Money from ‘trees’ to be spent on tribespeople

Lending support for the development of ecotourism sites in Kerala and to improve the living conditions of tribespeople who make a living through these centres, the Forest Department has decided to for
Money from ‘trees’ to be spent on tribespeople

KOLLAM: Lending support for the development of ecotourism sites in Kerala and to improve the living conditions of tribespeople who make a living through these centres, the Forest Department has decided to form an Ecosystem Management Fund (EMF). The fund, which will cater to the protection and overall improvement of forests and forest-dependent communities, will also include benefits for local communities, who will be provided with soft loans, special trust funds and development schemes.
The EMF will be generated from the service charges collected from visitors to the 60 ecotourism sites under the Forest Department. 


Explaining the initiative, Assistant Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) for Eco Development and Tribal Welfare Prakriti Srivastava said, “The EMF was originally the River-Forest Protection Fund. While the former fund was meant for the maintenance and protection of forest areas, the newly-formed EMF is devised more for the economic development of local communities. It will also come in handy for the overall development of the state, as well as in the case of an emergency.”

15% for management and maintenance of ecotourism location and facilities

4% environmental awareness promotion

30% for Participatory Forest Management Fund

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The New Indian Express
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