Uttarakhand

• 16 Mar 2024

Uttarakhand Approved Forest Panchayat Amendment Rules

Why in News?

Recently, in an effort to make Van (Forest) Panchayats strong and self-reliant, the Uttarakhand government during a cabinet meeting approved the Forest Panchayat Amendment Rules, under which the British-era ‘Acts of Forest Panchayat’ have been amended.

Key Points

• According to the new rules, a nine-member forest panchayat will be formed, which will have the rights to participate in herbal production, tree planting, water harvesting, forest fire prevention, eco-tourism.
• For the first time three-tier local bodies have also been linked to the forest management of Van Panchayat.
  • The concept of van panchayat- legally demarcated village forests which are managed and its natural resources shared by village communities introduced in 1921.
• Uttarakhand is the only state in India where the van panchayat system is implemented.
  • It is a historical community forest management organisation which has been operating since the year 1930.
  • At present, 11,217 forest panchayats are in the state of which have 4.52 lakh hectares of forest area.
• The cabinet gave approval to the ‘Uttarakhand Clean Mobility Transformation Policy’ with an aim to improve public transport in urban areas and reduce pollution caused by old diesel fueled buses and three wheeler tempos.
  • The policy would be first implemented in Dehradun and thereafter extended to other districts.

Uttarakhand Launches Development Schemes in Gopeshwar

Why in News?

Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development schemes worth Rs 229.3 crores.

Key Points

• The development schemes were launched in the 'Beneficiary Honor Ceremony' organized at the Police Ground Gopeshwar in Chamoli district.
• During the occasion, the Chief Minister also made several announcements for the development of the district, which include:
  • the early completion of the construction work of the Hapla-Dhotidhar motor road,
  • government and financial approval for the construction of motor road from kilometre one of Baitarni-Sirkhoma-Sentuna-Bairagana motor road to Setuna in Dasholi block from Gopeshwar temple road,
  • construction of hanging bridge on Ramganga river from Ganganagar Mai temple to Bhairav Tok under Lambagad in Karnaprayag,
  • establishment of Gau-Sarakshan Seva in four development blocks in Tharali assembly and approval of Center of Excellence in public interest in Tharali Kulsari.
• The Chief Minister also handed over the keys to beneficiaries of the houses constructed under Atal Awas Yojana.
  • Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), a cheque of 60 thousand was given to Neelam Devi under the second installment.
  • Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), the keys of the house were given to Sangeeta Devi and Guddi Devi.
• Under the Chief Minister's Self-Employment Scheme, Rajeshwari Devi and Narendra Singh were given cheques of contribution amount of Rs 50,000 each.
• Under women empowerment, Mandodari Devi was given a Mahalakshmi kit.
  • For remarkable work, Yuvak Mangal Dal Bura was given cheques of Rs 75,000 and Mahila Mangal Dal Ala Jokhna was given cheques of incentive amount of Rs 37,500.
  • A cheque of Rs 20 lakh was given to Devbhoomi Matsya Jeevi Sahakarita Samiti.