Govt planning to extend OFDSP in state

The state government is planning to extend the seven-year Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project (OFSDP), being implemented in the state with assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to another five years.
The Rs 660-crore project is scheduled to be completed by end of this financial year.
"We are now preparing a project report for submission to JICA, seeking funds for extension of the project in the state," said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) P N Padhy here.
Padhy was here to attend a conference of Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) under Berhampur forest circle.
Improvement of economic condition of tribals is the main aim of OFSDP, which is being implemented in 12 districts of the state. "The project is very successful in the state and Japan government is impressed with our model," Padhy claimed.

"We want to extend the project to all 30 districts in phase-II with emphasis on value addition to minor forest produce (MFP) and market linkage to improve economic condition of those dependent on forests," he said.
In the phase-I, around one lakh families, mainly tribals and those living below poverty line (BPL), were benefited while about 2 lakh hectare of forests were protected, Padhy said.