Ranchi CMS VATAVARAN 2006
Environment and Wildlife Travelling Film Festival
Department of Forests and Environment
Doranda, Ranchi

The new state of Jharkhand came into being on 15th of November 2000 after bifurcation of the state of Bihar. It consists primarily of Chhotanagpur plateau. It is rich in biodiversity and is one of the most important mineral producing states of the country. The Forest Survey of India has evaluated that 27728 sq. km. of land comes under Forest and Tree cover in the state. Thus 34.78% of the geographical area is under Forests & Tree cover in Jharkhand.

In order to conserve and protect the forests and wildlife; boost social and economic development in rural areas; rehabilitate the degraded and open forests; and to bring additional areas under tree cover to attain the milestone of one third area under forest cover, the Department of Forests and Environment, Government of Jharkhand has taken up various schemes.

After the creation of Jharkhand state about 165973 ha area has been planted under various afforestation schemes. With a view to uplift the economic status of rural people, under all the plantation schemes 15% of the fund is been utilized for entry point activities. A number of ponds, dams, wells, micro lifts, village roads, etc have been built along with solar electrification of villages and distribution of utility items under the interface activities.

To enhance people's participation for effective & efficient decentralized management of forest resources 10903 village forest committees have been constituted. In wildlife areas too the state has ensured peoples participation through eco development committees for the efficient management of its one National Park and eleven sanctuaries. The first Elephant Reserve of the country was notified in Jharkhand in 2002.

Decentralized management of forest resources through village level institutions will not only allow rural and tribal people to meet their basic needs, it will also augment their income thus alleviation poverty and assuring future generations a green and healthy Jharkhand. To achieve these goals and to ensure long term sustainable development, the Vision statement of the Forest & environment Department of Jharkhand is:-

"Green Jharkhand, Clean Jharkhand
Rich Jharkhand, Strong Jharkhand "