Role of Forest Development Agencies and Village Forest Committees in National Afforestration Programs of Kamraj Forest Division Zangli Kupwara Kashmir (J.&K.)

Abstract

During the present study it was observed that the Forest Development Agencies and Village Forest Committees play an important role in National Afforestration Programs by protection and conservation of natural resources through their active involvement. The FDA’s also helps in securing people’s participation in planning and regeneration efforts to ensure sustainability and equitable distribution of forest products from the regenerated lands, and to promote the partnership concept in the management and administration of forest and common property resources (CPRs) in the Forest Division. 1500 ha (Natural regeneration 270 ha, Artificial regeneration 960 ha and Pasture regeneration 270 ha) of afforestration works was done by the Village Forest Committees (VFC’s) under Forest Development Agency (FDA) from the year 2003 to 2007 in the forest division.