Centre for Social Forestry and Eco-Rehabilitation (CSFER) under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been set up with the objective to carry out research work in social forestry, ecological rehabilitation of degraded sites in the region and people's participation.
Head of CSFER, Allahabad, Birendra Choudhary, IFS, in tête-à-tête with Shivani Chaturvedi discusses how the Centre is making an effort to achieve its goals.
What are the aims and objectives of the Centre?
Apart from the main objective of carrying out research work in social forestry, eco-rehabilitation of degraded sites and people's participation, we are conducting research for evolving suitable packages for eroded areas, stress sites, saline/alkaline soils with low moisture retentive sites, degraded forests, pasture and grazing land, mined areas and other wasteland. The objective also includes development of appropriate technology and technological packages in social, farm and agro-forestry vis-a-vis prevailing tree crop combinations and appropriate nursery and plantation techniques for forest species most suitable to rural needs and ecology.
The Centre is conducting socio-economic surveys of the region and developing suitable models for poverty alleviation. Besides, development of training infrastructure for extension programmes to ensure sustainable development of natural resource eco-system, the organising of training and extension activities in the field of agro forestry is also one of the objectives of the Centre.
{{/usCountry}}The Centre is conducting socio-economic surveys of the region and developing suitable models for poverty alleviation. Besides, development of training infrastructure for extension programmes to ensure sustainable development of natural resource eco-system, the organising of training and extension activities in the field of agro forestry is also one of the objectives of the Centre.
{{/usCountry}}How far has the Centre been able to motivate people to adopt forestry/agro forestry?
Through the research schemes we have generated awareness among farmers as well urban people as to the role of agro forestry and bio-fertilisers in increasing crop productivity. We have been organising training-cum-demonstration programmes for the local people/farmers to impart knowledge of modern plantation techniques including harvesting and marketing of end products. Under various schemes of NABARD, UNDP, World Bank, NOVOD Board and ICFRE, we have successfully motivated farmers as well as local people to adopt forestry and agro forestry upto a remarkable extent. Developed agro forestry models under various projects of the Centre on specific sites have played a significant role in fulfilling day-to-day needs of the rural masses including fuel, fodder, timber and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).
How successful has the Centre been in fulfilling its aims since inception?
The Centre has achieved it's target by carrying out different research projects. And the significant achievements are: ICFRE-NABARD project aimed to develop agro forestry models for agro-ecological regions; UNDP project aimed at strengthening ICFRE infrastructure and under this project demonstration plots of different species of plants were developed; World Bank project aimed at wasteland and agro forestry development; and a project aimed at environmental rehabilitation in Vindhya Hills. Increasing productivity through afforestation has led to socio-economic uplift of villagers. Suitable and low cost afforestation packages have been developed to rehabilitate the degraded sites.
Demonstration plot of medicinal plants has been developed at Central Research Nursery for generating awareness among the local people. Development plantation model of Jatropha and training programmes for farmers are also playing a key role in achieving our target.
What are your future plans for implementing new forestry projects?
We are planning to seek financial assistance from ICFRE for in-house projects and other external agencies for implementing specific schemes on growing bamboo, jatropha, medicinal plants and other forestry species. Simultaneously, dissemination of research results to the rural and urban people is the main aim of these schemes. We are also concentrating on other tree-borne oil seed species including karanj and neem for their specific use. We are planning to develop a medicinal plant nursery and herbal garden for the benefit of rural/urban people.
Besides, we are making efforts for procurement of land for establishment of this Centre in its own accommodation as presently this Centre is running in a rented building.
What are your contributions at the Centre?
As the Centre is presently running in a rented building, efforts have been made regarding establishment of the Centre in it's own accommodation.
Simultaneously, new research schemes on bamboo for development of agro forestry model, jatropha and medicinal plants have been submitted to various funding agencies for strengthening research work at the Centre. Awareness programmes have also been planned for farmers and trainers (forest, agriculture, horticulture deptt/field staff) regarding use and importance of jatropha and medicinal plants. Liasioning has been developed with forest department as well as other departments for collaborating research projects.