Geographical Status

FOREST

Khammam is one of the leading districts of A.P.State in total Forest coverage. Out of total geographical area of 16029 Sq. Km. In the district, an area of 7488.82 Sq Km is under forest cover spreading over 5 territorial and one wild life divisions. River Godavari passes through eastern part of the district and harbors one of the richest bio-diversity in the state. Other tributaries of the river Godavari like Taliperu, Kinnersani and Sabari also help in bringing prosperity to the area. Commonly seen species are Teak, Nallamaddi, Bijasal, Jitregi (rose wood), hard vickia, Binta, Bamboo etc.

Joint Forest Management

The forest resources in the state of A.P. are under tremendous pressure due to various reasons. Acute poverty of forest dependent communities due to their remoteness, neglect and Non-involvement of stakeholders in managing the forests have caused further degradation. National forest policy of 1988 and the guidelines issued by Government of India in 1990 opened the doors for community participation in forest protection and management known as Joint Forest Management (JFM) in 1992.

The Joint Forest Management programme was launched in Khammam district during the year 1994 with the financial support from the World Bank. All the 506 forest fringe villages of the district were covered under this programme, by forming VSS covering an area of 1.69 lakhs Ha involving 56401 members. Out of the total members, 24530 are women and 42027 are tribals. This has resulted into creation of centers for empowerment of women and decentralized development.

Impact of JFM

Working relationships are developed between forest department and the villagers.
Rejunavation of degraded forest was ensured.
Soil and moisture conservation works executed.
Water conservation and harvesting works executed in the shape of checkdams, cantour trenches, percolation tanks, rock fill dams etc.
16800 were constructed during the last 4 years providing 50.74 TMC water holding capacity.
Individual and community needs of members ov VSS were fulfilled.
In order to reduce demand of fuel wood, smokeless chullahs, bio gas plants etc., were provided to VSS members.
Covering 14600 Ha by plantation
Formation of 343 women thrift groups & capacity building.
Creation of wage employment by generation of 43 lakh Mandays in the forest area.
41.64 percent decrease in migration of labour from VSS villages.
About 5074 TMC of space created for storage of water.
Net increase in agricultural area to the tune of 5322 Ha.
372 numbers of bore wells and 326 numbers of open wells recharged.
30.9 percent decrease in consumption of firewood in VSS villages.

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