Haryana forest department proposes project to World Bank

S K Dhar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests told The Indian Express, a three-member pre-approval mission of World Bank visited Haryana recently and was convinced to sanction the project to the state.

“The team has suggested a few changes in the proposal with new components to be added. They have asked us to include the water logged areas of Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonepat in the plan. After that the financial agreement will be signed,” said Dhar.

The objective of the project is to improve the environment through sustainable management of rural resources and reduction of green house gases. The project will undertake the necessary steps to generate Kyoto-compliant carbon credits under the roles established for afforestation and reforestation as well as energy efficient activities under Clean Development Mechanism. The carbon credits generated by the projects will represent an additional income for the local communities.

Dhar said, “Our focus will be to work with the local community and help women empowerment.

We will also encourage formation of self help groups to involve people in various activities. Special attention will be paid to the needs and perspectives of various disadvantaged groups. The model villages are ready and the strategy is to enhance the radius of our activities.”

The project will stabilise the surface sand over 5,000 hectares, create barriers for moving sands and reduce evapo-transpiration at the erodible sites of Shivaliks.

The project will make 10,000 hectares of barren land productive by plantation of trees, grass and shrubs.

Besides, an ongoing project on integrated natural resource management and poverty reduction is being executed with the financial assistance of Rs 286 crore from the Japan Bank of International Cooperation. “Under the project, the department has set a target to bring 48,800 hectares under tree plantation by 2011. About 330 villages will be covered under this and a review mission is expected by next month,” said Dhar.