Forest Department Programs for Tribal Development :

The tribal people can participate in raising plantations on forest land and have the right to collect fuel and fodder from the plantations so raised. The local communities, including tribal, have the right to extract NTFP(Non-timber forest products) and also receive timber from the government owned forests. These forests have come under heavy pressure for meeting the demand of timber for the ever - increasing population. People in these areas rear large herds of animal population for meeting their requirement of wool, meat and milch etc. These animals are grazed in the forests and on the government owned pasture lands. Some pastures and forests are also visited by the migratory grazers or transhumants. Some of the initiatives started for socio economic development and forest conservations are :

Objectives of Forest Department aimed at Tribal Development :

•  To raise plantations of fuel, fodder and small timber species including sea buckthorn with involvement of people.
• To improve the existing pastures.
• To introduce economically important species.
• To prolong life of reservoirs of River Valley Projects by taking up soil conservation measures.
• To carry out survey of medicinal and aromatic herbs to conserve and develop them further.

Apart from this other activities of the forest department that directly as well as indirectly have an impact on the local communities, including the indigenous communities include the following:

1. Improvement of forests, tree cover and compensatory afforestation and plantation through Participatory Forest Management.

2. Sustainable management of natural resources and wildlife including mananimal interface/ conflict outside the protected area.

3. Reduction of silt load in catchments through Catchment Area Treatment Plans and Externally Aided Watershed Projects (Mid Himalayan and Swan projects).

4. Preparation of forest working plans.

5. Capacity building of community institutions created around forest management including JFMCs (Joint Forest Management Committee) and VFDCs (Village Forest Development Committees).

6. Creating awareness about forests, forestry and bio - diversity. Forest Conservation and Development- implementing schemes for forest protection to counter the increasing biotic pressure and takes measures for protection of forests. Social & Farm Forestry- development of pastures and grazing land and making them available to tribal communities that have dependence on forest resources for meeting their year round as well as seasonal fodder needs. Under this scheme, high altitude pastures as well as grazing lands adjoining villages are taken care of, by introducing better grasses, raising fodder trees and taking up fodder plantations around villages with concentration of cattle population.

7. The National Afforestation Program (NAP) is being implemented to improve tree cover and involves a) Afforestation- to cover blank areas and bringing them under tree cover to achieve optimal land use. Both conifer and broad leafed species of indigenous as well as tried and tested species of exotic origin, suitable to the site are planted.

Activities under the program include- Physical and social Fencing of areas,and complementary soil and moisture conservation measures, planting and bush cutting; b) Enrichment plantings for densification of existing forests to improve their stocking and productivity through activities similar to those done under NAP) re- afforestation of scrub areas- to convert areas under scrub including those covered by bushes and weeds into productive forests/plantations by introducing suitable species of indigenous and exotic origin, through social and physical fencing, soil and moisture conservation measure and weed removal, bush cutting and planting.

8. Raising Nurseries for Public distribution-raise genetically superior and healthy plants in departmental nurseries for planting activities and for distribution to public so as to achieve the right mix of suitable species (both conifer and broad leafed).

9. Intensification of Forest Management - Forests are exposed to dangers of fire, illicit felling and encroachments. For better prevention and management check posts are established at suitable places to curb illicit timber trade and providing firefighting equipment and techniques in forest divisions where fire is a major source of forest destruction. Augmentation of Minor Forest Produce- Regeneration of Chilgoza Pine by raising their nurseries and plantations of in Kinnaur District since it is an important minor forest produce and tribals supplement their incomes by collection and sale of Chilgoza