Payments for ecosystem services (PES), also known as payments for environmental services (or benefits), was launched for Ri Bhoi today.
Deputy Commissioner, Arpit Upadhyaya informd that the scheme will be an incentives to people financially and as well as helping people to be in close interaction with natural resources.
The PES is being implemented under Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) aimed at supporting villages, communities, clans or individuals willing to conserve their existing land forest for a minimum period of 30 years in order to curb up the losses.
General Manager (KM), W.Swer informed that village, community, clan or any individual having minimum of 5 hectres of natural forest are eligible for the scheme and for those with land, less than 5 hectre can group their lands with other natural forest nearby to reach the eligible criteria.
He also informed that recipients of the scheme can avail benefits through financial support of Rs. 8000 per hectre per year for five years. In addition, an additional reward amount of Rs. 5000 per hecter per year will also be given to those natural forests already registered as community reserve with the Forest Department and an amount of Rs 2000 per hectre per year will be given to those with a very dense forests or traditionally recognized as sacred grove or has a living root bridge or located in eco-sensitive zones around protective areas like National parts, wildlife sanctuary or wildlife corridor.
He said for those forests which are not yet registered, the applicant may apply for registration with the forest department and a copy of receipt may be submitted while applying the PES scheme.
