South Panna Forest Division organized its first-ever grand conference of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), marking a significant milestone in community-led forest conservation. The event saw participation from around 700 members, including presidents, vice presidents, active committee members from 234 JFMCs, forest officers, frontline staff, and local media representatives.
Held at the Kalehi Mata Temple premises in Pawai, the conference was managed by the Pawai Range team under Range Officer Nitesh Patel.
The session was chaired by DFO South Panna Anupam Sharma, with DFO North Panna Garvit Gangwar as the chief guest. IFS probationers Akshat Jain and Anshul Tiwari, SDFO Nitin Nigam, ACF Ankur Gupta, and all Range Officers of the South Panna Division also graced the occasion.
DFO Highlights Achievements and Community Role in Forest Protection
The program began with the ceremonial lamp lighting. DFO Anupam Sharma presented the division’s achievements, emphasizing the vital role of JFMCs in safeguarding forests.
IFS probationers contributed insights on containing encroachment, illegal felling, poaching, and improving forest fire management through community participation.
Two documentaries – on the Eklavya Scheme and CAMPA Plantation – were screened, showcasing the on-ground impact of departmental initiatives.
Publications Released, Beneficiaries Felicitated
Two notable publications were unveiled –
- “Butterflies of South Panna” by Ajay Chaurasia, President, JFMC Patna Tamoli
- “Medicinal Plants of South Panna” by Forest Guard Jagdish Ahirwar
Beneficiaries under the Eklavya Scholarship Scheme and Bamboo Mission received cheque distributions.
Recognition of Outstanding Committees
A total of 20 JFMCs and their representatives were honored with certificates and financial rewards for exceptional contributions to forest conservation.
Awardees included: Ajay Chaurasia, Bhura Banjara, Avadh Rani Yadav, Bharat Singh, and Devi Singh.
A heartfelt conservation-themed song by Forest Guard Ashish Pandey added emotional resonance to the event. The conference concluded with an inspirational address by DFO Garvit Gangwar and blanket distribution to all committee representatives.
Key Decisions: Social Audit & Fire Control Incentives
Two major resolutions were adopted during the conference –
Social Audit Mandatory:
Payments for fire line creation and controlled burning (Dec–Feb) will now be released only after verification through social audits conducted by the respective JFMCs.
Forest Fire Control Incentive:
During the fire season March–May 2026, any committee reducing forest fire incidents to half or less compared to the previous three-year average will receive an incentive of ₹10,000.
These decisions strengthen accountability, transparency, and motivate community-led fire prevention.
A Landmark Step Toward Community-Driven Forest Conservation
The grand conference served as an exceptional model of “Jan Bhagidari in Van Suraksha”, reinforcing the shared responsibility between communities and the Forest Department.
It marks a new chapter in collaborative forest management, where local committees play a pivotal role in ensuring ecological protection and sustainable development across the South Panna landscape.
