The Government of India as a part of its state planning under the eleventh plan
is promoting Small and Medium Enterprise to enhance the rural income and ensure
rural development. National Afforestation and Eco-development Board as a working
body of Ministry of Environment and Forests, is facilitating Joint Forest
Management Committees for their sustenance by implementing seven Small and
Medium Forest Enterprise pilot projects through its Regional Centres in seven
different regions.

The Regional Centre, National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur
University, Kolkata, a nodal centre under the Ministry of Environment & Forest,
Government of India has motivated, trained and sensitized nearly 1000 tribal men
and women in Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency forming about 100 self-help
groups. Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency includes nine Joint Forest Management
Committees namely Mejogora, Harina, Narayanpur, Roteda, Dhengam, Bhukamdih,
Kundrukocha, Ranikudar and Monahdih consisting of 20 villages at Potka
Developmental Block in East Singbhum district of Jharkhand. It is situated at a
distance of about 60 km to the south of Tatanagar, the industrial city of
Jamshedpur. The tribal villagers of this forest fringe area are either small or
marginal farmers which cause their dependence on forest for fuel wood, fodder
and part of livelihood.

The centre prepared them to undertake various activities like Tassar Cultivation
leading to silk production, Lac cultivation, Grass mat designer products and
Bamboo artifacts production so as to produce saleable products for national and
international market. A state level buyers sellers meet was organized at
Jamshedpur by the Regional Centre to give the tribal villagers and their
produces a nation-wide market exposure and establish convergence with different
organizations and sectors like various Government departments for development of
funds, Bankers for regular credit flow, Insurance companies for social security,
District Rural Development Agency, Jharkhand Tribal Development Society and
Corporate Sectors for infrastructure development and marketability of the
products.

The Joint Co-ordinator of the Regional Centre, National Afforestation and
Eco-Development Board, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, Prof. Dr. Asis Mazumdar
opined that the whole process under the eleventh Plan, made the initiative of
the Regional Centre, a grand success in establishing the first Small and Medium
Forest Enterprise in India, at Potka under Dhalbhum Forest Development Agency,
East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. The Self-Help Groups of tribal artisans dwelling in
the forest fringe villages forming well motivated Joint Forest Management
Committees are actively getting involved with Small and Medium Forest
Enterprises for preserving and protecting the forest.

The Regional Centre has produced a documentary on establishing the first Small
and Medium Forest Enterprise in India titled "Artistic approach", a film by
Susanta Biswas. The documentary got selection for the 8th International Social
Communication Cinema Conference organised by Roopkala Kendro, Department of
Information & Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal in collaboration with
Nandan, West Bengal Film Centre.

The screening of Artistic approach was held on February 19, 2009, Thursday at
7.30 pm in Nandan as a part of the social communication conference on cinema.
Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee inaugurated the Eighth International
Social Communication Cinema Conference 2009 at Nandan on Sunday, February 15,
2009. Mr Ashok Bhattacharya, Director and CEO Roopkala Kendra, said this event
will help bring mass awareness on social developments across the globe, over the
years. He asserted that the entry to the shows will be free of cost as the motto
is to convey message in the society through screening of the movies.