BHUBANESWAR: The State Government is mulling extension of the Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project (OFSDP) which is currently implemented in 10 districts. The OFSDP is being implemented with assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project started in 2006-07 and is slated to end in 2012-13. However, the Forest Department is seeking an extension for two years and will request the JICA in this regard, according to Forest and Environment Minister Debi Prasad Mishra. The Government wants consolidation of the project’s results and make it sustainable. Currently, it is being implemented in 14 forest and wildlife divisions of the State. Under the extension plan, another 600 vana sanrakshana samitis (VSSs) and Eco Development Clubs (EDCs) are proposed to be covered over and above the project target of 2,275. Similarly, against the original target of 4,550 SHGs, the project, if extended, will cover a total of 5,800 groups. The self- help groups are supported for income generation activities. The Forest Department is also looking at bringing an additional 43,000 hectare of degraded forests for restoration under the extended project. The restoration will be carried out in the joint forest management (JFM) mode. Currently, 1,96,650 hectare are being restored. The extension proposal also includes additional activities like corpus fund with VSS for sustainability, support fund for income generation activities, strengthening the forestry training institutions as well as GIS-based planning and monitoring.
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