SPECIAL PROJECT FOR BUNDELKHAND REGION

2009-10 TO 2011-2012
1.

Introduction

Forests are repository of the bio-diversity, gene pool resources, sequester

carbon dioxide and provide lot of other environmental services. They play a very vital
role in sustaining the life of people and are crucial for the food and water security. The
first and foremost objective of forest management in any country is to ensure
livelihood security. This is ensured through better management practices and
sustainable utilization of forestlands. In India, the sustained flow of water in our
rivers, streams and rivulets and recharge of ground water is necessary for the food
security and drinking water availability. The hydrological functions of forests include
interception of rainfall and regulating the stem flows, binding soil to prevent soil
erosion and conserving the soil moisture. The Forest are the source of major water
resource both surface, subsoil and ground water in the country. Forests supply
nutrients to agriculture crops through runoff water with much other
complementariness with agriculture ecosystem.
In the absence of operation planning and convergence degradation of forests
and adjoining lands continued which seriously affected the sustainability of crops and
natural vegetation. Due to continuous degradation of land resources, depletion of
precious biodiversity and conservation functions of forests the food grain production
and availability of the drinking water is getting reduced gradually causing serious
ecological concerns in many parts of the country. The poverty alleviation programmes
can only succeed if these areas are tackled on priority and the natural resources are
managed in an integrated and holistic manner. There are however, many examples set
by the pioneering individuals ad grass root level organizations in bringing
convergence in the development of land based resources.
As forests disappeared, the possibilities of rainwater being conserved below the
ground decreased and as traditional tanks were neglected, the possibilities of surface
conservation also decreased. This is how water scarcity has become acute in
Bundelkhand region. In above background the State needs to have a separate
agriculture development model for the Bundelkhand region that is ecologically and
environmentally sustainable. Such a model has to be integrated with animal husbandry
and forest regeneration. The protection of land in the watershed and planting of
various species of benefit to the local people can lead to increased water availability as
well as reduction in wasteland area. Plantation in ravenous tracts can help in reducing

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the soil erosion besides meeting the local requirements of fruit, fuel and fodder. In
Bundelkhand region protection of degraded forest or community land (with rootstock)
can make regeneration of traditional species possible. The regeneration rate can be
enhanced with implementation to water conservation efforts which increases soil
moisture and therefore the plant growth. The seed sowing of leguminous grasses in
areas protected for plantations and re-generation can also increase the fodder
availability in the area giving a boost t the pastoral economy. This scale of plantation
will definitely have a visible impact, to monitor the impact objectively; it is proposed
that the forest department will maintain the details of coordinates of plantation sites by
using GPS, so that the same can be monitored later on through use of satellite
imagery.

2.

The Total Forest cover in India

According to latest Report of Forest Survey of India, the total forest cover in
India is 67.83 M. ha. (20.64% of total geographical area.)

In terms of density the forest area is as follows :Very Dense forest

(> 70)

5.13 M. Ha.

Dense Forest

(40-70%)

33.93 M. Ha.

Open Forest

(10-40%)

28.78 M. Ha.

Mangroves

0.45 M. Ha.

Total Forest Cover

3.

67.83 M. Ha.

Pressures on Forests

Nearly 1,96,000 villages are in the forests or on the forests fringes. A part from
fuel-wood. Village communities depend on forests for small timber, bamboo
and non timber forest products.

India accounts for 2.3% of world's geographic area but accounts for 15% of
global livestock population it only forest land is considered the livestock
density is 7 per ha. highest among the world.
India has been implementing large scale afforestation programmes the Social
Forestry Joint forest management programme, afforestation under National
Afforestation and Eco-development Board etc.
According to FAO (Food & Agriculture Organization) the total area under

forests in India has increased from

63.93 M Ha. in 1990 to
67.90 M. Ha. in 2005.

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4.

Distribution of water
n

n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n

5.

97.4% of the total water is saline water, 2.6% of the total water is sweet water,
1.97% Snow, 0.614% Ground water, 0.008% lacks water, 0.005 Soil moisture,
0.0005 river water
In Eco System 1% water used which is 0.01% of the total water and
0.007% of the total water used by human being
2/3 of the rain water is running in the sea.
In 2020 1/3 of the total population will be struggle for water.
Since 1901 to 2000 temperature increased by 0.070C
Ground water is decreasing 20 Cm. per year
Average consumption by one man is 10 litre.
Position of India in world
16% population of the world
2.45% in area of the world
4% water stock of the world

Bundelkhand At a Glance
Total Area
Population
Pradesh)
Total Farmers
Marginal Farmers (Less than 1 hectare )
Small Farmers (1-2 Hectares)
Total Irrigated Land
private sources, 41% other sources)
Area under Reserve Forest
Degraded Forest Area

6.
S.No.

:
:

294180 Sq. Km.

8232000 (4.95% of Uttar

:
:
:
:

3248000 (45%)
50%
25%
41 % (48% by canal, 4%

:
:

195000 Hectare
124200 Hectare

Details of Forest Land in Bundelkhand Region

District

Total Area
(H a . )

Reserved Forest
area (HA.)

Dense (>0.4
crown density)

Degraded (<0.4
crown density)

Jhansi

502400

20200

3400

16800

Lalitpur

503900

57200

14600

42600

Jalaun

456500

24700

6800

17900

Hamirpur

428200

17800

6700

11100

Banda

453200

10300

2700

7600

Mahoba

288400

9400

2000

7400

Chitrakoot

309200

55400

34600

20800

Total

2941800
195000
70800
Source: According to Forest Survey of India 2005 report.

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124200

7- GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF BUNDELKHAND

The Bundelkhand falls in Vindhyan hilly tract and surrounded by Betwa, Dhasan,
Pahuj and Jamuna, Mandakini, Sindh, Lakheri, Jamni rivers. The Bundelkhand is
rich in dry deciduous mixed forests and the forests are the source for all these rivers.
Various irrigation dams are built on these rivers for irrigating the otherwise dry
district. The famous Rajghat, Matatila, Govindsagar, Parichha, Sukuwan Dukuwan
and Panhuj, irrigations dams are situated in the Bundelkhand area. The entire
Bundelkhand is situated in Vindhyan hills and ravines, catchment of Betwa,
Yamuna. The Bundelkhand lies in hilly track, in Southern platue and North East part
with plain land and ravinous in the middle. The average height of the project area is
300 500 meters MSL.
The soil of the forests of the Bundelkhand is mostly red morramy soil sandy,
black cotton, rocker. Most of the area is stony with sand stone beds around 7 10 ft.
down.
The climate of Bundelkhand area is of typical Central Indian climate, with mild
winters and hot summers. Hot wave flows during May and Ist week of June locally
designated as Loo. The temperature during summer goes upto 460C. The rainy
season is limited to 1 - 2 months of July and August only. Winter rain fall is rare.
Average rain fall is 600 - 700 mm but concentrated only during July August. Most
of the rain fall is run-off due to rocky nature of the soil.
Bundelkhand Region is administratively divided into 7 districts. These are
Jalaun, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda and Chirtrakoot districts. Total
population of Bundelkhand is 82.32 Lac & Total farmers population is 32.48 Lac.
Schedule cast and schedule tribe population constitute 28.2 % of the total population
of the Bundelkhand region. Cattle rearing are taken by large no of peoples as source of
livehood. Though the economy of the rural population is predominantly agro-based
with more then 50 % of land under agriculture.

7.1. Major Occupation

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Agriculture of Peas, Chana, Jawar, Aderak and Wheat.

Collection of flowers and fruits of Mahuwa and Chironji.
Collection of medicinal plants and Tendu leaves.
Labor work on various irrigation schemes and Government works.
Mining activities.

7.2. Population Profile

The population of Bundelkhand is dominated with backward communities,
followed by scheduled caste and tribes. In the project area selected, the population is
mainly SC, ST, and weaker sections of backward class. Total population of
Bundelkhand region is 82.32 Lac.

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7.3 Land Holding and Distribution

By and large the villagers of the Bundelkhand are poor, rural landless
labourers. They depend upon forest and other government works for employment. The
topography of the project area is sloppy, undulating. A vast chunk of land was vested
with gram samaj at the line of Zamindari Abolition, and land pattas are issued to the
rural landless. Thus the land holdings are marginal.
The Bundelkhand is in arid zone, and agriculture depends upon monsoon.
There are irrigation dams made in the recent past, which provide water for irrigation.
Kharif crop is purely based on rains. Peas, peanuts, tilli, Chana, Maize, Urad, Moong,
Bajra are the major crop with Wheat in irrigated areas.

7.4 Live Stock Population

Anna pratha and Dhaiya pratha are common is Bundelkhand area. The
cattle population is almost equivalent to the human population, and the cattle
population is inferior. They are maintained mainly for cow dang and for religious
faith.
Uncontrolled grazing by stray cattle (Anna pratha) is the major problem of the
project area and the forest. Effective and healthy animal husbandry action is needed,
and planned in the district through various projects of animal husbandry department.

7.5 Education
Ever through the construction of primary school were done in most of villages,
the literacy level is very poor due to non-attendance of teachers in the Interior
villages.

7.6 Economic status and employment potential

There is very less industrial activity in Bundelkhand. The villagers depend
upon agriculture mining, employment on development work and collection of forest
produce.
The forests of Bundelkhand is rich in Tendu, Mahuwa, Chironji, and
Medicinal plants. The villagers get some relief in employment opportunities during
summer months through the collection of above forest produce. Forest are the primary
land use of the area. Thus by the implementation of the project it is expected that the
employment potential of the project villages, will improve during the project period.
And by the improvement of forest wealth further improvement in the life style of the
villagers surrounding project sites is also possible.

7.7 Fodder requirement and supply

As per the customs as mentioned earlier the people in the villages keep a
large number of poor quality cattle which remain stray and graze in the forests. The
people of these villages were provided with grazing rights over the forests at the time
of forest settlement. But with increase in cattle population, and constant nature of
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land resources, the grazing in the forest area has attained an alarming proportion and
already reached beyond the carrying capacity of there forests.
National committee on fodder and grasses in 1985, studied and reported
13.09 kg fodder requirement per day per grazing unit.
The number of cattle in the district as per 2003 census is approx 49.12
Lakh. There is an increase of nearly 10% during the last decade in the cattle
population of the Bundelkhand.
The fodder requirement is approx 249.52 lakh tones.
In Bundelkhand very less private posture land is available and the
community land is also fast shrinking due to land patta system. The fodder
requirement as per calculation is very high, and the forest in real sense can meet only
10% of the requirement.
Due to excessive grazing and grazing beyond capacity the forest are
denuded and degraded to a great extent. Against 195000 hectare of land reported as
forest land only out of that 70800 hectare is recognized as moderate forests and
124200 hectare are degraded less than 0.4 crown density forest. The above picture
shows the urgent need of treatment of the forest area to arrest this degradation.

7.8 Fuel wood requirement and supply

As per various studies 1.22 kg per person/day is the fuel consumption.
The population of Bundelkhand is 82.32 lakh at the present, and the total fuel
requirement is 36.64 lakh MT.
The forest of the Bundelkhand is very degraded in nature owing to heavy
grazing and fuel wood collection. As per the report of fuel committee appointed by
planning commission the sustainable fuel wood production from reserve forest will be
to the tune of 0.5 tons per year. With wooded area of 195000 hectares, the production
capacity of these forests is 97500 MT, which is only 1.28 % of the total requirement.

7.9 Small Timber

The villagers residing near by forest blocks wholly depend upon the
forest for their demand of small timber. The forests of Bundelkhand area meet their
demand through Teak, Kardhai and Seja pole crop and from Bamboo. The demand in
the last two decades is heavy leading to the decrease in wooded cover of the
Bundelkhand to 58% of actual forest land cover. The situation is alarming and in the
near future, unless otherwise production measures are carried out and Silvicultural
operations are done, for the improvement of the crop, the situation may worsen, and
thus enough requisite provision is done for natural regeneration of the forest crop in
this project.

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7.10 Non Timber forest produce

Vindhyan hilly tract is considered to be rich in medicinal plants next only
to Himalayas. The forest of Bundelkhand area lies in Vindhyan tract and is the
Treasure House of various medicinal plants. By careful identification it is found that
more than 350 non-timber species of medicinal value are found in the forest area, out
of which traditionally 82 species are abundant is exploitable volume. Other than
medicinal shrubs, herbs and trees, Mahuwa, Chironji, Tendu and Gum producing
forestry species are abundant in natural forest areas of Bundelkhand.
Villagers adjoing the forest area enjoy the traditional right in the
collection of non-timber forest produce from these forest project area.
They are free to market Mahuwa, Chironji. Medicinal plant, and Tendu
leaves are purchased through forest corporation.
7.11 Degree of Pressure on forest resources
Throughout the project area and the district the degree of pressure on
forest resources is heavy owing to increase in population and constant nature of land
resources. Bundelkhand is basically agrarian in nature, and people living around the
forest areas project areas are dependent on these forest for their bonafide use of
fodder, fuel wood and timber from time immemorial.
Many of the forest blocks selected under this project is reserved forest
from 1878. The forest wood cover has come down to 58% of the actual land forest
cover, as per the remote sensing maps. The pressure on resources can be classified as
Fuel wood Fodder
Grazing
Small timber
NTFP
-

Others

Heavy
Very heavy
Very heavy
Moderate
Moderate
Exploitation is mostly
Upto stainable capacity.
-

Moderate

8 Need for the Project:- On the life sustaining water UNESCO has written ''this
costly, life- sustaining resource must be regarded as a treasure of nature and part of
man's cultural heritage. International agreements and national laws as well as trade
and credit agreements must be based on the philosophy". In 1977 UN declared that
"Every person has the same right to drinking water, in a quality and quantity sufficient
to his needs". The clear aim was that all human beings would have access to clean

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drinking water by year 2000, Yes as on today we are further from achieving this aim
than ever before.
Agenda 21 the central document produced by the 1992 Earth Summit, makes
thoroughgoing protection of water, a matter of primary importance. "The future
depends on a just and fair distribution of water among various user groups, among
different countries, and between human beings and nature."
Access to clean drinking water is one of the pivotal issues of the 21st century.
"The global water crisis has become one of the great challenges facing the
international community" proclaimed UN General Secretary Mr. Kofi Annan and has
called for repid resolute action. This is backed by the United Nations Environment
programme (UNEP) in its GE) 2000 report. The freshwater crisis has assumed the
same dimensions and risk level as climate change freshwater, the bass of all life has
become a problem of health endangering and existential proportions and one of the
greatest sources of conflict of our time. Water urgently needs comprehensive
protection under international law. Freshwater is inadequately protected and regulated.
The recurring droughts & erratic & scanty rainfall has resulted in great
disturbance in Hydrological cycle This phenomenon has resulted in improper
distribution of the water throughout the year. The water crisis has become a global
problem. To ensure the availability of water in sufficient quantity for various
community needs is a great challenge before the human beings.
Bundelkhand area of the U.P. state has already falls under low rainfall &
semi arid zone. The Bundelkhand area is affected by drought since last 5 years (except
2008-09). Around th of the population of the Bundelkhand area is dependent on
agriculture & cattle rearing. Drought results less availability of water for running
canals. The Situation has resulted in great damage to agriculture. The Production from
all agricultural crops it fell down around 9%. The other alternatives for earning living
hood are very limited. Hence the people are bound to migrate in search of other
alternatives for sustenance.
For restoring the productivity of agricultural land and ensuring the
availability of water every- where in sufficient quantity throughout the year, the
proper management of rain water and increasing green cover in terms of afforestation
are the only ways.

9. Reasons for the selection of Bundelkhand area:-

The deterioration of

natural resources in an area can be contained and the total resources properly
developed only by adopting the watershed approach. The basic unit of development is
a watershed, which is a manageable hydrological unit. The forests are the source of

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water resources both surface, subsoil and ground water in the country. Forests supply
nutrients to agriculture crops through runoff water. In this approach developments is
not confined just to agricultural lands alone, but covers the area, starting from the
highest point of the area( ridge line i.e. forests.) to the outlet of the nalah or the natural
stream. This will involve implementation of ameliorative measures on barren hill
slopes, marginal lands, privately owned agricultural lands and badly cut nala and river
courses.
Presently the land of this Bundelkhand along the rivers Yamuna,
Mandakini, Betwa, Jamini, Sajnam, Shahjad, Dhasan is highly rocky and sendy. Due
to slopy and hilly tract, the project area is much prone for soil erosion. Various
vegetative measures and check dams are needed for handling the problem. Water
retention & its absorption in the soil is very low. Anna pratha and Dhaiya pratha
are common is Bundelkhand area. The cattle population is almost equivalent to the
human population, and the cattle population is inferior. They are maintained mainly
for cow dang and for religious faith. Uncontrolled grazing by stray cattle (Anna
pratha) is the major problem of the project area and the forest. Effective and healthy
animal husbandry action is needed, and planned in the district through various projects
of animal husbandry department. This situation results in the wastage of max.
Amount of rain water and the scarcity of water even for domestic requirement soon
after the rainy season. The maximum taping of rain water by proper soil & water
conservation measures and increasing the green cover is the only way to minimise the
affect of drought and to reach up to the final solution to this problem.

10. Village Development/Socio Economic conditions in the selected forest

area and villages:- The fringe village selected for implementation of this project are
situated in the proximity of the river Yamuna, Mandakini, Betwa, Dhasan, Panhuj,
Lakheri, Baberi. A major portion of land under these villages is ravenous & infested
with saviour soil erosion problems. The fragmented attempts made for checking the
erosion and improving the productivity of the land have not shown considerable
improvement. The scarcity of water has become a serious problem in these villages.
The economy of almost entire population of these villages is based on agriculture &
cattle rearing. Most of the agricultural land in these villages is rain fed & only Kharif
crops are raised. The recurring drought has resulted in very low return from the
agricultural land of these villages. The Recurring drought has resulted in very low
return from the agricultural land of these villages. The socio economic conditions of
these villages are as under

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11. Land use Statistics :- Almost all forest fringe areas taken up in this project are
sloppy & hilly track having serious erosion problems. A large part of the land other
than forest is also sloppy & having erosion problems. The detailed analysis of the
problem for the individual project site will be done at the time of micro plan
preparation. The land use pattern of the Bundelkhand area is as follows.
Total Area
:
294180 Sq. Km.
Population
:
8232000 (4.95% of Uttar
Pradesh)
Total Farmers
Marginal Farmers (Less than 1 hectare )
Small Farmers (1-2 Hectares)
Total Irrigated Land
private
Area under Reserve Forest

:
:
:
:

3248000 (45%)
50%
25%
41 % (48% by canal, 4%

sources, 41% other sources)

195000 Hectare

Degraded Forest Area

:
124200 Hectare
The above land use pattern is identified by remote sensing techniques, and
Bundelkhand area is mapped in different maps with the above land use pattern data
and action plan is also suggested for treatment of the land. As per the official records,
Forest land 195000 hectare land is under the control of forest department which
amounts to 6.60% of the total geographical area. The district is frequently affected
with dry conditions and due to non-availability of any big industries and erratic
mansoon, the villagers move out of the village too far off places for want of
employment. Thus, only reserved forest in the degraded condition is selected under
this project for treatment.

12 Productivity of the land:- The larger part of the soil in these forest fringe
villages is mostly red morramy, Rocker, Black cotton and sandy loam soil.
Agriculture land of black cotton soil which is typical of central india. Some part of the
soil is clayey. This soil is very hard when dry & sticky when wet. The moisture loss
during hot season results in long and deep cracks in clayey soil. Such soils are called
Mor & Kawar. The above mentioned characteristics of these soils make the use of
these soils very tough for various purposes.

13. Important Village level Industries:- The forest fringe villages selected in this
project do not contain any major industry except mining of sand and stone in some
part of district. Some village industries are located in nearby area of the district.

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14. Details of forest Species and productivity:The forest of Bundelkhand is typically dry deciduous mixed forests in
Vindhyan hill tract. The tract consists of sand stone and red morramy soil. The whole
area is arid.
The recorded Government forest under the control of department of forests is
195000 hect., which is 6.60% of the total geographical area of the Bundelkhand. But
much of the Gram sabha land of the district is also in the shape and form of forests.
According to technical classification, the forests are classified under the broad
category Tropical dry, deciduous mixed forests. Northern and Southern type. (5-A and
5-B)
By climatic and edaphic factors, the forest are mostly classified as under
1. Dry Sagon forests
5-A/C 1B
( Mixed dry deciduous sagon)
2. Khardhai forests
5-E-1;
3. Dry deciduous mixed type
5-A/C 3
(5A and 5B)
4. Palas Van.
5. Salai
6. Euphorbia and others

5-B/C 2
5-E-5
5-E-2
5-D/S-3

15. Description of Forests and species are as under

15.1 Teak Forests :
Bundelkhand is the Northern border of natural Teak. The forests are dry
deciduous teak with poor quality III and IV. Teak with Kardhai and Dhaou forests
are mostly found in JHANSI, Lalitpur, Chitkoot, Banda district and Sheesum and
mixed forest found in Jaloun, Hamirpur, Mahoba Khair, Kardhai, Sheesum and
mixed species found in different part of the other district. The management of
these forests is done in the past by coppice with reserve system, with intermittent
planning (Artificial regeneration) in blank patches.
The main species in this type of forest along with Teak (Tectona grandis) is
Seja (Legerstroemia parviflora), Dhou (Anogeissus latifolia), Tendu (Diospyrons
melonoxylon), Gunj (Lennea cormandelica) and Asna (Terminalia allata heyne)
Kardhai (Anogeissus Pendula), Sheesum (Dalbergia sissoo).
15.2 Kardhai Forests :
Kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) is a common species in this type of forests in
Lalitpur, Jhansi, Chitkoot, Banda part of Mahoba. The land is rocky, with quartz,
cleaves. Kardhai is mostly seen in the of quartz hillocks. Other species found
associated with kardhai in the natural forests are as follows :
1. Khair (Acacia catechu)

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2. Ghont (Zizyphus xyloprus wild)

3. Dhou (Anogeissus latifolia)
4. Riyonga (Acacia leucophlaca wild)
5. Seja (Legerstroemia parviflora)
6. Dhak, Chevala (Butea monosperma)
Kardhai in the forests of the district is either in the shape of trees or mating due
to heavy biotic pressure.
15.3 Dry Mixed Miscellaneous Forests :
The major forest area of the Bundelkhand is grouped under this classification.
During the rainy season the forests of some patches of different ranges are dense, and
the density in many of the parts of the blocks is 0.3 0.4. But due to heavy biotic
pressure, grazing and heavy lopping and fuelwood collection, the forest remain
degraded. The villagers have the rights and Concessions for Grazing, fuelwood
collection at the time of forest settlement. But with increase in population the natural
resources and coppicing capacity of these forests are strained.
The forest are further classified under sub categories:
i. Palas Forest :
Butea monosperma is major species found in most of these forests in Jhansi,
Lalitpur, Mahoba, Chitkoot And Banda. Its leaves are exploited for the agriculture of
Adrak in this part.
ii. Bamboo :
Bamboo is widely natural and planted and found in the forest area. It is an
associate in the mixed forests as well as sagon forest areas. Without proper
management, most of the bamboo clumps are twisted and not commercially viable for
exploitation.
iii. Tendu :
Tendu is available in the forests throughout the Lalitpur, Jhansi, Banda,
Chitkoot amd Mahoba Collection of Tendu leaves from the forests is an important
activity in the summer. Jhansi is the central of Bidi cottage industries.
iv. Medicinal Shrubs, Herbs and Trees :
Aonla (Emblica officinalis), Bahera (Termenalia bellerica), Dhou (Anogeissus
latifolia), Bel, Arjun (Termenalia arjuna) and others 82 species are available in the
miscellaneous forests of Madawara, Gauna Range of Lalitpur and some range of
Jhansi, Chitkoot and Mahoba medicinal plants is found in forest area. An extensive
list is enclosed as annexure. The forests of Bundelkhand is valued for the medicinal
plants, and considered the Treasurehouse of medicinal plants of Vindhyan region.
v. Other Species :

Other species commonly

plantations are
a.
Khair
b.
Seja
c.
Salai
d.
Siras
e.
Mahua
f.
Chironjee
g.
Karar

found in the mixed forests of Bundelkhand and

-

Acacia catechu
Legerstroemia parviflora
Bosewillia serrata
Albizia procera
Madhuca indica
Buchanania lanzan
Sterculia urens

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16. Project Proposal :18.1 Project Area- Soil Moisture and water conservation work is proposed in Forest
areas of the district in different watershed catchment area of the district. Total 60,000
Ha. forest land will be treated by constructed different Soil, moisture and water
conservation work such as water harvesting structure, field bunding, gully plugging
and checkdams. Detail survey will be work out after the sanction of the project and
Detail Project Report will be formed with consulting Soil Conservation Department of
the District. The convergence with the Soil Conservation Department has been
completed. In the project, area is tentative. Its area may be changed after detail survey
but the total treated area will be same of the district.

16.2 The Forest Area details : The detail of the Forest Found in Bundelkhand area his
already been given earlier in the project the major categories as per champion & Seth are :1- Dry Sagon forests
5-A/C 1B
(Mixed dry deciduous sagon)
2- Khardhai forests
5-E-1;
3- Dry deciduous mixed type
5-A/C 3
(5A and 5B)
5-B/C 2
4- Palas Van.
5-E-5
5- Salai
5-E-2
6- Euphorbia and others
5-D/S-3
6-D/S-2
16.3 Legal Status of the forest Area: The forest area to be taken up under the project
is declared as reserved as per Indian forest Act. 1927. The various Forestry operations
including plantation in the forests are carried out as per working plan approval by
Government of India.

16.5 Basis of the Project:

Environmental stability and bio diversity conservation.
Ever increasing demand of Forest produce such as fuel wood, small timber
fodder as fuel wood, small timber, fodder and MFPs.
Shortage of water For irrigation and even for essential community needs
improvement is possible by proper soil & water conservation practices and
ensuring max tapping of rain water by surface Storage & recharging and
intensive Soil & Moisture conservation of forest by minim using
&
diverging the biotic pressure on forests.
Ensuring the participation of forest dwellers & particularly women for their
strengthening.
To decrease the pressure of grazing, Development of Gauchar.

16.6 Objectives:
To restore ecological balance by harnessing, conserving and developing
natural resource like soil, water and forest.
To arrest soil erosion and check further degradation of forests.
To enhance forest cover and improve ecological status of the area.
To enhance availability of fodder, fuel wood and small timber to the
local community.

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 To augment employment/income generation opportunities for the rural

poor.
To increase rain water recharge by intensive SMC work on watershed
basis.
To improve land capability and moisture regime in the watersheds.
To increase the productivity of the agricultural lands.
To organize the communities so as to create mass movement for
conservation of Natural resources.
To aim at convergence of various development programs for holistic
development.

17. Essentials of Watershed Management:Based on the objectives of the project the essential of watershed management
for this project has been fixed as follows1. The complex inter-relationships in a watershed and its living population would
be explored with greater precision. The project would proceed simultaneously
along two paths-a short term approach to provide immediate benefits to the
inhabitants and a long-term approach for a full assessment of the problem and
more practical and permanent solutions to realise the full potential of the
natural resources of the region. In this process, the inhabitant of the watershed
would become a partner, as an imposed solution would not percolate to the
basic level and also because the solution would not succeed without essential
local participation.
2. Provision of sufficient fodder, fuel and small timber up to some extent,
especially in areas adjoining forests is necessary in order to meet the local
demand.
3. Non timber forest produce provides sustenance to poor communities residing in
the vicinity and their productivity would be further enhanced.
17.1 Concentration of project works in selected watershed areas:- The
project aims the concentrate the proposed works in selected watershed areas so that
those may be saturated instead of distributing the works in different watersheds. The
following watersheds are tentatively selected in various districts of Bundelkhand
region with an objective to saturate them firstly.
Name of Districts
Name of the River catchment
No. of the watersheds
Jhansi
Betwa, Dhasan & Pahuj
2C2B1, 2C2B2, 2C2B3
Lalitpur
Betwa, Jamni, Dhasan
2C2D6
Jalaun/Orai
Yamuna, Betwa, Pahuj
2C2A1, 2C3A1, 2C3A3
Banda
Ken, Yamuna, Bagen
2C1D5-1, 2C1A7, 2C1A4
Chitrakoot
Mandakini,
2C1A2, 2C1A3, 2C1A4
Hamirpur
Yamuna, Betwa
2C2A1, 2C2A2, 2C2B3
Mahoba
Dhasan, Betwa, Verma
2C2A2, 2C1B2, 2C1B8

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18. Project Period:- With the expanded scope and expectations under this approach,
the project duration range will be 3 years with activities spread over three distinct
phases viz, preparatory phase, work phase and consolidation phase.
19. Work Plan and Project Cost:- The total estimated project cost will be Rs
7200.00 Lakh. the abstract of component wise break up of all in all selected district.

20. Implementing Agency:- The project action plan (village wise) will be prepared
by the Forest Department with the help of the local people to the different
components. The plan shall be approved by the concern authority. The scheme at the
field level will be implemented by the Forest Department. The Forest Range Officer
would work as a executive officer of the concern range. Sub divisional officer and
divisional officer will monitor the different activity in forest area.
21. Monitoring and Evaluation:- The existing system of monitoring and
evaluation of the department would do this work. The forest Range Officer will
execute the work. The works will be cross verified by the concerned Sub Divisional
Forest Officers (Assistant Conservators of the Forest). The evaluation will be carried
out by independent third party monitoring, third party authority may be reputed NGO
or Officials of IGFRI (Indian Grassland & Forest Research Institute).

22. Expected Out Comes:1. Improvement of overall soil Water regime to conserve and enrich flora
and fauna of the forests.
2. Optimisation of the use of the natural resources like soil and water to
mitigate the adverse affects of the drought and prevent further ecological
degradation.
3. Restoration of soil and moisture and rise in the general water table of the
surroundings to recharge the wells and reservoirs, improve food and
fodder yield by enriching soil and ultimately improving the general
economy of the surrounding people.
4. Poverty alleviation and checking migration of people in search of
employment by providing wage employment through various project
activities.
5. Development of wasteland by undertaking afforestation and watershed
development works.
6. Enhanced participation of local people in conservation of natural
resources.

23. Project Components:23.1 i. Soil and Moisture Conservation Works:Such works will be carried out in all the selected forest area. The entire area
taken under the project will be treated on watershed basis. SMC structures like water
harvesting structures, check dams, gully plugs, contour and graded bunds, contour
trenches, field bonding and other suitable structures as site requirement will be under
taken. The main purpose of these works is in-situ moisture conservation, enrichment
of water table and more availability of water for agricultural & various community

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needs. The works will also help in ensuring the availability of water for wildlife in
forest areas and ultimately improving habitat.
ii. Water Harvesting Structures:

Construction of water harvesting structures like check dam, percolation tank,

water bodies as per site requirement will be taken up.
The main work in project area will be1. Contour Bunds along the contours.
2. Submersible Bunds along the depression area where moisture will be stored.
3. Marginal/Peripheral Bunds (M.B.) along the periphery of the treated area or the
marginal of the area.
4. Earthen Gully Plugging (G.P.) along the gully of the ravenous and nalas of the
pathari hilly tracks.
5. R.R. Dry Plugging will be done in hilly pathari nala to check the speed of water and
soil erosion.
6. Kachcha Check Dam (C.D.) after gully plugging of the nala, in the lower side of
nala water harvesting structure will be formed.
7. Dry Check Dam- after saturating the nala with dry gully plug, a large stone dry
structure will be formed.
8. Water Harvesting Structure (Pakka/Check Dam) in the lower side of the treated
area, a large structure approx. 15 to 20 mts. in length will be formed with stone
masonry (Pakka).
8. Ponds- in the depression or water logging area or in natural area earthen structure
will be formed.
23.2 Assisted Natural regeneration: Forest area has very good root stocks. Mere
protection of the area with assisted planting can help in establishment of natural
regeneration of the locally found species like Kardhai, Dhak, Tendu, Teak etc.

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