Nagpur: Waatavaran Foundation, with the help of Raigad Regency administration, has taken responsibility for the effective implementation of the Forestry Law (FRA), 2006 in this district.
With a joint effort from the Canadian High Commission, Vikas Sahyog Pratathan, the US-based Cadasta Foundation, and Mumbai-based Waatavaran Foundation, a virtual campaign launched on November 16.
Aditi Tatkare, Minister Guardian for Raigad District, stated the launch of the campaign before Michael Wonk, politics, economics, and public affairs at the Canadian Consulate in Mumbai.
Mohan Surve, CEO, Vikas Sahyog Pratathan, overcame the meeting.
Amy Coughenour Betancourt, CEO, Cadasta Foundation, and Bhagwan Kesbhat, CEO, Waatavaran Foundation, present.
Tatkare said this initiative provided important forest rights for tribal communities and ensuring their improvement.
It’s been a long time, the tribal community was abandoned from the mainstream.
The lack of educated people in this community has resulted in serious problems such as migration and malnutrition.
“This initiative will prove useful for tribal communities who have lost education, social and economic development.
Now, we have realized the importance of forests, now it is time to empower the actual forest guards.
This will help build climate change and will give us the opportunity to rebuild balance Between nature and mankind, “he said.
Kesbhat said, “In the past few years, one million natural species have become extinct because of the climate change and the loss of natural habitat.
Forests play a major role in alleviating the impact of global warming.
Therefore, it is important not to only preserve the existing green cover but also to increase it As much as possible.
“” However, this will not be possible without the active involvement and support of indigenous peoples.
In addition, monetary support through the government scheme of afforestation practices will increase the livelihood of this community.
Through financial support by the Canadian High Commission and technology support from Cadasta Foundation, this project is expected to get momentum in the next few months, “said Kesbhat.
He stressed that traditional knowledge about the tribal community is needed to preserve and protect the forests and biodiversity throughout the world.
According to Betancourt, because FRA is implemented in various blocks, it will empower the community, improve their livelihoods and increase conservation efforts.
“In addition, geospatial technology and digital tools will allow local authorities to make data-based decisions,” Betancourt said.
“A collection of comprehensive activities will support security forest land ownership among indigenous peoples through GIS-based mapping technology and empower the community through sustainable livelihood practices,” Wonk said.