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ECOCLUB, Issue 93
sustainable forest management? The role of the HPFD has changed from an expert-driven, enforcement-oriented (policing) one
to a collaborative, consensus-building one. For this,
the forest management objectives and also the forest officer/manager’s
skills and attitudes all need to change. Would the HPFD be able to facilitate and complement a regular, equitable, participatory
system through which multiple forest stakeholders themselves can meet, debate strategic issues, consider optional solutions and
form partnerships to realize the multiple forest values?
The spark for developing a sustainable forest management approach and propagate eco-services like ecotourism in the Himachal
Pradesh Forest Department has come
primarily from adverse public reaction to inappropriate forest management policies
practiced in the past, leading to a fundamental shift in its approach. The question being
posed is that under these changing
conditions, would the Forest Department act
responsibly as a lead agency and coordinate the transition to eco-services &
sustainable forest management? The role of the HPFD has changed from an expert-driven, enforcement-oriented (policing) one
to a collaborative, consensus-building one. For this,
the forest management objectives and also the forest officer/manager’s
skills and attitudes all need to change. Would the HPFD be able to facilitate and complement a regular, equitable, participatory
system through which multiple forest stakeholders themselves can meet, debate strategic issues, consider optional solutions and
form partnerships to realize the multiple forest values?
*About the Author: Jasjit Singh Walia, is Chief Executive Officer (Ecotourism) cum Chief Conservator of Forests (Soil &
Sanjhi Van Yojna), in Himachal Pradesh, India. Address: Aranya Bhawan, Talland, Shimla, H.P., Pin code: 171001, India
-
Email: jasjitw@gmail.com
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