Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD).

HPFD was established by the State Government, with the vision & mission for the development, conservation, and management of Forest, Tree growth, wildlife habitat etc. on sustainable basis for present and future generation, by planning, executing, coordinating and monitoring the implementation of Forestry and Wildlife programmes. The Project will be implemented through the PMU to be established as an autonomous society within HPFD as per the provisions in the Himachal Pradesh Society Registration Act, 2006. The High Power Committee (HPC) created for the Project will act as highest decision-making body for the Project at state government level, and will not form part of the autonomous society to be created for project implementation. However, the main responsibility for project implementation shall be taken by HPFD. The existing Divisional and Range offices will operate within their respective jurisdictions for the project implementation. The implementing arrangements would be through the Divisions and Ranges in target area. Details of project institutions are as follows:

High Power Committee (HPC) will be established within the HP state government, outside the Society, at project initiation. HPC will be headed by Chief Secretary and will act as the policy matter decision-making body for the Project at the State level. HPC will meet at least once in six months or more frequently if required in a year and will oversee and review the performance of the project implementation and be responsible for giving directions to the PMU for ensuring smooth and efficient project implementation through pursuing the matters relating to policy and annual budget with the State government, as well as facilitating inter-departmental coordination and convergence.

GB of the Society will be highest decision making body of the Society and headed by Principle Chief Conservator of Forest, Head of Forest Force (PCCF (HoFF)). GB will meet at least once every quarter in a year, or more frequently if required. Roles and Responsibilities of GB is to review the project progress vis-à-vis annual plans, and would also monitor the disbursement status. GB will accord administrative and financial sanctions of all individual schemes, proposals or procurement of goods and services amounting to INR. two million and above, but not exceeding INR. 50 million.

PMU would be headed by Chief Project Director (CPD) in the rank of Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) or above. S/he would also act as CEO of the Society and would chair the Executive Committee. PMU shall function for the overall project coordination, guidance and supervision on project implementation, procurement management, financial management including extending funds to the implementing units, collating the expenditure statements from field offices and preparation and submitting reimbursement claims to JICA, monitoring and evaluation, and preparation of reports such as Quarterly Progress Reports (QPR) and Project Completion Report (PCR). For the purpose of smooth coordination and implementation of the Project, PMU will have two regional offices in Rampur and Kullu. Those two offices shall enhance the capacity of field coordination and function as the “community and institutional capacity building” wing in Rampur Office and as the “monitoring, evaluation and environment/social safeguard” wing in Kullu Office. Executive Committee will be responsible for monitoring of the physical and financial progress of the Project.

FCCU will be created within the Circle Office where the Project would be implemented, and would function as the dedicated and extended wing of the PMU for project implementation. FCCU would be 10 headed by a CCF or Conservator of Forest rank officer and would be designated as FCCU officer. FCCU will do the monitoring of project implementation at the Division level and extend all technical inputs and guidance both to DMUs and FTUs. FCCU will also coordinate with the District administration for inter-sectoral convergence, participate in meetings at Circle and District level, and extend support for planning, preparing estimates, monitoring, supervision and follow-ups, documentation and reporting the physical and financial progress.

DMU will be created an extended arm of PMU and as a part of the autonomous society, and will be housed within the Division Office. DMU would be headed by a Divisional Forest Officer rank officer and would be designated as DMU officer. DMU will supervise, plan, implement, and review the project implementation in the project Ranges along with their respective regular and designated overseeing responsibilities, and would provide vital link between the Project and regular departmental activities. The DMU will also be responsible for cross-checking project works vis-à-vis financial and physical progress reporting, maintain project accounts, seek guidance from FCCU, and would participate in project events. DMU will also coordinate and facilitate project implementation at the Division level, and would extend all technical inputs and guidance on day-to-day basis both to FTUs.

FTU will be created as an extended arm of PMU and as a part of the autonomous society, and will be housed within the Range office. FTU will be headed by a Ranger rank officer/ Block officer on deputation from the Forest Department, and would be designated as FTU officer. FTU will facilitate project implementation at the Range level, and would extend all technical inputs and guidance at field level, through facilitating the target GPs and community institutions for planning, preparing estimates, monitoring, supervision and follow-ups, documentation and reporting the physical and financial progress. FTU will operate and report expenses to DMU but not be involved to channelize funds to VFDS/BMC. However, ‘Fund Advice Note’ for release of funds for GPs/ VFDSs would be prepared and recommended by FTU officer.

At the village level, VFDS and BMC sub-committee will be engaged in the Project as the main community level implementing bodies. Both VFDS and BMC sub-committee shall be supported by FTU and community Mobilisers and facilitators. The activities implemented by both VFDS and BMC sub-committees shall be reported to GP for ensuring the smooth operation with the community.