Eco-Development Forces

 Eco-Development Forces

Eco-Development Forces Ecological Task Forces (ETFs) Scheme was initiated by the Ministry of Defence in 1982 with a view to securing involvement of ex-servicemen in afforestation and eco-development in remote and difficult areas to undertake restoration of degraded ecosystems through afforestation, soil conservation and water resource management techniques. The scheme also serves as a mechanism to rehabilitate the ex-servicemen for productive work and to create employment for retired army personnel mainly in the rural areas. The Scheme has been in operation for last four Five Year Plans. Therefore, the basic requirements with regard to procedural and financial aspects stand fulfilled. At present there are 4 (Four) Eco-Task Force Battalions raised with the Regular and Territorial Army Personnel. These are as follows:-


S.No.                 TA Bn. Id No.               Year of Raising                            Location
1.                        127 Inf Bns                            1981                               Shivalik Hills
2.                        128 Inf Bns                            1981                              Rajasthan Canal (Bajju)
3.                        130 Inf Bns                             1988                              State of J&K
4.                        130 Inf Bn                               1994                               Pithoragarh (Uttranchal)

The progress of the Eco- Task Force (ETF) Battalions is being closely reviewed jointly by Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Environment and Forests. Proposal for establishment of new ETF Battalions in Assam, Jharkhand and Karnataka are being examined. A sum of Rs. 10.00 Crores under Rest of India is proposed under the scheme for the year 2006-07. This Scheme is operated by the Ministry of Defence, NAEB only facilitates the Scheme.

SOURCE:  http://envfor.nic.in/naeb/sch/etf.pdf 

National Afforestation & Eco-Development Board
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Government of India

Brief introduction and objectives

Eco-Development Forces (EDF) Scheme was established in 1980s as a scheme being implemented through Ministry of Defence for ecological restoration of terrains, rendered difficult either due to severe degradation or remote location or difficult law and order situation. The scheme of Eco-Development Forces is based on twin objectives of ecological regeneration in difficult areas, and promotion of meaningful employment to ex-servicemen.

Under this scheme, the establishment and operational expenditure on the Eco Task Force (ETF) Battalions raised by Ministry of Defence is reimbursed by Ministry of Environment and Forests while the inputs like sapling, fencing, etc. and also the professional and managerial guidance is provided by the State Forest Departments. In ETF battalions, the Ministry of Defence deploys its ex-servicemen, preferably from within the area of operation, whereas the nuclear core of the force is constituted of regular servicemen. Some of the ETF Battalions have undertaken successful eco-restoration of highly degraded sites, for example the limestone mining areas in the Mussoorie Hills.

Presently, following six ETF battalions are being supported under the EDF Scheme in the States of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Assam.:-

Sl. No.	TA Bn ID No.	Year of Raising	Location
1	127 Inf Bn	1981	Shivalik Hills (Uttarakhand)
2	128 Inf Bn	1981	Rajasthan Cannal (Bajju)
3	129 Inf Bn	1988	State of J & K
4	130 Inf Bn	1994	Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand)
5	134 Inf Bn	2007	Sonitpur (West), Assam
6	135 Inf Bn	2007	Haltugaon, Assam

SOURCE: http://naeb.nic.in/documents/ETF_Intro.htm

Funds and work:
http://naeb.nic.in/projects.html

Eco-task battalion to be operational in 2 months: Uma

 VARANASI: Union water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation minister Uma Bharati on Sunday announced that under the Namami Ganga project an eco-task force battalion of Territorial Army would become operational within two months to rejuvenate the ecosystem along Ganga.

Talking to reporters at Circuit House on Sunday, Bharati said that four battalions of eco-task force was being raised for Ganga rejuvenation. One of them would look into action. "The Eco-task force will be environmental. They will guard plantation across Ganga, ensure dumping of solid wastes in identified areas only and pious refuse management. They will also monitor ongoing works for cleaning Ganga and management of wastes at ghats during festivals when large number of people throng ghats for holy dip," said Bharati, adding that the officer commanding the battalion would be a regular army officers.

Earlier, during a meeting with Jal Kal, Jal Nigam, Varanasi Municipal Corporation officials and representatives of National Mission for Clean Ganga in afternoon, the minister discussed packaging for surface cleaning of Ganga. "Today, we discussed intensive river surface cleaning along the banks of river Ganga in detail. Everything necessary will be pushed into service to arrest the floating material and tackle river surface pollution," said Bharati, adding that the work of surface cleaning of Ganga and engagement of Eco-task force battalions in ecosystem management would be completed within two years.

Besides, there are 144 nullahs that directly and 250 nullahs that temporarily flow into Ganga. Efforts to stop their flow too would be initiated, said the minister and reiterated that the impact of cleanliness of the first phase of river Ganga would be visible by October 2016 and that the entire Ganga would become 'aviral' and 'nirmal' within three to four years.

nother meeting was convened with environmental scientists and river experts of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). "I met people from BHU working on cause of Ganga and saw some slides and presentations. I was also apprised of late Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra's proposal in detail. We have decided to rope in all institutions near Ganga and IITs across the country, seek their advice and start pilot projects if required as they have been working on its cause and are well aware of what is required for cleanliness," she said.

Vice-chancellor of BHU, Prof. GC Tripathi also met Bharati at Circuit House on Sunday.

SOURCE:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Eco-task-battalion-to-be-operational-in-2-months-Uma/articleshow/48235406.cms