ODISHA FORESTRY SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT –

PHASE-II IN 2020-21
Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project, Phase-II is being implemented
with the loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 12
Territorial Forest Divisions and 2 wildlife Divisions of Odisha. This project is being
implemented from 2017-18 and will continue up to 2026-27.
The objective of the project is to promote sustainable forest management
through community participation following Joint Forest Management mode of
implementation and promotion of sustainable livelihood improvement through inter-
sectoral convergence.
Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project is being implemented following
Joint Forest Management Mode, wherein, planning and execution of works are being
done by the communities. Funds for the planned work is largely managed through the
Community Institution namely Vana Surakshya Samiti (VSS) as per the Government
of Odisha, Forest and Environment Resolution on JFM, 2011 read with the
amendment of 2015.
PROJECT AREA

During last three years (i.e., 2018-19, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021), survey,
demarcation and posting of pillars across the area assigned to 1180 VSSs have been
completed. Perspective development plan of all 1180 Vana Surakshya Samiti’s
covered under OFSDP have been prepared by the Communities and were approved
in respective Gram Sabha for implementation. During the current year (2021-2022),
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the activities targeted includes survey, demarcation and posting of pillars and
preparation of Perspective Plans for the remaining 31 VSS.
Under the component of sustainable forest management, more than 108.81
lakh seedlings (ANR in 32,361 ha and Block in 3120 ha) have been planted in 35,481
ha of degraded forest land in last two years. Further, during 2020-21, 12.17 lakh
seedlings have been planted in 1833 ha, mostly in the private land by 4432
beneficiaries of project villages under Farm Forestry Component. Selection of
seedlings under farm forestry component were finalized based on the choice of the
farmers and the condition of soil proposed for the purpose. Moreover, plantation
activities will be taken up in 403 VSSs during the period of 2021-22 for which
preparatory operation along with raising of Nursery has been completed.
The species preferred by the VSS members are Anla, Karanja, Bahada, Jamu,
Sisoo, Mango (grafted), Khaira, Gambhari, Arjuna, Sirisa, Cashew (grafted), Neem,
Tamarind, Bamboo, Chakunda, Jack fruit, Bela, Maha Neem, Kaitha, etc. Under Farm
Forestry Component, the beneficiary farmers have preferred Eucalyptus, Guava,
Jamun, Harida, Gamhari, Acacia, Teak, Amla, Bahada, Bamboo, Papaya, Sisoo, etc.

Farm Forestry plantation in Tulasiposi VSS in Karanjia Farm forestry plantation in Pakelkhol VSS in
Forest Division Jharsuguda Forest Division

6 number of Hi-tech Nurseries have been established in Baripada, Ghumsur

(North), Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Sundargarh and Athmalik Forest Divisions with all
required facilities for raising of quality seedlings to meet the plantation requirement of
OFSDP and other projects of the State as well. Each Hi-tech nursery has the capacity
to raise about 2.2 lakh poly-pot seedlings and 2.2 lakh Hyco-pot seedlings every year.

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These seedlings are used in various types of plantations being undertaken under the
project.

Polypot Seedlings prepared in Hi-tec Nursery of Hycopot Seedlings prepared in Hi-tec Nursery
Athamallik Forest Division of Baripada Forest Division

Under Community Development component of OFSDP II, one multi-purpose

community building “VSS cum IGA Facilitation Center” is being constructed in each
VSS. Till end of March, 2021, a total of 721 buildings have been constructed and
construction of rest 459 buildings is in progress and expected to be completed shortly.
These buildings are being utilized by the VSS for holding regular meetings and other
inter-sectoral community development activities under convergence.

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Junanai VSS–cum-IGA Facilitation Centre in Sonepur Depapalli VSS-cum-IGA Facilitation Centre in Sorada
Range under Subarnapur Forest Division Range under Ghumusur South Forest Division

Further, community development work to the tune of Rs. 6,661.16Lakhs have

been taken up through inter-sectoral convergence with other line departments up-to
March, 2020-21, benefitting about 4,10,104 beneficiaries from the project villages.

Seed stocking programme under convergence of Bio fertilizer and solar light distribution in Kuanala
Pisciculture in Sibadurga VSS in Baripada Forest Division VSS under Ghumusur South Forest Division

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 New well sinking in Kutasinga VSS under convergence Mustard Seeds distribution- Kulba-Nuadihi VSS
programme in Athamallik Forest Division under convergence programme in Sundargarh Forest
Division

The Drainage Line Treatment (DLT) of the micro catchment area is being
undertaken in both assigned areas under JFM Mode and adjacent areas under Non
JFM Mode for improving the soil moisture regime of the area. The achievements are
as detailed below:
Batch No. of Year of DLT under DLT under Fire line
Number VSS Operation JFM Mode Non JFM Creation and
(in Ha.) Mode (in Maintenance
Ha.) (in Rkm)
I 355 2018- 2019 446.00 222.00 506.00
II 422 2019- 2020 530.00 270.00 603.00
III & IV 403 2020- 2021 502.5 251.29 572.89
Total 1180 1478.50 743.29 1681.89

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 ANR with gap plantation in Baghapalli VSS in Subarnapur AR plantation in Jhulendihi VSS in Sundargarh
Forest Division under OFSDP-II Division under OFSDP-II

ANR plantation in Dinabandhupur VSS of Baripada Forest AR plantation in Dhepapalli VSS under Ghumusur South
Division under OFSDP-II Forest Division under OFSDP-II

Intensive Fire Protection and Control Measures are being undertaken through
the VSS under JFM Mode and 1681.88 running Kilometers (Rkm) of fire-lines have
been created and maintained in 1180 numbers of VSS.

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 Fire line creation work in Ladladi VSS, Padiabahal Range Fire line creation at Gajamara VSS of Dhenkanal FMU
in Jharsuguda Division in Dhenakanal Division

Under the Livelihood component of the project, the creation and establishment
of 3 number of Sal leaf Product Clusters is under progress in Baripada, Karanjia and
Rairangpur Forest Divisions of Mayurbhanj District. Product mapping, identification of
beneficiaries, formulation of business plan for the Sal Leaf Product Clusters have been
completed. Cluster Buildings in all three sites are in completion phase and the process
of procurement of machinery is under progress। Potential products have been
identified in all 12 project divisions and have been ranked, out of which 20 top ranked
products would be promoted for Income Generating Activities (IGA).

A dedicated Livelihood Resource Centre (LRC) has been set up as unit under
PMU for long term handholding support to VSS, SHGs, CIGs and poorest of the poor
people for sustainable livelihood. LRC would help to strengthen the community
institutions in the area of business planning, product development, cluster
development and establishing market linkage cross cutting the boundaries.

Under the Biodiversity component, Satoyama Initiative, a landscape based bio-

diversity conservation and management with focused sustainable livelihood initiatives
has been taken up in 10 Eco Development Committees in Bamra Wildlife Division
under OFSDP during last two years and its works are under progress such as:

Eco-system based Conservation Management of Bhitarkanika Conservation

Area (BCA) is under implementation in Rajnagar Wildlife Division. National Centre for
Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai has been assigned with development of
long-term Scientific Monitoring Plan for Bhitarkanika Conservation Area under
OFSDP-II.
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 Field Training on restoration of Bhajana variety
Avenue Plantation Works in Nunvet Village rice cropping at Nunvet village

Solar lighting in Nunvet village Solar fencing initiated for protection in Nunvet
village

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PROGRESS OF AMA JANGALA YOJANA (2020-21)
Ama Jangala Yojana (AJY) is a flagship program of Government of Odisha,
being implemented through Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society with the
objective to promote participatory and sustainable forest management and alternative
livelihoods for the forest fringed communities in the state. AJY envisages
strengthening of the community based institutions for protection of forest and creation
of alternate livelihood opportunities to reduce pressure on forests. The tenure of the
project is six years (2016-17 to 2021-22).

PROJECT AREA

By the end of the year 2020-21, the project has reached out to 4.2 lakh households
under 4,605 VSSs of 23 Divisions (15 districts), out of which 885 VSSs brought under
the fold of AJY during the year 2020-21 only.

In addition to this, about 14,263 women SHGs have been linked to various income
generating activities under AJY. In spite of Covid 19 pandemic situation, the project
could be able to mobilize INR 12,741.20 Lakhs through convergence with other
Departments under different Schemes, benefitting about 8,51,698 persons during this
year.
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 PROGRESS OF ACTIVITIES

All the activities carried out through Ama Jangala Yojana can be broadly classified into
4 categories.

1. Community mobilization and institution building activities

2. Forestry activities
3. Capacity building initiatives and
4. Livelihood promotion activities
1. Community mobilization and institution building activities

Community mobilization, as an essential component of Ama Jangala Yojana

has been completed in all 4,605 VSSs, including 885 new VSSs brought under the
fold of Ama Jangala Yojana during the current year. PRA & Micro-planning, VSS
meetings, awareness campaigns on various aspects of forest protection and
conservation have been conducted in all old and new VSSs to strengthen the
grassroots organizations. In addition to these, all the activities of Ama Jangala
Yojana are being carried out by active participation of the local communities
(mainly the VSSs) following Joint Forest Management principles.

PRA Exercise at Bardangua VSS in Venn diagram during PRA at Siraguda

Patna FMU, Keonjhar Division VSS of Umerkote Range, Nabarangpur
Division

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 EC meeting at Malibramhani VSS, Meeting of Uttei Milk Cooperative
Angul Division Society, Ambagaon facilitated by
Kalahandi-N Division

2. Forestry Activities:
2.a. Survey, Demarcation & Pillar posting

Survey and demarcation are the preparatory activities under AJY Scheme
following site selection, especially where new VSSs have been taken up. Each
VSS is assigned with treatment area, where Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)
activities are taken up. As on 31st March 2021, survey, demarcation and pillar
posting works have been completed in 42,887 ha of treatment area in all new VSSs
under 22 Forest Divisions.

Pillar posting at Muniguda VSS, Pillar Posting at Khutiguda VSS,

Boipariguda FMU of Jeypore Division Dabugam Range of Nabarangpur
Division

2.b. Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) & Block Plantation

ANR (without gap plantation) of 22,887 ha in 522 VSSs belonging to 22 AJY
Divisions was proposed during 2020-21. By the end of the financial year 2020-21, ANR
(without gap plantation) is complete in all 22,887 ha of assigned forest land in 522
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VSSs. Moreover, the 0th year operations for ANR (with gap plantation) in 20,000 ha
of land belonging to 453 VSSs (under 18 Forest Divisions) have been completed. In
addition to this, 4th year maintenance of block plantation in 1005 ha under 12 Forest
Divisions (87 sites) have also been carried out during this year.

ANR (Silvicultural Operations) in Balibahal VSS, Pallahara FMU of Deogarh

Division

Block plantation (4th year) at Bagmunda After Silvicultural Operations- Raidiha

VSS, Kalahandi-N Division VSS, Keonjhar Division

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 Nursery for ANR (With gap plantation), Nursery at Jatiguda VSS under
Khuntabandha VSS, Deogarh Division Boipariguda FMU, Jeypore Division

2.c. SMC Activities

Soil Moisture Conservation activities such as Loose Boulder Check Dams (LBCD)
and staggered trenches have been undertaken in the assigned areas of 19,711 ha
belonging to 20 Divisions.

Loose Boulder Check Dam (LBCD) at LBCD at Kankarimal VSS, Kalahandi

Balibahal VSS, Deogarh Division (S) Division

2.d. Protection of forest from fire incidences:

Protection of forests from fire incidences is one of the prime objectives of AJY. This
involves timely creation/ maintenance of fire lines, awareness generation among local
people and engagement of fire watchers in the forest areas. These activities are done
with the active involvement of VSS members and Forest Department staff. This year,
due to several local factors clubbed up with complete absence of summer shower, fire
incidences have occurred in many resourceful forests of the State. This could be
handled by commendable contributions of the proactive VSS members and responsive
AJY team. During 2020-21, fire line has been created in 27,000 ha of forest land (in
ANR-without gap plantation sites).

2.e. VSS Buildings

There was provision for construction of 165 numbers of multipurpose VSS

buildings in the villages under AJY during last year. Construction of all 165
numbers of VSS buildings was completed during this year. Altogether 456 VSS
buildings have been completed till 2020-21 and handed over to the communities in
AJY project area.

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 Thakurpali VSS Building, Deogarh Division Kasili VSS Building, Rayagada Division

3. Capacity building initiatives

Capacity Building Training programs have been carried out for implementation
of AJY activities, such as Survey and Demarcation, Community Mobilization, PRA
tools and Micro Plan preparation, GIS Mobile Application and Soil Moisture
Conservation Measures. Capacity Building Training programmes, both under project
components and convergence have been conducted at PMU as well as field level
involving 14,847 participants of 4605 numbers of VSSs during the year.

In addition to this, a two-day virtual capacity building training for the FMU and
DMU level staff has been organized by the PMU, OFSDS on 29th and 30th December,
2020 in which participants from 22 AJY Divisions have participated.

Capacity Building Training (CBT) for Participation of AJY Divisions in the CBT
DMU and FMU level staff, organized by for DMU and FMU level staff, organized
PMU of OFSDS on 29-30th December, by PMU of OFSDS on 29-30th December,
2020 2020

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 4. Livelihood promotion and Convergence initiatives

Inter-sectoral convergence to ensure the livelihood opportunities for the forest dependent
communities so as to reduce their dependence on forests is one of the core objectives of Ama
Jangala Yojana. 14,263 numbers of women SHGs in AJY operational area have been linked
to various income generating activities through convergence. In spite of Covid-19 pandemic
situation, the AJY teams could be able to mobilize INR 12,741.20 Lakhs through convergence
with other line Departments under different Schemes, benefitting about 8,51,698 persons
during this year. Additionally, AJY team has accomplished many activities pertaining to
community infrastructure development and livelihood improvement for the benefit of the local
communities.

Solar operated drinking water supply point Convergence with PKVY for pot manure
through convergence at Balidihi VSS, Barkote preparation by SHG members, Palam VSS
FMU of Deogarh Division of Malkangir Division

Animal Vaccination Camp through Red Chilli cultivation through convergence

convergence at Remala Sahi VSS, Barkote with ITDA at Mendhiakani VSS, Deogarh
FMU of Deogarh Division Division

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Cooperative office-cum-milk collection centre Vegetable Cultivation through
of Uttei Milk Cooperative Society through convergence with Horticulture Dept.,
convergence with OMFED, Kalahandi (N) Kadopada VSS of Bamra WL Division
Division

One of the mandates of the project is to reduce the dependency of local

communities on forest for their energy needs. Provisioning of LPG to the households
and refilling has been made through Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). OFSDS
is playing a pivotal role, as a facilitator, in implementation of this scheme.

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