Promotion of Community Forests in the fringe of PAs

  All the PAs of the region suffered rapid forest loss and the main region is livelihood pressure from the surrounding communities. Community Forest is a concept of Dolphin Foundation to control the livelihood pressure in the fringe areas of PAs. The program is being carried out in two different modes – donation of seedlings to the fringe villagers for plantation in their private land & plantation in the unused public land in the fringe areas of PAs. Under this program over 25000 seedlings/stumps were provided to the fringe villagers for plantation in their private land and over 15000 seedlings/stumps were planted in the unused public land under Manas Tiger Reserve areas during last 5 years period.  These Community forests in long run will be the sustainable sources for meeting the firewood needs of the local villagers. Moreover, the poor villagers will be benefited in long run by selling the commercially important species raised in their private land. Program is also helping to increase the green cover along the national park boundary.