THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With an intense heat wave blighting the state, especially northern districts like Wayanad, the unique ‘transformational model’ put in place by the Forest Department could stand the state in good stead. The model blends human participation with technological advancement to improve flora and fauna in the state’s forests, and as a consequence revitalizes common property resources like rivers. It has been found from experience that such a forest management approach is enhancing the availability of water in the ecosystem.
Reportedly, the state had already shared the elaborate design of the model with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka forest departments. The model rests on a foundation of providing the Forest Department personnel a vibrant work environment while developing a citizen service orientation. This brings together managerial sciences - advances in forestry practices which focus on improving the flow of ecosystem services - and technological advances to help personnel work more effectively and efficiently.
“For the first time in the country a forest department has attempted to undertake a Multi-Species Inventory and Monitoring and an Ecosystem Health monitoring framework,” a top Forest Department source said. A network of sample plots spread throughout the State has been set out. In addition to this, important ecosystem health parameters are monitored. “This will help address the threat of bio piracy and poaching while ensuring sustainability of the ecosystem and the flow of ecosystem services to the community,” the official said.
Protocols for conduct of inventory, monitoring, repairing, restoring and enriching ecosystems will be operationalized. This will help enhance ecosystem health and the flow of ecosystem services including increased availability of water to the ecosystem. “This is significant in the current context where temperatures are rising and drought situations will continue to plague us unless we act decisively now,” the official said. Most importantly, the ‘transformational model’ puts a premium on speed in decision making and accountability. “Bringing in accountability in a bureaucratic environment is challenging and it is here that the usefulness of the model lies,” the official said.
