Issue Date: Jun 7, 2012
In a first of its kind move, Maharashtra's forest department has decided to pay ten villages in the state their share of benefits under the Joint Forest Management (JFM) scheme. A total of Rs 74,51,063 will be paid to eight villages in Gadchiroli district and two in Gondia district, states a letter dated May 24, 2012, written by the state joint secretary of forests to the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF). The amount is to be paid out of the 7 per cent forest development cess that is deducted from the income from forest produce.