14 - Aug - 2024
Strategic Partnership for Strengthening the Forest Economy in Lahaul & Spit
The Lahaul & Spiti District Administration, Government of Himachal Pradesh, and the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (BIPP-ISB) have formalized a partnership through two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at advancing community-led forest economies in the region. Signed on July 26, 2024, in Spiti, and August 13, 2024, in Lahaul, these agreements establish a structured framework to enhance community tenure security, promote sustainable resource management, and develop economic opportunities for forest-dependent communities.
Objectives and Scope of the MoUs
The collaboration seeks to create a sustainable economic model that integrates traditional forest-based practices with contemporary policy and technological interventions. The MoUs focus on two primary areas:
The initiative aims to revitalize the pastoral grazing economy by securing community tenure under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 for traditional seasonal grazing rights of pastoral communities. The objective is to ensure sustainable grazing practices while strengthening economic opportunities for pastoralist groups.
The partnership is designed to develop an economic model around Sea Buckthorn and other Seasonal Forest Products (SFPs) by securing tenure rights for local communities and ensuring responsible harvesting and value addition. The initiative aims to integrate these products into formal markets, thereby providing a stable economic foundation for local livelihoods, particularly those led by women's groups.
The MoUs outline a multi-stakeholder approach that brings together government agencies, community institutions, and technical experts to facilitate the formalization of tenure rights and the development of sustainable economic models. Key elements include:
Establishment of FRA Cells: Dedicated FRA Cells will be created at the Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC) and District Level Committee (DLC) levels to oversee Community Forest Resource (CFR) claim filing, boundary mapping, and institutional governance.
Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening: A series of training programs and workshops will be conducted for Forest Rights Committees (FRCs), Gram Sabha representatives, and local government officials to enhance their understanding of FRA provisions, tenure security processes, and resource management strategies.
Technical and Digital Interventions: IoFE will support forest boundary mapping and inventory development using nCount technology to facilitate precise data collection and improve decision-making related to sustainable resource management.
Women-Led Community Enterprises: In collaboration with Gram Sabhas, the initiative will support the formation of community-led producer companies focused on sustainable harvesting, processing, and commercialization of SFPs such as Sea Buckthorn. These enterprises will receive technical support in business planning, financial literacy, and market integration strategies.
Market Integration and Policy Advocacy: The project will establish direct linkages with buyers, industries, and policy institutions to ensure that forest-based enterprises are incorporated into formal economic structures. Additionally, advocacy efforts will focus on strengthening policy frameworks to facilitate market access for community-based producers.
Implementation Strategy and Institutional Framework
This partnership represents a significant step towards integrating forest-dependent communities into formal economies while ensuring the long-term ecological sustainability of the Lahaul & Spiti region. By leveraging technological tools, community engagement, and policy interventions, the initiative is expected to:
Enhance community tenure security through formal CFR recognition
Strengthen livelihood opportunities for forest-dependent households
Promote sustainable harvesting and land management practices
Establish direct market access for community-managed forest enterprises
Facilitate policy-level engagement for institutionalizing community-led forest economy
The collaboration between the Lahaul & Spiti administration and BIPP-ISB provides a replicable model for balancing economic development with ecological sustainability in forested landscapes. The initiative underscores the potential of community-led governance, evidence-based policy interventions, and sustainable market linkages to create resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible economic systems.