Forests and sustainable management of natural resources
Forestry, including watershed interventions in forest areas and improving biomass in forests, is instrumental in increasing land productivity and improving the incomes of landless people. In order to meet these overarching goals, the working group recommends an array of strategies and thrust areas including measures to combat desertification, rehabilitation of degraded areas, green belt development for disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, training and capacity building, strengthening financial and institutional mechanisms, and using technology for monitoring and improving forests.
Wildlife ecotourism and animal welfare
The working group divides this issue into the three broad themes of wildlife management, ecotourism and livelihoods, and animal welfare. Fragmentation of land is seen as a primary threat to wildlife management initiatives. The need for improving working conditions of field staff, involving local communities, encouraging innovation and technological advances are encouraged.
International cooperation and law
Transboundary issues with other countries in the sub-continent, and the country's position regarding various international instruments are delineated in this report. It recommends setting up of new institutional mechanisms for international cooperation studies,strengthening existing institutions like FSI, IGNFA and ICFRE, funding to NGOS to work on policy issues related to international instruments, capacity building of forest officers, and strengthening cooperation at international and regional levels on forest issues.
Fodder and pasture management
This report aims at developing fodder resources and pasture including developing high yielding fodder species and rehabilitating degraded grazing lands. Its recommendations for implementation include the formulation of a national policy on pasture development, mapping of ecologically sensitive grasslands and development of rehabilitation models, productivity enhancement of degraded forests, development of fodder blocks in forest fringe villages, creation of fodder banks, development of seed banks, and promotion of agro-forestry initiatives.
NTFP and their sustainable management
Non-timber forest products contribute 20-40% of the annual income of forest dwellers, and provide them with subsistence during the lean seasons. The working group recommends resource management, improving marketing opportunities, capacity building, expediting research and development, and formulating a national level comprehensive body to safeguard existing resources, and increase their livelihood potential.
Forestry
Strategies to meet the challenges faced by the forestry and wildlife sector, and to ensure the ecological security of the country are detailed in the report. These strategies address finances, participatory management, urban forestry, afforestation, capacity building, and regulation among others.
Forestry institutional & technology management
Increasing the productivity and hence the economic contribution of forests in order to enhance GDP growth is the goal of this report.It recommends greater functional and financial autonomy for ICFRE and its institutes, strengthening of forestry research, synergising JFMs with other Panchayati Raj institutions, establishing a mechanism for forest resource management with a central node at FSI, and motivating forestry personnel with suitable incentives.
Environment
The report of the subgroup on environment considers the current status of the national environment policy and various schemes and programmes. Its recommendations for the Twelfth Plan address the issues of air pollution and management, water pollution, solid waste management, environment impact assessment, pollution abatement strategies, environmental education, environmental economics, and international cooperation.
Climate change
The working group assesses the vulnerability of agriculture, water resources, forests and other natural ecosystems, coastal areas, health, and economies to climate change. It recommends the integration of NAPCC into central sector plans, as well as making other sector-specific recommendations including for coastal areas, infrastructure, health, agriculture, forestry and climate change assessment.
3. Housing and urban development
The report pertaining to environmental sustainability of Indian cities has been attached. In addition to these, there are seven other reports by the working groups and one by the steering committee. The recommendations of the working group on
environmental sustainability of Indian cities
are centered around the key themes of land use,water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, energy efficiency, and air quality management. Goals pertaining to these themes have been established, the existing status analysed, and attainability of the goals indicated.