The government plans to make nearly 71 forest cooperative societies fully operative in the lower areas of the state. Most cooperative forest societies, which came into existence during the British rule in early 1940s, are located in Kangra district.

Sources said a committee of the forest officials would be set up to study the requirements of these societies and how these could be made more effective for conserving the forest wealth. These societies are being managed by locals in their respective areas.

Sources said the committee would submit its report to the government within three months and after that a detailed project report would be prepared according to norms laid down in the joint forest management document of the state government.

Sources said the report would be submitted to the Cabinet for approval and later, the World Bank would be approached for funding the project.

Sources said an elaborate meeting was held in Dharamshala recently along with those who run these societies and suggestions were sought from the members to make the societies more effective. This meeting was attended by Forest Secretary Ashok Thakur and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Pankaj Khullar, among others.

Principal Secretary, Forests, Ashok Thakur, when contacted, confirmed that the government had decided to revive the forest cooperative societies. He said the World Bank had shown keen interest in funding the management of the forest through the cooperation of the people. After the report of the forest officials committee, a detailed project would be prepared and the government’s permission sought. Later, the World Bank would be approached for funding of the project.

Thakur said basically these societies were set up to tackle soil erosion, but later their area of operation was expanded to protection of forests and tree plantation in vacant, barren land that falls under panchayats. Of the total 71 cooperative forest societies, about 40 are fully functional at present, said Thakur. He said these societies would not only provide livelihood to people, but also hike their income with the help of the non-timber forest produce.