Developmental schemes:-

Many developmental schemes are taken up annually by the Forest Department, some of these are as given below:-

Raising of seedlings:

A large number of seedlings are raised by the Forest department to meet its own demand for planting and to supply to prospective tree growers i.e. individuals, corporations, etc. The seedlings are raised under different schemes and the totals of the seedlings raised form an item of the 20 point programme. The total number of seedlings raised in the previous 3 years are as under
a) during 2001-02 = 14.92 Lakhs
b) during 2002-03 = 17.94 Lakhs
c) during 2003-04 = 15.20 Lakhs
d) during 2004-05 = 11.59 lakhs

Distribution of seedlings:

On special occasions like Vanamahotsava, Environment Day, Wildlife Week etc. seedlings are distributed free of cost. Institutions like Panchayats, Schools, Churches, Devasthans etc. also are supplied with seedlings during the monsoon season free of cost. The total number of seedlings so distributed form an item of the 20-point programmme. The total number of seedlings distributed in the previous 3 years are as under
a) during 2001-02 = 12.69 Lakh
b) during 2002-03 = 8.42 Lakh
c) during 2003-04 = 8.87 Lakhs
d) during 2004-05 = 8.29 lakhs

District	Taluka	Location of Nursery
North Goa	Satari	Veluz, Bironda, Keri, Kankumbi, Kankumbi Ponsulem, Bondla, Morlem, Satrem, Zormen Karanzol, Kapordem, Nanoda.
	Pernem	Keri, Tuem, Chandela
	Ponda	Forest Colony Ponda, Nirancal, Pale, Usgao, Tiska Usgao, Kankirem, Dhavali, Ghotmod, Undir Bandora, Madkai
	Bicholim	Dodamar, Amthane
	Bardez	Verla, Pilerne, Olaulim, Pirna, Colvale
	Tiswadi	Chorao, Campal
South Goa	Canacona	Poinguin, Ozrem, Codimol, Cotigao, Fondsonem Pissonem
	Sanguem	Valkini, Mattoni, Dharbandora, Collem, Dargem, Salgini, Sancordem, Netravali, Ba!li, Mangal
	Salcete	Aquem Forest Colony
	Quepem	Condimol, Quepem, Forest Colony, Kopramadi, Malkarnem, Sirvoi, Quisconda, Quitol, Naqueri, Adnem, Padi

 

 

Afforestation:

Bringing barren areas under tree cover is one of the most important mandate of the forest department. This is achieved through a number of schemes like Rehabilitation of Degraded Forests under the Capital outlay, Forest Plantation under the Western Ghats Outlay, Social Forestry and NTFP plantations under the Revenue outlay. The area regenerated during the previous 3 years is as given below:
a) during 2001-02 = 790.90 ha.
b) during 2002-03 = 541.05 ha.
c) during 2003-04 = 694.79 ha.
d) during 2004-05 = 472.69 ha.

A number of Centrally Sponsored Schemes also supplement this endeavour. In addition to that, the department undertakes Compensatory Afforestation under Non Plan. The break up of the achievements in the last 3 years are tabulated below :-

Name of the scheme	Area of plantation
	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
Rehabilitation of degraded forests	35.00	118.50	76.17	47.00
Forest Plantation (Under WGDP)	52.00	123.00	127.00	262.50
Social Forestry	100.00	-	15.62	14.00
NTFP Plantation	441.75	155.00	175.70	-
Mangrove Plantation	75.00	23.00	180.00	44.70
Compensatory Afforestation	87.15	121.55	110.30	89.99
Total	790.90	541.05	684.79	472.69

Soil Conservation Measures:

Although soil conservation measures are mostly concentrated in the 3 Talukas of Canacona, Sanguem and Sattari and dealt under the Western Ghat Development Programmme, there is a component under the Plan Schemes to take up these measures in other talukas. The department constructs minor engineering structures to physically arrest soil loss. Such structures are invariably supported by vegetative measures like plantation of trees, agaves and other plants with soil binding properties. In the year 2001-02, 270 numbers of minor engineering structures were constructed. The more popular structures are Gully Plugs, Small Check Dams, Medium Check dams, Gabions, Bandharas etc. In the year 2002-03, the number of structures constructed are as follows; Gully Plugs 77 Nos), Small Check Dams(286 Nos), Medium Check dams(10 Nos), Gabbions ( 6 Nos). In the year 2003-04, the number of structures constructed are as follows; Gully Pluggings 2 Nos, Small Check Dams 100 Nos, and dry stone dams 142 Nos.

During 2004-05, the number of structures constructed are as follows: Gully plugging (50 nos) Small Check Dams 207 Nos, and Gabbions (1 No).

Year	Area of plantation raised ( in Ha.)	Area of Soil Conservation work done (in Ha.)
1986-97	592.00	298.35
1987-88	700.00	300.00
1988-89	632.00	300.00
1989-90	440.00	250.00
1990-91	312.00	300.00
1991-92	300.00	300.00
1992-93	300.00	300.00
1993-94	350.00	350.00
1994-95	160.00	160.00
1995-96	218.00	218.00
1996-97	300.00	200.00
1997-98	300.00	200.00
1998-99	282.00	300.00
1999-00	238.90	20.00
2000-01	154.00	40.00
2001-02	52.00	-
2002-03	123.00	-
2003-04	696.79	10.00
2004-05	472.69	-

 

Revenue & expenditure: The Revenue earned the expenditure incurred during the last 10 years is as given below:

Sr. No.	Year	Revenue (Rs in lakhs)	Expenditure (Rs in lakhs)		Total Expenditure (Rs in lakhs)
			Non Plan	Plan
1	2	3	4	5	6
1.	1994-95	138.15	205.78	302.79	508.57
2.	1995-96	138.82	241.38	283.04	524.42
3.	1996-97	157.87	339.66	351.57	691.23
4.	1997.98	113.71	386.10	320.50	706.60
5.	1998-99	70.57	474.72	333.69	808.41
6.	1999-2000	93.25	504.78	525.40	1030.38
7.	2000-2001	110.96	532.46	704.41	1236.87
8.	2001-2002	117.93	538.42	458.53	996.95
9.	2002-2003	72.23	530.32	526.16	1056.48
10.	2003-2004	180.56	572.62	730.15	1302.77
11.	2004-2005	208.29	559.87	1106.01	1665.88

Urban Beautification, Gardens & Parks

The Department undertakes the development of Parks and Gardens in cities/towns and roadside plantations. The two Gardens in Panjim viz the Ambedkar Garden and the Bhagvan Mahavir Bal Vihar at Campal have been refurbished. Three new Fountains each have been added to both the Parks. A Sulabh Souchalaya has been constructed in the Ambedkar Garden. Pedal Boats have been introduced in Campal. With lots of new features added, the parks are visited by tourist and city dwellers in large numbers. New Gardens has been constructed in the Sanjay School, Porvorim. A Rosary Garden at Navelim, Margao has been developed which greatly enhanced the attractiveness of this village. The maintenance of Jogging Parks was transferred to the Forest Department in Nov. 2002. Land for the terraced garden at Altinho has been acquired in 2002-03. The Power Grid Corporation has entrusted the beautification of its campus at Mapusa to the Forest Department during the year 2002-03.

Civil Constructions

During 2001-02, one ‘E’ type building at Margao and one Nature Interpretation Centre at Mollem Were completed. The former is in the Forest Colony at Acquem and is used by the DCF (R&U) as his official residence. During 2002-03, extension of Office building was carried out by the DCF North division. DCF, North also completed construction of the Range office building at Keri. During 2003-04, Watch Towers were constructed in sensitive areas to keep control over poaching, illicit felling and forest fires. First Floor was added to the Divisional Office at Ponda. Maintenance of staff quarters and offices were also carried out.

During 2004-05, watch towers have been constructed in sensitive areas to help control over-poaching, illicit felling and forest fires. Maintenance of staff quarters and offices has been carried out.

Trainings Conducted:

Training needs of IFS officers are looked after by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, GOI. The GOI through its subordinate training institutes also extend training to ACF’s and RFO’s. During 2003-04, one Dy. Conservator of Forest, two Asst. Coservator of Forest and 4 Range Forest Officer attended the training. The Chief Forest Surveyor and the Draughtsman were trained in GIS applications.
As part of the Government’s Policy of bringing about e-Governance, a large number of ministerial staff have been given training on computers. Additionally, this department also conducts the training at the Forest Training School, Valpoi. During 2001-02, the FTS has conducted 4 refresher courses and 1 regular training course for Forest guards. In the year 2002-03, 2 refresh er courses and 1 regular course for Round Foresters were also conducted. During 2003-04, the FTS has conducted one refresher course for Forest Guard and one workshop for Round Foresters. A workshop on Legal matters and defending the cases in court was also held.

Medicinal Plantation

The Research and Utilization Division has been carrying out work on this front. Demonstration Plots for Medicinal Plants have been raised for the following species viz.
Patchouli (Pogostemom Cablin),
Pipli (Piper Longum),
Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina),
Aloe (Aloe barbedonsis),
Kokum(Garnicia indica).

This has been done by executing the two projects sanctioned by the Government of India named “Ex-situ and in-situ conservation of Medicinal Plants”. The projects are being implemented with the involvement of the local farmers. Training programmes, workshops have been organized to enthuse farmers into this emerging field.

Timber and fuel wood Production :

Because of ban on felling of trees in Government Forests, most of the timber is produced from private areas. The quantity of timber produced in previous years is as given below:-
.

SL. No	Unit		Year
			2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
I Timber Production
a Government	Cum	647.779		382.232	252.477	413.907	626
b. Private	Cum	9496.000		13156.250	15279.031	13777.42	16727
II Fuel wood Production
a Government	Cum	2714.000		134.000	9155.132	1805.397	1066
b. Private	Cum	16615.000		23816.244	13296.536	22634.753	28065
III Bamboo
a Government	Nos	16700		10000	13296	536	-
b. Private	Nos	24300		132992	31100	116144	82645
IV Canes
	Nos	1890		6495	140	4385	1140

Finance and Accounts:

The Forest Department follows the 13-digit Accounts Code. The Department receives its budgetary grants under Demand No. 68 which has four Major Heads viz.
2406 - Forestry & Wildlife.
4406 - Capital Outlay on Forestry & Wildlife.
4407 - Capital Outlay on Plantation.
2551 - Hill Areas (Western Ghat Development Programme).
2406 - Forestry & Wildlife has components from Plan, Non Plan and Centrally Sponsored Schemes: whereas all other major head are entirely in the Plan Sector.

The following tabular statement is self-explanatory for the Plan Side:

Major Head of Account (4 Digits)	Sub Major Head	Minor Head	Scheme
2406 - Forestry & Wild Life	01 - Forestry	001- Direction & Administration	1. Intensification of Management
		004- Research	1. Forest Research & Utilisation 2. People’s Nursery
		013- Statistics	1. Statistical & Planning cell
		101- Forest Conservation, Development & Regeneration	1.Survey & Demarcation 2. Working Plan 3. Forest Protection 4. Cultural Operation 5. Soil Conservation 6. Exploitation of Timber
		102- Social and Farm Forestry	1. Social Forestry 2. Social Forestry Incl. RFP 3. Establishment of Firewood Depots 4. Raising of Fuel-wood PLts. for Scheduled Castes 5. Establishment of Firewood Depots for S/C
		109- Extension & Training	1. Forestry School
		800- Other Expenditure	1. Eco Tourism & Wild Life
	02- Environmental Forestry & Wild Life	110- Wildlife Preservation	1. Wild Life Management
		112- Public Gardens	1. Gardens & Parks
		800- Other Expenditure	1. Forest Publicity 2. Labour Welfare 3. Forestry Infrastructure Dev.
2551- Hill Areas	01- Western Ghats	800- Other Expenditure	1. Soil & Water Conservation 2. Forest Plantations 3. Research Project under Western Ghat 4. Eco- Tourism & Wild Life
4406- Capital Outlay on Forestry & Wildlife	01- Forestry	070- Construction & Building	1. Communication 2. Construction
4407- Capital Outlay on Plantations	60- Others	800- Other Expenditure	1. Rehabilitation of Degraded Forests

New Developments.

a ) Amendment of PTA.

With a view to simplify the administration, the amendment was introduced in the following provisions of the Preservation of Trees Act during 2002-03.
i) Sub Section 5 of Section 9
Every permission granted under this Act shall be in such form and subject to such condition, including taking of a tree felling fee as prescribed by the Government from time to time and the security deposit for ensuring regeneration of the area and replanting of trees or otherwise, as may be prescribed.
ii) Amendment in Form E
Terms and Conditions : 1. The Range Forest Officer will mark the tree and levy a felling fee Rs. 100/- before cutting them.
iii) Section 15 (2)
Every Appeal in this Section shall be made by a petition in writing and shall be accompanied by a copy of the Order of the direction appealed against and shall be accompanied by a fee of Rs. One Thousand.

b) Introduction of Joint Forest Management:

The National Forest Policy, 1988 envisages the co-operation of the local people in the conservation and the development of forests. In view of the principles laid down by the Government of India, the Government of Goa have decided to obtain people’s co-operation in areas considered sensitive from the point of view of forest protection and approved the scheme of Joint Forest Management in the state vide Notification No. 12-2-2001-02/FD/894 dated 6th March,2003.
Three Forest Development Agencies have been constituted namely
1. NORTH GOA FOREST DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
2. SOUTH GOA FOREST DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
3. FOREST DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (WILDLIFE)
The Ministry of Environment & Forests has already assured to fund the FDA in Goa to the tune of Rs.1.00 Crore during the current financial year (2003-04). Accordingly, an scheme has been drawn up for the balance part of the Xth Plan period (2003-07) for Rs. 4.06 Crores and sent for funding purpose. This would greatly help in the participation of the local community in the planning & the implementation of appropriate afforestation programme at the grass root level and help in the decision making process.

c ) Wildlife - habitat improvement,& turtle conservation.

i ) Rescue of wild animals

The Wildlife Rescue Squad of this Department operating from Campal conducts rescue operation for wild animals, which have strayed into human habitations. Unless attended on priority, these animals are killed or mauled seriously and hence the squad has to be on round the clock duty. In many cases, the animals would require medical attention and these are administered in the Rehabilitation Centers. It is always ensured that only those animals, which have restored their health completely, are left back into the Wild. The details of the animals rescued during the last 3 years are as follows:

Class/Species	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
Reptiles
King Cobra				3
Cobra	71	65	20	34
Russel viper	36	37	1	3
Krait	02	01	1
Rat Snake	50	54	5	41
Python	82	87	27	21
Crocodile	15	17	40	33
Monitor Lizards	02	03	4	7
Soft Shelled Turtle	-	05	6	23
Keelback -	-	07	6	2
Sand Boa	-	03	4	2
Other Snakes	62	35	784	1058
Banded Racer	-	02	-
Birds	302	08	24	46
Flap Shell Turtle	-	-	-	5
Black Turtle	-	-	-	1
Chameleon	-	-	-	2
Wolf Snake	-	-	-	6
Frosten's Catsnake	-	-	-	1
Riverine Terrapin	-	-	-	8
Watersnake	-	-	-	1
Flying Snake	-	-	-	1
Saw Scaled Viper	-	-	-	1
Triket Snake	-	-	-	1
Mammals
Wild Cat	11	02	3	10
Monkey	-	18	27	21
Wild Boar	-	02	2	1
Civet Cat	-	01	-	-
Porcupine	04	04	-	1
Deer	03	08	11	5
Jackal	-	01	-	-
Panther	03	-	-	-
Squirrel	01	-	-	3
Leopard	-	-	03	05
Sambar	-	-	-	1
Indian Pangolin	-	-	-	1
Slender Loris	-	-	-	1
Bonnet Macaque	-	-	-	6
Langur	-	-	-	3

ii ) Turtle Conservation Programme:

During the year 1997, the department started the Sea Turtle Conservation Programme at Morjim and Galgibag beaches of North and South Goa respectively with the help of some NGO’s and the local villagers. The efforts and the success of the turtle conservation programme has resulted not only in the conservation of this endangered species but also made these beaches as places of important eco tourist destinations.
However, there has been decline in the no. of nests at all the 3 places during 2003-04 compared to the previous year i.e. 2002-03. This may be attributed to the disturbances along the beaches and to excessive tourist activities viz. namely shacks, lighting along the beaches, loud music etc. The unfavorable weather, the direction and velocity of the wind and water currents could also be reasons for the declining trends of nesting.

Data for Turtle Nesting for the year 2004-05
Place/site	Total No. of Nests	Total no. of eggs laid	Total no. of Hatchlings Released	Total no. of un- hatched eggs
Morjim	6	607	425	123
Galgibag	5	423	293	123
Agonda	9	732	613	52

d ) Environmental education- Wildlife Week, Vanmahotsav, etc.

As a part of environmental education, various competitions were held at different levels of Schools and colleges - from Primary schools to Technical Colleges on the themes of wildlife which included Drawing, essay writing, quiz, poster drawing etc. All the prizewinners were awarded prizes and certificates on the closing ceremony of the Wildlife week. Exhibits of the flora and fauna have been kept for public viewing at the Nature Interpretation Centres located at Bondla, Cotigao and Molem. There books are also made available for reading, and in some places video films on ecology, forest, and wildlife are shown to the visitors. Adequate number of posters and brochures were also distributed among the students.

e ) Diversion of forest areas under Forest Conservation Act.

i ) Diversion of forest areas for mining activity

Mining is one of the most important economic activity in the State of Goa. The tentative area of forests affected due to mining is about 2000 ha. Since mining is the non-forest activity, approval of the central government is required under the Forest Conservation Act. So far 31 cases covering 1116 ha. area has been approved which includes about 300 ha. broken up area of the forest land. During 2003-04, Stage I clearance was given by Government of India to fifteen mining proposals where mining has been going on since Portuguese regime. The details of mining leases in the forest areas are as given below:

Number of active mines	74 nos.
Number of leases	355 nos.
Total area (km2)	66.9 km2
Number of leases in forest area	91 nos.
Number of active leases in forest area	26 nos. (19.66 km2)

ii ) Diversion of forest areas for other development activities

In addition to mining activities, other developmental activities for which forest land has been diverted under Forest Conservation Act are drawing power lines, road construction, irrigation and others. The total number of the cases approved under other developmental activities are 24 and the total forest area involved is about 146 ha. of forest land.

Offence Cases: The numbers of cases booked in the previous three years are as under.

Year /Number of cases booked under	Dy.C.F. (North)				Dy.C.F (South)				Dy.C.F. (Wildlife)
	01-02	02-03	03-04	04-05	01-02	02-03	03-04	04-05	01-02	02-03	03-04	04-05
IFA 1927	35	18	41	49	56	37	51	39	12	-	-	-
GPTA, 1984	120	83	88	91	40	33	39	82	-	-	-	-
WLPA, 1972	-	-	1	-	1	4	1	2	5	2	23	14
Total	155	101	130	140	97	74	91	123	17	2	23	14