Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation Project

This Project was supported by JICA. The project implemented by SVSS in Uttar Pradesh, north India, aims to address multiple interconnected challenges in the region. Its primary goals are to restore degraded forests, enhance forest resources, improve the livelihoods of local communities who depend on forests, and promote sustainable forest management. By undertaking these initiatives, the project seeks to contribute to regional environmental improvement and poverty alleviation.

Restoring degraded forests is a critical component of the project. It involves activities such as reforestation, afforestation, and conservation efforts to reverse the negative impacts of deforestation, habitat degradation, and unsustainable land use practices. These efforts are aimed at improving the overall health and resilience of forest ecosystems and enhancing their capacity to provide vital ecological services.

Another crucial aspect of the project is to promote sustainable forest management, which includes the implementation of Joint Forest Management (JFM) initiatives. JFM involves collaboration between local communities, forest department authorities, and other stakeholders to collectively manage and protect forest resources. This approach ensures that the rights and needs of local people are taken into consideration while fostering responsible and sustainable forest practices.

In addition to environmental conservation, the project places significant emphasis on community and tribal development. It recognizes the strong interdependence between forest resources and the livelihoods of local communities. By empowering these communities, the project aims to enhance their resilience, economic opportunities, and overall well-being. This empowerment includes initiatives such as capacity building, skill development, alternative income generation programs, and support for sustainable livelihood practices that are compatible with forest conservation.

The project’s holistic approach recognizes that environmental improvement and poverty alleviation are interlinked goals. By restoring forests and promoting sustainable forest management, it not only helps protect biodiversity and ecosystem services but also creates opportunities for income generation and improved living conditions for local communities. The project aims to foster a harmonious relationship between humans and nature, ensuring the long-term well-being of both. Under this project 1000 beneficiaries were covered.