The project includes a multi layered - governing and implementing framework. The Project Steering Committee forms the highest level of this framework. The PSC is chaired by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, and co- chaired by the Head, RBS FI. Other members of the PSC include:
Representatives from the Indian Forest Services; ( the Field Director of Kanha Tiger Reserve, the Field Director of Pench Tiger Reserve, and the Chief Conservator of Forests of the Mandla, Balaghat and Seoni Districts);
A representative of the National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development, Government of India;
Concerned government agencies from the State Govt. of Madhya Pradesh comprising the Farmer welfare and Agriculture Department, the New and Renewable Energy Department and the Animal Husbandry Department;
The Regional General Manager of the Forest Development Corporation;
The Chief Functionary/ representatives of Implementing CSO partners as well as the Civil Society Organisations (including the ones implementing the project)
The PSC meets every 6 months. It provides supervision for the implementation of the project activities. It facilitates collaboration among its diverse membership for intensifying project impacts. It resolves any challenges.
The PSC brings the concerned government agencies, with their respective mandates, manpower and government funding, together with the Civil Society Organizations, who bring specialized technical skills in natural resource management and other fields. This requires the willingness on behalf of the senior government officials to participate in such a forum. It requires a high level of technical expertise from the participating Civil Society Organizations to provide valuable inputs into the multi-stakeholder forum.
.
The multi-stakeholder membership of the PSC provides an important institutional platform for ensuring sustainablity of the interventions. Chairmanship of the PSC is provided by a senior government official (the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State of Madhya Pradesh - a senior Indian Forest Service officer), which ensures excellent coordination among concerned government agencies, and collabration with other stakeholders who are working in the Kanha Pench Corridor.
The diverse membership, and mix of stakeholders, with different knowledge and perspectives, share lessons learned and experiences with each other. The CSOs can interact directly with the Government agency representatives which ensures that their respective livelihood schemes are implemented effectively. The PSC also allows the project team to have a dialogue with relevant government agencies and ensures that viable on-going government schemes are leveraged for the project area.