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Advisor, Ama Jangala Yojana visits Keonjhar and Keonjhar Wildlife Divisions
Shri Narayan Pattanaik, Advisor, Ama Jangala Yojana, Government of Odisha has visited different Project Locations under Keonjhar and Keonjhar Wildlife Forest Divisions from 13th to 16th of March, 2023. The major objectives of his visit were to review of the interventions under Ama Jangala Yojana and to offer advice to bridge the gaps if any in outreach of the Govt. Welfare Schemes and Programmes at the grassroots.
During this tour, he visited different Vana Surakshya Samities (VSSs) and reviewed the activities being carried out through Ama Jangala Yojana. In addition to this, he also visited the plantation sites and VSS buildings-cum- IGA Facilitation Centres and reviewed the impact of livelihood interventions carried out under the Scheme. He had also interacted with the VSS & Women Self Help Group (SHG) members, Department Officials and local PRI representatives and gave suggestions for resolving the specific local issues by linking them with concerned Line Departments.
On 14th March, 2023, he visited Gayalamunda and Khajuribani VSSs under Keonjhar Wildlife Division (Anandapur Range) and interacted with the VSS & SHG members. In addition to this, he also visited the Assigned Forest Areas and ANR sites under both the VSSs. The progress on construction of VSS Building-cum-IGA Facilitation Centres was also reviewed during his visit. On 15th, he visited Bhalughara, Handibhanga and Aharpasi VSSs and Sanjiuli Women’s Khali Leaf Plate Cluster under Keonjhar Forest Division. He also made a transect walk through the Assigned Forest Areas of both the Divisions with the PRI representatives and Departmental Officials, and observed that the fire protection measures, soil & moisture conservation interventions and forest bio-diversity. He was very much impressed with the Forest Protection measures and excellent livelihood promotion efforts by AJY team in both the Divisions. During the visit, it was observed by him that no incidence of forest fire has been reported in the assigned forest areas of the VSSs under AJY.
He was accompanied by Shri Bijaya Ram Senapati, Subject Matter Specialist as a Representative of the Project Management Unit of OFSDS, Shri Abhaya Kumar Dalei, Divisional Forest Officer, Keonjhar Wildlife Division, Mr. Dhanraj H.D., IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Keonjhar Forest Division and other Department Officials and Project personnel accompanied him in this visit.
General Observations:
There is no fire incidence in the AJY Assigned Forest areas he has visited. The initiatives taken up through OFSDS, especially through Ama Jangala Yojana & OFSDS-OMBADC Livelihood Promotion Project are effective in raising the awareness level of the forest fringe dwelling communities and their livelihood promotion. The forest fringe dwelling community members have been adequately mobilized and empowered through micro-planning process to be decision makers for their community. Their involvement in community development is praiseworthy. The VSSs which are not included under both the above Projects are lagging far behind from those which are included.
Meeting with VSS members at Khajuribani VSS under Keonjhar WL Division
Visit to ANR without gap site at Khajuribani VSS,Keonjhar WL Division
Discussion with Officials at Gayalmunda ANR-With Gap Site,Keonjhar WL Division
VSS members explaining the Micro planning process at Khajuribani VSS
Meeting with VSS members at Gayalmunda VSSKeonjhar WL Division
VSS Building under construction at Gayalamunda VSS,Keonjhar WL Division
Review of AJY Activities at Keonjhar Forest Division Office
VSS meeting at Handibhanga VSS - Keonjhar Division
Meeting with VSS members at Handibhanga VSS,Keonjhar Division
Meeting with VSS members at Handibhanga VSS,Keonjhar Forest Division
VSS members with the AJY team at their Vermi-compost unitBhalughara VSS of Keonjhar Division
Visit to ANR-With Gap Site at Handibhanga VSSKeonjhar Division