https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Turning Rocky Hill Land Into Green Land in Sambalpur 

Indian Masterminds Stories

Forests are important not only to save the environment but also to generate economic opportunities. According to the National Forest Policy, 33% of land should be forest. Odisha has already exceeded this target by achieving 34% of forest land. The efforts of Sambalpur forest division has been crucial in this milestone. The division has been appreciated for its efforts in forest protection and conservation, and also for becoming the best performing division in providing livelihood opportunities under the Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project. 

DFO Sambalpur Vishwanath Neelannavar

Around 4000 hectare of land has been planted or restored in Sambalpur in the last few years. Under the leadership of DFO Vishwanath Neelannavar, the forest department is experimenting with various techniques of plantation and also involving the local people in protection of the forest. After the success of Miyawaki plantation, they are now experimenting with ‘rocky hill plantation’ for the first time. 

Speaking to Indian Masterminds, the officer shared about the new experiment and how they are involving local people in restoration and protection of the forest. 

ROCKY HILL PLANTATION 

Sambalpur forest division has around 600-700 hectares of hilly land which has no soil. Plantation on such rocky land is difficult but not impossible. “Every now and then, we have seen various trees coming up between rocks. It shows that by following a correct method certain species can be grown on such rocky areas,” said the DFO. 

With this thought, the officer got the GIS analysis done of that landmass and identified the area. Thereafter, a team was sent for inspection of the natural forest and some species like Sterculia Urens, Neem and Custard Apple were shortlisted that can grow in that terrain. Right now, plantation has been done in one hectare of land. It is for the first time that such an experiment is being carried out. Mr. Neelannavar said that plantation is going on and for another 6-7 months, they will observe the results. Based on the observations, they will make a standard protocol and carry out plantation in all such areas with the help of CSR or state funds. He is very hopeful about its success. He said, “With Miyawaki, we were able to grow 35-45 ft high forest in just two years. I believe this rocky land also will be soon filled with forest.”

VANA SURAKHAYA SAMITI 

Participation of people is important in forest management. In Sambalpur the “Joint Forest Management” approach was implemented in which all the fringe forest villages were made partners in forest management with legal entitlement to the produce. People living on the fringes of the forests were encouraged to form Vana Surakhya Samitis (VSS). These VSS have been playing an important role in protection and improvement of forests. 

A total of 4903 hectare forest area have been allotted to 100 VSSs of the Sambalpur forest Division to carry out various forestry activities. Through villagers’ participation, VSS have undertaken plantation, fencing, staggered trenches for soil moister conservation and forest fire awareness programmes. The Adhapada VSS has received CM award for forest protection and conservation in Sambalpur forest division

GENERATING INCOME

The species planted in the VSS area are Arjun, Sisoo, Amla, Tamarind, Kusum, Teak and Karanja and many fruit saplings like Jamun and Amla. The average height of the plants is 15-20 ft and survival percentage is 100%. The VSS members are adopting the Thengapali system and protecting the reserve forest. “The members are collectively working to regenerate forests by removing weeds and shrubs for proper growth of important tree species. The partnership between rural communities and forest department has brought in visible changes.  Many hills have turned into forests now with an abounding green cover,” the officer said. 

The increase in forest cover has generated employment opportunities for the local tribal population. Villagers are free to collect all non-timber forest produce like Sal leaves, Sal seed, Harida, Bahada and Mahua. Additional income generation programmes like broom making, leaf plate making, mushroom cultivation, etc., are also being implemented to provide alternative income to select groups, mostly women. Now, the forest department of Sambalpur is in the process of identifying all the POP i.e. poorest of the poor persons in all the VSS and preferences is given to them for Revolving Fund, as loan and tie-in bank loan after two rotation of repayment.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
REC Limited wins ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC (DNA) Awards
REC Limited Bags ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IFS S Krithiga
Eco-Friendly Cottages, Tribal Cuisine, and Conservation: Inside Tamil Nadu’s Pachamalai Project
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT