Shimla- The Forest experts have batted for involving local communities and self-help groups in forest circles to make JICA project a people's project to increase green cover in the state.
Presiding over day long workshop of the JICA Forestry Project at the Agricultural Co-operative Employees Training Institute, Nagesh Kumar Guleria, Additional Principal Chief Conservator and Chief Project Director. Guleria emphasized the crucial objective of establishing stronger bonds with the communities residing near forest areas.
By fostering this connection, the rural population is expected to actively contribute to the state's green cover expansion.
Guleria urged attending officers to implement the project's strategies at the grassroots level within their respective work areas.
V.P. Pathania, a retired Himachal Forest Service Officer, provided participants with a detailed understanding of their roles within the JICA forestry project.
Vinod Sharma, the Project Programme Manager, presented information on selecting income generation activities for self-help groups, along with strategies for the products developed by these groups.
Reena Sharma, a subject matter expert, highlighted the significance of coordination among self-help groups, village forest development committees, and the technical unit.
The workshop witnessed active participation from forest officers mainly from Rampur and Shimla circles, who shared valuable field-level updates and offered suggestions to further enhance the project's effectiveness.
