From
Shri Vinod Kumar, IFS
Special Secretary to Government

To
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,
Orissa, Bhubaneswar

Sub: Joint Forest Management regarding bamboo working & timber working in the VSS Area.

Sir,
I am directed to say that subject of usufructory benefits with respect to bamboo and timber from the VSS area after commencement of working as per the approved bamboo scheme and approved working plans and implementation thereof on removal of ban on felling is clarified below.

(i) Sharing of usufruct of bamboo production from the VSS area like kenduleaf etc. as nationalized NTFP is to be dealt under provision of 14(ii) of the JFM Resolution 1993 vide Government of Orissa Resolution No.16700/F&E dated 3rd July, 1993. These provisions of bamboo production from VSS area are 100% sharing basis by the VSS members as per the procedures laid down under para 14(i) of the Resolution. However, in case, surplus production, if any, is to be traded by the VSS, bamboo production is to be delivered to the prescribed agent, i.e. Orissa Forest Development Corporation Ltd (OFDC) who will pass on trade proceeds to VSS out of the prescribed selling rate of bamboo by OFDC to paper mills for industrial bamboo at depots and prescribed rate of OFDC to Raw Material Procurer for reimbursement towards commercial bamboo/long bamboo at depots obtained from forests or a rate mutually agreed between VSS and OFDC and whichever is higher. In case of industrial bamboo at depot, payment to VSS by OFDC shall be selling rate minus the OFDC’s agent commission prescribed by Government. For 2005-2006 bamboo working season, the selling rate prescribed is Rs.1500/- per MT and the agent commission prescribed is Rs.180/- per MT. Therefore, the trade proceeds payment to VSS at depots of OFDC shall be Rs.1500-Rs.180=Rs.1320/-. The VSS out of such receipt should consider to plough back some investment towards subsidiary silvicultural operation for bamboo in their VSS forest areas for maintenance as well for meeting future bamboo productivity and financial return to them.
(ii) Bamboo working in the VSS area will be in cycle of 4 years as per the approved bamboo scheme with bamboo cutting rules prescribed therein. This should form part of the Joint Forest Management Plan (JFMP) or micro plan of forests of VSS area. VSS before working should pass a resolution about usufruct sharing amongst members by way of bamboo only, bamboo and cash on trade of surplus bamboo or cash only on trade of surplus bamboo. Silvicultural operation and transport to OFDC’s depot delivery is to be undertaken by VSS even if the JFM area is part of bamboo coupe. Forester and Member Secretary or Range Officer would issue transit permit for bamboo to OFDC Ltd. Depot, however, in case VSS resolves for working and disposal from VSS area by OFDC Ltd., directly or with its RMP, OFDC undertake for disposal to depot. Net sale proceeds on deducting cost of forest production and transport mutually finalized in advance between VSS & OFDC would be made by OFDC to VSS. All payments would be made to VSS accounts in shape of bank draft.
(iii) Similarly, usufruct sharing of intermediate yield on tree species from the VSS area to be as per provision 14(iii) of the JFM resolution 1993 and as per their Joint Forest Management Plan by way of cleaning, thinning is to be taken up for improving the productivity of the forest area being protected and managed by VSS with a JFM Plan. If such areas are within the approved working plan are, silvicultural operation of the VSS area with JFM plan generally prescribed is to be taken up as part of the prescriptions of the working circle to which the forest belongs. Further, if such silvicultural operation of the VSS area is in deviation of the approved working plan prescription and working plan allotment of the forests, a deviation statement thereof should be furnished by DFO concerned. In case of JFM area is not coming within the approved working plan area of the division of is presently not having approved working plan, such silvicultural operation is to be undertaken with approval of the Technical Committee headed by Territorial Conservator of Forests as prescribed in Para 12 of the Government Resolution No.16700/F&E 3rd July, 1993. Surplus if any to be traded by VSS is to facilitated by the Divisional Forest Officer through auction at village or by VSS for disposal at Depot of OFDC. OFDC can procure the poles, timber firewood etc from VSS at the depot on its prescribed rate or for auction to make net sale proceeds to VSS.

(iv) All such working for sustainability and management of VSS area productivity is to be taken with a JFM Plan followed by resolution of VSS for usufruct sharing.

These instructions are in line with the provisions of the JFM in Para 89 of the National working plan code, 2004. Any action taken in past for usufruct sharing shall not be opened/revised by instructions made herein.
.

Memo No.8526/F&E. Date: 23.05.06
Copy forwarded to the PCCF(WL)&CWLW, Orissa, Bhubaneswar/ Additional PCCF (KL), Orissa /CMD, OFDC LTD. All CCFs of office of the PCCF, Orissa/all conservators of Forests, Territorial and Wildlife Circles/ C.F. Development Circle, Cuttack/all DFOs of Territorial and Wildlife Division/All DFOs working Plans Divisions for information and necessary action.

Memo No. 8527/ F&E. Date: 23.05.2006
Copy forwarded to Forest Produce Corporation Section/Forest Protection and Conservation Section, Wildlife Section/Policy and Plan Section for Information.