Introduction

New technology and methodologies of participatory management, eco-development and regeneration of degraded forests are being progressively developed. In order to share such experiences and technologies widely, NAEB documents such information, brings out publications, and also documents success stories. In order to increase forest and tree cover by 5% points by the year 2012, an aggressive media campaign will be launched in 12 districts of six selected States of Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. This will include print publicity, advertisements, audio spots, audio-visual spots and TV commercials in regional and local languages to generate a mass movement.

The Board in addition to directly supporting activities relating to tree planting and afforestation is also encouraging private initiatives. For this Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Awards would continue to be given by the Board.

IPVM Awards after re-structuring are presented annually to the following categories:

• Individuals including Government Servants
• Institutions/ Organizations under Government
• Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs)
• Non-Governmental Institutions/Organizations.

The Awards are given on the basis of innovative efforts and outstanding work in afforestation, with special reference to Wasteland development and involvement of the people. The following activities are kept in view while deciding the awards.

o Establishing decentralized nurseries;
o Tree planting on Wastelands / Farm lands;
o Awareness raising, motivation and extension work;
o Involving the rural poor / tribals/ co-operatives in afforestation and tree planting;
o Setting up grass-roots level institutions like the Tree Growers Co-operatives; and
o Social fencing of community woodlots and pasture lands

The Awards upto the year 2005 have been conferred. The process is under-ways for conferring awards for 2006 and 2007.

During 2009-10 an amount of Rs.2.95 crores has been provided as the outlay for various items under Communication. It is proposed to significantly scale-up this activity through preparation and implementation of a structured Media Plan for tree planting on non-forest lands by private individuals and institutions. A multi media campaign will be run through DAVP and will be in the regional languages to bring focused efforts on raising awareness on benefits of tree planting.