15-October-2024
Fostering Community-led Conservation in Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh
As part of ongoing efforts to promote sustainable forest governance in the Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh, the Initiative on Forest Economy (IoFE) has facilitated the formation of Community Forest Resource Management Committees (CFRMCs) and the development of Community Forest Resource Management Plans (CFRMPs) across ten villages. This initiative aligns with the latest guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and is a significant step towards democratizing forest management under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006.
Strengthening Community Participation in Forest Governance
The newly established CFRMCs have been democratically elected, ensuring the active participation of women, youth, and traditional forest users in decision-making processes. These committees serve as the custodians of community forest rights, ensuring that local governance structures are strengthened and that sustainable conservation practices are embedded within customary and legal frameworks.
The Community Forest Resource Management Plans (CFRMPs), developed through extensive community consultations, focus on conservation strategies, sustainable harvesting, and equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. These plans have been formally approved by the Gram Sabhas, ensuring community ownership and accountability in forest resource management. They are now set to be integrated with the working plan of the Forest Department of Pangi Valley, facilitating institutional coordination for effective implementation.
The CFRMPs emphasize sustainable resource use, ecological balance, and local governance mechanisms through:
Rotational harvesting practices to prevent over-extraction and ensure long-term forest health.
Regulations on forest resource use, including controlled access to timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products.
Fines and penalties for forest degradation, enforcing community-driven accountability for resource protection.
Temporary bans on high-value seasonal forest products, allowing natural regeneration cycles to enhance sustainability.
Key Components of the CFR Management Plans
The Gram Sabha plays a crucial role in empowering local communities by reinforcing their rights to govern, conserve, and manage their forests. The adoption of culturally embedded conservation practices by CFRMCs reflects the deep interconnection between local traditions and environmental stewardship.
By formalizing these governance structures, the initiative lays a strong foundation for long-term sustainable development in Pangi Valley. It also sets a precedent for community-led forest governance models that can be replicated across other forested landscapes in India, ensuring that local communities remain central to conservation and sustainable economic development efforts.