Strategy to increase cover Forestry in India

forest around lake in western ghats of india



forest covered hills in uttarakhand



a nasa satellite image of india in april 2008, showing forest cover , harvested crop in peninsula region.



indian forest cover map created using openstreetmap data (map of february 2015).

in 1970s, india declared long-term strategy forestry development compose of 3 major objectives: reduce soil erosion , flooding; supply growing needs of domestic wood products industries; , supply needs of rural population fuelwood, fodder, small timber, , miscellaneous forest produce. achieve these objectives, national commission on agriculture in 1976 recommended reorganisation of state forestry departments , advocated concept of social forestry. commission worked on first 2 objectives, emphasising traditional forestry , wildlife activities; in pursuit of third objective, commission recommended establishment of new kind of unit develop community forests. following leads of gujarat , uttar pradesh, number of other states established community-based forestry agencies emphasized programmes on farm forestry, timber management, extension forestry, reforestation of degraded forests, , use of forests recreational purposes.

in 1980s, such socially responsible forestry encouraged state community forestry agencies. emphasized such projects planting wood lots on denuded communal cattle-grazing grounds make villages self-sufficient in fuelwood, supply timber needed construction of village houses, , provide wood needed repair of farm implements. both individual farmers , tribal communities encouraged grow trees profit. example, in gujarat, 1 of more aggressive states in developing programmes of socioeconomic importance, forestry department distributed 200 million tree seedlings in 1983. fast-growing eucalyptus main species being planted nationwide, followed pine , poplar.

in 2002, india set national forest commission review , assess india s policy , law, effect on india s forests, impact of local forest communities, , make recommendations achieve sustainable forest , ecological security in india. report made on 300 recommendations including following:

india must pursue rural development , animal husbandry policies address local communities need find affordable cattle fodder , grazing. avoid destruction of local forest cover, fodder must reach these communities on reliable roads , other infrastructure, in seasons year round.
the forest rights bill harmful forest conservation , ecological security. forest rights bill became law since 2007.
the government should work closely mining companies. revenue generated lease of mines must pooled dedicated fund conserve , improve quality of forests in region mines located.
power declare ecologically sensitive areas must each indian state.
the mandate of state forest corporations , government owned monopolies must changed.
government should reform regulations , laws ban felling of trees , transit of wood within india. sustainable agro-forestry , farm forestry must encouraged through financial , regulatory reforms, particularly on privately owned lands.

india s national forest policy expects invest us$26.7 billion 2020, pursue nationwide afforestation coupled forest conservation, goal of increasing india s forest cover 20% 33%.

effects of tribal population growth on forest flora , fauna

indian forests home many near threatened , threatened species of birds , other wildlife. nicobar pigeon found in andaman & nicobar islands of india.

due faster tribal population growth in forest / tribal areas, naturally available forest resources (ntfp) in sustainable manner becoming inadequate basic livelihood. many tribal giving traditional livelihood , taking farming , cattle rearing in forest areas causing irreparable damage forests. erstwhile protectors of forests turning bane of forests , wildlife. government should devise schemes avert process , save dwindling forest area , flora , fauna. tribal people have extraordinary understanding of forest flora , fauna can productively utilized. tribal peoples shall employed government in expansion , protection of forests , wildlife till descendants educated , diversify industrial , service sectors.