new village roads, culverts, ponds, ring wells , school buildings , etc. and the repair of old ones. Vocational support and training in bee-keeping, mushroom growing , pisciculture, floriculture are also imparted. Inter-cultivation of fodder grasses, medicinal and other economically useful plants are allowed between main tree species in plantations. All such activities are community-oriented and eco-friendly in nature. Training in knitting and sewing are organised to improve the women's economic status. Employment by the Forest Department is a part of the income generation programme. As support activities, the laboratories for production of mushroom spawn have been set up in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sukna. They cater to the needs of mushroom growers. Fire-wood and small timber centres have been set up in different parts of Darjeeling district to meet the local people's needs.

The JFM's success reflected in the quality of plantations and the reduction in the number of forest related offences. There is distinct attitudinal change in the people. An officer of Darjeeling Forest Division reported in 1995-96 that "the hostile attitude of the people towards the forest has changed to that of care and protection because of transparency during discussion, meetings and execution of various forest related works including support activities by the staff of the division. The people's participation in management and protection of forests has turned out to be spontaneous and immediate. Positive impact has been felt in the sphere of illicit felling and survival of plantations. The reduction in illicit felling and theft of forest produce can be attributed to the joint efforts of the staff of the division and the forest protection committees".

Though the JFM scheme has been taken up in earnest in the hills and plains of Darjeeling district, considerable study and work needs to be done in view of the prevailing social, cultural and political realities of the area. Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, which controls about 70 sq. kms of protected and unclassified state forests in the hills, is yet to bring its forests under the JFM umbrella because of the constrains of staff and resources. In the final analysis, it is in the interest of the people of Darjeeling district to make the JFM scheme a success and conserve the valuable forests of the region.