Objective of Project
A project to mitigate and adapt to climate change, conserve and restore ecosystems by ecosystem based climate change measures, biodiversity conservation and restoration, livelihood improvement activities and institutional strengthening, thereby contributing to sustainable socio-economic development in West Bengal.
Budgetary Matters
The Japanese ODA loan assisted project worth ₹650 Crore is being implemented for 8 years starting from 2023-24.
The Project is being implemented through an autonomous Society named “West Bengal Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Society” was formed as per resolution of Government of West Bengal vide its resolution No. 1450-For/FR/O/G/6M-12/12 dated 28th June, 2012 before implementation of JICA funded 1st forestry project for the State titled West Bengal Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Project (WBFBCP). The Society had been registered under West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961, on 19th July, 2012, at Kolkata vide Registration Number S/1L/93991 of 2012-2013, dated 19.07.2012. The present office of the Society is located at Block–LB-2, Sector–III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700106, West Bengal vide Department of Forests Notification No. 710-FOR/13099/18/2023 dated 04th May, 2023.
The Project Management Unit (PMU) under Society is in-charge of the overall managerial tasks of the Project. Various offices of the West Bengal Forest Department (WBFD) at the Circle, Division and Range levels are implementing the Project. At the field level, 34 nos. of Division Management Units (DMU) and 90 nos. of Field Management Units (FMU) have been established. A total to 600 nos. Joint Forest Management Committees (FPC /EDC), formed as per the extant resolutions/regulations issued by GoWB are implementing the Community Development Activities (CDA) and Income Generation Activities (IGA). Community Development Activities (CDA) and Income Generation Activities shall be undertaken through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from within the members of JFMCs.
Scope of Work
Scope of work to be implemented under the Project are as follows:
Component 1: Ecosystem Based Climate Change Measures
Component 2: Biodiversity Conservation
Component 3: Livelihood Improvement
Component 4: Institutional Strengthening
The duration of the Project is 8 years, from March 2023 to March 2031 in consideration of capabilities of stakeholders and time required to conduct activities in sustainable manners.
Phases of Work
The Project is divided into three phases; Preparatory Phase, Implementation Phase, and Phase-Out/Closing Phase.
1) Preparation Phase (1 year): 2023-24
Preparation Phase is crucial for successful implementation of the Project. The first step is institutional arrangement by way of setting up Project Management Unit (PMU), Divisional Management Unit (DMU), and Field Management Unit (FMU) and so on, followed by recruitment of contractual staff, preparation of operation manual and other guidelines, orientation and capacity development for WBFD staff in each rank. Project Management Consultant (PMC) shall be deployed in a timely manner. Required surveys and assessments for planning and baseline data for sustainable forest management as well as biodiversity conservation will be conducted during this phase.
2) Implementation Phase (5 years): 2024-25 to 2028-29
All components in implementation phase will be put into action based on the Preparatory phase.
3) Phase-Out/Closing Phase (2 years): 2029-30 to 2030-31
After the Implementation phase, Phase-out works will be undertaken for sustainability. The focus would be on evaluating each component in detail to plan and take measures for covering up the backlog and to achieve greater impact and sustainability.
