A Bird Eye View of Gujarat Forest Sector

1
VIBRANT GUJARAT
A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF
GUJARAT FOREST SECTOR

2
Table of Contents
1. Biodiversity & Forest Ecosystem
1.1 Global Scenario
1.2 India Scenario
1.3 Gujarat Scenario
• Overview
• Key Government Initiatives and Opportunities for Collaboration
• Other Government Projects & Initiatives
• Awards & Accolades

3
1.1 Biodiversity & Forest
Ecosystem: Global Scenario

4Sources : Adams, E. 2012, World Forest Area Still on the Decline, http://210.212.144.11/ntfp/index.html
BIODIVERSITY & FOREST ECOSYSTEM
SNAPSHOT OF THE GLOBAL SCENARIO
Some 80 percent of the people living in developing
countries depend on non-timber forest products,
such as fruits and herbs, for their primary health
and nutritional needs
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Africa Asia Europe North and
Central
America
Oceania South
America
inMillionHectares
World Forest Cover, 1990 - 2010 (in Million Hectares)
The world forest cover decreased from 4168
million hectare in 1990 to 4033 million hectare in
2010, i.e., a loss of over 3 percent in two decades.
The spread of planted forests has been accelerating. Planted
forests now cover nearly 264 million hectares, comprising
nearly 7 percent of total forest area.
1990 2000 2010
Approximately 14 million people worldwide are formally
employed in the forestry sector.
Forests cover 31 percent of the world’s land surface, just over 4 billion hectares. This
is down from the pre-industrial area of 5.9 billion hectares.

5
Ecosystem : India Scenario

6
INDIA SCENARIO
Sources : Forest & Environment Department, Government of India
According to Global Forest Resource Assessment (GFRA), India is at 10th position in terms
of forest area in the world.
As per India State of Forest Report 2013, the forest cover of India is 6,97,898 sq km, which is about
21% of the total geographical area
Over 45,000 plant species and
91,000 species of animals
have been recorded in India
India is house to 4 of the 34
identified biodiversity
hotspots
Important National Legislations:
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• Indian Forest Act, 1927
• Forest (conservation) Act, 1980
• Protection of plant varieties and Farmers Right Act, 2001
• Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• The Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest dwellers,
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
• The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
REDD+
India has come out with a draft national policy on 'reducing
emissions from deforestation and forest degradation' (popularly
known as REDD+ initiative) which will enable local communities to
get financial incentives for increasing forest cover
National Parks = 102
Wildlife Sanctuaries = 527
Community Reserves = 4
Total Area under Protected
Areas = 1,66,852 sq. km

7
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: INDIA SCENARIO
Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat
India signed the United Nations
Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) in 1992.
Objectives:
• Conservation of biological
diversity
• Sustainable use of its
components
• Fair and equitable sharing of
the benefits arising out of
commercial utilization of
biological resources and
traditional knowledge
To fulfill the above objectives,
the Biological Diversity Act,
2002 (BDA, 2002) was enacted
in 2003.
Functions of NBA:
• Advise the government of India on
matters relating to conservation of
biodiversity, sustainable use of its
components and equitable sharing of
benefits arising out of utilization of
biological resources
• Regulate activities and issue guidelines
for access and benefit sharing
• Take necessary measures to oppose the
grant of IPR in any country outside India
on any biological resources obtained
from India or knowledge associated
with such biological resources derived
from India
• Advice the State Government in the
selection of areas of biodiversity
importance to be notified as
“Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)” and
suggest measures for their
management
• Provide guidance to BMCs
• Other functions to achieve goals of
BDA, 2002
3 tier structure is in
place to achieve
the objectives of
BDA, 2002
National Level:
National
Biodiversity
Authority (NBA)
State Level:
State Biodiversity
Board (SBB)
Local Level:
Biodiversity
Management
Committees (BMCs)

8
INDIA SCENARIO: FOREST & LIVELIHOOD
Sources : Forest & Environment Department, Government of India; TERI; http://www.iifm.ac.in/sites/default/files/working/IIFMWP-13-10-01.pdf
There are around 1.73 lakh villages located in and around forests. Almost 40 to 60 per cent of
their total income is derived from sale of forest products
People living in these forest fringe
villages depend upon forest for a
variety of goods and services like
collection of edible fruits, medicines;
firewood for cooking (some also sale in
the market); materials for agricultural
implements; fodder for livestock; and
collection of a range of marketable non-
timber forest products.
Forestry & logging contributes
to nearly 1.2 percent to India's
GDP
The Indian forest products
industry had total revenue of
USD 65,844.6 million in
2011, representing a
compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of 5.5 percent between
2007 and 2011

9
Ecosystem: Gujarat
Scenario

10
FOREST COVER IN GUJARAT
The Forest area of Gujarat is about 11.05 % of total geographical area of the State
Forest Cover map of Gujarat
Sources : Department of Forest, Government of Gujarat, http://www.fsi.org.in/cover_2013/gujrat.pdf, Socio Economic Review 2013- 14
Estimated tree cover outside forest area is
around 7,837 km sq (~4 percent of the
geographical area of the state)
Bamboo bearing area in the forests of the state is
around 4,091 km sq.
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
1991 2001 2011 2013
11,907
12,913
14,619 14,653
Increase in forest cover
(in sq. km.)
Has almost 1315 species of medicinal plants

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BIOGEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE IN GUJARAT
Gujarat contains four out of the ten biogeographic zones in India and covers six major
ecosystems
Moist and dry deciduous
forest are located mainly in
the eastern belt from
Banaskantha to Valsad
Natural ecosystems of Gujarat range from wetlands (34,750 sq. km), grasslands (8,483 sq. km) and deciduous forests
(18,868 sq. km) to deserts (23,000 sq. km). Its coastline, which spreads across almost 1600 km, houses variety of
coastal ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries and mudflats
Sources : http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/radioserials/indian_flora.pdf, , Department of Forest, Government of Gujarat
The State harbors 14
percent of fish, 9 percent
amphibians, 19 percent of
reptiles, 37 percent of birds
and 25 percent of the
mammals recorded in the
country
Out of 16 Forest types
found in India, 4 are
present in Gujarat
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests
Littoral and Swamps (including Mangroves) Thorn Forests

12
BIODIVERSITY
Gujarat is very rich in biodiversity, owing to varied biogeographic zones. So far, 4,228
species of plants and 2,728 species of animals have been recorded.
Sources : , Department of Forest, Government of Gujarat
Almost 8.6 percent of state’s geographical
area is protected wildlife area.
Out of the 8 threatened mammalian
species in India, each having a single
population in the world, 2 of them (the
Asiatic lion and Wild Ass) are found only
in Gujarat
The rare great Indian bustard reserves,
the world's only four-horned antelope
and the Black Buck are some other
valued species protected in Gujarat

13
WETLANDS IN GUJARAT
The extent of wetlands in Gujarat is about 34,750 sq. km (17.6% of the
state’s geographical area) and 62% & 5.7% of India’s coastal wetlands and inland wetlands
respectively are in Gujarat
Sources: Forest Department, Government of Gujarat
9 protected areas have been identified
in the wetlands of the state:
• Great Rann Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann
• Marine National Park
• Marine Sanctuary
• Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
• Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary
• Porbandar Bird Sanctuary
• Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
• Chharidhund Conservation Reserve Great White Pelican, Nalsarovar
Giant Sea Anemone in Marine
National Park, Jamnagar
Gujarat’s wetlands can be categorized in three types: (i) Inland
wetlands,
(ii) Coastal wetlands, and (iii) The Rann
Oriental Darter and Cormorant
at Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
Western Reef Egret near
Jamnagar coast
Avicennia marina in Marine
National Park, Jamnagar
White Rann
Diversity of flora and fauna is high in the
wetlands of Gujarat.
• A total of 3,23 species of wetlands of
India are endemic or globally
threatened, and at least 30 of them are
from Gujarat.
• Of 114 endemic wetland plants of India,
11 are found in the wetlands of Gujarat

14
Key Government
Initiatives and Areas for
Collaboration

15Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat
COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
ECOTOURISM
Non-
conventional
sources of
energy in &
around
protected
areas
Training and
capacity
building of
government
officials and
community
Land Use
pattern
Management
Development of
research,
laboratories
Development
of modern
technology for
preservation
of sites
Development of
infrastructure
and facility for
Eco Tourism
Eco friendly
vehicles
Eco
Development
Livelihood/Pr
oductivity
enhancement
activities
Habitat
improvement
Water resource
development
Corridor
Development,
linking various
eco tourism sites
Wildlife
rescue and
treatment

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COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES: ECOTOURISM
UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS: SITES FOR ECOTOURISM (1/2)
Flamingo city, Kutch
Located in the mudflats of the Rann,
the area is the largest breeding
ground of flamingos, a migratory
species.
Banni Grasslands, Kutch
Has been identified as the last
remaining habitats of the Cheetah in
India and a
possible reintroduction site for
the species
The Ranns, Kutch
Are the world’s only saline desert
spread in 25,000 sq. km. and is
house to several sanctuaries and
reserves
Saputara
Saputara Hill Station is located in the
Sahyadri Hill at an altitude of
approximately 1,000 metres
Sasan Gir, Junagadh
It is the sole home of the Asiatic Lions
and is considered to be one of the
most important protected areas.
Mangroves, Gulf of Kutch &
Khambhat
Gujarat holds nearly quarter of
India’s mangrove cover and so far 14
species of mangroves have been
identified

17
COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES: ECOTOURISM
NATIONAL PARKS & SANCTUARIES: SITES FOR ECOTOURISM (2/2)
Gujarat has a varied landscape which includes dry deciduous forests, majestic grasslands,
wetlands, marine ecosystems and rich moist deciduous forests. These habitats are home to some
extremely rare wildlife such as Asiatic Lion, Wild Ass, etc
1. Gir Wild Life Sanctuary
2. Wild Ass Sanctuary
3. Nal Sarovar Birds Sanctuary
4. Jessore Sloth Bear
Sanctuary
5. Barda Wild Life Sanctuary
6. Hingolgadh Sanctuary
7. Marine Sanctuary
8. Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary
9. Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
10. Ratanmahal Sanctuary
11. Kutch Desert Sanctuary
12. Gaga Wild Life Sanctuary
13. Rampara Sanctuary
14. Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary
15. Shoolpaneshwar
Sanctuary
16. Porbandar Birds Sanctuary
17. Pania Wild Life Sanctuary
18. Balaram Ambaji Sanctuary
19. Jambuhoda Sanctuary
20. Purna Wild Life Sanctuary
21. Kutch Bustard Sanctuary
22. Mitiyala Wildlife
Sanctuary
1. Gir Forest National Park 3. Vansda National Park
2. Blackbuck National Park 4. Marine National Park
Sanctuaries
National Parks

18
Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat, Tourism Department, Government of Gujarat
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND AREAS FOR COLLABORATION
MARINE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & PARK
India’s first Marine Wildlife Sanctuary and first Marine National Park were created here
in the Gulf of Kutch in 1980 and 1982, respectively
Gujarat has the longest coastline in India with rich biodiversity. Similar marine parks and museums
can be established along the coast of Gulf of Khambhat with water activities like snorkeling, fishing,
etc
It is an archipelago of 42 tropical islands along
the northern coast of Jamnagar district and
the southern coast of Kutch, covering an area
of 458 sq. km
Landforms include grasslands, marshy areas,
rocky shores, mudflats, creeks, estuaries,
sandy strands, coral reefs, and mangroves
Houses 52 coral species, about 80
bird species including Painted Stork,
Darter and Black-necked Ibis and
smaller cetaceans like Common
Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, etc
Some of the finest coral reef fringe
islands are found at Pirotan, Narala,
Ajad and Positara
Sea Anemone Octopus
Birds at Pirotan island
Platecoral

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SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT
GUJARAT FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (GFDP)
Communities involved in the project have experienced improved infrastructural
facilities, developed economic activities and have diversified their income structure.
Objectives
• Enhance the quality and extent of forest through
improved forest management, rehabilitation and
protection and livelihood of the population in the
project villages. This involves diversification of the
households’ economic activities and improvement of
the local infrastructure
• Training of the community members for better
implementation of forest management regimes and
alternative production techniques
Sources : https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2012-gujarat-forestry-development-is-en.pdf, http://www.gujaratforest.org/project-at-glance.htm
Project Area
12 Tribal & 3 Non Tribal Districts 13 Territorial Forest
Division (including 6 PAs) & 1 Territorial sub division, 1
Wildlife Division (1 PA), 10 Social Forestry Divisions of
Gujarat State. Forest areas in Rajkot Forest Division for
Grass lands and Jamnagar MNP division, Kutch (W)
/Kutch (E) division for Mangroves
Project Period
2007-08 to 2016-17
Project Cost
~USD 130 million
Project Activities include
Forest Development Management
Social Forestry Development Management
Wildlife Conservation and Development
Community / Tribal Development
Support activities like survey, capacity building,
research etc
1
2
3
4
5

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GUJARAT FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (GFDP)
Success Story: Custard Apple
Six Joint Forest
Management Committees
(JFMCs) formed in
Chhotaudepur Forest
Division of Vadodara
District. The region
naturally grows variety of
custard apple
In consultation
with the state
Forest
Department, the
JFMCs decided to
collectively market
the custard apple
and linkages were
established with
fruit markets
They collected nearly 13.8 tons of custard
apple and sold them to fruit markets of
Vadodara, Ahmedabad and Reliance Fresh
in Vadodara. They earned a net profit of
~USD 3,260 in 11 – day season
Market
Sales
quantity
(kg)
~Averag
e rate
USD/ kg
~Total
Income
(USD)
Reliance
Fresh
7,138 0.4 2,855
Mandi 3,600 0.17 589
Mandi 3,080 0.12 382
Total 13.818 3,826
Total Villages involved = 6
Net Profit = ~USD 3,260
The experiment was taken as a pilot
and has now been expanded to three
clusters of about 30 JFMC villages of
Chhotaudepur Forest Division

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SPECIAL SCHEME FOR MEDICINAL PLANTS: GUGAL
“Gugal” (Commiphora wightii) an important Ayurvedic plant is decreasing. To address this, the
National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), India sanctioned a Gugal project of ~USD 1.28 million to
increase its production.
Gujarat Scenario
• Financial outlay USD 2.905 Million for 2007-08 to
2009-2010; Amount spent – USD 2.903 Million
• 7661 Ha planted against a target of 6486 Ha
• 0.5 million plants distributed to farmers (against a
target of 0.5 million)
• 400 Ha planted during 2012-2013
Objectives
Undertake baseline survey / inventory for Gugal
distribution in Gujarat
Establish MPCAs for Gugal in medicinal plants
hotspots
Identify CPTs and seed production areas
Afforest and promote the cultivation of important
medicinal plant species
Standardize sustainable harvesting methods of
conservation concern species
Supplement supply of Gugal gum resin for its use in
the Ayurvedic medicines
Explore the commercial viability of Gugal as an
option for farmers in degraded lands / NWFP focus
species

22
SPECIAL SCHEME FOR MEDICINAL PLANTS: DASHMOOL
National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), India sanctioned INR 500 lac to fulfill the increasing
demand and improve the quality of medicinal plants used in preparation of Ayurvedic medicine
called “Dashmool”
Establishment of medicinal Plant Development Areas
Objectives
Conservation and development of dashmool
plants
Standardization of sustainable harvesting
Enhancement of the people’s participation
Empowerment of local people
Improvement of the economic condition of
local people
Development of the data base
Stakeholders
Traditional practitioners and health healers,
Pharmaceutical industries and traders, Forest
department, Research organizations,
Universities, NGOs, GSFDC Ltd., AYUSH.
Work Strategy
Establishment of Medicinal Plant Development Areas for
dashmool plants, distribution of seedlings and supporting
activities like marketing infrastructure and HRD.
Concentrated Forest areas of 500 ha. For Dashmool
plantations in Valsad, Surat and Narmada districts
Shivan, Bael, Patala, Tetu, Arni, Pithvan and
Salparni are proposed for plantations.
Plant population of 5625/ha
Annual harvesting of the roots of the shrubs, three
year cycle for tree species under hedge
Mechanism for replanting of harvested areas
1
2
3
4
5

23Sources : Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Limited (GSFDC)
Scope of adding many more herbal product including MFP to augment resource
mobilization and employment generation for the tribal and rural poor
Objectives:
• To enhance the collection of existing MFP
• To ensure expansion and growth of the Corporation as well as
diversifying the activity and income bases in the long run
Opportunities:
• GSFDC is planning upgradation of the unit
looking to its current manufacturing capacity
against the demand for its products in the
market and Government Ayurvedic Colleges and
Hospitals
• During the year 2014-15, the Corporation has
planned to establish a Modern Laboratory and
latest machineries and equipments to improve
on both on quality control and capacity building
Achievements:
• The unit manufactures 22 types of Powder (Churna), 4 types of Tablets, 2 types of Oil and 8 types of Proprietary
products
• GSFDC has a processing capacity of 1,50,000 kgs. per annum for Honey
• State-of-art fully automatic Honey treatment plant and bottle filling plant to guarantee the ‘organic’ characteristics
of honey to the valued customers
• Current network of retail sale counters spread throughout the State viz; Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar,
Ambaji, Junagadh, Jamnagar & Rajkot with a view to ensure required supply of genuine forest products and
ayurvedic medicines to the consumers
• Dhanvantari unit is a leading supplier of Honey to various Dairies viz. Sugam Dairy (Vadodara), Vasudhara Dairy
(Chikhali, Dist. Navsari), Banas Dairy (Palanpur) for Ice cream manufacturing
DHANVANTRI - AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS & WILD HONEY PROCESSING UNIT

24Sources : Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Limited
Assist the tribals fetch a remunerative price for the MFP collected by them through the
mechanism of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and removal of middlemen
Objectives:
• Collection/procurement, processing and marketing of MFP
• Introducing various schemes for tribal farmers including cultivation of medicinal plants by the tribal farmers and buy
back of these raw drugs by the Corporation at remunerative rates
• Conduct training programs for tribal farmers through seminars with the help of experts
Opportunities:
• Increased trade of other MFPs
other than the four
nationalized MFPs
• Partnership with marketing
companies to get better
remuneration from the trade
of MFPs
Impact
• Through the Gujarat MFP Trade Nationalization Act, 1979, the trade of four MFPs viz., the Timru leaf, Mhowra
flower, Mhowra Seeds and Gums were nationalized in Gujarat
• Besides Timru Leaves (Bidi Leaves), Mohwra Flowers (Madhuca indica), Mohwra Seeds, Puwad (Cassia tora), all
types of gums and Wild Honey and about 100 other MFPs are collected and traded by the Corporation
• Collection and sale of MFPs by the tribals generate employment particularly during summer when other income
generation opportunities do not exist
Achievements:
• The Corporation pays approximately USD
0.1 million to USD 0.2 million per annum as
procurement expenditure to the tribals
• After introduction of PESA and Forest Rights
Act (FRA), GSFDC has been doing these
activities on behalf of Panchayats and
Tribals respectively on no profit no loss basis
MINOR FOREST PRODUCE (MFP) AND MEDICINAL PLANT MATERIAL COLLECTION

25
STATE BAMBOO MISSION: TOWARDS A BETTER LIVELIHOOD
Project on Bamboo Development in Gujarat State under National Bamboo Mission
Objectives
To promote the growth of the bamboo sector through as an area based
regionally differentiated strategy
To increase the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas,
with improved varieties to enhance yields
To promote marketing of bamboo and bamboo based handicrafts
and to generate employment opportunities
To establish convergence and synergy among stake-holders for the
development bamboo
To promote, develop and disseminate technologies through a seamless
blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge
1
2
3
4
5
Objectives
The full length bamboos are
supplied to primitive tribe
individual and co-operatives at
concessional rates

26
OBJECTIVES:
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
ECO DEVELOPMENT SCHEME
World Bank assisted Eco Development Scheme has been implemented around the Gir
Sanctuary since 1998 - 99
Source: Forest Department, Government of Gujarat
• Improve Protected area Planning Process and
Building Capacity
• Protect and Manage Eco-System and Habitat
• Upgrading Amenities for the Protected area
Staff
• Environmental Education
• Impact Monitoring and
Research
• Participatory Micro-planning and
implementation Support.
• Reciprocal Commitments to
Forest Alternative Livelihoods and
Resource Uses
Improved Protected Area
Management
Village Eco
Development Effective and
• J.F.M. and Voluntary
Relocation Options
Extensive Support for Protected
Area Management Through:
The model is now being
replicated across the state

27
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AND COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
SOCIAL FORESTRY: CSR INTERVENTIONS AND PPP PROJECTS
Vision for the future: Activities to be undertaken
Supplying high quality fast growing planting stock for agro
forestry plantation and expanding agro-forestry under
MGNREGA
Raising tall seedlings for strip and urban plantations and also
village forests, including plantations on ponds/ lake sides
Expanding urban and industrial forestry to improve green cover
in cities/ towns and industrial areas
Developing and propagating biotechnology interventions in agro
forestry
Bringing technological advancement in agro-forestry plantation
and developing locally suitable agro forestry combinations and
integrated forestry plantation models/ packages
Raising tree cover along the river banks and in and around
ponds/ water bodies
Creating a mass movement involving civic society, school/
colleges, institutions, etc for tree plantation and their
subsequent care
Implementing program at Taluka level to intensify tree plantation
and improve tree cover under “Apno Taluko Vibrant Taluko”
(ATVT)

28Sources : http://www.wri.org/our-work/topics/forests
OTHER COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
CONSERVATION THROUGH MODERN TECHNOLOGY (1/2)
The advancement in technology and its online applications can be used to understand
the status of forest and forestry in different areas of Gujarat
A dynamic online forest
monitoring and alert
system can be adopted
that empowers people
everywhere to better
manage forests.
The mapping
application unites
satellite technology,
open data, and
crowdsourcing to have
timely and reliable
information about
forests
Such a system has been
used by: Brazil
(Amazon)
The State’s Forest & Environment
Department is in the process of
implementing MIS/ GIS Integrated Mapping
with PDA / Smart Phone
This system will be useful in tracking
activities like:
• Land management
• Plantation &
Nursery
• Eco tourism
• Alert for fire
• Tree cutting
• Wildlife rescue
• Forest offence
• Encroachment
• Animal – man
conflict
Objective:
• Minimizing paper work
• Seamless & easy working environment
using latest ICT
• Protect the Forest Area & save Man –
Animal Conflict
• Improved communication

29Sources : http://www.wri.org/our-work/topics/forests, http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_KW/pdf/sustainability_report/group_approach_sustainability_fy11.pdf,
http://www.wri.org/blog/changing-landscape-forest-management, http://greenpeaceblogs.org/2014/04/07/7-steps-companies-must-take-stop-deforestation/
Technological shifts are helpful in enabling greater accountability and transparency,
leading to strong commitments and establishing clear expectations of their suppliers
Advancement of technology and its more extensive applications are
changing the way of forest management
Consumer Goods Forum, a group of more than 400 retailers,
manufacturers, and other organizations, has pledged to mobilize resources
to help achieve zero net deforestation by 2020.
This will be done by adopting technologies which will allow tracing of the
entire supply chain.
Such mechanisms are encouraging business to disclose more information to
the public, resulting in improved accountability.
This is also helping the companies in managing their risks better, whilst
contributing to the conservation of nature
Companies which are
tracking their supply
chain are:
OTHER COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
CONSERVATION THROUGH MODERN TECHNOLOGY (2/2)

30
Sources : Department of Forest & Environment, Government of Gujarat
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION IN GUJARAT
Organic
farming
Vaccination of
domestic
animal around
protected
areas
Better
agricultural/ho
rticultural
practices
Eco
development in
fringe villages
Environment
Education &
Research
Use of Forest
produce such as
timber, medicinal
plants (supply
chain)
Tree farming
both for
environment
conservation
and
commercial
use
Climate
Change
mitigation
mechanisms

31
1.3 Gujarat Scenario:
Other Government
Projects

32
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTS
State of Gujarat has been at the forefront in implementing schemes initiated by the Central
government and other agencies like Japan International Cooperation Agency. They are mentioned
below:
Centrally Sponsored Schemes
Schemes implemented in FY 13
Plantation Physical Targets
(ha)
Financial Targets
(USD million)
13th Finance Commission 1500 3.47
Intensification of Forest Management Scheme 0 1.01
Mangroves and Coral Reefs – Management
(Proposed)
4700 1.11
Fodder Development Scheme (Proposed) 500 0.46
Total 12631 6.05
Externally Aided projects (Japan International Cooperation Agency)
Jica project – Non - Tribal 4698 3.37
Jica project - Tribal 16820 10.7
Total 21598 14.07

33
MANGROVE DEVELOPMENT: A SUCCESS STORY
The mangrove forest cover of Gujarat stands second behind West Bengal
Sources : Forest Department, Government of Gujarat, The New Indian Express
Objectives
Every year
approximately
12,000 ha are being
planted through
people
participation
(Community based
organizations and
PPP)
Soil conservation
in coastal areas
Protection from
natural disasters
like cyclones,
Tsunamis etc
Increase in
biodiversity and
fish production
Source of food
and livelihood
for people living
on the coasts
Objectives and
advantages of
mangrove
development
Over 2.5 times
increase in less
than 2 decades
(from 397 Sq Km in
1991 to 1103 Sq Km
in 2013)
The mangrove restoration project by Gujarat Ecology Commission envisages to achieve:
Enhanced capacity of
communities to regenerate and
sustainably manage mangrove
resources for increased livelihood
opportunities
Increased support from
industry in conserving and
regenerating mangroves
More proactive involvement
of the government in
community based
regeneration and conservation
of mangroves

34
JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT (JFM) PROGRAM IN GUJARAT
The Joint Forest Management program , initiated in 1991 in the state ,is a step forward for
involving people in the management of natural resources, along with the government, on
care and share basis
Under this , the families at the village level form communities. These JFM committees protect forest area
against encroachment, cultivation, fire, illicit cutting and grazing. NGOs or voluntary organizations train the
village organization to carry out JFM activities.
Timber: 50% in
degraded, 16% in
good forests
NTFP (including
grasses) - free
Poles: 50% of
collected poles
Firewood: Free
What
people
get
Progress So Far
The total forest area brought under JFM till
June, 2013 is 4.29 lac hectares (20% of the
total forest area) involving 3,288 JFMCs
There has been a considerable increase in
the forest cover, owing to various
management interventions , most important
being JFM
• 3288 JFM committees covering 4,29,235 ha
of forest land
• Over 2 million beneficiaries
• 312 Eco Development Committees

35
JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT (JFM) PROGRAM IN GUJARAT: MEETING THE MDGS
Millennium
Development Goals
Promote gender equality
and empower women
Eradicate Extreme Poverty
Achieve universal primary
education
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal health
Combat HIV/ AIDS, malaria
and other
The State
Government’s
initiatives to
achieve these
goals:
6 new biodiversity hotspot sites have been created
To date, 40% of reproductive women and children have got benefited
through reproductive and child care camps by better access to
vaccinations and free medicine to pregnant women
Women SHGs have been established as democratic village
institutions in the project area. SHGs have access to banks with
savings.
Ensure environmental
sustainability
Good Governance
Develop a global partnership
for development
Over 2,000 village level democratic formal institutions for forest
management have been established. 40 percent are women in these
organizations
At least 40% of the plantations in degraded forest areas are
rehabilitated into open forest, 40% of the plantations in open forest
are rehabilitated into moderately dense forest
Micro plans have been prepared and approved by the general body
of organizations and all of them on an average have ~USD 416 corpus
fund available for implementation of micro and forest management
plans
6 ecotourism sites created

36
SOCIAL FORESTRY: SALIENT FEATURES
Salient Features
To monitor the impact of the Social Forestry, Gujarat was first to
take initiative to conduct tree census to estimate total tree
population in the state
The annual rate of improvement in tree cover is over ten
percent during the last decade
Tree population has improved by 19.2% in a decade (2003-13)
in Gujarat State
Total number of trees has increased from 251 million (excluding
dangs) in the first counting in 2003 to 268.7 million in the
second tree counting and then to 301.4 million in the third tree
counting in 2013
The growing stock of timber and fuel wood has also increased
substantially due to increase in the number of trees
Highest increase in Ardusa (Ailanthus excelsa) trees from 3.97
million in 2003 to 9.77 million in 2013 (150 percent increase in
ten years)
Implementing tree plantation on private farm land and
promoting agro forestry
Dominant trees in non forest
areas in Gujarat
Name
No. of trees
(in Millions)
Percentage of
total trees
Neem
(Azadirachta
Indica)
45.48 15.09
Deshi Baval
(Acacia nilotica)
28.11 9.33
Nilgiri
(Eucalyptus sp)
27.33 9.07
Ardusa
(Ailanthus
Excelsa)
9.77 3.24
As in 2009, the economic contribution of the tree
outside forests (TOF) in the GDP of the state was
about USD 726 million

37
SOCIAL FORESTRY: GUJARAT AS A ROLE MODEL
Social Forestry was seen as a people’s programme.
Under this initiative, the state embarked upon an ambitious mission of organizing and motivating people
to take up tree plantation on lands like Panchayat lands, wastelands, roadsides, canal sides, school and
college compounds and other government and private lands.
The cumulative achievement of Social Forestry works
(1969 - 2012)
Strip Plantations 1.03 lakh ha.
Panchayat Lands (Village Forest) 1.32 lakh ha.
Private Degrade Lands Seedling 2.46 lakh ha.
Seedling Distribution (VM) 491 crores
As a result of this programme, the total number of trees in the non forest areas increased from 251.0
million in 2003 to 301.0 million in 2013 which is a commendable increase of 5 million trees per year
A major initiative of the Gujarat Government in promoting
Social Forestry is the celebration of Van Mahotsav on a
massive scale.
The celebration of Van Mahotsav takes place at the district,
taluka and village levels to create awakening towards
afforestation and helps build strong links between trees and
people. Tree plantation campaigns are conducted in urban
areas and about 90 to 100 million seedlings are supplied
annually.

38
SOCIAL FORESTRY: SUCCESS STORY
Anand is a model district of Social Forestry development, including agro-forestry,
where people have benefited both socially and economically
Case study: Anand
• Anand is a leading district in term of agro-forestry,
animal husbandry and agriculture
• Earning from agro-forestry has become one of
the main economic activities for farmers in the
district
• Anand, which is a non forest district in central
Gujarat, has now become one of the greenest
districts in India with highest density of trees in
non forest areas
• Tree density of 66 trees/ hectare
• There is a well organized market system for timber
trade and movement of wood to other states
17.5
18
18.5
19
19.5
20
20.5
21
21.5
2003 2008 2013
19
20.12
21.1
Trees population in Anand District
(in Million)
Case Study: Malav Village (Panchmal District)
• Malav Village in Panchmal District is known for agroforestry of Eucalyptus species (Nilgiri)
• 80% of the farmers of Malav village adopted agro-forestry
• About 10.88 Lacs Eucalyptus trees are raised in the village and every year about 1 Lac trees are harvested

39
SOCIAL FORESTRY: CULTURAL FOREST
Sanskritik Van in Gujarat
• “Punit Van” at Gandhinagar
• “Mangalya Van” at Ambaji
• “Tirthankar Van” at Taranga
• “Harihar Van” at Somnath
• “Bhakti Van” at Chotila
• “Shyamal Van” at Shamlaji
• “Pawak Van” at Palitana
• “Virasat Van” at Pavagarh
• “Govind Guru Smrutivan” at Mangadh
• “Nagesh Van” at Dwarka
Objective of establishing Sanskritik Vans or Cultural Forests
• To increase active participation of the people for increasing
tree cover
• To make people acquainted with our ancient culture
• To strengthen our cultural & traditional values for
protecting trees
• To connect people with the tree plantation & protection
• To develop cultural sites
• To create awareness among people about religious &
medicinal plants
Gujarat Forest Department developed ten Sanskritik Van on sites spread across the
state, as a part of the initiative state level Van Mahotsav celebration

40Sources : FAO, Forest Department, Government of Gujarat
INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROJECT (ICZMP): GUJARAT SCENARIO
ICZMP: A World Bank aided project being implemented in the Gulf of Kachchh with
GEC as the State Project Management Unit
Boundary
Definition
Enforcement
Policy
making
Incentives
and
Disincentives
Development
of guidelines/
standards
Appropriate
control
measures
Activities
under
ICZM
Monitoring
Zoning
GEC is working with Tourism Corporation of
Gujarat Limited to develop a fifth generation
oceanarium
Achievements
Mangrove plantation in 8180 ha.
Workshops on sea turtle conservation and hatchery management have
been conducted
Coral transplantation has been completed in 8 sq.mt area
Field hatcheries near Dwarka have been developed and several baby
turtles have been released into the sea
Bio-physical data collection has been undertaken for data collection
and protocol development for the mapping of bio-physical parameters
Formation of 104 CBOs and 40 Eco-development committees under
socio-economic development
283 Self Help Groups have been formed
161 Social Audit Committees have been formed and 538 community
members were given training by Unnati, Ahmedabad
Out of 160 villages, PRA exercise is completed in 149 villages
Many trainings and workshops have been conducted to strengthen the
capacity of the state for effective coastal zone management

41
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION THROUGH ACCESS & BENEFIT SHARING
Sources : Gujarat Biodiversity Board
Note: ABS: Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanism
Incentives
Commercial utilization
of Bio-resources Initiatives
Conservation of Biological
Diversity
Sustainable use of Biodiversity
components
ABS mechanism for Biological
Resources and associated
Traditional Knowledge
Vision for
next 5
years
Constitution of BMC’s in all
the village panchayats of
Gujarat
Signing of ABS agreements
through ABS mechanism
Legal
support
governed
by
Biodiversity Act, 2002, Govt.
of India
Biological diversity Rules,
2004, Govt of India
Gujarat Biological Diversity
Rules, 2010: Notified by the
Govt. of Gujarat
Government of Gujarat
National Biodiversity Board
UNEP - GEF
Financial
support
from

42
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTS (1/2)
ECOLOGICAL CONSERVATION: A COMBINED EFFORT OF THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE
Mission: To collectively contribute towards conservation, restoration and enrichment of ecosystems,
natural heritage and environment through ecological education, studies and research
Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation is a
member of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN). The Scientific & Industrial Research Organizations
(SIROs) Department of Science and Technology, Government of India,
recognizes it as a Scientific Institute. It is also a member of State Board
for Wildlife, Government of Gujarat and Indian Society of Geomatics.
The Foundation conducts focused training programmes for Forest
Officers including front-line forest staff, scientific officers and
researchers, local communities and eco-guides from various States of
India on topics relating to ecology, biodiversity, climate change,
environment etc. It also trains students (of High-school, Colleges and
Universities) under the aegis of National Green Corps (NGC) – MOEFCC,
Government of India and Nature Education Camps (NEC) Department of
Forests and Environment, Government of Gujarat
In 2008, GEER Foundation was awarded “Rajiv Gandhi
Wildlife Conservation Award for the year 2006” - from
Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India
Almost 3368 camps have been held all over the State under the auspices of
GEER Foundation and other territorial and local Conservators of Forests
wherein 1.89 lakh students and 3500 teachers have been trained on different
aspects of conservation of nature, ecology and environment" (as on Dec 2013)
For the purpose of Ecological and Nature Conservation Education, the GEER
Foundation also maintains Indroda Nature Park (Botanical Garden, INP Zoo,
Dinosaur Park, Earth-Fossil Park, Aranya Udhyan) and Hingolgadh Wildlife
Sanctuary.

43
GEER Foundation specializes in ecological conservation aimed at conserving
nature through its use in developing conservation management plans
EnvironmentalImpactAssessment
To understand the impact of
fast emerging developmental
changes on Gujarat’s
environment. Major works:
 EIA of Sardar Sarovar Project
on Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
and Velavadar National Park
(completed)
 Collection of Baseline Data
pertaining to Biodiversity and
Socio-economics in Dholera
SIR Area (ongoing)
StatusSurveyandAtlas
Status reports, surveys and atlas help
take stock of the present and chalking
out a future course of action. It involves
comprehensive study and evaluation of
the existent ecospheres, endangered
species and status of nature education
in Gujarat. Major works:
• Evaluation Reports on Centrally
Sponsored Scheme for Conservation
and Management of Mangroves and
Coral Reefs by MoEF, GoI (completed)
• Status of Dugong in India (completed)
• Ecology of the Coral Reefs of Gujarat
(ongoing)
EcosystemResearch
To build action plans for
conservation and management of
various ecosystems of Gujarat.
Major works:
• Action Plan for conservation and
management of Nalsarovar
wetland (completed)
• Study of Wetlands in Gujarat with
Special Emphasis on the
Information Networking on
Habitat and Diversity (ongoing)
• Wetland study of Chhari Dhundh
in Rann of Kachchh (ongoing)
BiodiversityResearch
Biological studies are undertaken
at different sanctuaries and
National Parks of Gujarat. Based
on these, special measures are
designed and implemented to
conserve and enhance the existing
flora and fauna.
• Biodiversity of Shoolpaneshwar
Wildlife Sanctuary (completed)
• Biodiversity study of “Northern
Tapi Forest” areas of Gujarat
with special emphasis to small
mammals (ongoing)
SpeciesandTopicSpecificResearch
Gujarat's rich Biodiversity has been adequately
captured in the species-specific research
conducted by GEER Foundation. Major works:
• Study of Identifying Coral Reef health
indicators in the Gulf of Kachchh (completed)
• Socio-Economic Feasibility Study of Bamboos &
their Products in Gujarat State (completed)
• Biodiversity and Coral Transplantation in the
Gulf of Kachchh) under Integrated Coastal Zone
Management (ongoing)
• Impact of forestry interventions in urban and
sub-urban areas of Gujarat
• (proposed)
ResearchonClimateChange
As a step towards assessing & addressing
the issues related to climate change, GEER
Foundation undertakes various scientific
studies at state level. Major works:
• Assessment of carbon storage potential
of forest areas of Gujarat (ongoing)
• Study of Green House Gas emissions of
Gujarat and modeling its future trends
(ongoing)
• Impact of global warming on disaster
patterns in Gujarat (ongoing)
• Assessment of carbon storage potential
of tree cover (outside forest area) of
Gujarat (ongoing)
GUJARAT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES & PROJECTS (2/2)
ECOLOGICAL CONSERVATION: A COMBINED EFFORT OF THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE

44
SOIL AND MOISTURE CONSERVATION
The Department has implemented soil and moisture
conservation works intensively such as construction of check
dams, van talawadis, gully plugging, and forest tanks.
From 1995 – 96 to 2010 – 11, a total of 8,298 van talawadi (forest
pond) and 9,249 check dams were constructed by the
department

45
Awards and Accolades

46
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
• India Biodiversity Award-2014, jointly instituted by Indian government and the UNDP, for
its contribution towards the conservation of the Whale sharks.
• Sanctuary's Best Protected Area Award 2013- Gir Forest National Park
• National award for the best wildlife and eco-tourism site of 2008- Gir national park and
sanctuary
• Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award for 2006, 2007 and 2008 for outstanding
performance in social forestry and reclamation of wastelands in Gujarat. The Award has
been constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
• Teri Award 2007 for Water conservation work at Girnar Forest
• Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award 2006 by Ministry of Environment and Forest,
Government of India for unique contribution in the field of research leading to
conservation of nature & wildlife

47
WEBSITE PROVIDING DEPARTMENT DETAILS
Department of Forest & Environment, Government of Gujarat:
http://www.envforguj.in/
GEER Foundation: http://www.geerfoundation.gujarat.gov.in/
Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Ltd.:
http://www.gsfdcltd.co.in/
Gujarat State Biodiversity Board http://www.gsbb.in/
Gujarat Ecology Commission: www.gec.gujarat.gov.in/
Gujarat Environment Management Institute: http://www.gemi-india.org/

48
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