Study on Benefits Accured to the Community by the Revegetation of Uplands in Sinkul, Balikiari, Dholposi, Konkonaat Foundation for Ecological Security (angul) Orissa

Abstract

"While implementing a project of regenerating degraded forests, one often faces the question of justifying the benefits that would accrue from the initiative. If this project has already been implemented then the issue changes to is, if the existing biomass sufficient to suffice the demand of the community.

"This is an attempt at evaluation of Khesara (village forest) which is an exclusive example of common property .The khesara forests are conserved by collective action of peoples institution (e.g. Balikiari-village in orissa has peoples institution in form of Balimal Bana Sanchalan Samiti). It is an attempt to bring out the relationship between Institutions (Van Suraksha Samiti, Village Forest Protection Committee), Agriculture, People and Forests. It seeks to establish link between forest regeneration and increased moisture for improving agriculture.

"Further this paper seeks to evaluate the health of the Khesara Forest by qualitative (Biodiversity) and Quantitative means (Biomass).

"The paper analyses the impact of revegetation in the uplands of Orissa and the various benefits accrued from them. The various related aspects with respect to cropping pattern before and now, moisture regime of the area, soil erosion before and after. The paper also explores the effect of revegetation on the livelihood of people and also the change in productivity of the land before and after.

"The study also analyses the peoples institutions and their role in management of forests as a CPR. An elaboration on the benefit sharing mechanism has been done.

"The major potential threats to forest in the place of investigation have been explored. This paper also provides a holistic understanding on the Water Harvesting Structure constructed by the villagers (Shramdan) under the guidance of Foundation of Ecological Security.

"An impact assessment of the holistic work has been undertaken on different types of lands in the village with respect to agriculture."