Surat (Gujarat) [India], October 19 : A tribal hamlet in Gujarat's Surat district that turned around decades of environmental devastation through sheer community resolve is now set to become the training ground for thousands of forest conservators across the state.
Balethi, situated in Mandvi taluka, has received government approval to develop a dedicated 'Centre of Excellence' by restoring an old local school building. 
According to the release, the initiative, sanctioned under the direction of Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali, aims to formalise and scale the village’s indigenous, highly successful model of Joint Forest Management (JFM).
Under the project, nearly 7,500 members drawn from 2,500 of Gujarat's 3,414 JFM committees will undergo hands-on training over the next five years. 
The village's conservation journey was born out of crisis. Between 1986 and 1988, three consecutive years of severe drought wiped out the forest cover surrounding Balethi, stripping the landscape bare, as per the release. 
Refusing to let their ecosystem collapse, village elders Jagudada and Kishor Chaudhary mobilised residents to assume direct responsibility for guarding, nurturing, and regenerating the peripheral woodlands.
This remarkable initiative is being carried forward by Vinaybhai Kishorbhai Chaudhary, President of the Balethi Forest Regeneration and Village Development Committee, along with the villagers.
The villagers have jointly submitted a proposal to the Forest Department to restore the historic school building in Balethi village and develop it as a ‘Centre of Excellence’. Under the guidance of Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia and Minister of State Pravin Mali, a decision has recently been taken to initiate this project.
With the ‘Centre of Excellence’ becoming operational in the coming years, approximately 7,500 members from 2,500 of Gujarat’s 3,414 JFM committees will be trained over the next five years by experienced villagers from Balethi itself. This initiative will inspire and guide other villages across the state to work towards a green revolution.
Key Features of the Unique Balethi Model:
-Fifteen patrolling teams were formed, with one member from every household participating in forest surveillance and protection.
-Forest produce such as grass, timber and bamboo from the protected forest was distributed equally among all members.
-A total of 162 biogas plants and 4 check dams were constructed to reduce pressure on forests.
The organisation was registered as the ‘Forest Regeneration and Village Development Cooperative Society Ltd.’ and secured a ‘Certificate of Rights’ for 229 hectares of forest area.
In recognition of Balethi’s outstanding work, the village received the ‘Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award’ in New Delhi in 1998 from the then Union Minister of Forests, along with a cash prize of ₹50,000 and a certificate of appreciation. 
Milk production in the village increased to approximately 12,000 to 13,000 litres per month. Fodder production increased sevenfold, while the sale of bamboo generated revenue of more than ₹17.7 lakh. 
The Forest Department has also completed development works worth over ₹59.4 lakh in the village, including drinking water pipelines, roads and sewing classes.
Inspired by the Balethi model, more than 65 villages in Mandvi taluka, including Amarkui and Vankal, have been motivated to protect their own forests. This stands as a significant environmental achievement driven by the villagers’ unique initiative.