Probationary IFS officers of the 2024 batch gained detailed insights into the Himachal Pradesh JICA Forestry Project during a visit to the Project Management Unit in Shimla on Thursday. Officers Abhishek Parihar and Ajay Singh Meena were welcomed at the headquarters, where Project Director Shreshta Nand Sharma provided a comprehensive overview of the project and its key initiatives.
Sharma briefed the officers on major activities, including large-scale plantation drives, livelihood enhancement programs, and income-generation initiatives for forest-dependent communities. Dr. S.K. Kapta, Director of the Herbal Sale Cell, also highlighted biodiversity-related aspects, underscoring the importance of sustainable management of forest resources. Both officers are originally from Rajasthan.
Shreshta Nand Sharma explained that the primary objective of the JICA Forestry Project is to improve ecosystem services from forest areas while supporting sustainable socio-economic development in Himachal Pradesh. The project spans seven districts—Kinnaur, Shimla, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kangra—covering nine forest circles, 22 forest divisions, and 72 forest ranges.
The Project Director further shared that livelihood enhancement plans have been prepared for 460 Vana Mahotsav Forest Development Societies (VFDS) and 920 Self-Help Groups under the project. To increase green cover, large-scale plantations have been completed over 8,300 hectares, with additional plantation work ongoing under the Chief Minister Forest Expansion Scheme and the Rajiv Gandhi Forest Conservation Scheme.
