An Integrated Project for Land and Eco System Management to Combat Forest Degradation and Deforestation in Madhya Pradesh is being implemented in Madhya Pradesh for checking land and forest degradation. The five-year project will be implemented in Betul, Chhindwara, Umaria and Sidhi districts. Forest Minister Sartaj Singh informed that the total cost of the project is Rs 512.93 crore (around 95.23 million dollars). Out of this, subsidy worth Rs 25.93 crore (5.6 million dollars) will be provided by Global Environment Facility (GEF) through United Nations Development Programme. Sartaj Singh informed that the objective of the project is to lessen the effects for degradation of forest and non-forest lands. Under the project, degraded forests will be upgraded, income of poor people living near degraded forests will be boosted, additional sources of fuel wood will be made available and works will be undertaken for soil and water conservation, improving cattle breeds etc. He informed that under the project degraded bamboo forest spreading in three to four thousand hectare will be treated with the help of local rural people. Every family engaged in this work will be given Rs 2,500 per month. Every family will work on five hectare area every year. This will not only help upgrade the degraded forests but will also provide employment to the families engaged in this work for four years. The Forest Minister informed that through 100 Forest Committees in the selected districts, forest/agriculture-based small scale units will be conducted in such trades as dona-patta (bowls made of dried leaves), incense stick, handmade paper, chilly powder, garlic powder etc. This will provide additional source of income to the rural people and lead to increase in their skills. The Minister informed that energy forests will be developed in ten project districts where fast-growing trees will be grown for obtaining timber. He said that