Bhopal:Sunday, April 27:The experiment undertaken by the state government for redressing basic problems of forest villagers has met with success. The meetings of Van Samitis held as part of this experiment from April 21 to 26 witnessed overwhelming public participation. Now the problems identified by them are going to be redressed soon.Various proposals were mooted for redressal of problems by the forest villagers at the general body meetings of Van Samitis constituted under Joint Forest Management. Discussions were held at these meetings over provisions of Forest Rights Act, conservation of forests, damage to forests by fire incidents, conservation of underground water as well as Tendu Patta collection, arrangement of drinking water for wildlife and importance of appliance for saving energy including pressure cooker, LPG stove, solar cooker and developing alternative sources of energy like biogas. The forest officials informed the villagers of beneficial schemes of the department apart from afforestation plans. Names of those interested in availing benefits of these schemes were also enlisted.
The proposal for digging a hand pump in tribal-dominant habitat has mooted by president of Mallanpura Van Samiti in Guna district. Similarly, Sarpanch of village Panchayat Bajrangarh Shri Pradeep Bhatt said that if the Samiti gives clearance to construction of road from village Bhilera to Mallanpura, then C.C. roads would be constructed in the entire Gram Panchayat within the current financial year. Members of Gram Van Samiti Kedarpura said that they were ready to plant saplings of teak trees and bamboo during the coming monsoon season if the department provides saplings to them. The department officers assured the villagers to provide saplings to them.
Smt. Surti Bai, ex-president of Hirapur Gram Van Samiti demanded pressure cookers for 16 families for energy conservation while the existing president Smt. Khemli Bai forwarded the proposal of constructing anicut on the nullah near the village and installation of a flour mill. Samiti member Smt. Mangli Bai demanded a sewing machine while another member Shri Sewla wanted digging of two hand pumps in view of scorching heat. Assurance was given to implement all these proposals as per availability of funds. Shri Amar Singh, president of Gram Van Samiti Satanpur stressed the need to stopping encroachment on forest land, illegal felling of trees, saving forests from fire and planting saplings. Ajmera Singh, member of Hinotia Gram Van Samiti laid stress on lessening pressure on forests by using pressure cooker and biogas. Another member Shri Nirmal Singh advised the villagers to adopt other sources of livelihood than farming which include poultry farming. Ramnagar Gram Van Samiti president Shri Gopilal informed that entire Mirapur village has become smoke-free since 65 biogas plants and 124 improved stoves are working there. He stressed the need of constructing a barrage near Ramnagar so that water remains available for cattle. At the meeting of Ramdi Gram Van Samiti, members thanked the Forest Department for sanctioning a water reservoir for their village.
General body meetings of village Chhapariya and Naharkhera in Indore districts were also held where priorities of public welfare works were decided.