Dasuya Forest Division Hoshiarpur District, Punjab for the Period

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Working Plan

Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir Forests of Dasuya Forest Division Hoshiarpur District, Punjab for the period

2014-15 to 2028-29

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS AND WILDLIFE PRESERVATION

GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB Acknowledgements

I am extremely grateful to Dr. S`avita, IFS Director, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun for her consent and logistic help for carrying out field works at difference stages in preparation of working plan of Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir Forests of Dasuya Forest Division of Punjab.

It would not have been possible to prepare this working plan without the active cooperation and technical support of Dr. R.K. Luna, IFS, APCCF (Retd.), Punjab Forest Department. I am highly grateful to Dr. Kuldip Kumar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) and officers/staff of Forest Department for providing all the necessary facilities and services to our teams during field data collection from three forests i.e. Karanpur, Nandbir and Bindraban. The support and opportunity provided by Punjab Forest Department is thankfully acknowledged.

I am grateful to Shri Vedpal Singh, Scientist-C and Shri V.K. Dhawan, Research Officer, Silviculutre Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun for rendering help throughout the study in collection, analysis of field data and writing of working plan. I am also thankful to Shri Manoj Kumar, Research Officer and Shri Anoop Kumar, Research Assistant of Forest Informatics Division, F.R.I. Dehradun in the preparation of GIS maps of the working plan. The support provided by all others at Forest Research Institute is also acknowledged.

For Official use only

Working Plan

Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir Forests

Dasuya Forest Division Hoshiarpur District, Punjab

for the period 2014-15 to 2028-29

Prepared by:

Forest Research Institute Dehradun

Acknowledgements

I am extremely grateful to Dr. Savita, IFS Director, Forest Research Institute Dehradun for her consent and logistic help for carrying out field works at difference stages in preparation of working plan of Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir Forests of Dasuya Forest Division of Punjab.

It would not have been possible to prepare this working plan without the active cooperation and technical support of Dr. R.K. Luna, IFS (APPCF Retd.), Punjab forest department. I am highly grateful to Divisional Forest Officer and staff of Dasuya Forest Divison for providing all the necessary facilities and services to our teams during field data collection from three forests i.e. Karanpur, Nandbir and Bindraban. The support and opportunity provided by Punjab Forest Department is thankfully acknowledged.

I am grateful to Shri Vedpal Singh Scientist-C and Shri V.K. Dhawan, Research Officer, Silviculutre Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun for rendering help throughout the study in collection, analysis of field data and writing of working plan. I am also thankful to Shri Manoj Kumar, Research Officer and Shri Anoop Kumar, Research Assistant of Forest Informatics Division, F.R.I. in the preparation of GIS maps of the working plan. The support provided by all others at Forest Research Institute is also acknowledged.

Executive Summary

This Working Plan has been prepared for the Reserved forests of Karanpur and Bindraban and the protected forests of Nandbir. These forests are situated in Dasuya Tehsil of Hoshiarpur District. The total forest area covered by this Working Plan is 3282.0 ha of which 1349.3 ha is occupied by Karanpur, 1199.00 ha by Bindraban and 733.7 ha by Nandbir forests. The Working Plan has been prepared for a period of 15 years w.e.f. 2014-15 to 2028-29. It replaces the previous plan prepared by V.B. Kumar for the period 1998-99 to 2013-14. There is no change in the forest area of the present plan with reference to previous plan. The main features of the present plan are:

(1) The plan has been prepared as per the guidelines of the Govt. of India contained in the National Working Plan Code–2014. (2) Biodiversity of the forests has been documented. (3) Growing stock has been assessed compartmentwise based on the standarised technique of Resource Survey Assessment laying out quadrats of 0.1 ha. (4) Detailed enumeration of bamboos was done giving the total number of clumps, culms per clump, age of culms, diameter of culms and the availability of harvestable and non-harvestable culms. (5) Congestion of bamboo clumps have been assessed. (6) Biomass of the growing stock has been assessed and the carbon sequestration value of the entire forest has been evaluated which will make a baseline for the future planning. (7) Socio-economic survey was done to assess the dependency of the people on the forests. (8) Geographical coordinates of the forests were taken along the entire boundary of the forests. The geo-coordinates will be future references for boundary pillars to solve the boundary disputes and area assessments. (9) The frequency of invasive species especially lantana was assessed using the standard techniques.

Objects of Management: The following are the special objects of management.

(i) To preserve and maintain the forests for ecological and environmental conservation. (ii) To increase the density and productivity of the forests to reduce soil erosion, enhance water conservation capacity and assisting in regulating the flow of water from its catchment. (iii) To conserve the unique identity of these forests and preserving the biodiversity through sustainable forest management practices. (iv) To involve the local people in the management of forest resources through the institution of Joint Forest Management enhancing livelihood and employment opportunities and ensuring usufruct sharing.

Proposed Management: To achieve the above objects, the following working circles/treatments are prescribed.

(1) Bamboo Working Circle: Will comprise workable bamboo compartments. The prescription include harvesting 4.75 lakh culms annually, cleaning the congested clumps and the adopting felling cum-improvement programme extracting annually not more than 810.00 cum of volume of trees. (2) Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle: This circle comprises all bamboo areas having degraded and congested bamboo forests. The percentage of open clumps is less than 40 per cent. The treatments suggested are cleaning the congested clumps, working the open clumps on a five-year felling cum-improvement cycle and harvesting 2.70 lakh culms annually, besides harvesting 650.00 cum volume of trees. Special rehabilitation measures suggested are lantana eradication, and cleaning of congested clumps. (3) Miscellaneous Species Working Circle: This Circle comprises mostly of Nandbir forests. The main treatment suggested is to provide protection against biotic factors and harvest only 1665.00 cum of tree volume annually.

Besides above, six overlapping working circles are also proposed.Plantation (overlapping) Working Circle proposes plantation of blank areas, protection of existing plantation and assisting natural regeneration. Protection (overlapping) Working Circle has been constituted to look after the special needs of protection against grazing, lopping and forest fires. Wildlife (overlapping) Working Circle and the Biodiversity Working Circles have prescribed special measures for protection of existing biodiversity and methods for reviving the lost elements. Joint Forest Management and Non-Timber Forest Products (overlapping) Working Circles have prescription to secure involvement of people in the management of forests through participation, usufruct-sharing and entry point activities.

The Working Plan also endeavours to identify the driving forces responsible for degradation of forests and suggests the relevant practical solutions for revival of biodiversity and amelioration of ecosystem of Shiwalik hills in which these forests are situated.

R.K. LUNA I.F.S. (Retd.) External Expert

CONTENTS

PARA SUBJECT PAGE NO. NO. CHAPTER I THE TRACT DEALT WITH 1.1 Name and Situation 1 1.2 Configuration of the Ground 2 1.3 Geology, Rock and Soil 2 1.4 Climatic parameters 5 CHAPTER II MAINTENANCE/ INCREASE IN THE EXTENT OF FORESTS 2.1 Area of forests under different legal classes 8 2.2 Forest area under different working 9 circles/management plan 2.3 State of Boundaries 11 2.4 Land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) 12 2.5 Threats to the forests 12 2.6 Distribution of Forest Types 17 CHAPTER III MAINTENANCE, CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF BIODIVERSITY 3.1 Forest composition and distribution 22 3.2 Plant species diversity 22 3.3 Endemic, rare and threatened species 25 3.4 Status of Biodiversity Conservation in Forests 25 3.5 Status of species prone to over exploitation 26 3.6 Conservation of Genetic Resources 26 3.7 Fauna and their habitats 27 3.8 Threats and Challenges to Wildlife 28 3.9 Protection and management of fauna 28

CHAPTER IV MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST HEALTH AND VITALITY

4.1 Status of Regeneration 29 4.2 Area affected by forest fires 30 4.3 Area damaged by natural calamities 32 4.4 Area protected from grazing 32 4.5 Lopping practices 34 4.6 Area infested by invasive weed species in forests 34 4.7 Incidence of pests and diseases 35 4.8 Forest degradation and its drivers 36 4.9 Pollution Control and protection of environment 36 CHAPTER V CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES 5.1 Area treated under soil and water conservation 38 measures 5.2 Duration of water flow in the selected seasonal 40 streams 5.3 Wetlands in forest areas 41 5.4 Water level in the wells in the vicinity (upto 5 km) of 41 forests area CHAPTER VI MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST RESOURCE PRODUCTIVITY 6.1 Growing stock of Wood 43 6.2 Estimation of Total Growing Stock 43 6.3 Increment in volume of identified timber species 48 6.4 Efforts towards enhancement of forest productivity 48 through quality plantation activities 6.5 Carbon stock 48

6.6 Carbon Estimation of Forests 49 6.7 Carbon sequestration and mitigation 51 CHAPTER VII OPTIMISATION OF FOREST PRODUCE UTILISATION 7.1 Recorded removal of timber 55 7.2 Recorded removal of fuelwood 55 7.3 Recorded removal of bamboo 56 7.4 Recorded removal of locally important NTFPs 57 including MAPs 7.5 Demand and supply of timber and important non- 59 timber forest products CHAPTER VIII MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL BENEFITS 8.1 Number of JFM Committees and areas protected by 60 them 8.2 Status of empowerment of JFMCs 62 8.3 Labour Welfare 63 8.4 Use of Indigenous Knowledge 63 8.5 Extent of cultural/sacred groves 64 8.6 Ecotourism areas and activities 64 8.7 Social Customs 64 8.8 Status of compliance of Forest Rights Act (FRA) 65 8.9 Other Rights and Concessions 65 8.10 Dependency of local people on NTFPs 66 8.11 Other aspects 67 CHAPTER IX ADEQUACY OF POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 9.1 Existing policy and legal framework and their 69 compliance

9.2 Status of approved working plan and compliance 70 9.3 Number of forest offences 71 9.4 Status of research and development 72 9.5 Human reserve capacity building efforts 74 9.6 Forest Resource Accounting 75 9.7 Budgetary allocations to the forestry sector 75 9.8 Existence of monitoring, assessment and reporting 76 mechanism 9.9 Public awareness and education 77 9.10 Adequate manpower in Forest Division 77 CHAPTER X FIVE YEAR PLANS 10.1 Five year Plans 79 CHAPTER XI PAST SYSTEMS OF MANAGEMENT 11.1 General History of the Forests 82 11.2 Past System of Management and their results 82 11.3 Special Works of Improvement 93 11.4 Past yield, revenue and expenditure 94 CHAPTER XII STATISTICS OF GROWTH AND YIELD 12.1 Statistics of forest carbon stock 95 12.2 Trees 98 12.3 Statistics of forest carbon stock 99 PART-II

FUTURE MANAGEMENT 13.1 General objects of Management 101 13.2 Methods of treatment to be adopted 102 13.3 Constitution of Working Circles 103 13.4 Period of Working Plan and necessity for intermediate 105 revision

CHAPTER–XIV BAMBOO WORKING CIRCLE 14.1 General Constitution of Working Circle 107 14.2 General Characteristics of Vegetation 109 14.3 Blocks Compartments and JFM areas 110 14.4 Special objectives of Management 110 14.5 Method of Treatment 111 14.6 Analysis of Crop 111 14.7 Yield estimation 112 14.8 Felling Cycle 113 14.9 Regulation of yield 114 14.10 Felling Programme 114 14.11 Period of Working 114 14.12 Standard Rules for Bamboo Working 115 14.13 Special Treatment of uncongested open clumps 116 14.14 Special treatment for Congested clumps 117 14.15 Gregarious Flowering 117 14.16 Evaluation of Growing stock of trees 119 14.17 Silvicultural System 119 14.18 Rotation 120 14.19 Calculation of yield 120 14.20 Felling and Improvement Cycle 121 14.21 Marking Rules 121 14.22 Method of Executing felling 122 CHAPTER–XV BAMBOO REHABILITATION WORKING CIRCLE 15.1 General Constitution of Working Circle 126 15.2 General characteristics of vegetation 129 15.3 Blocks, compartments and JFM areas 130 15.4 Special Objectives of Management 130 15.5 Method of treatment 131

15.6 Analysis of Crop 132 15.7 Yield Estimation 134 15.8 Felling Cycle 134 15.9 Regulating yield 134 15.10 Felling Programme 135 15.11 Period of Working 135 15.12 Rules for Bamboo Working 135 15.13 Special Treatment for uncongested open clumps 137 15.14 Special Treatment for Congested Clumps 137 15.15 Special Treatment for over congested Clumps 138 15.16 Gregarious Flowering 138 15.17 Lantana Eradication 138 15.18 Evaluation of Growing stock of trees 139 15.19 Silvicultural System 140 15.20 Rotation 141 15.21 Calculation of yield 142 15.22 Felling and Improvement Cycle 142 15.23 Marking Rules 142 15.24 Method of Executing felling 142 CHAPTER XVI MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES WORKING CIRCLE 16.1 General Constitution of Working Circle 147 16.2 General Characteristics of Vegetation 148 16.3 Blocks, Compartments and JFM areas 148 16.4 Special objects of management 148 16.5 Method of Treatment 149 16.6 Analysis of Crop 149 16.7 Silvicultural System 151 16.8 Rotation 151 16.9 Calculation of yield 151 16.10 Felling Cycle 152 16.11 Marking Rules 153 16.12 Method of Executing Felling 154 16.13 Special treatment 155 16.14 Grazing control 155

CHAPTER XVII PLANTATION (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE 17.1 Constitution of Working Circle 159 17.2 Special objectives of Management 159 17.3 Area statement 159 17.4 Reasons for failure of plantations 161 17.5 Method of Treatment 161 17.6 Choice of Species 162 17.7 Planting Programme 163 17.8 Planting Rules 163 17.9 Protection against grazing and Forest Fires 164 CHAPTER XVIII WILDLIFE (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE 18.1 General Constitution of Working Circle 165 18.2 Objectives of Management 165 18.3 Analysis and evaluation of wildlife and its habitat 167 18.4 Wildlife Conservation Measures 168 18.5 Habitat Improvement 168 18.6 Provision of Water holes 169 18.7 Fire Protection 169 18.8 Anti-Poaching Measures 170 18.9 Census of Wild animals 170 18.10 Coordination between Forests and Wildlife Sections 170 18.11 Man-animal conflict 170 CHAPTER XIX JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE 19.1 Forest Management 179 19.2 JFM in Punjab 180 19.3 Special objects of Management 181 19.4 Present Status of JFM 182 19.5 Reinvigorating JFM 184

19.6 Method of treatment 185 CHAPTER XX NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE 20.1 Constitution of Working Circle 189 20.2 Special objects of management 189 20.3 General character of the vegetation 189 20.4 Analysis and valuation of crop 190 20.5 Silvicultural System 191 20.6 Present System of exploitation 191 20.7 Enrichment of NTFP yielding plants 191 20.8 Planting Cycle 192 20.9 Exploitable size and Rotation 192 20.10 Sustainable Harvesting 193 20.11 Methods of Treatment 194 20.12 Miscellaneous Regulations 194 CHAPTER XXI BIO-DIVERSITY CONSERVATION (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE 21.1 Constitution of the Working Circle 195 21.2 Objectives of Management 196 21.3 The Present Status of Biodiversity 197 21.4 Proposed Management 201 21.5 Treatment Proposed 202 21.6 Permanent Preservation Plot 203 CHAPTER XXII FOREST PROTECTION (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE 22.1 General Constitution 204 22.2 Special Objects of Management 204 22.3 Methods of Treatment 205 22.4 Duties and Responsibilities of Forest Officers 205

22.5 Execution of Search Warrants 206 22.6 Protection of Bamboos against grazing 207 22.7 Protection against lopping of bamboos 208 22.8 Protection against forest fires 209 22.9 Boundary Pillars 212 CHAPTER XXIII MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS 23.1 Petty Fellings 214 23.2 Deviations 214 23.3 Construction of Roads/Link roads 216 23.4 Buildings 216 23.5 Maintenance of boundaries and Pillars 217 23.6 Fire Protection 217 23.7 Control of Grazing 218 23.8 Teak Preservation Plot 218 23.9 Nurseries 218 23.10 Petty Sales 219 CHAPTER XXIV MONITORING, ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING 24.1 Control Forms 220 24.2 Maintenance of Records 220 ANNEXURES Annex-Ia Detail of samples taken during Resorce Assessment Survey Annex-Ib Forest Boundary Coordinates of Forests

Annex-II Common Trees, Shrubs, Herbs and Grasses found in the tract

Annex-III Punjab Regulation of Saw Mills, Veneer and Plywood Industries Rules, 2006 Annex-IV JFM Notification No. 46/2/242/99-Ft-III/36B dated 06.09.2001

Annex-V Medicinal Plants raised at Bhatoli Nursery, Talwara

Annex-VI Notification regarding ex-gratia grant to victims of wild animals.

PART-1

SUMMARY OF FACTS ON WHICH PROPOSALS ARE MADE

CHAPTER I

THE TRACT DEALT WITH

1.1 Name and Situation: This working plan deals with Reserve Forest IV Karanpur, Reserve forest V Bindraban and Protected forest Nandbir, falling in Dasuya Forest Division. The latter came into existence on April, 1984 after having been carved out of Hoshiarpur Forest Division. While Bindraban and Karanpur are a part of Talwara, I and II ranges, respectively, Nandbir forest is a part of Badla range of Dasuya Forest Division under the present dispensation. Dasuya tehsil of Hoshiarpur district lies in the north-east part of the state and adjoins Himachal Pradesh. The Beas river flows in the north- west of the Dasuya Tehsil. Geographically, the forest area is situated between 75º-56‟-3” to 75º-55‟-54” east longitude and 31°-52‟–30” to 31º-56‟-44” north latitude.

These forests are covered by one inch survey sheet No. 44M/13 and been surveyed on 4”=1 mile survey sheet No. 248/NE/3 and 248 NE/4. These sheets are recorded in the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, who is responsible for the administration of these forests. The maps prepared with geographical coordinates recorded at the site should also be maintained in the office for reference purposes. Table 1 gives the administrative set –up of these forests. Hoshiarpur district of which Dasuya Forest Division is a part, has the highest forest cover of 20.29 per cent of the geographical area of Punjab. Tree cover in the area is also amongst the highest as the people have adopted agro-forestry in a big way and resort to planting of eucalyptus, poplar, Khair and other forestry crops.

Table 1.1 Administrative set-up of the forests

Range with HQ Block with HQ Beat with HQ Forests Comptt. No. Area (ha) Talwara I Bindraban 1.Dambal (Datarpur) RV Bindraban C1a, 1b, and2 402.7 (Talwara) (Talwara) 2. Dalwali (Datarpur) -do- C3 to C6 363.8 3. Nathuwal (Datarpur) -do- C7 to C10 436.8 Talwara II Karanpur 1.Siri Pandian (Siri R IV Karanpur C1a, Ib, 2, 3a 352.5 (Siri Pandian) (Siri Pandian) Pandian) -do- C3b, 4(p), 5(p) 378.4 2.Sandpur (Sandpur) -do- C4 (p), 5(p) and 6 333.1 3.Bajar Battu (Bajar Battu) Badla (Badla) Badla (Badla) 1. Sahora (Sahora) P.Nandbir C1 to C2 9(1p) 121.1 2. Neknama (Basa) -do- C6 to C8 235.9 3. Badla (Badla) -do- C4, C5, C9 (p) 269.2 4. Mawa (Badla) -do- C3, C9p 107.5

The area is thinly populated as compared to plains of Punjab. The density of population is 469 per sq km as compared to average density of Punjab being 550 per sq km. The total population of Dasuya Tehsil is 3,60,505 of which 84.4% lives in the rural areas and only 15.6% per cent lives in the urban areas.

The socio-economic survey showed that literacy rate was 83.88 per cent and the male literacy was higher (87.12%) than the female literacy (80.00%) in the forest fringe villages. In the sampled villages, 52.2% of the working population (in the age group of 18 to 60 years) earned their livelihood as labour, 10.77% were engaged in private jobs, 14.91% in agriculture and 12.16% in government service. Maximum number of families (68.65%) were landless and 28.29% posses less than one hectare and only 2.91% families had land between 1 to 2.5 ha.

1.2 Configuration of the Ground:

The forests are situated towards the northern extremity of the Shiwalik Hills (Katardhar). The area is submountainous to undulating in nature. The slopes of Karanpur and Bindraban forests are gentle to moderate while that of Nandbir forests alongwith part of compartment No. 1 of Bindraban draining westward is typical of Katardhar with badly cut and precipitous slopes and sharp edged spurs marked by slipped erosion here and there. Due to precipitous slopes and moderate to heavy rainfall, monsoon water forms deep gullies in the area leading to formation of choes or seasonal streamlets spreading to the foothills. Elevation of the area varies from 410 metres to 690 metres above mean sea level. Dasuya Tehsil partly drains into the Beas River and West Bein leading to river Satluj and partly into hills and piedmont area is drained through the Langarpur group of choes to river Beas.

1.3 Geology, Rock and Soil

The tract comprises of different geological formations which mainly represent Pinjore boulder beds and alluvium with conglomerates. The area is bounded on the east by boulder conglomerate stage and on the west by Pinjore sand rocks and upper Shiwaliks.

The upper Shiwaliks are composed of conglomerate beds, friable sandstone, silt stone and clay stones. Conglomerates are not cohesive and

2 consist mainly of cobbles and pebbles of granite, limestone, sandstone and lumps of clay stone. The matrix consists of medium to coarse grained sand and sometimes of calcareous cement which impart certain degree of hardness to the otherwise loose conglomerate beds. They vary in thickness from 1.5 m to 2.5 m. They do not show clear stratification and occur as wedge shaped or lenticular bands. The sandstone present is poorly lithified, soft and friable. It is pale grey to brownish grey in colour and contains a large proportion of mica flakes or clay balls. It is prone to easy weathering and there is considerable elevation of sand at talus dones. Claystone bands are seen imbedded within sandstones. These bands are greyish yellow in colour.

The Pinjore stage shows coarse sediments composed of variegated sand and pink silts. The pink colour of these rocks indicates drier conditions. Pebbles of quartzite and a proportion of igneous and sedimentary rocks are also present. Both these formations in Karanpur and east of it show the dips to the north easterly near Talwara and Bhanuputara village, the strike of the formations of these localities being north west to south east.

The area representing Bindraban RF (except its top portion and C1a) and western compartments of Karanpur RF lie in the alluvial deposit consisting of sands, silts and gravel beds. The beds of all the nallahs coming out of the reserve forests are full of stones whereas those from Nandbir carry with them lot of sand and silt load as slip erosion is very common in Nandbir forests.

1.3.1 Soils:

The soils of Punjab Shiwaliks are classified into Grey-Brown Podzolic forest soils. The soils of the tract are stony, gravelly and sandy. The podzols have developed under chirpine forests and other soils have developed under shrubs and deciduous forests, steep slope and rugged topography, water erosion, relatively cold temperature conditions and an average rainfall of more than 100 cm. They are reddish brown to olive brown in colour. These soils are in different stages of podozolisation and contain more sand and are strong and pebbly. Near the hills and on spurs or hill slopes stony soils mixed with loam and sand predominate. The soils are generally well drained but poor in nitrogen and organic matter. Profile of virgin wasteland of these areas consists of following descriptions.

3 Depth (inches) Description

0-6 Dark brown, silty clay loam, no effervescence with HCI, pH approx.7. 6-42 Brown clay compact, no effervescence with HCI, pH same as above. 42-66 Same as above. 66-92 Same as above, but grey spots are found sporadically. 92-108 Grey loose fine, no effervescence with HCI, pH approx. 6.5. 108-120 Dark brown, clay loam compact, no effervescence with HCI, pH same as above.

Profile analysis reveals that soil is clayey with large preponderance of silt fraction and the soils are siliceous in nature. The amount of silica sesquioxide increases with depth while calcium carbonate is absent. The clay is kaeolinetic mixed with hydrous mica and montmorillonetic clay minerals in the bottom layer. These soils have been designated as transitional soils of alluvial origin. The hilly areas have a slope varying from 10 to 50 percent or even more at a few places. In the hills and foothills, the soil is almost pure sand or clay mixed with coarse ingredients of pebbles and gravel. Table 1.2 gives the results of soil analysis at different sites.

Table 1.2: Soil analysis at different sites Range Site %N P ppm K ppm Badla Rampur 0.091 0.6 61.98 Badla Rampur 0.084 0.5 81.31 Badla Rampur 0.154 0.74 80.58 Talwara Labbar 0.07 0.72 57.75 Talwara Labbar 0.301 4.6 204.39 Talwara Labbar 0.077 1.02 77.42 Talwara Baring 0.077 1.88 90.61

1.3.1.1 Soil erosion:

Soil erosion is a serious menace in the Shiwalik region along the river courses, streams and choes, and on the precipitous slopes. It is more prevalent in hilly areas where water erosion by various choes and streams is more and is aggravated by the loose structure and softness of rocks, steep slopes, ruggedness, deforestsation, overgrazing and various cultural and

4 economic activities of man. The district of Hoshiarpur is the worst affected area of choe erosion and dissection due to rain splash, sheet erosion, rill, gully and stream erosion.

1.4 Climatic parameters

The climate of the area is of semi-arid type. During summer, the maximum temperature goes up to 43°C and during winters the minimum temperature recorded in the month of January is 0.7°C. Most of the rainfall is received during monsoon from July to middle of September, while winter rains are few during January-February. Average annual rainfall during the past decade varies from 292 mm to 1180 mm. Precipitation in the form of dew also occurs in winter from October to January which has beneficial effects on young plants. April to June are generally dry months. Rainfall and Temperature data are given in Table 1.3 and 1.4, respectively.

Table 1.3: Rainfall data (mm) recorded at Dasuya

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total

1997 22.02 5.02 10.04 44.01 - - 314.00 383.07 172.03 5.02 48.08 35.07 1038.36

1998 71.07 166.08 83.07 9.02 65.03 368.00 70.00 216.00 88.04 - - - 1136.31

1999 118.06 3.02 7.00 - 30.02 4.00 311.06 271.06 56.08 - - - 800.30

2000 71.00 61.03 4.02 - 14.05 49.02 350.02 238.06 72.04 - - - 859.24

2001 15.00 2.00 4.00 35.06 62.04 39.00 463.00 131.06 52.06 - - - 803.22

2002 - 7.12 - 11.2 12.2 26.8 43.6 59.8 88.8 43.2 - - 292.72

2003 - 77.7 76.0 10.2 - 34.0 256.4 548.6 164.8 - 2.0 10.5 1180.2

2004 90.8 27.5 - 17.4 86.5 72.9 134.3 88.0 3.5 140.8 2.0 10.0 673.7

2005 66.5 94.7 53.5 8.0 13.5 39.0 291.0 46.0 133.5 - - - 745.7

2006 14.0 7.0 58.0 - 27.1 31.3 175.7 187.7 73.6 5.0 6.0 8.0 593.4

2007 2.0 142.52 82.4 4.0 26.2 21.7 215.7 67.0 32.2 - 2.0 11.2 606.92

2008 16.0 7.4 - 23.9 10.0 255.7 134.0 553.0 59.5 23.0 - 1.0 1083.1

2009 9.0 18.0 10.0 30.0 4.0 6.0 291.0 241.0 90.0 4.0 13.0 - 716.0

2010 9.0 4.0 5.0 - 33.0 27.0 376.0 245.0 77.0 54.0 3.0 - 833.0

2011 - - - - - 132.0 125.0 129.0 202.0 - - 8.0 596.0

2012 132.0 2.0 16.0 41.0 - - 76.0 62.0 91.0 - - 1.5 421.5

2013 3.0 44.5 4.5 - - 64.0 68.0 107.0 43.0 17.0 4.0 12.0 367.0

2014 30.0 47.0 28.0 17.0 16.0 18.0 140.0 37.0 62.0 - - 8.0 403.0

5 Table 1.4: Normal values recorded at Bullowal Saunkhari (1982-2000)

Name of Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec parameter Maximum 19.4 22.3 27.1 34.2 38.3 37.6 32.8 32.3 32.2 30.9 26.7 21.5 Temp. Minimum 5.4 7.7 12.0 17.3 22.3 25.1 24.9 24.4 21.9 15.6 10.3 6.2 Temp. Relative 71 62 56 42 38 52 77 83 77 63 62 69 humidity % Rain 34.9 53.8 33.3 23.5 47.8 92.4 334.2 334.7 176.9 24.4 8.3 31.2 fall(mm) Evaporation 48.6 77.3 138 232.9 315.9 265.4 146.5 116.8 110 109.5 72.9 51.5 (mm) No. of rainy 3.5 5.5 5.4 3.1 4.8 7.1 14.8 15.6 8.0 1.8 1.5 2.4 days Sun shine 6.1 7.6 8.1 9.7 10.1 9.4 6.2 6.6 8.0 9.3 8.7 7.1 hours Mean soil 13.4 16.6 22.6 30.09 36.2 37.0 32.6 31.8 31.2 27.2 20.8 15.3 temp. 5cm. depth Wind 30.1 3.9 4.7 5.3 5.6 5.0 3.3 2.6 2.5 3.0 2.9 2.8 velocity Km/ph

6 7

CHAPTER II

MAINTENANCE/INCREASE IN THE EXTENT OF

FORESTS

2.1 Area of forests under different legal classes:

Entire forest area is notified either as reserved or protected forests. The forests of Karanpur and Bindraban were declared as Reserve Forests under Section 34 of the Indian Forest Act, 1878 vide notification No. 110 F dated 6th March, 1879. The reserve forests are referred to as R IV Karanpur and R V Bindraban where R refers to reserved forest class and the Roman No. to its serial number in the notification of the erstwhile Hoshiarpur district. The Nandbir protected forests have been referred as P. Nandbir. Nandbir forest though regarded and managed as a government forest since the advent of British rule was notified as protected forest under section 29 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 only in 1962 vide Punjab Government Notification No. 1136- Ft-IV/62/1822 dated 2nd May, 1962. Rules for the management of these forests were notified vide notification No. 1136-Ft-IV/62/1823 dated 2nd May, 1962. The areas notified as reserved and protected forests are given below:

Forests Legal Status Area notified (ha) Notification No.

R IV Karanpur Reserved 1456.1 110 F 6th March, 1879

R V Bindraban Reserved 1202.7 -do- 1136-Ft-IV/62/1822 dated 2nd P Nandbir Protected 733.7 May, 1962 Total 3392.5

It may be mentioned that the notified reserve forest also included 106.8 ha and 3.7 ha private area in the Karanpur and Bindraban forests, respectively thus bringing the net government forests to 3282.0 ha area.

8 2.2 Forest area under different working circles/management plan:

The entire area of these forests is managed under the working plan of RF Karanpur, Bindraban and PF Nandbir prepared by V.B. Kumar enforced w.e.f. 1998-99 to 2013-14 for a period of 15 years. On the expiry of the aforesaid plan, the present plan will came into force. Rangewise area covered under the present working plan is given in Table 2.1:

Table 2.1: Area covered under the present working plan

Comptt. Total area Pvt. Area Net area Forests Range No. (ha) (ha) (ha) Karanpur C1(a) 49.8 - 49.8 Talwara II C1(b) 42.5 1.2 41.3 Talwara II C2 143.7 1.6 142.1 Talwara II C3(a) 116.5 6.5 110.0 Talwara II C3(b) 148.9 9.6 139.3 Talwara II C4 233.9 17.0 216.9 Talwara II C5 248.5 56.7 191.8 Talwara II C6 80.1 - 80.1 Talwara II C7 109.7 - 109.7 Talwara II C8 169.2 14.2 155.0 Talwara II C9 51.8 - 51.8 Talwara II C10 61.5 - 61.5 Talwara II Total 1456.1 106.8 1349.3 Bindraban C1(a) 127.5 2.0 125.5 Talwara I C1(b) 163.5 - 163.5 Talwara I C2 111.7 - 111.7 Talwara I C3 138.4 - 138.4 Talwara I C4 104.0 - 104.0 Talwara I C5 68.4 - 68.4 Talwara I C6 53.0 - 53.0 Talwara I C7 193.0 - 193.0 Talwara I C8 122.6 1.7 120.9 Talwara I C9 51.4 - 51.4 Talwara I C10 69.2 - 69.2 Talwara I Total 1202.7 3.7 1199.0 Nandbir C1 65.2 - 65.2 Badla C2 55.9 - 55.9 Badla C3 27.5 - 27.5 Badla C4 91.0 - 91.0 Badla C5 95.9 - 95.9 Badla C6 72.4 - 72.4 Badla C7 77.7 - 77.7 Badla C8 85.8 - 85.8 Badla C9 162.3 - 162.3 Badla Total 733.7 - 733.7 G.Total 3392.5 110.5 3282.0 -

It may be mentioned that the management has excluded private areas mentioned in the notified forest area.

Fig. 2.1 Map showing compartments in forests

10 2.3 State of Boundaries:

Karanpur makes a separate block of forests, whereas Bindraban and Nandbir make one block. There are a number of chaks within the reserved forests. These chaks have been demarcated by masonry pillars. The boundary register is also being maintained. However due to non-maintenance of pillars and thick weed of lantana, the boundary pillars are not easily traceable. Nandbir and its compartments are demarcated with iron rails firmly fixed in the ground but no proper register is maintained. Some of the masonry pillars need repair after regular verification with records. Boundary register for Nandbir forests must be maintained.

As per the latest notification of the Govt. of India, the geographical coordinates along the boundary of the forest areas were recorded as given in Annexure1b. However coordinates corresponding to confirmed boundary pillars are shown in the map in the scale 1:50,000. The area of forests and the length of boundary measured with the help of GPS is given below. The total peripheral length of the forests is 52.69 km.

Area statement of forests covered under the Working Plan.

Area as per land Length of boundary as Forests records (ha) per GPS Survey (m) Karanpur 1456.1 10235.8

Bindraban 1202.7 27364.4

Nandbir 733.7 15099.2

Total 3392.5 52699.4

2.4 Land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF)

There is no land use change since the last working plan period, neither any part of the forest area has been diverted for non-forestry purpose. No encroachments of the forest area is observed or recorded by the Divisional Forest Officer. However, over the years, there is a perceptible change in the forest density classes due to tremendous increase in biotic and abiotic pressure.

11 According to 1SFR, 2011, there is a net 4 km² of area transforming to scrub forests in Hoshiarpur district. However, this change does not pertain to Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir forests. Using multilayered satellite images, the change analysis for these forests has been shown in the maps.

2.5 Threats to the forests

The crop of these forests is liable to threats from the following agents:

1. Drought: Absence of rains, scanty rainfall, less number of rainy days etc. result in drought in these areas which sometimes persist for long periods. As the soil being well drained and having low capacity to retain moisture, some spells of drought or late arrivals of monsoon affect the growth of young plants badly. The regeneration of bamboo as well as growth of bamboos are retarded due to inadequate moisture. Erratic rainfall also affects the growth of manus. Prolonged drought also results in heavy mortality of seedlings and due to heavy accumulation of ground floor litter, risk of fires is considerably enhanced. 2. Frost: Adjective frost and pool frost are common in this area. The survival of semal, mango, kikar and other frost tender species in young plantations are affected by frost to a great extent. The effect of frost during drought conditions becomes lethal resulting in a large scale drying up of aged mango trees. The survival of young plantations of Rajain are also affected severely by frost and many casualities are seen in some recent plantations. Frost tender species covered with locally available grasses helps to protect them against frost. 3. Soil erosion: Bank and slip erosion is very common in Nandbir forests due to its typical geological formations. This type of erosion is particularly common in Comptt. 8 where grazing is prohibited. Sheet erosion is common in Bindraban and Karanpur forests especially near habitations where it is the result of overgrazing. The beds of nallahs have been raised due to deposition of stones and pebbles brought down from upper slopes. 4. Grazing, lopping and cutting: The problem of grazing, lopping and cutting is very common in bamboo areas. Over grazing has deteriorated the soil condition by compaction and rendering it unsuitable for proper

12 growth and regeneration of bamboo. It also promotes soil erosion. Illicit grazing and cutting of bamboo especially in the rainy season does a great harm to bamboo clumps. Stray cattle grazing during the rainy season being an impending problem causes irreparable damage to bamboo crop. Illicit cutting of raw and immature bamboos for fencing, basket making and other purposes also causes damage to the crop. 5. Working of forests: In the past, non-working of bamboo forests has caused immense damage to bamboo crop due to congestion of clumps and stagnation of new growth. Regular cleaning of clumps is of utmost importance to keep the bamboo forests healthy and growing. 6. Forest fires: Forest fires are dangerous both for the forest and wild life. During the dry and hot season, fires break in block forests where Kana, Kahi, Bhabbar, other grasses, dry leaves and twigs of Lantana and other weeds are abundant. The problem of forest fires becomes grave when pre-monsoon showers are either delayed or absent. Fire prevention is undertaken by clearance of fire lines on the ridges along the inter-state boundaries and control burning during winter. Most of forest fires occur whenever some unscrupulous passers- by throw lighted butt of cigarette/bidi unintentionally, or putting fire in the forests intentionally for getting quick sprouting of new flush of grass, bhabbar or for collecting honey. Whenever fire breaks out in the forest, it is controlled by traditional way of fire beating and counter fire. No modern fire fighting techniques with the help of modern tools are employed to control forest fires. It is felt that maximum public awareness may be created regarding the destruction caused as a result of forest and consequent environmental loss. Training of filed staff and others engaged in fire prevention and control in modern fire fighting techniques with improved tools is required. Maintenance of the fire lines is of utmost importance besides creation of new fire lines in vulnerable areas. Plugging of all possible roads, inspection paths, compartment boundaries before the fire season may be specially helpful in prevention of spreading of fire, Joint Forest Management Committee may also be given necessary inputs regarding fire control. The risk could be reduced by working of bamboo forests in the winter season, cleaning of clumps as per the procedure laid down and maintenance of fire lines in

Fig. 2.2 Map showing the legal status of forests

Fig. 2.3 Map showing present land use

Fig. 2.4 Map showing weed infestation in forests

Fig. 2.5 Map showing termite attack in the forests

Fig. 2.6 Map showing grazing incidence in the forests

Fig. 2.7 Map showing fire incidence in the forests

16 the fire season. Involvement of JFM committees is also vital in this respect to forge security for the forests.

7. Insects and Fungi: Bamboo forests are usually attacked during the rainy season by leaf defoliator which enrolls itself through a number of leaves and devours them. No damage due to Estigmina chinensis and Crytotrachlus longipus insects which attack new growing culms has been noticed. The termites attack severally the bamboos in the plains areas where the moisture is comparatively more than the hilly compartments. Due to non-working of bamboos the termites continue to reach up high converting clumps into mounds of soil. In the rainy season, as the weight of mounds increases, the clumps fall down resulting in loss of clumps.

Witches broom disease causes damage to Khair. Fungus Ganoderma causes damage to shisham, khair and other leguminous trees. It survives on the stems of infected trees spreading the infection to other healthy trees in its vicinity. Fresh infections of Ganoderma can be prevented by digging a trench around the infected trees to cut off contact with healthy ones.

8. Climber and Weeds: Pueraria tuberosa (Selohar) completely wraps bamboo and other species and hinders their growth. Some of the younger plants and clumps get badly suppressed. The spread of Lantana camara as unpalatable weed has threatened the growth of palatable grasses and regeneration of species of economic importance. Lantana is also a threat to the biodiversity of the forests.

2.6 Distribution of Forest Types

The vegetation of the tract can broadly be classified into two types i.e. bamboo forests and the scrub forests. According to Revised Survey of Forest Types of India by Champion, H.G. and Seth, S.K. (1968), the bamboo forests fall under 5E9, (dry deciduous edaphlic climax Type 9 called generally dry bamboo brakes) and the scrub forests under type 5/DS-1 (dry deciduous scrub, a degraded state of dry deciduous forests).

Fig 2.8 Bamboo forest 5E9 type

5/E9 Dry bamboo brakes

The forests of Karanpur and Bindraban are mainly bamboo areas where the only bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus occur gregariously. Champion and Seth (1968) reported on general floristics of these types as follows:

Dendrocalamus strictus with a sprinkling of the tree and shrub species of the local form of dry deciduous forests, thus in central and south India.Boswellia serrata, Sterculia urens and Cochlospermum, religiosum, in North India, Anogeissus latifolia and Lannea coromandelica.Besides the above trees, Holoptelia integrifolia, Butea frondosa, Diospyros montana, Diospyros tomentosa, Cassia fistula are also common. In Karanpur, Eucalyptus hybrid planted about 40 years back has come up. In the forests of Bindraban, bamboo is found with scattered trees of Khair, planted teak and Eucalyptus trees. The shrub growth consists of Lantana camara, Nyctanthus arboristris, Adhatoda vesica, Carissa opaca, Limonia acidissima, Helectris isora and other common weeds predominating near habitations showing signs of biotic pressure.

18 The current assessment of the forests types of India by the ICFRE has shown the following composition of these forests:

I & II Lannea coromandelica, Acacia catechu, Emblica officinalis, Flacourtia indica, Lagerstroemia parviflora. III Carissa opaca, Holoptelia integrifolia, Lantana, camara, Murraya koenigii IV Oxalis corniculata, Bidens pilosa IVa Oplismenus burmanii

Present survey reveals that the forests are highly heterogeneous with high species richness and 3.4 diversity index. All these species are young as the DBH varies from 8 to 16cm and occupied the area after protection. Presence of Lannea coromandelica and Holoptelia integrifolia gives an indication of alluvium soil.

The degradation of bamboo forests in Karanur and Bindraban RF is of concern. As mentioned in the earlier paras, the bamboo crop has suffered mainly due to overgrazing and other biotic interference and non-working of clumps on a triennial cycle. At places bamboo clumps are so much spoiled that they give a very poor look and their rehabilitation seems to be distantly possible without specific efforts like cleaning and improvement felling on a massive scale alongwith complete closure. According to the ISFR (2011), the bamboo in the state mostly fall in the scattered category and out of total 5 million culms estimated, 2 million are dried and only 3 million are green. The crop is only better on north-east well drained aspects away from habitations. Bamboo flowering in these forests is sporadic and there are no records of gregarious flowering. Natural regeneration is limited to small pockets where forests have been closed due to certain reasons. Teak plantations have established well in some of the areas.

5/DS1 Dry deciduous scrub forests:

Forests of Nandbir and C1a of RV Bindraban represent this type of deciduous scrub type of vegetation(Fig 2.9). The vegetation is dominated by

19 Lantana scrub distributed throughout the area. The tree component is represented by Acacia catechu (Khair), Acacia modesta (Phalahi), Diospyros tomentosa (Kinu), Diospyros cordifolia (Kendu), Dalbergia sissoo (shisham), Butea monosperma (Dhak), Bombax ceiba (Semal), Emblica officinalis (amla), Albizia lebbeck (siris), Cassia fistula (amaltas), Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber), and Holoptelia integrifolia (Rajain). The common shrubs are Carissa opaca, Dodonaea viscosa, Nyctanthes arboretristis (Kuri), Woodfordia fructosa (Dhavi), Ziziphus nummularia and Euphorbia royleana. Among grasses Chrysopogon (Dhaulu), Heteropogon contortus (Sariala) and Dicanthium annulatum (Pasiri), Saccharum arundinaceum (Sarkanda), Saccharum spontaneum(Kahi), Typha elephantina (Dib), Cynodon dactylon (Khabbal) are very common. The main climbers found are Taur (Bauhinia vahlii), Giloe (Tinospora malabarica), Gauj (Milletia auriculata) and Daghiari (Mimosa himalayana). Bhakra (Tribulus terristris), Bathu (Chenopodium album), Kandiari (Solanum xanthocarpum) are the common weeds of the area. Bamboo and Bagar grass (Eulaliopsis binata) is also found in the rocky out crops. The area gets covered with grasses when closed for grazing.

List of common trees, shrubs, grasses and herbs found in the tract is given in Annexure II.

Fig2.9 Dry Deciduous Scrub forests

Fig. 2.10 Map showing forest types in the landscape

21 CHAPTER III

MAINTENANCE, CONSERVATION AND

ENHANCEMENT OF BIODIVERSITY

3.1 Forest composition and distribution: The forests of Karanpur and Bindrapan are bamboo forests of dry deciduous type with Dendrocalamus strictus being the predominant species with a sprinkling of Lannea coromandelica, Flaucourtia indica, Holoptelia integrifolia, Diospyros tomentosa, Cassia fistula and Feronia limonia. The density of these forests varies from 0.4 to 0.70. There are small to big patches of blank areas which have degraded due to over exploitation and the intense biotic pressure. The bamboo forests seem to be a single storeyed forests with thick bushes of Lantana camara in the ground storey. The phytosociological studies in the past have found the IVI index of Dendrocalamus strictus at more than 220, Lannea coromandelica’s 22.42 and Holoptelia integrifolia 9.16.

In the Nandbir forests, the composition corresponds to dry deciduous scrub forests. Here the most dominant species being Holoptelia integrifolia, Acacia modesta, Ziziphus mauritiana, Acacia catechu and Acacia nilotica. Besides above, stunted growth of Butea frondosa, Cassia fistula, Diospyros tomentosa and Dalbergia sissoo is also found. The density of forests varies greatly from 0.2 to 0.6. Plantations done in the past years have influenced the biodiversity to a great extent. Species of A. catechu, Emblica officinalis, Albizia procera and bamboo species have been introduced. The common shrubs found are Carissa opaca, Adhatoda vesica, Dodonaea viscosa, Nyctanthes arboretristis, Ziziphus nummularia and Euphorbia royleana. The scrub vegetation is the manifestation of steep slopes, high drainage, less retention of water in the sandy soils derived from sand stones and the high rate of soil erosion. The arid elements of vegetation indicate the dry type of climatic conditions on the southern aspects.

3.2 Plant species diversity: The data collected during enumeration such as the number of individuals of each species and the DBH of each tree was utilized

22 to derive secondary attributes like basal area (BA, m²/ha), density (D, trees per ha) and frequency (F, number of quadrats where trees are present) in relation to total plots observed). Relative values of BA, D and F were then calculated. The important value index (IVI) was calculated by adding up relative dominance (R BAF), relative density (RD) and relative frequency (RF).

Species diversity is an expression of community structure. The number of species in a community is referred to as species richness. The relative abudance of all species is called evenness. A community demonstrates a high species diversity if many equally or nearby equally abundant species are present. Communities with a large number of species that are evenly distributed are the most diverse. Species diversity indices like Shannon–Wiener Index are calculated separately for trees, shrubs and herbs.

The most common species in the forests are given below:

Species Family Habit Dendrocalamus strictus Poaceae Tall grass Lantana camara Verbenaceae Shrub Achyranthes aspera Amarantheace Herb Acacia catechu Mimosaceae Tree Acacia modesta Mimosaceae Tree Murraya koengii Rutaceae Shrub Adhatoda vesica Acanthaceae Shrub Holopetlia integrifolia Ulmaceae Tree Lannea grandis Anacardacea Tree Cassia fistula Caesalpiniaceae Tree Diospyros tomentosa Ebenaceae Tree Peristrophe paniculata Acanthaceae Herb Sida rhombifolia Malvaceae Herb Tinospora cordifolia Menispermaceae Climber Urena lobata Malvaceae Herb Ziziphus nummularia Rhamnaceae Shrub Cynodon dactylon Poaceae Herb Ichnocarpus frutescens Apocynaceae Climber

The frequency, density, basal area and IVI of most important trees and shrubs found in Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir forests are given in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1 Ecological Parameters of Trees

2 Basal Forest Species Frequency(%) Density(stems/100m ) 2 IVI area(m ha) Karanpur Acacia catechu 37.36 5.13 0.019 42.29 Acacia 3.750 0.18 0.008 5.24 modesta Diospyros 15.55 0.52 0.011 14.30 tomentosa Holopetelia 16.11 0.40 0.013 13.15 integrifolia Lannea grandis 53.33 2.04 0.099 72.28 Bindraban Acacia catechu 67.50 7.32 0.019 89.16 Acacia 7.50 0.27 0.002 6.03 modesta Diospyros 6.67 0.23 0.024 10.48 tomentosa Holopetelia 33.36 1.00 0.016 21.56 integrifolia Lannea grandis 48.33 1.58 0.065 61.38 Nandbir Acacia catechu 83.30 5.46 0.024 34.62 Acacia 75.00 3.68 0.028 30.44 modesta Diospyros 38.90 2.20 0.013 17.76 tomentosa Holopetelia 85.18 8.63 0.017 42.85 integrifolia Lannea grandis 75.00 1.93 0.054 32.02

Table 3.2

Frequency, density and IVI of shrub species

Forest Species Frequency Density Basal area IVI Karanpur Adhatoda vesica 63.75 11.63 0.0688 44.46 Lantana camara 100.00 63.80 0.0663 124.92 Murraya koengii 87.58 22.37 0.0394 69.70 Bindraban Adhatoda vesica 46.21 2.31 1.5125 45.70 Lantana camara 71.21 10.47 1.0858 78.89 Murraya koengii 74.49 11.71 1.4334 100.31 Nandbir Adhatoda vesica 83.33 23.66 0.0001 63.26 Lantana camara 46.87 7.19 0.0004 35.86 Murraya koengii 87.50 37.97 0.0001 92.41

The results show that frequency of all main species is high in Nandbir forests and that Holopetlia integrifolia has the highest frequency of 85.18 followed by Acacia catechu. However, density of Acacia catechu trees is high in Bindraban and of Holoptelia integrifolia in Nandbir forests. The maximum basal area is occupied by Lannea grandis in all the forests. When judged from importance value index, Lannea grandis has the maximum value in Karanpur,

Acacia catechu in Bindraban and Holoptelia integrifolia in Nandbir forests. Therefore, the forests should be managed keeping in view these facts.

3.3 Endemic, rare and threatened species: Species recorded were screened for their uniqueness with references in the literature. No species under Red Data Book was recorded. All the species recorded were abundant in nature. However species like Delphinium danudatum and Peristylus constrictus were found to occur rarely. In a study conducted by Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, the rare plants encountered were: Cynoglossum wallichii, C. glochidiatum, Dicliptera roxburghiana, Galium asparine, Kydia calycina Rubus ellipticus and Selaginella subdiaphana.

Medicinal Plants: Some of the important medicinal plants, encountered are Adhatoda vesica, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica, Bacopa monnieri, Cordia dichotoma, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, Moringa oleifera, Emblica officinalis, Acacia catechu and Tinospora cordifolia.

Economically Important Species: There are many species that are considered important for food, fuel, fodder, fibre, timber, medicinal value, oil, gums and others. On these parameters many economically important species present in these forests are: Acacia catechu, Dendrocalamus strictus, Moringa oleifera, Holoptelia integrifolia, Aegle marmelos, Emblica officinalis, Achryranthes aspera, Adhatoda vesica, Ageratum conyzoides, Azadiachta indica and Cannabis sativa.

3.4 Status of biodiversity Conservation in Forests: The state has prepared the strategy and action plan for conservation of biodiversity. The strategies include augmentation of forest resources by making efforts to restore original ecosystem, promotion of indigenous tree species, declaring climax communities as closed forest areas, improving canopy density in the existing forests, promotion of natural regeneration, growing of medicinal plants through inter departmental consultations and introduction of dwindling species. The strategic action plan also lays emphasis on involvement of local communities, especially women, in protection of forests making them important components of forest management, also linking forestry with livelihood issues and conducting economic evaluation of biological resources conserved by communities. The

25 strategy also suggested that excessive lopping, grazing, harvesting of non- bamboo produce should be regulated with joint participation of these communities. The strategy further suggested planting of Bhabhar and fodder grasses in the Shiwalik areas for use by the local population. It warned that further growth of Lantana and Parthenium needs to be controlled to conserve native grasses. The strategy also demanded establishing germplasm banks for ex-situ conservation of wild biodiversity.

Most of these strategies are being translated into action plans by the Department of Forests and Wildlife Preservation. The most fundamental approach adopted by the Department is to work the private forests as well government forests under the approved management/ working plans by the Government of India. The Deparment has already ensured the participation of local people in the management of forests through Joint Forest Management Initiatives, entry point activities and awareness generation programmes. An action plan is underway to eradicate Lantana on a war-footing to save biodiversity of the Shiwalik region.

3.5 Status of species prone to over exploitation: Under the present system, the harvesting of bamboos and other timber species is carried out through the Punjab State Forest Development Corporation who engages the local labour to harvest the produce. The harvesting is done only for trees which are marked for felling. In case of Babbhar grass, it is sold through public auction and cut by local labourers, made into bundles and discharged. The medicinal plants found in plenty in the forests like Giloe, neem, Achyranthes, Ageratum, Adhatoda and Murraya koengii are rarely harvested on commercial lines and therefore not exploited. Rather bamboos are underharvested due to paucity of labour. Even amla (Emblica officinalis) fruits are rarely harvested by the local people, though a few entrepreneurs have started its use for making tradeable products.

3.6 Conservation of Genetic Resources: There are no preservation plots or permanent sample plots in the forests. A medicinal plant garden is being established at Talwara in an area of 10.0 ha where 145 species of medicinal plants are being grown for demonstration purposes (see Annexure). This will help in conservation of genetic resources of medicinal plants of this area. In

26 addition, germplasm banks of five medicinally important trees viz. Terminalia bellirica, Moringa oleifera, Emblica officinalis, Aegle marmelos and Terminalia chebula have been established at Kharkan Research Station of R&T Circle, Hoshiarpur. This work was done under the JICA aided project with the guidance of FRI, Dehradun. Punjab has also led the way to create germplasm banks of fifteen species of Dalbergia, sissoo, Populus deltoides, Bamboos, Albizia lebbeck. Albizia procera, Holoptelia integrifolia, Melia azedarach, Melia composita, Terminalia arjuna, Acacia catechu, A nilotica, Toona ciliata, Morus alba, Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus tereticornis.

3.7 Fauna and their habitats: The forests are rich in wild fauna of reptiles, birds and mammals. About 396 species of birds and 20 species of mammals are reported from the Shiwaliks. Among the reptiles, the two globally threatened species Python molurus and Kachuga smithi; and two vulnerable species of lizards Varanus bengalensis, V. flavescens have been reported. Among the birds, the most common are partridges, quails, babblers, Red jungle fowl, doves, pigeons, parakeets, koel, owls, nightjars, kingfishers, hoopoe, grey hornbill, woodpeckor, black drongo, Indian tree pie and bulbuls.

The recent survey has recorded 19 mammalian species from this area. These include Sambhar, jackal, Rhesus monkey, wild boar, porcupine, hare, jungle cat and pangolin. Among the mammals, two globally threatened species viz. Indian pangolin and Rhesus monkey deserve attention. The list of globally threatened fauna is given in Table 3.1.

Table 3.1: Globally threatened and Vulnerable fauna

Class Common name Zoological name IUCN status

Reptiles Brown river turtle Kachuga smithi (Gray) LR/nt Indian Rock Python Python molurus (Linn) LR/nt Birds Oriental darter Anhinga melanogaster (Pannat) LR/nt Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nuroca (Guldenstadt) LR/nt Pallied Harrier Circus macrourus (Gmelin) LR/nt Painted stork Myeteria lencocephala (Pennat) LR/nt Mammals Common otter Semnopitheus entellus (Dufresne) LR/nt Indian Pangolin Lutra lutra (Linn) Vu Rhesus Monkey Macaca mulatta (Zimermann) LR/nt

LRnt- Lower Risk near threatened Vu-Vulnerable

Indian Rock Python is found in the sandy banks of choes and streams, making it a suitable habitat for the animal. Oriental darter is found in the nearby Pong Dam wetland and so is the painted stork, occasionally however found near the village ponds. Shiwalik hills has also fairly good population of Indian Pangolin because of the soft layers of silt laid over the sandstone. Among the birds babbler, warblers and bulbuls have plenty of population in the dry deciduous forests. Red jungle fowl is another attractive bird of these jungles. Tree pie is also found common in these forests. Because of the thick lantana cover and plenty of bamboo rhizomes, wild boar populations have gone up in the recent past because of the absence of carnivores. However, leopard has given its signature in the recent few years and its presence is being felt by the local population.

3.8 Threats and Challenges to Wildlife: Due to increasing human population, the fragmentation of wildlife habitat has taken place all around. The cultivation has extended in the areas vulnerable to erosion, hitherto left for tree groves. Though some private forests around the tract dealt with are still managed under the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900, yet some areas have been denotified and excluded out of the purview. On the other hand, due to protection provided to wildlife under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 the population of herbivores has increased but the due to fragmentation of habitat and invasion of lantana and as a result loss of grass and fodder in the forest areas, the animals tend to raid the cultivated areas during the night hours for finding green pastures. This results in man-animal conflict,as the farmers lose their crops and labour. This complex problem of habitat restoration needs to be addressed on a priority basis.

3.9 Protection and management of fauna: To ward off the wild animals from their fields, the farmers generally fence their fields but this is not enough to scarce away sambhar, nilgai and wildboars.Growing agroforestry and horticultural crops in the tract is the possible solution for the people. The Department should have census of animals in the forests and assess the annual loss that is done to the crops by the wild animals. A policy framework to grow crops that are not demaged by animals should preferably be grown. A policy to eradicate lantana, the root of all causes should be implemented to solve the problem.

CHAPTER IV

MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST

HEALTH AND VITALITY

4.1 Status of Regeneration: Due to adverse effects of biotic interference, heavy grazing and non working of bamboos in the bamboo forests, the natural regeneration in reserved forests of Karanpur and Bindraban forests is absent and has not been relied upon. As a result, artificial plantations of bamboos with introduction of Eucalyptus, Tectona grandis, Bambusa tulda etc. have been tried with various degrees of success. In the scrub forests, the efforts to regenerate naturally by adopting closures, fencing areas, and adopting soil and water conservation measures have helped in securing scanty crop of trees of miscellaneous species, but due to poor site condition, the growth is not satisfactory. During reconnaissance, natural regeneration of teak in the old plantations of teak areas has been observed. The seedlings are one year old sheltered under the lantana growth. This regeneration of teak has been observed to take place after the germination of seed due to scarification by forest fire which was widespread in the area two years back. As the seedlings are frost prone, careful opening after the winters and adoption will help to establish the seedlings. The conditions which favour regeneration of species can be enumerated as follows:

1. Working of congested clumps and cleaning to remove deformed culms help growth of new bamboo culms. 2. Removal of lantana weed which suppresses the young seedlings under its shade helps regeneration. 3. Control of grazing by strictly following closures in the areas. 4. Harvesting of culms in the rainy season be curbed to control damage to the culms. 5. Soil and water conservation measures in the area to control soil erosion and conserve moisture helps regeneration.

To supplement natural regeneration abstract of plantations raised in the past in these forests is given in Table 4.1 below:

Table 4.1: Plantations done in the past working plan period Species No. of plants Area Year Forests Comptt No. planted planted covered (ha) Rajain, 1998-99 Brindaban C1(a) Bamboo, 10500 35 Khair etc. C3 -do- 3000 10 C4 -do- 35000 70 C5 -do- 15000 30 C7 -do- 7500 25 C8 -do- 15000 50 C9 -do- 10500 35 Karanpur C5 -do- 45000 150 C6 -do- 15000 50 C7 -do- 4500 15 C8, 9 -do- 12500 25 Nandbir C2 -do- 16500 55 C3 -do- 5000 20 C8 -do- 7500 25 C9 -do- 12500 25 Total 1998-99 215000 565 1999-2000 Brindaban C1(a) -do- 10500 35 C3 -do- 10500 35 C7 -do- 3000 10 Karanpur C1(a) -do- 10500 35 C4 -do- 12000 40 C6 -do- 9000 30 C6 -do- 6000 20 Total 1999-2000 61500 205 G. Total 276500 770

4.2 Area affected by forest fires:

Due to semi-arid conditions of the climate, dry-deciduous nature of forests, temperature rise and humidity fall, there is a fire hazard build up in the summers starting with April till June. This time coincides with the fire season of the area. The maximum temperature may rise to 43°C and the rainfall is scanty in these months. In the drought areas, due to more accumulation of leaf litter, the fire hazard is multiplied. In the previous working plan period, 11 major forest fires occurred affecting 1945.7 ha of forest area. The details are given in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2: Fire incidences reported in the past working plan period

Area Details of Amount Year Forests Compartment No. Burnt Remarks damage (Rs.) (ha) No 1998-1999 - - - - - reporting 2000-2001 - - - - - do 2001-2002 - - - - - do C-3 a C-3 (b), C-2, C-1a, 2002-2003 Karanpur 264 ha - - - C-1 (b) No 2003-2004 - - - - - reports 2004-2005 Bindraban C-3, 12 ha - - -

2005-2006 Karanpur C-5 0.60 ha - - - No 2006-2007 - - - - - reports C-5, C-8, C-7, C-2, C-3(a), 2007-2008 Karanpur 658.80 ha - - - 3(b), C-8, C-9, C-10 Bindraban C-10 No 2009-2010 - - - - - reports 2010-2011 Bindraban C-7 58 ha - - - Karanpur C-5, C-4 11.21 ha 2011-2012 Bindraban C-8, C-7 4.61 ha - - - Karanpur C-3. C-4 14.17 ha No 2012-2013 - - - - - repots C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, C- 2013-2014 Bindraban 907.56 ha - - - 6, C-8, C-9 Karanpur C-5, C-3 14.75 ha No 2014-2015 - - - - - repots Total 1945.7

It is obvious that there is no serious effort to report the loses and effect of forest fires, as a result fire management is given a low priority. But there is no denial of the fact that besides causing economic loss, loss to biodiversity, soil flora and fauna by forest fires is immense. To prevent forest fires, the following strategy should be followed.

1. Maintenance of fire lines. Firelines over a length of 10 km have been constructed. The list of these firelines is provided in Table 4.3. These firelines must be maintained annually removing the lines clear of leaf litter and other obstacles. 2. Working of bamboo forests is essential on a regular basis without which dry and dead culms become fire hazard.

3. Watch towers be posted with fire watchers to keep an eye on the outbreak of smoke in the forests and report to the ground teams for quick response. A system needs to be developed for detection, reporting, dispatching and fighting fires within the shortest possible time lag. 4. The right holders and the JFM committees should be educated and trained to take necessary fire control measures in their areas.

Table 4.3: Firelines constructed in the past working plan period Forests Comptt No. Length of fire line Bindraban C1, 2, 3, 4, 5 5 km Karanpur C7, 8, 9 5 km

4.3 Area damaged by natural calamities: Forests are affected by droughts, soil erosion and natural phenomena of frost. The area has experienced drought in the year 2002 and 2013. Aftermath of the drought of 1987, heavy mortality of trees even of big sizes was noticed in the forests resulting in gaps in the forest canopy.

Frost is common during the winter months of December and January. Though bamboo is not affected, seedling to pole crop of Rajain, amaltas and semal is affected.

The effects of soil erosion and its control shall be discussed in the next chapter.

4.4 Area protected from grazing

Sixteen villages having grazing rights in each forest are as under:

Karanpur:- Talwara, Rajwal, Dhar, Bari, Hir Beh, Lakkan, Beh Kittoo, Beh Mawa, Fatehpur, Pandian, Beh Jogan, Namoli, Bhatoli, Ram Mangal, Dauhar and Bhera.

Bindraban:- Rakri, Repar, Depur, Nathuwal Beh dule, Beh Bidya, Hardo Nek Nama, Mawa, Patti, Banth, Sahawara, (Taluka Kandi), Gagwal, Karora, Badla, Naurnel, Bari Karare and Beh Fatto.

In Nandbir, grazing right for Sehara, Dadial, Mawa, Badla, Hardo Neknama and Rampur Haler exist.

In compartment No. 8 and 9, no grazing rights were allocated. The remaining seven compartments of Nandbir were subject to four year rotational closure, compartments 1, 3, 5 and 7 forming one block and compartment 2, 4 and 6 another block. The closure arrangement for these compartments is given inTable 4.4.

Table 4.4: Closure Arrangement

Comptt. No. Period from To 1, 3, 5 and 7 Ist Jan, 1947 31st Dec, 1950 1st Jan, 1955 31st Dec, 1958 1st Jan, 1963 31st Dec, 1966 1st Jan, 1971 31st Dec, 1974 1st Jan, 1979 31st Dec, 1982 1st Jan, 1987 31st Dec, 1990 1st Jan, 2003 31st Dec, 2008 1st Jan, 2009 31st Dec, 2012 and so on Comptt 2, 4 and 6 1st Jan, 1951 31st Dec, 1954 1st Jan, 1959 31st Dec, 1962 1st Jan, 1967 31st Dec, 1970 1st Jan, 1975 31st Dec, 1978 1st Jan, 1983 31st Dec, 1986 1st Jan, 1991 31st Dec, 1994 1st Jan, 1999 31st Dec, 2002 1st Jan, 2007 31st Dec, 2010 1st Jan, 2015 31st Dec, 2018

The whole forest is however closed to grazing in the rainy season from 1st July to 30th September.

It may be mentioned that there is no pasture land in the villages and the animals are totally dependent on the forest areas for grazing. Over the years the grazing pressure has increased due to increase in the number of cattle. Socio- economic survey done in 14 fringe villages of forests shows that the total livestock is 1835 of which cow represent 60.29 per cent, buffalo 38.24 per cent while goats accounted for 1.47 per cent only. It was noted that livestock rearing was not being used as a means of livelihood. The survey also showed that the cattle of about 40 per cent households grazed in the forest area as well as in the van panchayat areas. The stall feeding though not common was being practiced by people.

Due to incessant grazing and spread of lantana, the growth of palatable grasses has decreased and non-palatable species increased. The maximum

33 representation is made by grass species like Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon fulvus, Cymbopogon martini, Cynodon dactylon, Digiteria sanguinalis, Eragrostis tenella, Eulaliopsis binata, Imperata cylindrica, Oplismenus burmanii, Panicum antidotale, Sacharum spontaneum, Setaria glauca and Sorghum halepense.

4.5 Lopping practices:

Bamboos, bahera, kachnar, Diopyros tomentosa, Butea frondosa, khair and various other species are lopped for fodder. The lopping is usually carried out in the winter season when grasses are weathering. The loppers do not have consideration for the age of the tree when found in Government land, though they have the plan to restrict lopping to the younger trees on the lower half portion of the tree. Usually, trees upto the top leaving a few small growing branches at the top are spared. This heavy lopping leads to drying of trees in the season of severe cold and frost. Before 1903, villages used to lop bamboo for fodder in the rainy season when areas were closed for grazing. This harmful practice was abandoned in the interest of forests, again allowing the opening of forest throughout the year except for three months when culms are produced and established. This proposal was agreed to by the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur on behalf of the right holders and sanctioned by the Conservator of Forests in 1903. Under this condition no lopping is permitted but the forests is open to grazing for the village cattle throughout the year. Small areas can be closed for artificial regeneration of the area. This agreement is open to reconsideration in certain eventualities, for example, during the time of gregarious flowering of bamboos.

4.6 Area infested by invasive weed species in forests

Lantana camara, Parthenium histerophorus, Ageratum conyzoides and Cannabis sativa are the invasive weed species that have overgrown in the area affecting the biodiversity.Lantana camara is by far the most obnoxious weeds of the Shiwalik hills of Punjab locally called phulbuti or panchphuli. The weed is considered to have been introduced from tropical Central America in 1810 AD. Because of its wide adaptability, prolific seed bearing capacity and its ability to propagate vegetatively as well, fast growth and a strong light demanding habit, has invaded the forests in a big way. Being an alien species, it has invaded areas so thickly that it has affected the species diversity, productivity of land and

34 thereby changing the ecology of the area. It has also deleterious effects on the health of animals, particularly cows, when browsed accidentally. Studies in Shiwalik hills showed that in the infested areas, it neither favoured palatable nor non-palatable species under its cover. Because of its fast growth, it overtakes the economically important species and negates the effort of afforestsation as well. So far, to eradicate lantana and utilize it for economical conversion to tradeable products or biomass energy have failed. According to our estimate about 70 per cent of the total forest areas is infested with lantana. Areas on moderated slopes of Brindaban where moderately dense crop of bamboo has come up, Lantana has decreased, whereas areas with gaps are thickly infested with this weed. There are compartments of Karanpur and Bindraban where frequency of Lantana is 100 per cent and IVI is more than 100. (Table 4.5). There is a serious depletion of biodiversity in these areas.

Table 4.5: Areas having 100% frequency of Lantana

Forest Compartment Density No./ha IVI Karanpur C1a 76000 119.44 C1b 115000 102.95 C2 93000 181.30 C3a 75000 191.60 C3b 63800 234.96 C4 41000 88.40 C5 62000 190.62 C6 36600 70.55 C7 65500 66.46 C8 65500 116.87 C8 63000 89.16 C10 92000 93.21 Bindraban C1a 76000 116.01 C2 48200 88.93 C8 66000 94.79 C9 62000 100.57 C10 37800 78.45 Nandbir C1 33000 93.91 C3 30000 74.08

4.7 Incidence of pests and diseases:

Termites though causing negligible damage in standing bamboos, but when feeding on dying and dead culms, they climb up bamboo culms and cause the new culm to originate high up causing congestion in culms. Bamboos are also attacked by culm and shoot borer of the species Cyrtotrachelus longimanus. The bamboo leaf roller Pyrausta bambucivora is reported to be a pest and

35 particularly active in nallahs during July-October. The smooth naked pinked larvae feed inside the rolled leaves of the host and eventually they pupate in cocoons. Two to three leaves are sometimes rolled together. The species has four generations in a year.

Apart from bamboo pests, Khair and Dalbergia sissoo are attacked by Ganoderma lucidum, of which fruit bodies are found on the base of trees. In some situations mortality of trees is found in patches. Khair is attacked by witches broom in some localities.

4.8 Forest degradation and its drivers:

There are no two opinions that bamboo forests have degraded over the years. The degradation process has started long back with the permission to graze the animals in the forests even in the growing season. Later with the rise of population of both humans and animals, opening of forests for right holders for 32 villages in the fringe of forests, and the increasing incidences of illicit removal of bamboos, the crop degradation has obviously happened. Coupled with the non-working of congested culms, non-adherence to cleaning operations, the crop has deteriorated. This can be further evident due to the fact, that yield has decreased in the past working plans: Even the areas covered with bamboos have slowly taken over by the dry scrub forests and due to absence of natural regeneration, the areas had to be planted with non-bamboo species. The identifiable drivers of change are:

1. Invasion of Lantana camara: Due to heavy invasion the bamboo regeneration has ceased to occur. 2. Biotic pressure of the fringe villages: Biotic pressure due to grazing and illicit removal of culms has damaged the crop and its regeneration. 3. Non-working of bamboo forests: Non-working and non-cleaning of clumps have made the clumps dead and dried, which in turn has affected the new growth.

4.9 Pollution Control and protection of environment: The forests are away from the townships and industry, therefore not prone to environmental pollution of the order which can affect their growth and quality.

Fig. 4.1 Heavy Lantana infestation in the forests

CHAPTER V

CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SOIL AND

WATER RESOURCES

5.1 Area treated under soil and water conservation measures:

The Shiwalik hills being geologically younger, suffer from various forms of land degradation as a result of faulty land management practices in the past. The steep slopes and undulating terrain accelerate soil erosion during the monsoon season giving rise to ever deepening gullies and formation of torrents (choes) which further degrade productive lands and causes wide spread damage to infrastructure. Due to this reason, attempts have been made in the past under various schemes like Integrated Watershed Development Project I & II and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (1996-2007) to rehabilitate the degraded hills through afforestsation and soil conservation measures. The measures included construction of brush wood checkdams, dry stone masonary check dams, continuous live hedges, crate wire structures in streams/choes, silt retention dams, cement masonary structures and run-off drainage structures. Alongwith this, landslides and land slips are being rehabilitated with vegetative and concrete structures. To recharge the ground water and to improve percolation, renovation of existing ponds is being done in the villages and new ponds are being constructed. Ponds are also maintained in the forest areas for the benefit of wild animals. In the areas closed under Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900, to efficiently utilize the water for irrigation purposes in the area, Makkowal type tanks are constructed to improve irrigation facilities for cultivation of off-season crops and cash-crops. The implementation of such a technical package requires proper survey, planning, design of cost-effeective structures, judicious integration of vegetative and mechanical measures and people‟s participation. Many earthen dams, artificial barrages, multipurpose dams with small and big reservoirs have also been constructed recently for augmenting irrigation facilities in this area, the detail of which is given in Table 5.2

In the past working plan period, areas vulnerable to soil erosion in Nandbir, Karanpur and Bindraban forests have been treated with soil conservation works of the above description, the details of which are given in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1: Soil conservation works carried out in the past working plan period Year Forests Comptt. No. Brush wood Dry stone check Cont. live check dam (m) dam (m³) hedge (m) 1999-2000 Karanpur 1b - 923.51 - -do- 2 - 463.94 - -do- 3b 1408 647.12 - -do- 4 3968 2153.12 - -do- 5 3472 1430.75 - -do- 6 - 1558.23 - -do- 7 989 657.29 - -do- 8 1482 1142.72 - -do- 9 9935 367.21 - -do- 10 - 128.72 - Bindraban - 512 889.26 5788 Nandbir - 6110 1918.92 3945 2000-01 Karanpur 1a - 317.34 - -do- 1b - 463.94 - -do- 2 - 1430.75 - -do- 4 - 1350.72 - -do- 5 - 1558.23 - -do- 6 1160 1663.68 - -do- 7 - 657.29 - -do- 8 - 1142.72 - -do- 9 - 307.21 - -do- 10 - 128.72 - Bindraban - - 2445.57 - Nandbir - - 5017.64 - 2001-02 Karanpur 1a & 1b 29 - - -do- 3a 318 - - -do- 8 and 9 153 - - 2002-03 Karanpur 3a - Single line spur - (1500m) 2003-04 -do- 3a 200 -do- (1625m) - 2004-05 -do- 4 500 - - -do- 5 500 - - 2007-08 -do- 3 - 845.25 cratewise structure 2008-09 -do- 3a - 1153.00 -do- -do- 1 - 130.57 - -do- 2 - 167.49 - -do- 5 - 144.90 - -do- 4 - 164.71 - -do- 3 - 67.18 - 2011-12 Nandbir 4 - 450.00 - -do- 6 - 51.84 - -do- 7 - 332.44 -

Apart from above, there is about 600 ha area that needs to be treated for soil conservation. Both the area treated and required to be treated should be shown on the map.

Table 5.2 Earthen dams constructed in the area

Year Detail of work Volume of Area Range work/ No. 2006-07 Cement masonary structure 2 No. Labhar Talwara-I Pond 1 No. Chattarpur Talwara-I 2007-08 Cement Masonary structure 1 No. Rampur Badla Earthern dam 1 No. Rampur Badla 2008-09 Cement masonary structure 1 No. Labhar Talwara-I Cement masonary structure 1 No. Rampur Badla Earthern Dam 1 No. Hardo Badla neknama Eastern Dam 2 No. Rampur Badla Pond 1 No. Dadial Talwara-I 2009-10 Cement masonary structure 1 No. Hardo Badla Neknama Earthern Dam 1 No. Hardo Badla Neknama

5.2 Duration of water flow in the selected seasonal streams:

There are records to show that a number of perennial streams were flowing into the forests of Hoshiarpur, not in the distant past, however due to reckless felling and grazing in the forests, the intensity of erosion had increased to such an extent that these streams turned into seasonal streams and instead the loads of silt blocked the paths of streams and turned them into flash flood channels called choes. There are a number of choes now in the Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir forests wherein the flow of water is resumed only during the rains. Even the soil and water conservation measures alongwith afforestsation have so far not been able to resume flow in the streams and choes. The description of choes is given in the Table 5.3.

5.3 Wetlands in forest areas: There are no wetlands in the forests. A new pond was constructed in the year 2008-2009 in the Karanpur forests to replenish the water for wild animals.

5.4 Water level in the wells in the vicinity (upto 5 km) of forests area

Due to overexploitation of water through tubewells, the depth of water in most parts of the state ranges between 10 to 20 metres below groundwater level

40 except in the southwestern parts where due to water logging it is less than 5m. The decadal fluctuation in water level is between 2m to 4m. On an average the water table is declining at the rate of 20 cm per year.

Table 5.3 Seasonal choes in the forests

Forest Choe Name Comptt. No. Max. Width Length Water flow

Karanpur Beh Lakhan 6, 7 20 m 3 km Seasonal

Beh Mawa Choe 7, 8, 9 40 m 3.5 km Seasonal

Fatehpur Choe 1a 10 m 1 km Seasonal

Sri Pandian Choe 2, 1b 40 m 2.5 km Seasonal

Bhera Choe 3a 15 m 1.5 km Seasonal

Sandpur Choe 3a, 3b 30 m 1.5 km Seasonal

Nagar Choe 4, 5 50 m 2.5 km Seasonal

Kuttanwala Choe 5 20 m 1.5 km Seasonal

Dhar Choe 5 10 m 0.5 km Seasonal

Rajwal Choe 5 10 m 0.5 km Seasonal

Bindraban Karanghri Choe 7 5 m 2.00 km Seasonal

Billanwala Choe 10 7 m 1.00 km Seasonal

Bhoondawala Choe 7 10 m 2.50 km Seasonal

Jullianwala Choe 7 8 m 2.50 km Seasonal

Karehawala Choe 8 7 m 2.00 km Seasonal

Baherewala Choe 9 7 m 2.00 km Seasonal

Baherewala Choe 10 10 m 2.00 km Seasonal

Nandbir Thanda Choe 8, 9 4-5 m 1.00 km Perennial

As per the assessment done in 2008-09 by the Central Groundwater Commission, out of 137 hydro-geological blocks into which the state is divided, 110 blocks are over exploited (exploitation over 100%), 3 blocks are critical (exploitation 90% to 100% and hence called dark blocks), 2 blocks are semi- critical (exploitation 70% - 90% and hence called grey blocks) and only 23 blocks are in safe category (exploitation below 70% and called white blocks). In fact

41 most of these white or safe blocks are situated in the hilly zone of the state. In the sub-mountainous area of the state, there is a tremendous scope for watershed management. The role of forests in conserving water and recharging the water table is well known. Retaining of forest cover in this area can save the waters of Punjab. The water level as surveyed in the area lies between 120 to 160m.

CHAPTER VI

MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST

RESOURCE PRODUCTIVITY

6.1 Growing stock of Wood:

Analysis of growing stock is necessary to know the capacity and potential of the forest to have tree growth and also to calculate harvestable yield in the working plan as also for future management to maintain the forest in the similar condition as a selection forest. As the objective of forest management is gradually shifting towards regular flow of income and ecosystem services to local community keeping conservation and ecological security as the larger objective, the harvestable yield and the increment of the forest has to be considered to arrive at the crucial decision of sustainable management. The Nandbir forest having the miscellaneous crop of trees has been managed under the Selection System in the past. However, in this forest only Khair trees, thought to be economical in the past had been enumerated. The results of enumeration in 1968 and 1998 are given in the Table 6.1

6.2 Estimation of Total Growing Stock: Forest Resource Assessment methodology as prescribed in the “National Working Plan Code-2014” was used to assess the total growing stock of trees and biomass. In each compartment number of sample plots were laid out after reconnaissance of the forest area so that representation of all site qualities, type and structure of forests was ensured.Detail of sample plots, their geographical coordinates and compartments are given in Annexure 1a. The details are also shown in Fig 6.1 to 6.3. While approaching the sample plot observational assessment of site quality, tree species, composition, its health, density and crop age etc. were recorded in the Plot Approach Form I. Presence of special features such as blanks, scattered trees, plantations raised etc. were noted. Information on NTFP yielding species, intensity of invasive species, faunal sights and their traces, special wildlife habitats and drivers of deforestation were recorded.

Table 6.1 Results of enumeration of Khair in Nandbir Forests. Class of trees Year Comptt. Area V IV III IIA IIB IA IB Total Vol. (ha) (cum) 1968 1 65.2 - 30 2 - - - - 32 5.60 1988 1 65.2 180 82 15 - - - - 277 29.55 1968 2 55.9 - 27 1 - - - - 28 4.60 1988 2 55.9 182 117 17 - - - - 316 36.00 1968 3 27.5 - 2 - - - - - 2 0.30 1988 3 70.0 70 78 18 - - - - 166 25.0 1968 4 91.0 - 88 4 - - - - 92 15.40 1988 4 91.0 188 120 32 - - - - 340 70.1 1968 5 95.9 - 240 17 - - - - 257 95.35 1988 5 95.9 172 135 28 - - - - 335 44.25 1968 6 72.4 - 182 12 - - - - 194 33.90 1988 6 72.4 402 240 43 - - - - 685 79.75 1968 7 77.7 - 327 39 1 - - - 367 71.60 1988 7 77.7 300 200 21 - - - - 521 56.55 1968 8 85.8 - 572 58 5 1 - - 636 157.1 1988 8 85.8 290 195 49 - - - - 534 70.7 1968 9 162.3 - 282 10 2 - - - 294 50.0 1988 9 162.3 218 195 55 - - - - 468 70.4 Total 733.7 - 1750 143 8 1 - - 1902 383.85 1968 Total 733.7 2002 1362 278 - - - - 3642 482.3 1988

After reaching the sample plot, a square plot of 0.1 ha was laid out measuring 22.36m horizontal distance i.e. half of the diagonal in all the four directions. After checking the dimensions of the plot, latitude, longitude and altitude coordinates were recorded. The main plot was used for recording the trees and bamboo stocking. The enumeration of trees was done by measuring the diameter/girth of each tree found in the sample plot. In case of bamboos, each clump was enumerated by taking its height, number of first, second and three year old culms, dried, congested culms and overall condition of the culms. Information on regeneration and status of crop, injury to crop, grazing incidence, fire incidence, soil type, gradient of slope etc. were gathered and recorded.

The data of shrubs, climbers and regeneration status from all quadrats of 3m×3m laid out at a distance of 30 metres from the centre of the main plot of 0.1ha was collected and recorded in the plot enumeration form. The data of herbs from all nested quadrats of 1m×1m laid within each quadrat of 3m×3m was collected and recorded in the plot enumeration form.

The recorded data was analysed compartment wise to find the stocking of trees and other ecological parameters.

The results show that growing stock is represented by about 31 tree species in various proportions. The most predominant species include Acacia catechu, Acacia modesta, Cassia fistula, Diospyros tomentosa, Holoptelia integrifolia, Lannea grandis, Butea monosperma and Bauhinia variegata. Going by the number of trees, it is apparent that Acacia catechu and Holoptelia integrifolia contributed 23.13 per cent and 22.30 per cent to the total growing stock, respectively. However, going by the volume Lannea grandis emerged as the most important species contributing as much as 28.39 per cent of the total growing stock. Holoptelia integrifolia came to second position contributing 16.87 per cent to the total growing stock by volume. All other species contributed more than 54 per cent. This is because the young age class of trees predominate and mature age class was deficient. This was further evident when diameter classes were plotted against number of trees. The trees of 60cm and above diameter class were absent. But it must be conceded that the except this deficiency, the forest is fairly balanced. This graph however does not give the picture that how many more trees can be accommodated in the higher diameter classes. From the structure and composition of forest, it will be advisable to develop the forest as a selection forest with fair distribution of trees of all classes and species.

700000

600000

500000

400000

300000

Number of trees 200000

100000

0 10 to 20 20 to 30 30 to 40 40 to 50 50 to 60 60 to 70 70 to 80 Diameter Classes (cm.)

Fig. 6.1: Number of Trees in diameter classes

Table 6.2: Total Growing Stock (No. of Trees)

70 & 11-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 60-70 above Total Species cm cm cm cm cm cm cm Trees

Acacia calechu 130975 99773 10197 412 - - - 241337

Acacia modesta 45777 23422 5573 - - 724 - 75496

Cassia fistula 31213 5286 - - - - - 36499 Diospyros 35387 4794 7033 510 - - - 47704 tomentosa Holoptelia 166765 5827 10314 2175 - 1623 - 232704 integrifolia Lannea grandis 9644 30140 19660 14538 6214 530 750 81476

Tectona grandis 7105 2110 140 90 - - - 9445

Other species 211150 75195 24100 7643 188 153 80 318549

Total 638016 292597 77017 25368 6402 3030 830 1043210

Table 6.3: Total Growing Stock (Volume of trees in cum)

70 & 11-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 Total 60-70 above Species cm cm cm cm cm Volume cm cm (cum)

Acacia calechu 6548.75 14965.95 5608.35 453.20 - - - 27576.25

Acacia modesta 2288.85 3513.30 3065.15 - - 2027.20 - 10894.50

Cassia fistula 1560.65 792.90 - - - - - 2353.55 Diospyros 1769.35 719.10 3868.15 561.00 - - - 6917.60 tomentosa Holoptelia 8338.25 7774.05 5672.70 2392.50 - 4544.40 - 28721.90 integrifolia Lannea grandis 482.20 4521.0 10813.00 15991.80 12428.00 1484.00 2625.00 48345.00

Tectona grandis 355.25 316.50 77.00 99.00 - - - 847.75

Other species 10557.50 11279.25 13255.00 8407.30 376.00 428.40 280.00 44583.45

Total 31900.80 43882.05 42359.35 27904.80 12804.00 8484.00 2905.00 170240.00

6.2.1 Total growing stock of Bamboos: The total growing stock of bamboos

assessed is given in Table 6.4.

Table 6.4: Total growing stock of Bamboos

Total No. No. of No. of Clumps Culms per Total No. Forest of clumps congested open per ha clump of culms clumps clumps Karanpur 203945 116755 87190 64.61 21.63 4412890 Bindraban 113025 41045 71980 94.26 40.85 4617180

Total 316970 157800 159170 79.43 31.24 9030070

The total bamboo culms in Karanpur and Bindraban forests are estimated to be 90.30 lakhs. Out of the total clums, about 49.78 per cent or 50 per cent are congested and need rehabilitation at the earliest. The average culms per clump are also estimated to be 31.24, which is fairly low.

Compartment wise area under congested clumps has been estimated to be 929.79 ha as given in Table 6.5.

It is clear that in Karanpur forests not only the number of congested clumps is high but culms per hectare are also low, as a result the total number of culms in Karanpur forests are less than that of Bindraban forests though the area of Karanpur forest is more than the Bindraban forests. This conclusively proves that the bamboo forests of Karanpur are more degraded as compared to Bindraban.

Compartment wise area under congested clumps has been estimated as given in Table 6.5.

Table 6.5: Area of bamboo forests under congested clumps

Forest Comptt. Congested Forest Comptt. No. Congested Area (ha) Area (ha) Karanpur 1a 22.0 Bindraban 1 87.30

1b 38.50 2 33.51

2 57.50 3 13.84

3a 46.60 4 3.12

3b 29.78 5 6.85

4 116.65 6 5.30

5 223.65 7 19.30

6 32.04 8 18.39

7 65.82 9 10.28

8 50.76 10 20.76

9 15.54

10 12.30

Total 711.14 Total 218.65

6.3 Increment in volume of identified timber species:

On moderate sites to which these forests subscribe rate of growth of khair in diameter and height is given in Table 6.6

Table 6.6: Rate of growth of diameter and height for Khair

Age (years) Height (m) Diameter (cm) MAI (m³) 10 10.6 21.1 0.323 15 13.3 23.5 0.665 20 15.3 25.4 0.907 25 16.8 26.9 1.061 30 18.1 28.3 1.153 35 19.2 29.4 1.999 40 20.1 30.5 1.227 45 20.9 31.4 1.237 50 21.6 32.2 2.238 55 22.3 32.9 1.232 60 22.8 33.5 1.224

As Khair keeps on growing and adding heartwood at the age of 60 years, the rotation of the species should not be kept below this age.

6.4 Efforts towards enhancement of forest productivity through quality plantation activities:

To enhance the productivity of forests, it is imperative to stock the blank areas by planting with improved planting material. As Bambusa arundinacea, B. tulda and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii are growing well in these bamboo areas, it is intended to introduce these species. Further well drained soils can be planted with Khair and Holoptelia integrifolia. However, the success of the plantation will depend on the eradication of lantana till the establishment age after which the species will take care to suppress lantana with their shade. In the identified areas, teak and Diospyros tomentosa should be planted for better productivity. There is a considerable scope to enhance the productivity of these forests with silvicultural measures and providing protection.

6.5 Carbon stock:

Biomass studies for carbon stock assessment are carried out separately for bamboo forests of Karanpur and Brindaban and miscellaneous forests of

Nandbir. The enumeration of bamboos is done as per the methodology adopted by the Forest Survey of India for conducting National Forest Inventory. The number of clumps per hectare and the number of culms in each diameter class is measured alongwith their green and dry weight for the current, one year and two year culms. The dry weight and green weight is taken for decayed and dry culms also. From these observations, the above ground biomass is calculated. For below ground biomass, biomass of litter, rhizomes and the soil is taken separately and added to the above ground biomass to arrive at the total biomass. The carbon stock is finally calculated using the biomass-carbon relationship applied by the FSI. Thus total carbon stock of these forests is arrived at. This will be useful as a baseline to find out the carbon sequestration capacity of these forests and their management keeping in view this object in mind.

6.6 Carbon Estimation of Forests:

Carbon estimation of Bamboos: At the time of Resource Assessment Survey, samples of different aged bamboo culms were taken from each compartment of bamboo bearing forests. The green weight of culms and fresh weight of branches and leaves were recorded at the site. The samples were taken to the laboratory for assessment of carbon contained in the bamboo culms and their leaves.

Table 6.7: Carbon Estimation of Bamboos

Bamboo Green wt. Dry wt. Fresh wt. Dry wt. Total Total Class of culms of culms of of above above (kg) (kg) branches branches ground ground & leaves &leaves green dry wt. (kg) (kg) wt. (kg) (Kg) Karanpur Forest Current year 6.89 1.378 1.312 0.2625 8.202 1.640 Ist year 4.35 0.87 1.028 0.2056 5.378 1.075 IInd year & above 8.25 1.65 1.862 0.3725 10.112 2.022 Av wt. 4.496 1.299 1.401 0.2802 7.897 1.579 Bindraban Forest Current year 8.75 1.75 1.312 0.2625 10.062 2.012 Ist year 5.14 1.028 1.028 0.2056 6.168 1.233 IInd year & above 7.45 1.490 1.862 0.3725 9.312 1.862 Av wt. 7.113 1.422 1.401 0.2802 8.514 1.702

Table 6.8: Total Carbon in Bamboo Forests

Forest Total No. Above Below Total C Total of culms ground ground (kg) Carbon in C(kg) (kg) Tonnes Bindraban 4681480 1498074 299614.7 1797688 1797.688 Karanpur 4412890 1323867 264773.4 1588640 1588.640 Total 9094370 2821941 564388.1 3386328 3386.328

Thus, the total carbon contained in the bamboo forests of Karanpur and Bindraban is estimated to be 3386.328 tonnes. The per ha carbon stored is 1.328 tonnes which is quite low. The above ground carbon storage makes as high as 23.33 per cent whereas the below ground contribution is 16.67 per cent. The analysis show that contribution of bamboo biomass to the carbon pool is very low as compared to the contribution made by tree components in other terrestrial ecosystems. However, there is a vast scope for harnessing the potential of carbon sequestration of these forests by adopting the suitable silvicultural and management practices enumerated in this working plan.

Soil Carbon: Soil organic carbon is next to above-ground biomass in terms of its contribution to the incremental total carbon stock in forests and plantations. There is also a relationship between soil organic C and the site characteristics such as the deciduous or evergreen vegetation, climate and rainfall conditions. During Resource Assessment Survey, soil samples were collected from each compartment as per the standard procedures. These samples were tested for C content in the soil laboratory of the FRI. The results are produced below:

Table 6.9: Soil Carbon estimation in the forests

Forest Total area Soil wt. (kg) Soil C % Total Soil C (ha) (kg) Karanpur 1456.1 3662750000 1.288 43953000 Bindraban 1202.7 4810800000 1.378 62540400 Nandbir 733.7 2201100000 0.980 21570780 Average 3392.5 10674650000 1.215 128064180

The carbon storage in the soil thus comes to 37.74 tonnes / ha. The results are quite comparable to the recent studies made on the carbon content of soils of

Uttrakhand. In teak plantation of uttrakhand, the carbon storage in soil was reported to be 41.12 tonnes /ha.

Biomass estimation of forests: After the assessment of growing stock of volume of trees, their biomass was estimated by application of standard equations and methodology developed by the FSI. Compartment wise estimation of biomass for Karanpur, Bindrban and Nandbir forests is given in Table 6.10 and Figures 6.4, 6.5 and 6.6.

Total Carbon Content: On the basis of estimates given in the previous pages, the total carbon content in the forest (except shrubs and herbs) of the tract has been arrived as under (Table 6.11).

Table 6.11 Total Carbon Content (tonnes)

Forest Bamboo C Soil C Tree C (tonnes) Total Carbon Karanpur 1588.640 43953.00 1987.170 47518.810 Bindraban 1797.688 62540.400 2574.007 66912.095 Nandbir – 21570.780 7190.260 28761.04 Total 3386.328 128064.180 11751.437 143201.945

The estimates show that total carbon contained in the forests is 43.63 tonnes/ha. It must be mentioned that the carbon content of shrubs and herbs which make a major past of carbin pool in these forests has not been calculated. Of the total carbon, contribution by soil carbon is the maximum and contribution by tree and bamoo components is significantly low. This show that there is a large potential for enhancing the carbon sequestration of these forests.

6.7 Carbon sequestration and mitigation: Efforts will be taken to enhance the carbon sequestration of these forests taking the calculated carbon stock as the baseline. It must be recognized that a balanced crop having representation of all diameter and height classes is ideal for maximum carbon sequestration. A growing forest, with healthy and vigorous crop is the signature for the maximum sequestration crop. Forest soil must be kept as healthy and fertile as possible and the forest crops must be kept as vigorous as possible to produce as rapidly as they can till the biomass production attains its maximum desirable level.

Table 6.10: Biomass estimation of Trees

Forest Comptt. Total Vol Biomass Biomass of Biomass of Total Tree No. (cum) of tree root branches biomass bole (qtl) (qtl) (qtl) (qtl.)

Karanpur C1a 4291.9 2242.34 448.47 4.480 2695.29

C1b 2939.7 1526.57 305.31 3.05 1834.93

C2 8006.33 7230.45 1446.08 14.47 8691.00

C3a 3184.50 1658.66 331.73 3.50 1993.89

C3b 1024.17 528.56 105.71 1.05 635.32

C4 17902.98 10474.73 2094.94 20.95 12590.61

C5 6839.04 4818.10 1363.61 12.63 6194.35

C6 2659.00 1733.45 346.69 3.47 2083.61

C7 5085.22 11578.80 2315.76 23.15 13917.71

C8 9617.15 6977.57 1395.52 13.93 8387.02

C9 4730.08 2345.38 469.07 3.68 2818.14

C10 5425.30 3605.93 780.66 7.23 4393.82 Total 71705.37 54720.54 11403.55 111.59 66235.68

Bindraban C1a 26989.53 16151.00 3530.20 52.3 19733.50

C1b 19260.00 12298.73 2449.74 34.32 14732.79

C2 4062.44 2770.47 554.09 5.538 3330.09

C3 14082.20 9854.96 1970.99 19.70 11845.65

C4 312.80 179.58 35.92 0.36 215.86

C5 2204.26 1674.02 334.81 3.35 2012.18

C6 3487.60 2270.67 454.19 8.31 2733.17

C7 14358.64 10449.56 1989.90 24.91 12464.37

C8 8795.20 6850.93 1370.11 13.71 8234.75

C9 664.48 665.38 429.38 85.87 1180.63

C10 10162.40 7714.62 1542.92 10.63 10320.54 Total 104379.55 70879.92 14662.16 258.18 85800.26

Nandbir C1 3806.15 2846.61 449.32 20.67 3316.60

C2 6931.60 4198.80 839.76 83.97 5122.53

C3 2453.04 1581.91 297.47 29.74 1909.12

C4 82091.44 52398.47 12479.71 124.79 65002.97

C5 68998.26 32200.56 7890.75 78.90 40170.21

C6 32370.48 15684.82 3136.85 31.36 18853.03

C7 13737.56 8762.53 3198.591 31.98 11993.10

C8 63830.72 38067.53 12666.502 126.66 50860.69

C9 121360.18 86283.85 16507.31 235.07 103026.23 Total 333479.25 242025.08 57466.26 763.14 300254.48

The growing stock of trees must be so constituted that it provides regularly the greatest possible quantity of the desired products including the intangible benefits. All these will entail that the specific composition and the structure or form of the forest must harmonise with the environment for factors of the locality and the species grown and the methods of silviculture adopted must be suitable to the site to ensure full growth.

Fig 6.2 Distribution of samples in all forests

Fig 6.3 Map showing growing stock of trees in the forests

Fig 6.4 Map showing biomass of trees in the forests

CHAPTER VII

OPTIMISATION OF FOREST PRODUCE UTILISATION

7.1 Recorded removal of timber: Very light selection felling was prescribed to fell 690 trees of Khair and 455 trees of miscellaneous trees from 1998-99 to 2009-10 in Karanpur and Bindraban forests, under the Bamboo working circle against which no falling was done during the past working plan period. In case of Nandbir forests, the felling was prescribed for 675 trees of Khair and miscellaneous trees in the Rehabilitation working circle, against which no trees were felled leaving behind unrealized yield. On the whole, the fellings were very conservative, but this did not have any silvicultural gain.

7.2 Recorded removal of fuelwood: Forest fringe community uses different types of fuels like fuelwood, crop residues, cowdung cakes, electricity and LPG for cooking. On the basis of socio-economic survey done by the FRI, per capita consumption of fuelwood of Hoshiarpur district is 5.50 kg/day/household. The number of households in 14 fringe villages was estimated to be3827. According to this scale the total consumption in the 32 fringe villages comes to 14432 tonnes per annum. The socio-economic survey showed that fuelwood was the major source of energy for forest fringe households for cooking and heating. Fuelwood provided 89.75 per cent of total energy requirement which clearly reflects very high dependency. The fuelwood use also depended on state of affluence of household. While the poor people were solely dependent on fuelwood, the affluent class used both fuelwood and LPG for cooking. The major source of fuelwood was forests as 48.61 per cent was extracted from the forest, while 34.72 per cent was obtained from their own land. However, 12.5 per cent of fuelwood consumption was obtained from the market. The forest fringe communities in the sampled villages depend largely on Holoptelia integrifolia, Dendrocalamus strictus and Murraya koengii for their fuelwood requirements. The percentage use of various species for fuelwood is given as under:

Species % use Holoptelia interifolia 29.54 Dendrocalamus strictus 24.99 Murraya koengii 20.45 Acacia catechu 13.63 Eucalyptus 9.10 Others 2.29 Total 100.00

Out of this consumption about 50 per cent is extracted from the forests and the rest is met from the agriculture fields or areas closed under Section 4&5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900. Even this rate of removal alongwith removal of bamboos by rightholders is substantially responsible for degradation of forests areas in the fringes. However it must be recognized that headload removal of fuelwood by villagers has decreased substantially over the past working plan period due to increasing prosperity and availability of LPG in the villages. But a new trend of removal of fuelwood though cycles and motercycles has become popular(Fig 7.1).

Fig 7.1 Fuelwood export through motorcycles

7.3 Recorded removal of bamboo: The previous working plan (1998-99 to 2013-14) estimated the annual availability of 2.00 lakh bamboo culms from Bindraban and Karanpur forests. The estimated yield was not based on specific data and site evaluation. However, the total felling of bamboo culms amounted to 51,87,055 culms with an annual average of 3,45,803 culms which was 1.5 times than the estimated yield. In the absence of any estimated stock in the previous

56 working plan, excessive or limited felling cannot be ascertained. The details of removals of bamboos is given in the Table 7.1

7.4 Recorded removal of locally important NTFPs including MAPs: There is a wide scope of planting, augmentation, harvest and marketing of NTFPs in these forests. Based on these products, various income generating activities can be promoted in the area. Following are the important produces having potential for value addition and marketing:

1. Amla (Emblica officinalis)

2. Desi mango (Mangifera indica)

3. Neem (Azadirachta indica)

4. Amaltas (Cassia fistula)

5. Giloe (Tinospora cordifolia)

6. Gandla (Murraya koengii)

7. Basuti (Adhaoda vesica)

8. Bhabhar grass (Eulaliopsis binata)

Bhabhar grass is however the only NTFP that is given free of cost to the JFMCs for making ropes and other uses. There is no other NTFP worth the name that is sold or auctioned. However, there is a large potential of NTFPs such as amla fruits, bael fruits, medicinal plants that can sustain livelihoods of the neighbouring people.

Table 7.1: Details of bamboos harvested in the previous working plan period.

Year Forests Compartment No. Prescribed Worked yield yield (area in ha) No of No of Sale Amount Culms Bamboos (Rs) 1997-98 RIV Karanpur C-3(b), 4 and C-5 548 20071 65375 285500 Bindraban C-8,9 & 10 241.5 33899 42225 577000 Total 789.5 53970 107600 862500 1998-99 Karanpur c-1(a), 1(b), C-2, C-3 (a) 190 12300 27560 77500 Bindraban C-1 (b),2 ,3 & 7 323 392462 379595 2969600 Total 513 404762 407155 3047100 1999-2000 Karanpur C-7,8-9 263 162796 378880 2169500 Bindraban C-4,5&6 190 207016 297215 3171150 Total 453 369812 676095 5340650 2000-2001 Karanpur C-3(b),4 ,6 ,7 & 9 220 263413 390340 4499810 Bindraban C-8,9 & 10 182 480578 742830 7223190 Total 402 743991 1133170 11723000 2001-2002 Karanpur C-3 (a),C-4 190 210070 179057 1779800 Bindraban C-1 (b), 2, 3 & 7 323 156663 225080 2905200 Total 513 366733 404137 4685000 2002-2003 Karanpur C-2,4,6 & 7 263 178616 284360 2772910 C-8 0 9539 15485 PSFDC Bindraban C-1 (b) 4,5,8 &9 190 175434 251965 2434900 C-5 0 19351 27730 PSFDC Total 453 382940 579540 5207810 2003-2004 Karanpur C-8 & 9 220 59878 96260 894700 Bindraban C-6,7 & 9 182 98341 156355 1369135 Total 402 158219 252615 2263835 2004-2005 Karanpur C-3 (a) 190 75221 116352 1285500 Bindraban C-3 & 7 323 171065 253845 3150800 Total 513 246286 370197 4436300 2005-2006 Karanpur C-7,8,9 &10 263 221685 343094 4564500 Bindraban C-4,5 .6 &7 190 217551 342642 4568700 Total 453 439236 685736 9133200 2006-2007 Karanpur C-3 (b),4 ,6, 8 &9 220 317225 464810 7753400 Bindraban C-8,9 & 10 182 286846 421505 6874000 Total 402 604071 886315 14627400 2007-2008 Karanpur C-1 (a) ,1 (b),C- 2,C-3 190 91686 123644 2575825 (a) Bindraban C-2 ,3 & 7 323 287291 436120 10103500 Total 513 378977 559764 12679325 2008-2009 Karanpur C-7,8 263 52712 73915 1865300 Bindraban C-4,5 & 6 190 232284 358991 8354800 Total 453 284996 432906 10220100 2009-2010 Karanpur C-3(b) 220 59194 81705 1357100 Bindraban C-8 182 62139 99085 1920500 Total 402 121333 180790 3277600 2010-2011 Karanpur C-1 (a) ,2,C-3 (a),3 190 65471 102715 1653300 (b) Bindraban C-2 ,3& 7 . 323 154932 259390 5164400 Total 513 220403 362105 6817700 2011-2012 Karanpur C-8-9 &10 263 80151 144335 2429500 Bindraban C-4,5,&.6 190 126334 220045 4548000 Total 453 206485 364380 6977500 2012-2013 Karanpur C-3 (b), 4 & 6 220 78176 133810 2860700 Bindraban C-8,9 & 10 182 99939 184530 1021863 26726 48555 1205700 Total 402 204841 366895 5088263 G.Total - 5187055 7769400

7.5 Demand and supply of timber and important non-timber forest products :

Local timber market is very well established. Main mandies of this region are Hoshiarpur, Dasuya, Tanda, Mukerian, Gardhiwala and Garhshankar. The woods normally traded for furniture and construction works are Shisham and Eucalyptus besides imported timber of deodar, kail and Malaysian timbers. Eucalyptus and Poplars extensively grown under agroforestry are traded for plywood and paper industries. Eucalyptus is also sold as ballies for scaffolding. Bamboos have a traditional old market at Mukerian, Dasuya and Hoshiarpur. There is an annual sale of about Rs. 5.00 crores at Dasuya only. Bamboo is also put to traditional local uses for which there is a demand.

Khair is traded for its heartwood. A local katha factory at Mukerian has a demand for Khair wood. It also imports timber from other states. Kikar is used for fuelwood and agricultural implements. Baggar and munj are basically used for Ban making, paper and pulp industries. Leaves of Butea monosperma and Bauhinia vahlii are used for making leaf plates.

Rail and road network being extensive, timber and non-timber products are traded far and wide. The rates of timber have increased manifold in the past decade due to increased demand and inadequate availability of timber.

Government of Punjab vide its Notification No. G.S.R. 34/C.A. 16/1927/Ss. 41, 42, 51 and 76/2006 dated 07.07.2006 has framed rules for regulating the operation of saw mills, veneer mills and plywood industries in the state (Annexure III). The rules provide for registration of all wood-based industries according to their capacity and monitoring of their supply of raw material. This will be helpful in proper management of forests in the future.

CHAPTER VIII

MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF SOCIAL,

ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL BENEFITS

8.1 Number of JFM Committees and areas protected by them:

As envisaged in the National Forest Policy, 1988 the participation of people in the protection, management and development of forests has assumed more and more significance. In order to make the local communities as protectors and managers of forests rather than destroyers, there is an urgent need to establish a continuous dialogue with them. It is felt that foresters and local communities should work together in the formulation of plans for the management of forest resources. It is also envisaged that local communities would participate in the decision-making process on choice of species to be planted, areas to be afforested, protection of forests and benefit-sharing of usufructs. The concept of Joint Forest Management has been developed after a series of experiments and resolutions.

The concept of Joint Forest Management was first started in the state with the issuance of Punjab Government guidelines vide resolution No. 46/27/93-Ft- III/8284 dated 14/4/1993. These guidelines were subsequently revised and renotified in the year 2003 vide Panjab Government Notification No. 46/242/99- Ft-III/18759 dated 18/11/2003 in suppression of the earlier JFM guidelines and their subsequent amendments. (Annexure IV) The concept of JFM has been intended to cover the entire State of Punjab and is applicable to all the reserved, protected and unclassed forests of the state. The refurbished JFM process is now intended to adopt a three-pronged strategy to involve local people through Forest Protection Committees (PFCs), Non Government Organisations (NGOs), Voluntary Agencies (VAs)/ Religious Bodies/ Institutions and farmers. Village Forest Committess constituted under Forest Development Agencies have also been made part of JFM process.

JFM guidelines cover and regulate the constitution of FPCs and management committees, their duties and responsibilities towards forest

60 protection and conservation, preparation of micro plans for the development of the respective areas and benefit sharing with the people. Involvement of VAs has also been specified for carrying out afforestation and ancilliary works that are not intended to be carried out by FPCs. The FPCs are entitled for usufruct and non-timber forest produce (NTFP), rights in the assigned areas provided these FPCs discharge their duties and responsibilities as per the regulations contained in JFM guidelines. In case of NTFP, FPCs are entitled for collection/ removal of grasses, fruits, palm leaves etc. and lease of commercial NTFP. Bhabhar grass free of cost FPCs will also be provided with 25% of the revenue that will accrue to the Department from auctions/royalty of forest produce like timber, bamboos, khair etc.

The guidelines confer half of the income generated/ obtained by FPCs through sale/ revenue of forest produce will be ploughed back by FPCs into the JFM areas by investing this amount in conservation, protection and regeneration of forests. The balance is to be utilized for other development and welfare activities for the common benefit of the FPC members or in the form of direct distribution of appropriate share among its members.

In addition to above, JFM provides for carrying out entry point activities/ development activities in the JFM areas to establish a close and constructive support with the village committees. These development activities include improvement of school/ panchayat buildings, repairs of traditional water resources like baulis, village ponds etc. provision of training to women, landless and SCs to help them earn their livelihood through income generation activities like basket weaving, rope making, bee keeping etc.

As per the latest guidelines of the Govt. of India, all the JFMCs are coordinated under the Forest Development Agency in the Dasuya Forest Division. The FDA works under the State Forest Development Agency (SFDA).

Since the implementation, JFM has taken deep roots in Dasuya Forest Division. There are twelve JFMCs concerned with these forests in Rajwal, Dhar, Barhi, Heer Bah, Beh Lakhan, Beh Mawa, Fatehpur, Bhatoli, Rakri, Beh Dullo, Beh Vidhian, Beh Fattro, Deopur, Hardoneknama, Gagwa and Rampur Haler.

Besides there are 51 Forest Protection Committees in the Division of which following eight are active near these forests. These include Bering, Navrangpur, Plahr, Sansarpur, Rampur Haler, Beh Ranga, Beh Khushala and Beh Nangal.

These committees were granted special funds during the year 2003-04 under JFM for some entry point activities. With the help of these funds, the areas owned by panchayats, common lands of the villages and of private individuals have been planted under enrichment planting and carrying out silvipasture treatments. Soil conservation works like brushwood check dams, dry stone, masonry dams, live hedges etc have been undertaken the effect of which has resulted in the decrease of soil erosion and brought improvement in the soil regime due to moisture conservation.

Formation of Self-help groups: To reduce the pressure on the forests and to make the process of natural regeneration a substantiable one, the investment in people is a must. To enhance the income of the local people, alternative sources of income in the vicinity of forests are of vital importance. These self-help groups motivate the poor people for generating additional income through activities like poultry, rope making, basket making, toy making etc. In the vicinity of Karanpur and Bindraban self-help group in Panchyats have been constituted which have generated common capital.

8.2 Status of empowerment of JFMCs:

With the main aim of decentralizing the decision-making process by involvement of community both in planning and implementation of afforestation programmes, the JFMCs at the village level have been constituted and registered with Forest Development Agencies. The FDA is two-tier structure with executive body and a general body, the Conservator of Forests being the Chairperson and Divisional Forest Officer, the Member Secretary of these bodies. The committees are well represented by the district head of the development departments, Additional Deputy Commssioner, representatives of Zila Parishad and Presidents of VFCs/JFMCs. The member secretary of the VFCs/JFMCs is the block officer/ forester of the area. The JFMCs/VFCs function

62 for planning and decision-making, preparation of micro-plans using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and capacity building of community members at the gross root level. The meetings of the JFMCs are held regularly and proceedings are recorded on the register. The general body meeting of the JFMCs are held once in a year.

Fig 8.1 A Sacred pipal tree at Deri Mata Ki

8.3 Labour Welfare: Labour on daily wages is employed directly by the Forest Guard of the area as and when the need arises. The labour laws are enforced and minimum wages notified by the labour Department from time to time are paid. Uptil now, the Muster rolls are maintained by the Forest Guard and the attendance is registered daily in the morning at the start of work and in the evening at the end of day. Labour under the Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme is employed as per the work plan engaging the workers registered by the Programme Officer of the Panchayats. Wages under MGNREGA are paid within a fortnight. In the departmental works the payment of wages is transferred to the bank accounts of the wagers. This has reduced the pilferage of money for other uses.

8.4 Use of Indigenous Knowledge: Survey of indigenous knowledge of the fringe villages shall be taken and records will be maintained about the possible uses of art and craft of bamboos and medicinal plants.

8.5 Extent of cultural/sacred groves: Following sacred groves are reported from the tract dealt with:

Forest Temple grove Sacred trees Bindraban Sodhnag Pipal, Bohr Karanpur Harabba devi Bohr Nandbir Tilla Misc. forest Bindraban Kamai Devi – Bindraban Deri Mata Di Pipal

8.6 Ecotourism areas and activities: The river Beas which flows west of the forests before it descends to the plains has been dammed at Pong village and is the basis for the multi-purpose hydroelectric project. The lake area of the dam is spread over 13.78 sq km area in the criss-cross of hilly tract and gives a spectacular view and is the abode of birds particularly migratory birds from Afghanistan, China, Russia, Mangolia, Siberia and Tibet. In the season of 2013, about 1.23 lakh migratory birds of mallards, coots, brahminy ducks, barheaded geese, pochards, gulls and grebs were congregated. Shah Nahar Canal System is one of the oldest irrigation systems originating from the Mukerian Hydel Channel and developed further in 1983. All these water bodies are the well known tourist spots attracting public from far-off areas.

Basket making from bamboos with traditional vegetative colours and designs which is slowly dying in the region can be revived through the support of income-generating activities of the Dasuya Forest Development Agency.

The Forest Department has also established a medicinal plants garden in an area of 10 ha at Bhatoli, Talwara, which has the potential of becoming a environmental awareness destination.

8.7 Social Customs:

The people of the area have special liking for pickles of bamboo shoots. Bamboo baskets are also used auspiciously for various customs in the society.

Local fairs on religious dieties are held frequently where moderate gatherings emerge.

8.8 Status of compliance of Forest Rights Act (FRA) :

There are no notified scheduled tribes in the area, therefore the referred Act does not apply.

8.9 Other Rights and Concessions:

Right of way and to take away dead, dry wood from open areas is common to these forests. Other rights for Reserved Forests and Protected Forests are given under:

Reserved Forests: Before 1903, one-half of Karanpur was open to the grazing of the cattle of 16 villages throughout the year except for 3 months of the rains (July, August and September) when the whole forest was closed; the inhabitants of these villages were also allowed to take firewood from the open portions, and were entitled to receive bamboos for their own use on payment of the cost of cutting and carriage to Forest Depots. Similar rights were exercised in Bindraban Reserve Forest by 16 villages, only in this forest the portion closed throughout the year amounted to two-thirds of the whole. In addition to these recorded rights the people were accustomed to lop the bamboos for fodder. This practice was the cause of much damage, and to a larger extent of the congested condition of the clumps, for shoots, the top of which had been cut for fodder, were useless for sale and were left to gradually die down and choke the clumps. On the other hand the system of partial closure was a considerable hardship to the villagers situated on the side of the forests furthest removed from the portion open at any given time. It was, therefore, recognized that the system required modification and proposals were made to the Deputy Commissionor of Hoshiarpur in 1903 that lopping should be put a stop to and, in return, that the forests should be opened throughout the year, with the exception of the three monsoon months and the closure, when necessary, of small areas which it was desired to restock artificially. This arrangement which had been agreed to by the Deputy

Commissioner on behalf of the people and sanctioned by the Conservator is in force at the present time.

In fact, all these rights in their original form were admitted when there were only a few hundred cattle grazing in each of these forests and when the present 32 villages were only small hamlets and the forests, as is generally believed so dense that cattle could hardly find their way to graze through them. But with the increase of population in these hamlets, which have now grown to big villages, the number of cattle has increased to thousands and the demand of the villages for grazing and firewood has increased tremendously to an extent which the forests cannot afford. The result is deterioration and denudation everywhere along the boundaries close to habitation.

Protected Forests: Records of rights was revised in Nandbir Forests under orders passed in Government Notification No. 2691 (Revenue Department) dated 29th September, 1910. Grant of Nautor and green trees, free or on payment is the discretion of the Deputy Commissioner. Grazing rights are recorded in favour of villages Sahara, Dadial, Mawa, Badla, Hardo Nek Nama, and Rampur Haler. In compartment 8 and 9 there are no grazing rights. The remaining seven compartments are subject to four year rotational closure, compartment 1, 3, 5 and 7 forming one block and compartment 2, 4 and 6 another block. The whole forest is however closed to grazing in the rainy season from 1st July to 30th September.

8.10 Dependency of local people on NTFPs: The following are the common NTFPs of the area and their uses.

S.NO. NTFT Particulars Uses

1. Amla (Emblica officinalis) Fruit Pickles, candies, medicinal uses as hair tonic, vitamin C fruit, medicinal 2. Desi Mango (Mangifera indica) Fruit Fruit medicinal 3. Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaves fruits Local medicinal uses 4. Amaltas (Cassia fistula) Fruits Medicinal 5. Giloe (Tinospora cordifolia) Leaves Food additive, medicinal 6. Gandla (Murraya koengii) Leaves Food additive 7. Basuti (Adhatoda vesica) Flower Medicinal 8. Bhabhar (Eulaliopsis binata) Grass Rope-making, mat making

Economic dependency though small is significant for the poor people as NTFPs, attribute additional income to their already meager resources. The JFM committees have the right to collect NTFPs from the forests free of cost. Local traders even purchase the NTFPs at the doorsteps of collectors.

During the survey at household level, it was found that forest fringe communities extract NTFPs and fuelwood. The surveyed people were unable to give the exact amount of NTFP extracted from the forest. The extracted products were used basically for self-consumption by the forest fringe community.

Table: Showing extraction of NTFP in the surveyed households S.NO. NTFPs No. of Sale/self Frequency households consumption 1. Bamboo 4 Fencing, Basket 6 months Making 2. Bamboo leaves 1 – – 3. Grass 2 – Sometimes 4. Honey 1 – Once a year 5. Khair 1 Selling Once a year

The exploitation of forest by local communities depends on the distance between their houses and the forest to a certain context. The socio-economic survey revealed that 23.38% households were almost touching the forest boundary as they were less than 100m away from the forest. Another 28.57 per cent were located at a distance of less than 500m from the forest. Only 14.29 per cent households were at a distance of 2.5km or more from the forest. There are 32 fringe villages located within 3km periphery of the forests.

8.11 Other aspects:

There is a migration of Gujjar community alongwith their cattle from Himachal Pradesh to plain areas of Punjab every year during the onset of winter. The cattle of this migratory community cause damage to the crop. It is estimated that about 4000 cattle migrate through the area annually.

Fig 8.2 Bundles of Bamboo stored as fuelwood

Fig 8.3 Bamboo used for fencing around fields and houses

CHAPTER IX

ADEQUACY OF POLICY, LEGAL AND

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

9.1 Existing policy and legal framework and their compliance: The management of forests is guided by the National Forest Policy, 1988. The main principles of this policy are forest conservation and management of forests through the participation of people, for the welfare of the people leaving behind the revenue generation in the colonial past. The policy recognizes that due to relentless pressure arising from ever-increasing demand for fuelwood, fodder and timber, inadequacy of protection measures, diversion of forest lands to non- forest uses and tendency to look upon forests as revenue earning resource was leading to depletion of forests. The policy reiterates that the national goal should be to have a minimum of one-third of total land area of the country under forests or tree cover. On the hills and mountainous region, it aimed to maintain two third of the area under forests. The policy also exhorted a massive need-based and time bound programme of afforestation and tree-planting on all degraded and denuded lands in the country. The policy also admitted that natural forests which serve as a gene pool resource and help to maintain ecological balance should be safeguarded for providing sustained benefits to the entire community. To further strengthen the policy, the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted in 1992 has affirmed that the states have sovereign rights over their biological diversity resources and that they are responsible for converting their biological diversity and for using them in a sustainable manner.

To achieve the goal of sustainable management of forests, the State Government has prepared the State Forestry Action Programme in 1996. To augment the forest resources, the state has implemented a Japan Bank for International Cooperation aided Project for afforestation, soil and water conservation works and joint forest management initiatives. Besides, the state has also prepared the working plans for all Government forest areas and drawn management plans for private forest areas closed under Section 4&5 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900. In Dasuya Forest Division, therefore a

69 separate working plan exists for Government forest areas other than Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir forests and also a separate management plan for the year 2007-08 to 2016-17 duly approved from the Govt. of India for private forest areas.

Legal protection is provided to the forests through various acts and regulations. The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is being implemented in the State w.e.f. 25th October, 1980. Similarly, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is being implemented in the state w.e.f. 1976. The Indian Forest Act, 1927 was adopted in the state before independence. The Act provides the procedure for declaration of protected and reserved forests and also control over forests, timber and other forest produce. It also lays down the penalties and procedure for contravention of the Act and gives certain powers to the forest officers to deal with the situations while implementing the Act. The Indian Forest (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2004 has enhanced the punishments under Section 42 and 62 to two years of imprisonment or fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or both. It also prescribes procedure for confiscation of seized property under Section 52 (A to G). Section 68 of the amended Act empowers the forest officers not below the rank of Divisional Forest Officer to accept as compensation under sub-section (a) upto five thousand rupees and every illicit felling of tree shall be treated as a separate offence. In compliance of the order dated 30.10.2002 passed by the Hon‟ble Supreme Court of India, the state has formulated rules called „Regulation of Saw Mills, Veneer and Plywood Industries Rules, 2006‟ to regulate wood based industries in the state (Annexure III).

9.2 Status of approved working plan and compliance:

The working plan by V.B. Kumar was implemented w.e.f. 1998-99 to 2013-14. The prescriptions and their compliance is given in Table 9.1.

Table 9.1: Status of prescriptions and their compliance S.No. Prescription Working Circle Status

1. Closure for grazing All circles Not strictly implemented

2. Working of bamboos clumps under Bamboo working circle Partial working of bamboo done, selection cum improvement felling. and rehabilitation W.C. congestion has increased in some areas. 3. Soil and water conservation All Circles Carried out under the JICA project measures only. Many areas were left. 4. Putting up permanent fences near Bamboo W.C. No fencing done habitation areas. 5. Khair and Eucalyptus felling Bamboo W.C. Felling not done programme 6. Establishment of mother nursery at Bamboo W.C. Not established Sangra area 7. Plantations of bamboo and other Rehabilitations W.C. Plantations done in some areas, species but blank area still existing 8. Active participation of Forest All circles No visible impact noticed Protection Committees 9. Establishment of treatment blocks Rehabilitation W.C. Not established as per prescriptions 10. Development of Water holes Wildlife Protection Not done Circle 11. Construction of new buildings Misc-regulation New buildings were constructed

12. Checking and maintenance of forest Misc. regulation Not done as per programme boundaries provided 13. Installation of rain guage at Misc- regulation Not done SiriPandian

9.3 Number of forest offences: The forest offences commonly committed in these forests include illicit felling of Khair trees, lopping of culms for fodder and making pickles, stealing green bamboos without grant of permission, grazing of animals in the closed areas etc. Other than petty offences, no major incidences are reported from the area. The number of cases booked and taken to the court of law are provided in the Table 9.2. It is clear that the number of offences have increased significantly after 1998.1999.

Table 9.2 Number of offences and their settlement

S.No. Year No. of No. of No. of Compensation Court damage trees damage amount (Rs.) cases reports involved reports issued recovered

1 1997-1998 17 1 17 1105 -

2 1998-1999 0 0 0 0 -

3 1999-2000 21 7 21 4518 -

4 2000-2001 52 8 52 9100 -

5 2001-2002 101 3 101 12465 -

6 2002-2003 16 7 16 9801 -

7 2003-2004 28 15 23 8743 5

8 2004-2005 32 42 29 22541 3

9 2005-2006 53 93 44 109793 8

10 2006-2007 55 42 54 144020 1

11 2007-2008 44 51 42 27060 2

12 2008-2009 40 100 36 45110 4

13 2009-2010 65 58 61 229110 3

14 2010-2011 56 88 56 104560 -

15 2011-2012 34 11 34 27910 -

16 2012-2013 7 3 7 3350 -

17 2013-2014 32 95 32 215090 -

Total 658 624 625 974285 26

9.4 Status of research and development: The following research studies pertaining to these forests have been made:

(i) Experiments were made to determine the most suitable period at which to cut the bamboos so as to minimize the damage from borers. For this purpose, the first experiment was started in October, 1927, when 56 bamboos belonging to eight different classes viz. Salam Kalan, Patti Kalan, Patti Khurd, Chhar, Majhola, Mandhaoo, SotaKalan and SotaKhurd were felled and kept in separate lots. Fellings were repeated every fortnight till 16th May, 1928, and all bamboos

72 were under observation upto 30th June, 1928 i.e. upto the break of the monsoon. The experiment was repeated on the same lines from October, 1928, till the end of June, 1929. At both times all the bamboos were kept in the same locality to ensure identical conditions. All the bamboos were inspected daily and the results of observations recorded. Along with the investigation of insect attacks, the opportunity was taken to find the amount of shrinkage by taking weekly girth measurements. The bamboos were generally felled from healthy uncongested clumps, and no bamboo, which showed any insect attack at the time of felling, was included in the experiment. Interesting figures were obtained with regard to shrinkage and insect attack. It was noticed that shrinkage varied from ¼” (0.625cm) to 1” (2.5 cm) and that with regard to insect attack the safest time for cutting was the month of May. But fellings cannot be made during the summer on account of the scarcity of labour and of water in the forests, and willingness of the purchasers to buy bamboos on account of impending rains and also the fire hazard in the summer season.

The second best month is December. Felling at the end of October, November and the beginning of January give fairly good results. The worst period for fellings begin at the end of January and lasts till the end of April. It therefore, was concluded that felling operations should begin towards the end of October at the earliest and cease by the middle of January. ii) Cutting Cycle: Experiences have shown that bamboos less than three years old are immature and the market will not have them. Data collected from the records of sample plots laid out in Karanpur forest to determine the felling rotation of bamboos have shown that the production of superior classes of bamboos is 5.79 under two years‟ rotation and 13.27 under three years‟ rotation. Triennial cycle is therefore advisable. iii) Cleaning of congested clumps is the most important silvicultural operation for the healthy growing crop of bamboos. Though monsoon rains are mostly responsible for a good bamboo yield, but, so long as there is congestion in the clumps, any amount of rain has no effect on the production of healthy and straight bamboos. The areas cleaned are ideally stocked with new bamboo shoots, which in most healthy clumps are produced at the rate of from 20 to 30

73 a year. Cleaning also improves the sizes of new shoots and increases the overall productivity of the forests (Mohammad, M. Fateh, 1931. The Indian Forester 491-512) iv) While raising bamboo plants in polythene bags, singling of seedlings should be done in the beginning, as the multiple shoots tend to hamper the development of rhizomes, and when planted out in the field, the growth of such seedlings is very discouraging. v) To overcome the problem of seed availability of bamboos, tissue culture protocols for mass multiplication of Dendrocalamus strictus, D. hamiltonii, Bambusa arundinacea, B. vulgaris, D. calostachyas have been developed. vi) A germplasm bank of Dendrocalamus strictus has been developed at Kharkan Research Station, Hoshiarpur vii) A C.S.O. of Acacia catechu having 40 clones has been developed at Kharkan Research Station, Hoshiarpur. viii) Experiments in Shiwaliks have shown that Lantana camara suppresses the growth of both palatable grasses and non-palatable herbs under its canopy. Further it reduces biodiversity of the area. ix) Experiments by the University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan have shown that bamboos can reduce the growth of Lantana under its shade.

9.5 Human reserve capacity building efforts: For human resource development on a sustainable basis, importance of regular training of staff at all levels cannot be overemphasized. The forest training school at Hoshiarpur is equipped with modern training tools and teaching aids to impart training to staff members. In the past years, special trainings have been imparted to the field staff on diverse subjects such as uses of GPS, forest fire protection, root trainers technology, disease and pest control management, production of bamboos plants from multiple rhizomes and protection of germplasm and biodiversity. Referesher courses for the frontline staff are also conducted under a centrally sponsored scheme. Outsourcing of training was also done to Punjab Agricultural

University and the Zonal Research Station for Kandi Area, Bullowal Saunkri to impart training to forest guards, foresters, deputy rangers, Dy. Divisional Forest Officers in the fields of Joint Forest Management, soil and water conservation, cultivation of medicinal plants, surveying and levelling and extension techniques etc.

9.6 Forest Resource Accounting: A number of tangible benefits are derived by the stakeholders. Bamboo and misc forests meant their livelihoods, food articles, medicinal plants, fuelwood source, source for making handicrafts, cots, hunting sticks, wood for agricultural and household uses and many other reported and unreported uses. The farmers in the area are still using the bamboos and ziziphus bushes for fencing agricultural fields and homeyards. Forests are still being used as grazing lands and unlimited source for collection of fuelwood. However, the public by and large are not mindful of the intangible benefits of these forests, the reason for antipathy and hostility.

9.7 Budgetary allocations to the forestry sector: The budgetary allocations to the forestry sector have traditionally been at the low level varying from 0.09 to 0.65 in the 12th Five Year Plan. Punjab being a predominantly agricultural state, and the forest being clubbed with Science, Technology and Environment, the allocation is low as compared to agriculture, irrigation and rural development departments. Nevertheless, the budget allocation has been sufficient to meet the plan and non-plan expenditure. But the budget allocation is neither projected on the basis of working plan prescription by the Department, nor allocated accordingly, therefore most of the prescriptions given in the working plan remain unfulfilled. Plan and non-plan expenditure details are given in Table No. 9.3.

Table 9.3 Plan and non-plan expenditure in Dasuya Forest Division(Rs)

Sr. No. Year Non Plan Plan Scheme Allotment Expenditure Allotment Expenditure 1 1997-98 5309250 5307199 6969644 6969644 2 1998-99 7237625 6735203 30433669 30433669 3 1999-2000 8088913 7985621 46638932 466388932 4 2000-01 77545613 7320210 10922000 10922000 5 2001-02 7449500 5585737 71944231 71944231 6 2002-03 7754500 7754427 48907627 48907628 7 2003-04 4769233 4769196 60802000 52857174 8 2004-05 6684288 6684288 49322809 36792315 9 2005-06 9021543 8278886 34901684 28247310 10 2006-07 9862472 8778309 30350000 29552698 11 2007-08 10608772 10608773 14430763 13294987 12 2008-09 11951395 11943028 14432500 14425407 13 2009-10 12511453 12500177 22654865 18077133 14 2010-11 13786440 13786440 30164000 24741228 15 2011-12 18027282 17798265 24915033 24915033 16 2012-13 24973880 24963648 67042800 61387494 17 2013-14 37062000 35050081 69840100 68899102 Total 2022444159 195849488 634672657 589005985

9.8 Existence of monitoring, assessment and reporting mechanism:

For monitoring of works under different schemes, the department has a cell under the control of Chief Conservator of Forests, Monitoring and Evaluation, who has support of the Conservator of Forests and Divisional Forest Officer and their officials to perform the field work. The external monitoring of works has been given to the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun who carries out the work as per the guidelines of the Government of India.

For evaluation of prescriptions of the Working Plan, Control forms devised by the Department are given in Annexure. They pertain to evaluation of fellings, subsidiary fellings, progress of regeneration, statement showing the deviations and works of maintenance, reproduction, improvement and protection. It is the responsibility of the Conservator of Forests to review the control forms annually during the Annual Office inspection of his subordinate offices. The Conservator

76 and his superior officers are supposed to inspect the coupes and see themselves the adequacy of the operations in the different working circles.

9.9 Public awareness and education: Publicity and extension education is an important part of the Forest Department. At present, four extension divisions at Patiala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur and Hoshiarpur are working at the field level to provide extension services to the people. Forest education and awareness is provided through arranging forest exhibitions, nature camps and user-seller meets in different parts of the state. Literature in the form of posters, pamphlets, manuals and handouts on forest laws, need for conservation and the citizen‟s charter are distributed free of cost to the public. Information is also given during public gatherings at local fairs, and Vanmahotasava and wildlife week celebrations throughout the state.

9.10 Adequate manpower in Forest Division: The details of sanctioned permanent and temporary posts are given in the Table 9.4. In general, adequate manpower is available to manage the forests. Against all the sanctioned posts, there are a few deficiencies.

Table 9.4 : Detail of sanctioned posts and working incumbents

S.No. Name of Post Sanctioned Cadre Working No. Vacant Posts 1 I.F.S. 1 - (-) 1 2 A.C.F. 1 1 0 3 Supdtt. 1 1 - 4 Forest Ranger 4 2 (-) 2 5 Senior Assistant 2 2 - 6 Deputy Rangers 1 4 (+) 3 7 Forester 12 10 (-) 2 8 Surveyor 1 1 - 9 Forest Guard 53 41 (-) 12 10 Steno Typist 1 - (-) 1 11 Driver 1 4 (+) 3 12 Tractor Operator - 3 (+) 3 13 Clerk/ Jr. Asstt. 5 3 (-) 2 14 Peon 2 3 (+) 1 15 Multipurpose worker 8 1 (-) 7 16 Beldar - 18 (+) 18

Most of the field staff is deployed for the management of Government forest, however, private forests closed under Punjab Land Preservation Act are also managed by the Forest Department throught this staff.

Labour is locally available for carrying out all types of operations in the forest and nurseries. However, shortage of labour is felt in the sowing and harvesting season of Rabi and Kharif crops. For working out bamboo, specially trained group of labourers are available in Dattarpur village. Unskilled labour is generally available at Rs. 256/- per day, semi-skilled labour at Rs. 320/- per day and skilled labour like carpenter and mason at the rate of Rs. 360/- per day. The labour rates for the year 2014-15 sanctioned by the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur for various categories are given in Table 9.5.

Table 9.5 Wages rates per day in Hoshiarpur district

S.No. Category of labour w.e.f. Sept. w.e.f. w.e.f. w.e.f. 2014 1.3.2014 1.9.2013 30.5.2011 1. Unskilled labour 256.03 248.34 240.64 185.00 2. Semi-skilled labour 286.03 278.34 270.64 202.00 3. Skilled labour 320.53 312.84 305.14 240.00 4. Highly skilled labour 360.23 352.54 344.84 288.00

CHAPTER X

FIVE YEAR PLANS

10.1 Five year Plans

After independence, India has chosen centralized process of planning for equitable development of Indian states and its people. From original formulation through successive modification to parliamentary presentation, plan making in India has evolved as a responsive democratic political process and the culmination of the same in final document is an impressive manifestation. The planned economic development in India began in 1951 with the inception of First Five Year Plan. Five Year Plans (FYPs) are centralized and integrated national economic programmes. The process began with setting up of Planning Commission in March 1950 in pursuance of declared objectives of the Government to promote a rapid rise in the standard of living of the people by efficient exploitation of the resources of the country, increasing production and offering opportunities to all for employment in the service of the community. The Planning Commission was charged with the responsibility of making assessment of all resources of the country, augmenting deficient resources, formulating plan for the most effective and balanced utilization of resources and determining priorities.

The first FYP was launched in 1951 and two subsequent plans were formulated till 1965, when there was a break because of the Indo Pakistan conflict. Two successive years of drought, devaluation of the currency, a general rise in prices and erosion of resources disrupted the planning process and after three Annual Plans between 1966 and 1969, the fourth five year plan was started in 1969.

The first plan focused on agriculture as three was a severe food shortage in the country. The power and transport were also priority areas. Forests got a new direction during the Plan period as the New Forest Policy in 1952 was enunciated. The policy emphasized the resurrection of forests but in the same breath stated that agriculture had the first charge on forests. Large forest areas

79 were diverted for agriculture in the first three plans. As the second Five year plan focused on rapid industrialization, heavy and basic industries, the forests were felled for industrial uses and timber. Bamboo forests especially were given on lease to paper and pulp industries in the subsequent plans. In the third plan, based on the experience of the first two plans, as agricultural production was seen as limiting factor in India‟s development, agriculture was given top priority to support the exports and industry. In the fourth plan also, main emphasis was on growth rate of agriculture to enable other sectors to move forward.

After two years of Rolling Plan (1978-80), the Sixth Plan (1980-85) focused on increase in national income, modernization of technology, decrease in poverty and unemployment and controlling population. The period saw the beginning of foreign aided social forestry projects for easing the pressure on forests. The national conservation strategy was launched and also the Project Tiger was implemented. The forestry saw the birth of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. During this period, Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education was borne. It was the golden period for the development of forestry.

The Seventh Plan (1985-90) and Eighth Plan (1992-97) aimed at grain production, increasing employment opportunities and raising productivity. The Sixth Plan laid more emphasis on social sector viz. education, health and infrastructure development with share of public participation. The tenth plan further emphasized the social indicators as the targets such as reduction in gender bias, reduction in infant and maternal mortality and access to potable water, and cleaning of major rivers.

The Eleventh Plan (2007-12) emphasized on the inclusive growth reducing poverty, creating employment opportunities and access to essential services of health and education. It also laid emphasis on environmental sustainability. There were calls on conservation of biodiversity and wildlife both at the national and international fora.

The Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) seeks to have broad vision of faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth. Whereas inclusiveness is to be achieved through poverty reduction, reducing inequality, empowering people, the

80 sustainability includes ensuring environmental sustainability, development of human capital through improved health, education, nutrition, and development of institutional capabilities. The plan envisages to increase green cover by 1 million hectare every year during the Twelfth FYP. It also has the target to reduce emission intensity of GDP in line with the target of 20 per cent to 25 per cent reduction over 2005 levels by 2020. Obviously the Twelfth Plan has high aspirations for sustainable management of forests. The outlay for Punjab state during the 12th Plan is given below:

Project outlay = 21181.00 lakhs Percentage to total projected outlay = 0.62 Actual expenditure (2011-12) = 712.85 lakh Percentage to total expenditure = 0.09 Revised outlay (2012-13) = 8451.84 lakh Percentage to total outlay = 0.65 Approved outlay (2013-14) = 8237.00 lakh Percentage to total outlay = 0.51

It can be seen that the outlay for Forests and Wildlife Preservation has increased from 0.09 percent to 0.51 percent of the total outlay of the state, which is a good sign.

CHAPTER XI

PAST SYSTEMS OF MANAGEMENT

11.1 General History of the Forests:

The reserve forests of Karanpur and Bindraban and the protected forests of Nandbir along with Punjab Reserve at present in Himachal Pradesh were inherited by the British from the Sikh rulers. Karanpur and Bindraban forests were demarcated in 1848-49 at the time of first regular settlement of Hoshiarpur district. From 1860, the rules framed by Mr. Melwill, the then Commissioner of Jalandhar Division in the light of the rules for the conservancy of forests in the hilly tract of Punjab (1855) sanctioned by Government of India came into force. From 1st May, 1866, the control of these forests was transferred to the Forest Department and shortly after the transfer difficulties were experienced with the people. In consequence, the Conservator of Forests, Punjab, represented to Government in 1869 that management under the rules framed by the District authorities were impracticable and suggested that a certain portion should be constituted the absolute property of Government and that Government in turn should give up, or considerably modify, its rights in other forests. These proposals were accepted and work was started in 1870. It resulted in the demarcation of area of 10813 acres, which along with the bamboo forests of Karanpur and Bindraban were gazette as reserved forests.

Nandbir forests formed a hunting ground of Sikhs chieftains of Dasuya, before the British crossed the Sutlej. In the first settlement, the area was made over to one Bhaga Zaildar on an annual lease of Rs. 10/- only. The settlement officer arranged a rotational grazing and appointed a chaprasi in 1883 to look after the forests. From 1939 to 1984, this forest has been managed by the Forest Department of the Hoshiarpur Forest Division and from 1984 onwards, the management was transferred to newly created Dasuya Forest Division.

11.2 Past System of Management and their results:

The management of forests is discussed under the reserved and protected forests separately:

A. Reserved Forests:

1. Management under the Deputy Commissioner from 1846 to 1866. 2. Management under Forest Department from 1866 to 1903-04. 3. Management under Hart‟s Working Plan from 1903-04 to 1919-20. 4. Management under Walter‟s Working Plan from 1920-21 to 1930-31. 5. Management under Mohan‟s Working Plan from 1930-31 to 1950-51. 6. Management under Jalmeja Singh‟s Working Plan from 1950-51 to 1967-68.

B. Nandbir Forests:

7. Management under Civil Authorities upto 1939. 8. Management under Forest Department from 1939 to 1967-68.

C. All Forests:

9. Management under Bishan Chand‟s Working Plan from 1967-68 to 1982-83. 10. Management under K. K. Modgill‟s Working Plan from 1982-83 to 1997-98. 11. Management under V.B. Kumar‟s Working Plan from 1998-99 to 2013-14.

A. Reserved Forests:

Management of Reserved Forests under the Deputy Commissioner from 1846- 1866

The forests were demarcated but no records of rights were prepared for Karanpur and Bindraban forests as they were inherited from the Sikhs as State Forests.

Management of Reserved Forests under Forest Department from 1866 to 1903- 04

The management control of Karanpur and Bindraban forests was transferred to the Forest Department on 1st May, 1866. With the transfer of

83 forests to the Forest Department, the question of deciding whether the privileges enjoyed in these forests were of the nature of rights or concessions was taken up. It was finally decided in 1872 that the inhabitants of 32 villages were entitled to free grazing and the whole forests should be closed to grazing during three months of the rainy season (i.e. from July to September) and in addition to the discretion of the forest officer not more than half of Karanpur and two-third of Bindraban could be closed. The existing area of cultivation was to continue and the Zamindar‟s right to obtain bamboo on payment of extraction charges was admitted.

The power of closing one half of Karanpur and two-third of Bindraban was given up by the Forest Department, in lieu of giving up by the villagers their unrecorded customary right of lopping bamboos for fodder in the rainy season when new culms were produced. The Forest Department however, reserved the right to enforce small, scattered and fenced enclosures for obtaining regeneration and reviewing the arrangement under certain eventualities such as gregarios flowering of bamboo clumps.

One half of each forest was closed for three years and felling by traders on the basis of their application was carried out in the open areas. The demand being limited and fellings mostly being confined to more accessible areas resulted in poor condition of the crop. During 1896-1904, cleanings were carried out over a part of the forests and biennial cycle of felling in cleaned areas and annual cycle in other areas was introduced in 1904. It was noted that in Karanpur forests, where clump cleaning had not been carried out, the clumps were badly congested. This fact was ascribed to consistent lopping of bamboo by right holders and to careless and insufficient cutting in the past.

Management of Reserve Forests under Hart’s working plan 1903-04 to 1919-20

In this working plan both the bamboo forests along with R.6 Bakarrar were allotted to bamboo Working Circle. Annual fellings were prescribed and emphasis was laid on exploring new markets and forests to be worked to full yield. Annual cutting was almost regular in six compartments of Karanapur and Bakarrar but intermittent elsewhere. The demand increased with the first World

War and cleanings were also undertaken towards the end of the working plan period with satisfactory results. Preparations of the scheme of rotational closure for delimited protected forests of Kangra district necessitated the revision of Hart‟s working plan earlier than 1922-23 when its period was to expire.

Management of Reserve Forests under Walter’s revised working plan 1920-21 to 1930-31

In Walter‟s working plan which came into force with effect from 1st July 1920 again the entire area of the two forests was allotted to the Bamboo Working Circle. A biennial felling cycle was prescribed preceded by cleaning wherever required. Both forests were almost regularly worked out but prescribed order of felling was ignored upto 1926-27. Fellings were heavy due to post war increase of demand and rules were not observed properly. Some times the same area was worked in next year and cleanings were not regular. Subsequently, the Chief Conservator of Forests ordered that annual out turn should not exceed the average of previous three years and that cleaning should precede main felling. This resulted in marked improvement of stock and at the end of the working plan period the number of non workable congested clumps were small and restricted to out of way places. As regard the average annual yield during the plan period, there was no significant difference between the yield prescribed and yield obtained.

Management of Reserve Forests under Mohan’s working plan1933-34 to 1950-51

In this plan open scrub area 127.5 hectares of RV Bindraban C Ia (C I of Walter‟s plan divided into sub compartments I a and I b) which has western aspect, sandy soil mixed with gravel, exposed to hot wind and incapable of bearing Bamboo crop was transferred to the Protection Working Circle and the balance to the Bamboo Working Circle. Biennial felling cycle was prescribed for bamboo working but was changed to triennial when the former was found unworkable. Based on previous out turn annual yield was fixed at 2,00,000 bamboo (Karanpur 1,20,000 and Bindraban 80,000). Extension of bamboo and khair was prescribed over areas 137.6 hect. and 68.8 hect, respectively. For mixed areas of bamboo and scrub proposed for closure improvement felling and

85 thinning were laid down with the objective of extending area under the former species.

As the demand for bamboo fell with the partition of the country, the forests could not be worked to a full capacity. An annual average yield of 5, 17,821 bamboos was obtained from Karanpur (3,16,205) and Bindraban (2,01,616). Cleanings were done along with main fellings as prescribed, but the period of working was extended from 21st October to 20th February. Bamboo and khair extension was done only over an area of 31.6 hectares scattered in different compartments in bits of one to two hectares. The regeneration had established over 6.1 hectare in Bindraban C-7. Two small nurseries were also established one in each of the two forests. In compartment 1a of R.V Bindraban allotted to Protection Working Circle no work was prescribed or done.

Management of Reserve Forests under Jalmeja Singh’s working plan from 1951- 52 to 1967-68.

In this Working Plan, Protection Working Circle was abolished and sub compartment C 1a and C1b were amalgamated and entire forests of Bindraban and Karanpur were allotted to Bamboo Working Circle. With the objective of creating equiproductive coupes C 1and C-3 of R IV Karanpur were split into two sub compartments each.

Triennial felling cycle was to continue. The yield was prescribed by area and out turn was estimated at 10,00,000 bamboos. For obtaining regeneration in addition to existing closures of 31.6 Hect additional closure of 91.9 was prescribed. Keeping in view the general deterioration of forests due to heavy grazing, closure of one fifth to one fourth of the total area was also suggested. Provisions were made to fell miscellaneous species whenever the demand rose.

Suggestions were also made for lac cultivation on Ziziphyus jujube and Butea monosperma trees and tapping of Lannea grandis for gum extraction.

From 1951-52 to 1957-58 only 2,36,685 bamboos could be disposed off from R.IV. Karanpur C 3b. Only petty demands of right holders were met from other areas. In the total absence of demand of bamboo, the Government entered

86 an agreement with Shri Gopal Paper Mills Ltd. Yamuna Nagar for 15 years starting from 1st April 1956. Under this agreement the firm was to cut bamboo and clean clumps as per rules prescribed in the respective working plans from 1000 hectare of Kangra forests and 2817.5 hectares of Beas forests (including Karanpur, Bindraban and Bakarrar) on payment of an annual sum of Rs. 20,000 only. Out of this amount Rs.15,000 was apportioned to Karanpur and Bindraban. For felling in contravention of rules, compensation was not to exceed one anna (6 paisa) per bamboo. Originally the working period was from 15th November to 1st March. This was changed to 15th October to 15th March by Government in 1962. This license could be cancelled by the Forest officer with the previous approval of the Chief Conservator in the event of non-fulfillment of any condition, and by Government in public interest by giving 6months prior notice.

The firm started working in Karanpur and Bindraban from the year 1958- 59 and has generally followed the sequence of felling prescribed in the working plan. During 9 years (1958-59 to 1966-67) of their working some compartments had not been worked for one or more turns (R.IV. C 1a and C6 twice, C 3a, C3b, C5, C7 and C10 once each and R V C2 and C3 once each). During certain years (e.g. 1965-66 and 66-67), the forest areas had not been worked to their full capacity. On the other hand there had been some over fellings. Felling rules were not observed at times, as in view of soaring price a deterrent of 6 paisa/bamboo hardly served as a deterrent. Against an estimated yield of 10,00,000 bamboos, average annual out turn for 9 years of working by the firm was 10,91,910 and this had fetched less than 1½ paisa per bamboo to the Government. Eucalyptus hybrid was tried in both forests in plain areas. Though growth was successful it was not upto mark. Cultivation and gum extraction was tried but left being uneconomical.

B: NANDBIR PROTECTED FORESTS

Management of Nandbir Protected Forests under Civil Authorities upto 1939

Nandbir Forests formed a part of the hunting area of the Sikh Chief of Dasuya from whom it was inherited by the British. Soon after its first settlement in 1852, it was leased out to one Bhaga Zaildar for Rs 10/- per annum. He is said

87 to have earned a lot by permitting grazing and by sale of wood. Mr. Moir IFS visited these areas in about 1883 and reported that the condition of the forests was deplorable and the whole area was denuded. In the same year the settlement officer made arrangements for rotational closure and appointed a chaprasi to protect it.

In 1910, the forest was placed under the control of the Deputy Commissioner who controlled it through Katardhar Staff. At the same time in compliance to Government notification 26915 dated 29.9.1910, rights of the forests were especially revised as already mentioned. In 1939, the control was transferred to the ForestDepartment.

It appears that upto 1939 no works were carried out in the forests and only some protection was enforced with effect from 1933, first through a chaprasi and later to a staff.

Management of Nandbir Protected Forests under the Forest Department since 1939 to 1967-68

After its transfer to the Forest Department, better protection was enforced through its field staff. A working scheme was prepared by Jagdish Chandra Sud. In this scheme, the condition of the forests was described as satisfactory. In this working scheme removal of over mature trees under coppice selection system, stocking of blanks in felled areas and elsewhere (specially C-3) with Khair, Phalahi, Rajain, Beri, etc. Bhabbar planting over 113.3 hectare (upto 1950-51) and bamboo planting over 36.4 hectare (upto 1954-55) was prescribed.

Markings were not done in the year prescribed.The marked trees could be sold only in case of C1 and C5 in which 653 and 14 trees respectively were felled illicitly vide a list prepared on 18.11.1949. Trees marked in the remaining compartments upto early fifties could not be sold (except perhaps from C7 which is said to have been sold for Rs. 1900/- and felled) due to uneconomic working conditions and lack of demand in later period. The sale was not attempted.

Bhabbar planting was done over 129.5 hectares but the sequence of planting was not followed as prescribed. The results were not much encouraging

88 due to scattered nature of planting work. Sowing and planting of Phalahi, Bamboo, Bauhinia, Semal, Shisham, Amla etc was done in some area. No indication of compartment was traceable where work was done. Prescriptions of the scheme with regard to erection of pillars was not followed.

Management of Reserve Forests under Bishen Chand working plan 1968-69 to 1982-83

In this working plan, whole of Bindraban and Karanpur except its C1a (127.5 hectare) was allotted to Bamboo working circle. Khair trees in R.V. Bindraban were enumerated and found to be 2734. Out of these 462 trees were in C1 (40.4 Hect of C lb had already been closed and 24 hectares of C 1a was closed). All khair trees in this area were supposed to serve as seed bearers. In other areas, khair trees of 20 cms dia and above were disposed off with other species. The prescriptions of the working plan was not followed, for example, no felling of misc coupes for Karanpur and Bindraban were prescribed but misc coupes were sold as mentioned above. Though no khair trees were to be sold from Karanpur, but 770 khair trees were sold.

In Bindraban forests, khair trees were sold much more in excess of the prescription. The misc coupe felling has deteriorated the condition of the forests and bamboo areas have considerably reduced. Three year felling cycle was prescribed, annual yield of 10,00,000 bamboo was fixed based on the average yield of 11,00,000 bamboo extracted by the Shri Gopal Paper Ltd. Though felling of bamboo was done almost every year with minor variation, the yield of bamboo was not obtained as per estimates. 42.55 lakh bamboo were extracted during the plan period which is much lower than the estimated yield 150 lakh bamboo. The fall of yield seemed to be the result of non observation of felling rules, inadequate protection and uncontrolled grazing even during closed period for rainy season. It would have been worth while to depute some protection to control grazing during rainy season. Stray cattle has to be driven out of these forests for its proper regeneration, propagation and establishment of the bamboo crop. Right holders should be given bamboo after cutting departmentally as prescribed in rules.

In this working plan period, attempt was made for the first time to replace inferior scrub forests of Nandbir forests with Khair and Bhabbar grass. Compartment C8 and C9 were permanently closed to grazing, and C6 and C7 were prescribed for felling in 15 felling coupes i.e. one coupe every year. The whole area to be felled was 398.2 ha. Almost the same area was to be planted in the plan period. Though fellings were carried out, but sequence of felling / planting was not followed as per prescription. For example, C8 was to be felled in four years as coupes I, II, IV and V in the year 1968-69, 69-70, 71-72 and 72- 73 respectively. However, they were felled in the year 1970-71 to 1972-73 and planted up in 1972-73 and 1974-75. Likewise, felling and planting was not followed in other compartments. Coupe No.XII in C9 ((22.8 ha), Coupe No. XIII (25.5 ha) due in 1979-80 and 1980-81, respectively were not felled at all. Planting was prescribed in 384.5 ha whereas it was done in more areas. Obviously areas not prescribed for example C2 and C3 were taken up for planting. Due to uncontrolled grazing and lack of maintenance, plantations did not show encouraging results.

Management of Reserve Forests under K K Modgil’s working plan 1983-84 to 1997-98

In this working plan, the whole of Karanpur and Bindraban except its C 1a(127.5 ha) was allotted to Bamboo Working Circle and C1a of Bindraban Reserve Forests has been allotted to Plantation Working Circle.

In Bamboo Working Circle which comprised 2422.8 ha, an annual yield of 2 lakh bamboo was prescribed. During the working plan period, a total yield of 6,94,655 bamboo was obtained against the estimated 30 lakh bamboo. It indicates that only one fourth of the yield had been obtained during this working plan period. The reason for the shortfall could be attributed to non working of bamboo areas by the ForestCorporation on a regular basis. PSFDC has worked only during two years. The rest of working has been done by the Forest Department. Due to limited financial resources and manpower it also could not work to full capacity on a sustained basis. Moreover, uncontrolled grazing and lopping in the bamboo forests especially near habitation, has deteriorated the quality and quantity of the expected yield.

In Karanpur Reserve Forests, 757 trees of eucalyptus (130.45 cum) were prescribed against which 377 trees (226.3 cu mvol) were felled. In Bindraban Reserve Forests 964 trees of Kahir were felled against the prescription of 1553 trees and no felling of eucalyptus was done against the prescription of 217 trees in this forest. It is clear that working was not according to the prescribed yield.

The bamboo area though remained of the same order, the quality and health of the clump in untreated area has deteriorated. Many new open patches have come up adjoining the habitation.

In this working plan, Nandbir forests, were put under Plantation Working Circle which prescribed selection felling, planting of economic and fodder tree species, extension of babboo in C9 and carrying out soil conservation works. During the working plan period, 77 cum of Khair was felled against a prescription of 134 cum whereas no felling of miscellaneous trees was done against the prescription of 2936 cum.

Though the growing stock of Khair has increased, the increase in fodder tree species and Bhabhar grass was not satisfactory. Bamboo also did not propagate in C9. Though prescribed, soil conservation works were also not done for rehabilitation of area. The IWDP (Hills) has adopted these forests under its various schemes, however, bamboo areas were not rehabilitated. With the introduction of bamboo working as a special component under JICA aided project, the capacity of working of bamboo was to increase, but again it did not give the desired results.

Management of forests under the Working Plan by V. B. Kumar (1998-99 to 2013-14)

This working plan proposed two main working circles viz. Bamboo Working Circle (1368.0 ha) and Rehabilitation Working Circle (1914.0 ha) and one overlapping Wildlife Working Circle. Areas of Karanpur and Bindraban forests having a better bamboo crop were allotted to Bamboo Working Circle. The Rehabilitation Working Circle was further divided into Rehabilitation Circle I and II. The Rehabilitation Circle I comprised degraded bamboo areas of Karanpur and Bindraban Reserve Forest and the Rehabilitation II comprised scrub forests of Nandbir Forests. Though forests were categorized into pure and

91 mixed bamboo forests, the same were not taken into consideration for management. It is surprising that though Bamboo Working Circle prescribed felling 2.00 lakh clums per year, this prescription was not based on the evaluation of growing stock of forests. Instead, growing stock of non-bamboo tree species was estimated and yield prescribed without taking into consideration of the stock.

The Working Plan Officer admitted that the bamboo crop has deteriorated quantitatively and qualitatively. The uncontrolled grazing and unscientific lopping and non-working of bamboo areas was blamed for the degradation. Keeping in view the all these factors, annual yield of 2 lakh bamboo culms from Bamboo Working Circle was prescribed annually on a triennial felling cycle. The yield was however prescribed by area, though the felling programme prescribed triennial working in all compartments of the working circle. The condition of the crop deteriorated further leading to congestion of clumps and drying of culms.

Though the Working Circle was divided into Rehabilitation W.C. I and R.W.C. II, the working plan prescribed the same treatment for both to rehabilitate the area by mainly planting of suitable species, checking the biotic and abiotic pressure and by taking suitable soil and moisture conservation measures. In one breath, the Working Plan Officer proposed no felling in the W.C. but on the other hand gave the felling programme. The growing stock of R.W.C. II was 3642 trees which came to 4.96 trees/hectare. This clearly showed the appalling degradation state of forests of Nandbir. For treatment of RWC II, working plan officer further divided already manageable units of compartment into 15 treatment blocks for the purpose of planting, felling and soil conservation works. He gave the yearwise felling programme for these treatment blocks, but again no annual treatment plan was given. The felling yield was as minimal as of 25 trees per year, which hardly required to be felled, as they could be retained as standard bearers for the purpose of gaining regeneration. The rotation of Khair trees was kept 30 years. No fruit trees unless diseased and dying were to be felled. The Working Plan retained the closed areas without any change. The working plan proposed to have a modern nursery for propagation of magar bamboo (Dendrocalamus hamiltonii) and nal bamboo (Bambusa tulda) for introduction in the rehabilitation circle.

As per the records available, no mid-term review of the Working Plan was done.

11.3 Special Works of Improvement: Summary and results of special works carried out in the forests are given under:

Under the Punjab Afforestation Project aided by Japan Bank for International Cooperation, seven fire watch towers were constructed to facilitate reporting of forest fires:

Forest Compartment No. No. of watch towers

Bindraban C2, C1a, C7 3 No.

Nandbir C1 Mawa 1 No.

Karanpur C2, C5, C7 3 No.

Roads and Paths: No new roads or paths have been constructed. Talwara Chamuhi road in Karanpur and Datarpur – Badla road passing through / near Bindraban have been metalled by PWD. The road is approximately 11.00 km in length. Existing paths are maintained from time to time to facilitate inspection of forest works.

Buildings: Sufficient office and residential buildings are available for both Talwara I, II and Badla range officials. There is one Inspection Bunglow at Talwara. Besides following buildings have been constructed in the last working plan period.

Table 11.1: List of buildings constructed during the last WP period Range Name of building Year of construction Amount spent (Rs) Talwara II Store 1999-2000 57200.00 -do- Range Residence -do- 198700.00 -do- Seed Store -do- 44000.00 -do- Tractor Shed -do- 56300.00 Badla Pump house -do- 48600.00

Boundaries: Private lands or chaks in the Karanpur and Bindraban forests have been demarcated and masonry pillars have been erected. In case of Nandbir,

intermediate pillars have not been constructed and Forest Boundary Register is not maintained. External boundaries cannot be distinguished from the adjoining private forests or other lands due to thick lantana growth and missing pillars.

11.4 Past yield, revenue and expenditure: Besides the protection of environment and ecological restoration, one of the general objects of management of previous working plan was to provide for sustained annual yield of bamboo. In the Bamboo Working Circle, annual yield prescribed of 2.00 lakh bamboos was definitely low against which more than 2.5 times harvesting was done during the 15 years tenure of the working plan. The detail of year wise annual yield and their sale is given in Table 11.2.

Table 11.2: Revenue from Sale of Bamboos

Year No. of Bamboos Sale Amount (Rs) Price obtained per 100 bamboos 1997-1998 1,07,600 8,62,500 802.00 1998-1999 4,07,155 30,47,100 748.00 1999-2000 6,76,095 53,40,650 790.00 2000-2001 11,33,170 1,17,23,000 1034.00 2001-2002 4,04,137 46,85,000 1159.00 2003-2003 5,79,540 52,07,810 899.00 2003-2004 2,52,615 22,63,835 896.00 2004-2005 3,70,197 44,36,300 1198.00 2005-2006 6,85,736 91,33,200 1332.00 2006-2007 8,86,315 1,46,27,400 1650.00 2007-2008 5,59,764 126,79,325 2265.00 2008-2009 4,32,906 10,22,0100 2361.00 2009-2010 1,80,790 32,77,600 1813.00 2010-2011 3,62,105 68,17,700 1883.00 2011-2012 3,64,380 63,77,500 1750.00 2012-2013 3,66,895 50,88,263 1387.00 2013-2014 - - - 2014-2015 - - -

It is apparent from above that price of bamboos has been consistently increasing from 1997-98 to 2008-09, after which it is steadily declining in consonance with the general trend in the market.

94 intermediate pillars have not been constructed and Forest Boundary Register is not maintained. External bounderies cannot be distinguished from the adjoining private forests or other lands due to thick lantana growth and missing pillars.

11.4 Past yield, revenue and expenditure: Besides the protection of environment and ecological restoration, one of the general objects of management of previous working plan was to provide for sustained annual yield of bamboo. In the Bamboo Working Circle, annual yield prescribed of 2.00 lakh bamboos was definitely low against which more than 2.5 times harvesting was done during the 15 years tenure of the working plan. The detail of yearwise annual yield and their sale is given in Table 11.2.

Table 11.2: Revenue from Sale of Bamboos Year No. of Bamboos Sale Amount (Rs) Price obtained per 100 bamboos 1997-1998 1,07,600 8,62,500 802.00 1998-1999 4,07,155 30,47,100 748.00 1999-2000 6,76,095 53,40,650 790.00 2000-2001 11,33,170 1,17,23,000 1034.00 2001-2002 4,04,137 46,85,000 1159.00 2003-2003 5,79,540 52,07,810 899.00 2003-2004 2,52,615 22,63,835 896.00 2004-2005 3,70,197 44,36,300 1198.00 2005-2006 6,85,736 91,33,200 1332.00 2006-2007 8,86,315 1,46,27,400 1650.00 2007-2008 5,59,764 126,79,325 2265.00 2008-2009 4,32,906 10,22,0100 2361.00 2009-2010 1,80,790 32,77,600 1813.00 2010-2011 3,62,105 68,17,700 1883.00 2011-2012 3,64,380 63,77,500 1750.00 2012-2013 3,66,895 50,88,263 1387.00

It is apparent from above that price of bamboos has been consistently increasing from 1997-98 to 2008-09, after which it is steadily declining in consonance with the general trend in the market.

CHAPTER XII

STATISTICS OF GROWTH AND YIELD

12.1 Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus): Bamboos are fast growing grasses and attain maturity within 3-4 years. In Karanpur and Bindraban forests, pure crop of bamboo grows. In order to establish a relationship between girth and height of bamboo culms in these forests, a sample survey was done. The data is presented in Table 12.1

Table 12.1: Average girth and height of Dendrocalamus strictus Name of Forest Compartment No. Average girth at Average height for second internode (cm) the Comptt. (m) Karanpur 2 12.0 11.00

3 12.2 11.00

4 11.7 10.5

6 11.5 9.5

8 12.5 11.2

9 13.0 11.0

10 13.5 11.0

Bindraban 1(b) 12.0 6.0

2 12.2 6.2

3 12.5 6.0

4 14.3 8.0

5 16.0 10.0

6 14.0 9.0

7 13.0 12.5

8 13.5 11.5

9 13.25 10.5

10 13.0 10.0

It is clear that there is a considerable variation in height of the crop depending on the site condition. With the increase of girth on dry sites, the height of bamboos decreased proportionately. The height of the crop also decreased in

95 the congestion conditions. To contest this point, the Working Plan Officer shall collect the data on diameter and height of congested and uncongested clumps in the same compartments.

The following standard classification of bamboos in vogue since 1930s is still used in trade:

Table 12.2 Standard Classification of bamboos Name of classes of Girth at the third internode Length bamboos Salam Kalan I Over 6” 15‟ to 18‟ Salam Kalan II Over 6” 15‟ to 18‟ Patti Kalan 5½” to 6” 9‟ Patti Khurd 5 ¼ ” to 5½” 7‟ to 8‟ Chhar I 4” to 5‟ 22‟ and over Chhar II 4” to 5” 18‟ to 21‟-11” Majhola 4 ¼” to 5 ¼” 14‟ to 15‟ Mandhaoo 3 ¾” to 4 ¼” 13‟ to 14‟ Sota Kalan 3½” to 3 ¾” 12‟ to 12‟-11” Sota Khurd 2” to 3½” 5‟ to 8‟

This classification has its links with popular uses to which different sizes of bamboos are put to. The following gives the purposes for which the standard classes are mostly used:

Salam Kalan – For ladders and tent poles Patti Kalan – For beds and poles of small tents and shouldaries Majholas – For thatching roofs in villages remote from railway communication and roofing cattle sheds. Mandhaoos – For tent kanats and the finest qualities for lance staves. Chhars – Shepherd‟s poles into a sickle at one end used for lopping trees to feed sheep and goats. Sota Kalan – The Punjab zamindars lathi decorated with brass and re- inforced with lead. Sota Khurd – Oridinary handsticks mostly used by zamindars for driving cattle Savancha – Used in making chicks in the jails and by local chick makers Tops – Used in making kanats of tents, thatching roofs of small cattle sheds, making flags and other numerous daily uses.

With the passage of time and changing life styles in Punjab villages, most of bamboo uses have been lost into oblivion. This is also because there is a degradation in size of bamboo shoots over the years, as is apparent from Table 12.3, which gives the classes of bamboos by percentage of bamboos in the forest crop during different plan periods.

Table 12.3: Percent of bamboo classes in the crop S. Class Jamola Singh’s Plan Bishan Chand’s Plan K.K. Modgill’s Plan No. 1951-52 to 66-67 1968-69 to 82-83 1983-84 to 97-98 Karanpur Brindaban Karanpur Brindaban Karanpur Brindaban

1. Kalan 51 40 43 33 20 35

2. Majhola 38 44 36 37 30 35

3. Khurd 8 12 12 16 35 20

4. Sota 3 4 9 14 15 10

V. B. Kumar in his working plan calculated that whereas 100 green culms weighed one tonne, 170 dry culms weighted one tonne. Based on this assumption, ratio of green to dry weight was calculated 0.588 for Karanpur and Bindraban bamboos. Tiwari (1981) however developed the relationship between green weight and air dry weight for D. strictus as below:

Green weight 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (kg)

Air Dry 0.620 1.230 1.850 2.47 2.58 3.77 4.38 4.94 5.55 6.67 weight (kg)

On the basis of average height, bamboo forests can be classified into following standard quality classes:

I. Quality Above 9 m II. Quality 6 – 9 m III. Quality upto 6 m

On the basis of above classification, bamboo forests of Karanpur and Brindaban can be termed as quality II.

12.2 Trees: There is only one General Volume Table being used in the state for all broad leaved species growing both in the strip and block forests. This table amended by C.C.F. Punjab vide his letter No. C-I-34 (61) 4540 dated 30.5.1986 as reproduced below:

Girth in cms Class Volume (m³) (o.b.) 30–59 V 0.05 60–89 IV 0.15 90–119 III 0.55 120–149 IIA 1.10 150–179 IIB 2.00 180–209 IA 2.80 210 and above IB 3.50

Volume calculation in this working plan for trees other than bamboos have been made according to the above volume table.

Growth of Teak: Teak stump planting done in 1937 in compartment No. 3 of Bindraban has given moderate to excellent growth. Measurements of girth (ob) taken at 310 54‟57.59”N and 75047‟52.22”E are reproduced below:

S.NO. Girth Height S.NO. Girth Height S.NO. Girth Height S.NO. Girth Height (cm) (m) (cm) (m) (cm) (m) (cm) (m) 1 72 16.5 26 56 15.5 51 77 18.6 76 106 23.0 2 125 22.0 27 130 26.5 52 68 17.5 77 77 20.5 3 80 17.8 28 63 14.2 53 55 16.0 78 70 21.5 4 98 21.5 29 68 16.5 54 100 24.0 79 64 19.0 5 65 17.2 30 76 17.5 55 67 20.0 80 57 21.0 6 53 15.6 31 81 18.5 56 81 21.5 81 102 27.2 7 40 16.0 32 90 19.0 57 113 26.5 82 69 21.0 8 59 17.2 33 90 21.5 58 101 25.0 83 70 16.5 9 91 19.0 34 118 27.5 59 69 19.0 84 53 14.6 10 77 21.5 35 44 12.5 60 71 16.0 85 71 18.5 11 56 14.5 36 73 14.8 61 91 19.0 86 95 21.5 12 71 15.0 37 90 18.0 62 58 18.0 87 88 22.0 13 67 24.5 38 88 21.5 63 115 27.0 88 96 23.0 14 59 15.5 39 51 15.5 64 94 22.5 89 99 18.0 15 56 27.8 40 96 21.6 65 99 25.0 90 99 19.5 16 106 15.2 41 115 25.5 66 62 18.0 91 107 23.0 17 64 16.0 42 100 26.0 67 58 15.0 92 81 24.0 18 125 26.0 43 69 17.5 68 70 18.0 93 100 25.0 19 56 24.0 44 111 23.5 69 60 17.5 94 70 20.5 20 79 25.2 45 73 21.5 70 100 23.5 95 108 22.5 21 108 26.0 46 57 18.5 71 72 20.0 96 83 22.6 22 90 24.0 47 119 29.0 72 80 22.5 97 51 15.0 23 132 25.2 48 98 24.5 73 65 19.0 98 88 18.5 24 43 12.5 49 77 20.5 74 66 15.5 99 94 19.0 25 86 18.5 50 86 19.6 75 70 16.0 100 93 20.5

12.3 Statistics of forest carbon stock

Under the national forest inventory programme, FSI has been calculating carbon stock of forests under different types. As per the methodology, in each sample plot all trees of diameter 10 cm and above are measured. The woody volume of trees for each sample plot is calculated using volume equation developed by FSI for various species. The volume equation provides above ground woody volume i.e. above ground volume, which includes volume of main stem measured upto 10 cm diameter and volume of all branches having diameter 5 cm or more. Data of specific gravity and percentage carbon content of most of tree species have been obtained from different published literature. Standard formulae were used to calculate biomass and carbon content of each tree.

During forest inventory the data on forest floor (non-woody litter and humus) and soil carbon is also collected from each sample plot. For collecting data on humus and soil carbon, two sub-plots of size 1m×1m are laid out within the main plot. The forest floor from both the plots is first swept and material so collected is weighed and a portion of same is kept for carbon analysis. Further, at the centre of these two sub-plots, a pit of 30cm × 30cm × 30cm is dug and a composite sample of soil weighing 200gm is kept for organic carbon analysis. Samples of soil and humus are analysed and are used for carbon calculation.

Below ground biomass is being calculated using a relationship (usually a root-to-shoot ratio) to above ground biomass which have been established by various researchers. GPG also provides default ratios for six major global forest types. FSI has selectively used these defaults to arrive at the carbon number

PART II

FUTURE MANAGEMENT

100

CHAPTER XIII

BASIS OF PROPOSALS

13.1 General objects of Management: The main facts affecting the general objectives of management are: a) Seventy eight per cent of the total area of forests dealt under this working plan has bamboo brakes from pure to moderately dense bamboo crop. On the whole, the forests contain a high proportion of bamboo crop, but are not fully stocked. b) The forests are situated on undulating to steep hilly terrain in the Shiwalik range which are geologically young and have intense soil erosion forming flood torrents. These forests are absolutely necessary to give a protective cover to the ground. c) There is an intense biotic pressure on the forests due to the burgeoning human population and cattle of the fringe villages which exercise rights of bamboo harvest and grazing, besides causing illicit removal of fuelwood and fodder. d) The bamboo crop has been deteriorating in quality and quantity over the years because of non-working, forest fires and biotic pressure. e) The invasive lantana has penetrated deep into the forest and the main cause for deteriorating the condition of the forest, reducing biodiversity and productivity. f) Over the years, due to distribution of private holdings, the boundary of forests has obliterated and boundary pillars are either missing or misplaced. g) The forests are the representative of vegetation of Shiwalik hills and contain important elements of biodiversity which needs to be protected. h) The forests dealt within this plan are the property of the Nation and the object of management should conform to the policy of the Government on forest management.

Based on the above facts, the immediate objects of management are:

101

(i) To preserve and maintain the forests for ecological and environmental conservation. (ii) To increase the productivity of the forests and maintain their vitality after meeting the needs of the local people and those who are dependent on it or exercise rights. (iii) To increase the density and cover of the forest so as to reduce soil erosion, enhance water conservation capacity and assisting in regulating the flow of water from its catchment. (iv) To conserve the unique identity of these forests and conserving the biodiversity through sustainable use. (v) To involve the local people in the management of forest resources through the institution of Joint Forest Management, enhancing livelihood and employment opportunities and ensuring usufruct sharing. (vi) To enhance the carbon stocking of forests through silvicultural measures. (vii) To create favourable conditions for the protection and development of wildlife in the tract. (viii) To demarcate the forests and establish its missing boundary pillars with permanent structures.

13.2 Methods of treatment to be adopted:

Karanpur and Bindraban forests are mainly bamboo bearing areas with sprinkling of trees like Holoptelia, Khair, Lannea coromandelica, Flucourtia indica and Mallotus philippinensis. Due to openings of forests, they have been invaded by fast growing species like lantana. Along the choes and streams, Acacia catechu and Dalbergia sissoo have shown their presence whereas attempts in the past have been made to introduce teak, amla, khair and Albizia species. As the species introduced are definite light demanders, growth not commensurating with invasive species, therefore, the stocking has not improved either in terms of bamboo or other species. To maintain bamboo crop and to fill the gaps, address the degraded areas and restocking the blanks, different silvicultural treatments will be required especially suited to bamboos. Rehabilitation of degraded Nandbir forests will need altogether a different approach through intensive soil and water conservation and afforestation based on the knowledge and

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experience gained in the past treatment of these forests. Whatever be the silvicultural system adopted, it will definitely be emphasized that the repdroduction of bamboos must continue to follow the felling and damage to the new culms is reduced to the minimum keeping off grazing and lopping and continually cleaning the crop for quality growth of bamboos.

All silvicultural treatments must be directed to reduce the invasion of Lantana and stop its further invasion to new areas. The felling of coupes and felling of trees should be such that no gaps are developed to allow direct sunlight to substantial areas. Clear felling will not be done in any areas for this purpose.

Poor quality scrub forests of Nandbir will need special treatment for soil and water conservation alongwith plantings of suitable species which are hardy and resistant to frost. The area needs no felling of any kind throughout the working plan period.

Due regard to steep slopes liable to erosion, along the banks of choes and stream and areas on the south-west direction shall be taken while working owing to the paucity of growing stock.

Bamboos should be worked on a triennial cycle.

13.3 Constitution of Working Circles:

In accordance with the above facts, the following working circles are proposed:

(i) Bamboo Working Circle. (ii) Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle. (iii) Miscellaneous species Working Circle (iv) Plantation Working Circle (v) Wildlife Management Working Circle (vi) Joint Forest Management Working Circle (vii) Non-Timber Forest Products Working Circle (viii) Biodiversity Conservation Working Circle. (ix) Protection Working Circle

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(i) Bamboo Working Circle: This working circle will comprise of all areas of Karanpur and Bindraban forests having pure bamboo crop except degraded areas. The total area of the working circle will be 900.8 ha. The main crop of the circle comprises of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus). There is no change in the area allocated to this working circle than in the previous working plan. (ii) Bamboo Rehabliition Working Circle: This working circle will comprise all understocked and degraded bamboo areas of Karanpur and Bindraban forests. The total area allotted to this working circle will be 1522.0 ha. (iii) Miscellaneous species working circle: This working circle will comprise all forest area of Nandbir forests and Comptt. No. 1a of Bindraban forests. The total area of working circle will be 859.2 ha. (iv) Plantation working circle: This will be an overlapping working circle comprising areas of all forests which needs to be planted artificially, areas under existing plantations, blank areas which cannot be rehabilitated by ANR and lands under CAMPA etc which are suitable for plantations. (v) Wildlife Management Working Circle: This will be an overlapping working circle comprising all forest areas. The objective will be to identify important area for wildlife and conservation, to reduce the man-animal conflict and address problems of poaching. Ecotourism potential shall also be explored. (vi) Joint Forest Management Working Circle: This will be another overlapping working circle giving role to community participation in management of forest areas through village level joint forest management committees. Sharing of usufructs and benefits with community in a sustainable manner shall be the objective. (vii) Non-Timber Forest Products Working Circle: This overlapping working circle aims to identify the NTFPs to be managed, evaluate the existing system of management, and evaluate the potential for future sustainable management for creating livelihood for the people. (viii) Biodiversity Conservation Working Circle:The diversity of the ecosystem in the forest areas and special needs of sensitive ecosystems and habitat will be identified, described and addressed. Alongwith conservation, maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity, the endangered species shall be identified and protected with special care.

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(ix) Protection Working Circle: This overlapping working circle will embrace protection to forests, and conservation of flora and biodiversity and wildlife, forest fire management, invasive species and weed management, prevention of illicit removals of bamboos and monitoring the boundaries of forests against encroachment.

13.4 Period of Working Plan and necessity for intermediate revision:

This working plan will be in place for 15 years w.e.f. 2014-15 to 2028-29. A mid-term review shall be undertaken for mid-course correction by the consultative committee under the chairmanship of PCCF (HoFF) with representation from Regional APCCF (MoEF).

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Fig. 13.1 Map showing allocation of working circels

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CHAPTER–XIV

BAMBOO WORKING CIRCLE

14.1 General Constitution of Working Circle: This working circle comprises of all areas of Karanpur and Bindraban forests having workable bamboo crop and does not include the degraded and congested bamboo areas. The main crop of the working circle consists of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus). After the Resource Assessment Survey, it was clear that there are mainly two types of bamboo areas, one where the clumps are highly congested and degraded which need immediate rehabilitation and the other comparatively clean clumps where the workable clumps are available and until and unless they are worked, the sustainability may be lost. The latter areas have been allocated to Bamboo Working Circle. The area statement of this Working Circle is given in Table 14.1

Table 14.1: Area allocation to Bamboo Working Circle

Pvt. Net Sound Comptt. Total area Total number Total Sound Forest Area area Culms No. (ha) of culms culms (ha) (ha) per ha

Karanpur C1(b) 42.5 1.2 41.3 158600 114000 2760

C3(b) 148.9 9.6 139.3 710400 146300 5128

Bindraban C2 111.7 - 111.7 1027600 1009600 9038

C4 104.0 - 104.0 720720 706420 6790

C5 68.4 - 68.4 225000 216100 3160

C6 53.0 - 53.0 149460 136160 2570

C7 193.0 - 193.0 829900 814400 4220

C8 122.6 1.7 120.9 518700 500600 4140

C10 69.2 - 69.2 276800 269900 3900 Total 913.30 12.5 900.8 4617180 3913480 4344

It is apparent that the number of sound culms which could be worked comes to 4344 per ha in this working circle, whereas on an average for the whole of

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Fig14.1 Total number of clumps in Bindraban forest

Fig14.2 Congested clumps in Bindraban forest

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Karanpur and Bindraban, this is dismally low to 2348 culms per ha. The density of clumps per ha varies from 50 in C2 Karanpur forest to as high as 300 in C7 of Karanpur forest, but the latter is entirely congested leaving no scope for working.

The highest number of open clumps are found in C2 of Bindraban which bear 240 per ha, out of which 70.82 per cent are open clumps. In other compartments of Bindraban, the clumps per ha are usually less in number, as the space is taken up by the tree growth, but the number of open clumps is higher than Karanpur forests, where the clumps are degraded, congested and stunted in growth.

14.2 General Characteristics of Vegetation: The vegetation conforms to 5/E9 Dry Bamboo Brakes forest type where the only bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus is found gregariously with a sprinkling of tree and shrub species of the local dry deciduous forests. The main tree species are Diospyros montana, Lannea grandis, Diospyros tomentosa, Cassia fistula, Aegle marmelos, Acacia catechu, Emblica officinalis, Holoptelia integrifolia and Mallotus philippinensis. The shrub growth consists of Lantana camara, Adhatoda vesica, Carissa opaca, Murraya koengii, Flocourtia indica. Except Lannea grandis, all tree growth belongs to young diameter classes and mature trees are rarely found. The plantations raised of Eucalyptus and Tectona grandis remain preserved and form the upper storey wherever found.

The bamboo growth is of degraded nature as the average height of clumps is only 6.58m. The degraded site quality is due to the heary biotic pressure in the recent past, invasion of lantana and hacking of bamboo growth by the locals. Due to heavy soil erosion in some areas, the old clumps are dying or in the process of dying and the new growth is absent. The regeneration of tree growth is also suppressed due to the same reason. The number of total clumps, number of congested clumps and open clumps and their girth and height will give an idea of the condition of the crop in the Working Circle (Table 14.2). The number of clumps of bamboos per ha is 126.7 which is better than the average of all bamboo forests being 121.7 per ha. Similarly, the number of open clumps per ha is also more (74.2) than the average of 64.4 per ha.

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Table 14.2: Number of clumps and their status

No. of No. of Clump Clump Comptt. Total No. Clumps Forests Area (ha) congested open girth height No. of clumps per ha clumps clumps (m) (m)

Karanpur C1(b) 41.3 4955 120 2065 2890 2.71 5.60

C3(b) 139.3 20900 150 15320 5580 4.71 7.40

Bindraban C2 111.7 26800 240 7820 18980 4.85 7.3

C4 104.0 7300 70 3130 4170 5.38 5.5

C5 68.4 4800 70 2060 2740 5.83 6.4

C6 53.0 3200 60 1070 2130 5.75 6.1

C7 193.0 19300 100 7720 11580 5.69 5.5 4.42 7.0 C8 120.9 15720 130 6050 9670 3.70 8.6 C10 69.2 11160 161 2080 9080 4.78 6.58 Total 900.8 114135 126.7 47315 66820

14.3 Block Compartments and JFM areas: The Working Circle is demarcated into compartments as given in Table 2.1. There are no blocks in the forests. The area allotted to this Working Circle also does not have JFM areas, nor there is any proposal to distribute these areas to JFM institutions.

14.4 Special objectives of Management: The Bamboo Working Circle comprises bamboo areas which can be worked on a sustainable basis in the Working Plan period. As enumerated above, the crop mainly consists of bamboos. The main purpose of the constitution of this circle is to work the bamboos so that new growth takes place and the regeneration replaces up the old growth. The special objectives of management are therefore:

1. To work the bamboo area to obtain sustainable yield of bamboo. 2. To sustain the new growth by working the clumps 3. To maintain the bamboo growth in series of ages for future management. 4. To treat the compartments site specifically to enhance the growth of bamboos. 5. To maintain the green cover in the fragile ecosystem for soil and water conservation and other ecological services.

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14.5 Method of Treatment: The main object of management of Bamboo Working Circle being to enhance the production and productivity of bamboos in the working plan period. The area allocated to this circle comprises comparatively uncongested bamboo crop bearing on an average density of 126.7 clumps per ha and the average number of culms being 5125 numbers. Therefore, the treatment to these areas will comprise of working of uncongested clumps so as to harvest a good number of culms. At the same time of working care shall be taken to clean the unworked clumps so that new culms find a way to regenerate. In a given coupe, in a given year, the clumps will be harvested for culms, or will be cleaned as per the requirement of the crop. Cleaning will consist of cutting and disposal of congested, twisted, malformed, dried, and practically cut culms which otherwise hinder the growth of new culms. Where sporadic flowering is noticed, the culms will be felled after the seed is shed to the ground. The open clumps having the minimum number of culms will not be harvested. While harvesting the culms, care should be taken to provide support to the newly emerging culms. The badly damaged or congested clumps shall be clearfelled to give way to new regeneration. Where the clumps are on the steep slope and likely to fall due to erosion or overweight of stumps, soil mounds should be made to support the clumps.

The same treatment is recommended for young clumps where around soil working should be done. Where, the growth of culms remain stunted due to deficiency of nutrients, application of chemical fertilizer will certainly boost the growth.

14.6 Analysis of Crop:

During the Resource Assessment Survey, the number of current year, second year and third year and above old culms were identified and counted. Table 14.3 gives the detail of age wise number of culms assessed out of the total available culms in the Working Circle.

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Table 14.3: Age-wise number of culms assessed in the bamboo working circle

Karanpur C1(b) 41.3 24800 24800 109000 158600 2.18 3.08 3.60

C3(b) 139.3 125400 271600 313400 710400 2.74 3.37 3.56

Bindraban C2 111.7 712200 111900 203500 1027600 3.9 3.70 4.80

C4 104.0 122700 153300 444720 720720 4.28 3.53 4.39

C5 68.4 57450 86200 81350 225000 4.72 4.00 4.85

C6 53.0 38300 57200 53960 149460 4.05 3.92 4.73

C7 193.0 154400 193000 482500 829900 4.08 3.91 4.05

C8 120.9 110000 141500 267200 518700 3.44 3.52 3.57

C10 69.2 77500 42800 156500 276800 3.90 3.34 3.50 Total 900.8 1422750 1082300 2112130 4617180 3.70 3.60 4.12 per ha - 1579.0 1201.50 2344.73 5125.6 - - -

The data shows that the current year‟s culms comprise 30.8 per cent and about 45.74 per cent culms are three or more years old. If the more than 3 years old culms are not harvested in time, the quality deteriorates and they get dried, and hollowed, attracked by termites and get decomposed. The dried culms and the leaf sheath‟s also become a major fire hazard during the hot summer season. Unattended and unworked for a number of years, the clumps become degraded and the growing rhizome find no space to grow into culms as a result the emerging shoots become distorted and twisted. The only remedy is work the bamboo to let them grow into healthy culms.

The average diameter of the current years culms is 3.70cm and that of 2nd year culms is 3.60cm.

14.7 Yield estimation:

It is also seen that the current year‟s culms constitute about one third of the total culms in this working circle. This means to say that if clumps are worked on a three year basis, the new culms at the rate of 30 per cent of the total culms can be expected. This can be termed as the harvestable yield of culms in a single rotation. Thus on a rotation of 3 years one third of 14.22 lakh culms or 4.75 lakh culms can be harvested.

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However, this yield shall be harvested of 3 year old and above culms which constitute 45.74 per cent of the total number of culms. In absolute numbers, the total culms of 3 year old and above are estimated to 21.12 lakh, much above the harvestable intended yield. Further analysis of the crop reveals that of the total culms, 91.80 per cent are green and sound culms and the remaining are either congested, twisted and dried culms (Table 14.4)

Table 14.4: Proportion of green and dried culms in the crop

No. of No. of % of Comptt. Total No. congested/ Forest Area (ha) sound sound No. of culms twisted culms culms culms

Karanpur C1(b) 41.3 158600 44600 144000 71.88

C3(b) 139.3 710400 146300 564100 79.40

Bindraban C2 111.7 1027600 18000 1009600 .98.25

C4 104.0 720720 14300 706420 98.00

C5 68.4 225000 8900 216100 96.00

C6 53.0 149460 13400 136160 91.00

C7 193.0 829900 15500 814400 98.00

C8 120.9 518700 18100 500600 96.50

C10 69.2 276800 6900 269900 97.50

Total 900.80 4617180 126800 3913480 91.80

The proportion of sound and harvestable culms in this working circle is therefore very high and harvesting of bamboo can be economically a viable exercise.

14.8 Felling Cycle: Bamboos will be worked on a four year felling cycle. The studies in the past as well as the condition of the crop demands this cycle of working. Bamboo clumps need periodical cleaning by removing the mature ones and retaining the raw culms with supporting bamboos left uncut. If scientific working is practised, the bamboo forests give quickest returns to the management. The bamboo forests can be worked by laying out equiproductive coupes as far as possible.

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14.9 Regulation of yield: Yield shall be regulated by area by laying out equiproductive coupes as far as possible. The coupes shall be worked departmentally under strict supervision or they can be worked through Punjab State Forest Development Corporation under strict supervision.

14.10 Felling Programme: The bamboo shall be worked on a four year cycle as per the felling programme given in Table 14.5. The felling coupe shall be continuous with the compartment boundary, so there will not be any difficulty in demarcation of coupe. Care however shall be taken that next coupe shall be undertaken only after completion of felling in the previous year‟s coupe.

14.11 Period of Working: Ordinarily, working of bamboos will be undertaken after 15th October. Felling will strictly be forbidden between the period of 1st July to 15th October. The felling should preferably be completed well before 15th March of every year due to borer attack and fire hazard.

Table 14.5: Felling programme of Bamboo Working Circle

Year of Expected yield (No. S.No. Comptt. No. Forest Area (ha) working of culms in lakhs)

1 2015-16 C7,C8,C10 Bindraban 383.1 4.75

C6, C5, C4, Bindraban 4.75 2 2016-17 266.7 C1b Karanpur C2, Bindraban 4.75 3 2017-18 251.0 C3b Karanpur 2018-19 4.75 4 C7,C8,C10 Bindraban 383.1

2019-20 C6, C5, C4, Bindraban 4.75 5 266.7 C1b Karanpur 2020-21 C2, Bindraban 4.75 6 251.0 C3b Karanpur 2021-22 4.75 7 C7,C8,C10 Bindraban 383.1

2022-23 C6, C5, C4, Bindraban 4.75 8 266.7 C1b Karanpur 2023-24 C2, Bindraban 4.75 9 251.00 C3b Karanpur 2024-25 4.75 10 C7,C8,C10 Bindraban 383.1

2025-26 C6, C5, C4, Bindraban 4.75 11 266.7 C1b Karanpur 2026-27 C2, Bindraban 4.75 12 251.0 C3b Karanpur 2027-28 4.75 13 C7,C8,C10 Bindraban 383

2028-29 C6, C5, C4, Bindraban 4.75 14 266.7 C1b Karanpur 2029-30 C2, Bindraban 4.75 15 251.0 C3b Karanpur

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14.12 Standard Rules for Bamboo Working:

The following rules shall be observed for cutting bamboos and carrying out cleanings:

(i) The sequence and direction of felling in various compartments will be laid out by the Divisional Forest Officer in order to check the overfelling in accessible areas and underfelling in inaccessible and far-off areas. Any compartment that could not be felled or felled partially in the prescribed year shall be felled in the next year on a priority basis. (ii) Ordinarily, work will be completed in a compartment before proceeding to the next and the coupes shall be worked from top to down hill. (iii) Cleaning and felling operations shall be carried out simultaneously but it must be done under the supervision of an experienced officer-on-duty. (iv) Current year shoots (manu), one and two year old culms will not be felled. Sufficient number of culms to support manus and provide food for rhizomes will be retained evenly distributed over the rootstock to give over all spacing of 15-20 cm in a clump. a. Wherever possible, culms on the periplery of clumps shall not be felled. b. Felling shall start from the Centre to the periphery. c. The following priority will be observed while taking out the culms. a) Dried, burnt, and damaged culms. b) Among the green culms take out first broken and twisted culms. (v) A minimum number of 20 culms shall be retained in a clump in this working circle. While retaining culms in a clump, well spaced culms should be left and preferably at the periphery and in the order of preference as below: a. Karla and Mahila

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b. Young green bamboos c. Older live bamboos d. Others as may be available (vi) Open clumps and clumps with unmarketable culms shall not be worked out but they must be cleaned so as to remove dead, dying and malformed bamboos. (vii) Clumps that have flowered may be clearfelled, but in case of partially flowered clumps, only the flower bearing culms will be removed. (viii) Felling will be cautious and conservative on hot aspects, near ridges, where growth is generally poor and near habitation and along the periphery of the forest where both demands of right holders and damage due to illicit felling, lopping and browsing is heavy. (ix) Culms shall be cut with a sharp instrument between 15cm to 25cm above the ground level leaving behind atleast one prominent node. No cut portion of bamboo will be left in a clump (x) Digging up of rhizomes will not be permitted. (xi) Debris shall be removed atleast one metre away from the periphery of each worked clump. (xii) Badly congested clumps shall be clearfelled by making three segments and working the middle segment in the first cutting cycle. The other two segments shall be worked in the subsequent 2nd and 3rd cycles. (xiii) Fire protection measures will be strictly followed in the following coupes. (xiv) In the worked areas, grazing shall not be allowed in the first year after working.

14.13 Special Treatment of uncongested open clumps:

 All dead, congested and highly damaged culms shall be felled.

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 Where the number of culms in a clump is less than the minimum prescribed culms, no culms shall be harvested and only cleaning shall be done.  In the open clumps, where the number of culms is more than the minimum prescribed, felling of culms shall be done following the prescribed rules.

14.14 Special treatment for Congested clumps

 The commercial felling of culms shall not be done in any congested clump.  All dead, dry, overmature, fire affected, broken or damaged culms shall be cut and removed.  For the purpose of protection and in order to maintain the size of clump, wherever necessary, culms of 2.5 m or more in length shall be retained.

14.15 Gregarious Flowering: There are no instances reported for gregarious flowering in the past in these forests. However, gregarious flowering, an intrinsic character of bamboos cannot be ruled out in the future. Therefore, it is essential to plan for such an eventuality. Gregarious flowering is generally accepted as an phenomenon when more than 50 percent of the clumps flower simultaneously and where the area covered is more than 2 ha in extent. As after gregarious flowering, the flowered culms in the clumps die and become dry, the forest looks a swathe of dry vegetative material with unprecedented danger of forest fires, sudden increase of rodents as the herbivores and other animals dependent on bamboo forests suddenly find themselves deprived of natural wealth. The most important worry for the forester is how to get the regeneration. This becomes problematic especially when the area is heavily infested with lantana and other weeds. Wherever the conditions for natural regeneration are congenial due to openings near the clumps, shade of trees, near soil exposed sites and nallahs, the chances are better. The most important point here is the protection and tending of the young culms till establishment. It is also important to dispose off the dead culms and utilize the huge biomass resource. To address the gregarious flowering situation, therefore needs meticulous planning for working

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of dried culms, disposal of material and special treatment plan for obtaining natural vegetation. The following prescriptions are made for dealing with such a situation in the working plan period.

1. All gregariously flowered areas shall be clear felled immediately after the seed has been shed. Seed collection may also be done as per the requirement for raising artificial regeneration for direct sowing or raising of plants in the nursery. 2. The bamboo biomass harvested due to clear felling shall be disposed of early so as to save it from biological degradation and also to save it against forest fire disaster. Delaying the disposal can cause a tremendous loss of biomass which could otherwise be used in some industry. 3. Special fire protection measures should be adopted to fight out fire which is a big enemy in retarding the growth and killing the reproduction by desiccation. The regeneration should be protected against fire for atleast 5 years and a special plan for this purpose should be prepared. 4. Similarly, the gregariously flowered area shall be closed for grazing for the next 5 years and the strict follow up will be done. 5. In the natural regeneration areas, special cultural operations should be done. At an internal of 5m×5m, elite bamboo plants should be selected. Around these elite plants, leaving 20 cm radius, all seedlings within 2m radius shall be taken out. The elite plants shall also be mulched and half-moon shaped trenches should be constructed for water conservation and they be weeded for the next three years. 6. No commercial felling shall be permitted in these areas till the time the clumps are established and the process is complete without hindrance and retardation. 7. Only tending operation will be permitted as under:

a) Dead, broken, and fire burnt bamboo pieces, if creating congestion, shall be removed before fire season, without disturbing the new clump and rhizome. b) New culms should not be cut for tying the bundles of dead bamboo pieces.

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c) The debris should be kept atleast one metre away from the new clump. d) Preferential treatment should be given to bamboos over other species during tending period. e) Cleaning may be done in over congested clumps where recruitment of manu is adversely being affected by giving recruitment space near the clump base.

14.16 Evaluation of Growing stock of trees: Apart from bamboo assessment, growing stock of trees was also assessed compartment wise. The same is given in Table 14.6. It is seen that the tree crop consists of young age class representing 81 per cent of the total trees belonging to 11–30 cm diameter. The per hectare trees vary from 35.0 in compartment No C1b of Karanpur to 244 in C8 of Bindraban. The tree density is better in Bindraban forests than in Karanpur. It can further be noticed that compartments in which bamboo clumps are better have also better tree density per hectare.

In composition maximum representation is made by Acacia catechu followed by Lannea grandis contributing 57.67 per cent and 17.37 per cent of the total number of trees in the working circle, respectively. However, the trees of Lannea grandis range from young to mature age, while the trees of khair are confined to younger age classes, as a result, volume contribution to growing stock of Lannea grandis is above 55 per cent. The other trees of Aegle marmelos, Bauhinia variegata, Bombax ceiba, Butea monosperma, Holoptelia integrifolia and Emblica officinalis contribute minimally; nevertheless their importance from the ecological point of view is substantial.

14.17 Silvicultural System: As the tree crop is represented by a number of species, the younger age classes predominate, whereas only Lannea grandis has all age classes in the crop. Plantation of Tectona grandis is emerging to contribute significantly to the total growing stock of the Working Circle. At the present stage, this crop is not mature for felling. Therefore, a „Selection-cum- Improvement felling‟ system shall be followed so as to keep the trees growing to their optimum increment in between the bamboo crop. Harvesting these trees will be a great loss to the diversity of the forests. It is also a buffer stock against

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the eventuality of forest fires and gregarious flowering. Therefore, as far as possible only silviculturally available trees having achieved the rotation age and are essential for removal shall be considered for felling.

14.18 Rotation: The rotation of the predominant species is fixed as under: Exploitable girth at S.No. Species Rotation (Years) breast height (cm) 1 Acacia catechu 60 90

2 Holoptelia integrifolia 60 120

3 Lannea grandis 90 160

4 Diospyros species 90 120

5 Other species 60 130

14.19 Calculation of yield: Simmon‟s modification of Von Mantel‟s formula has been used to calculate the annual yield as follows:

Y = 2Vr 2 2 r  x

Where Y = Annual yield in cubic metres

V = Volume of growing stock in cubic metres

r = Rotation in years

x = Age in years corresponding to 60cm g.b.h. down to which the stock has been enumerated.

On the basis of above mentioned formula, the yield of main species comes as follows:

Acacia Holoptelia Diospyros Lannea Other Total Particulars catechu integrifolia tomentosa grandis species (cum)

V 6134.50 319.50 1514.00 15425.00 23618.85 28392.40 r 60 60 90 90 60 x 20 25 30 30 25 Y 230.00 13.00 38.00 385.00 952.00 1618.00 Annual prescribed 200.00 10.00 20.00 100.00 330.00 880.00 yield

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As per the guidelines of the Govt. of India, the prescribed yield will be limited to half of the calculated yield. The prescribed yield will first be obtained from the dead, dry and fallen trees, and only if it is not obtainable, the felling of green trees shall be done. While marking green trees, preference will be given to Eucalyptus trees. As already explained, only silviculturally available trees will be marked for felling and in no circumstances clearfelling will be done.

Trees felled illicitely shall also be counted towards the prescribed yield so as to preserve the structure of the forest.

14.20 Felling and Improvement Cycle: The four year felling programme as prescribed for working of bamboos will be followed as the yield will be controlled by area. This felling programme will be followed keeping in view the marking rules, felling rules and the overall prescribed yield.

14.21 Marking Rules: The following marking rules shall be observed:

1. All dead, dry, diseased and fallen trees shall be marked for felling. 2. Green shisham and chil trees shall not be marked. 3. In case of Bohr, Pipal, Amla, Bahera, Harar, Jamun, Mango and Bel trees, only dead dry and diseased trees shall be marked. 4. Advance growth of Khair less than 20 cm diameter and of shisham, jamun, simbal, Rajain, Diospyros, less than 40cm diameter will not be marked wherever it occurs. 5. No marking shall be done on slope having gradient more than 30 per cent in areas subject to active soil-erosion and areas being sparsely stocked. 6. No tree shall be marked upto 10 metres from the outer boundary of gully, nallah and choes. 7. No marking shall be done for any tree which open the canopy of the stand. 8. Trees which hinder the growth of bamboos shall be marked for lopping. 9. Trees of religious importance and situated near the temples or shrines or ponds/baulis shall not be marked. 10. Trees providing shelter to wild animals and birds shall not be marked.

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14.22 Method of Executing felling:

1. Felling shall be done in hilly areas according to Rule No. 5 of Marking Rules

referred above.

2. No damage shall be done to advance growth while felling the tree.

3. The felling coupe shall be the same as marked for cutting of bamboos in this

Working Circle.

4. No digging of stumps shall be carried out. However, stumps of trees affected

by Ganoderma infestation or otherwise diseased shall be uprooted to

minimize spreading of inoculum to the healthy stand, but the pits shall be

promptly refilled.

5. The sequence of felling and the timing of felling shall be the same as in case

of cutting of bamboos.

6. Dressing of stumps of coppice bearing species like Cassia fistula, Acacia

catechu, Bauhinia variegata, Diospyros tomentosa and Tectona grandis upto

90 cm girth and 10cm above the ground level shall be done.

Fig 14.3 Bamboo crop in Bindraban forest

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Table 14.6 Growing stock of Trees of Bamboo Working Circle

No. of trees in Diameter classes Compartment Total No. Forest Trees/ha No. of trees 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71 & above (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)

Karanpur C1(b) 615 410 - - - - 410 1435 35.0

C3(b) 6606 230 140 90 - - - 7066 51.0

Bindraban C2 2520 6220 3770 200 200 - - 12910 116.0

C4 ------

C5 3400 3400 580 - - - - 7380 108.0

C6 450 3600 2250 - 450 - - 6750 127.0

C7 20160 13470 3395 1727 43 23 - 38818 201.0

C8 15640 11960 920 920 - - - 29440 244.0

C10 3980 3540 3540 2950 1280 - - 15290 220.0

Total Total 53371 42830 14595 5887 1973 23 410 119089 130.0

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Table 14.7: Diameterwise tree growing stock of Bamboo Working Circle

No. of trees in diameter classes 71 & Species 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 Total above (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) Acacia catechu 36987 28100 3490 - - - - 68577 Aegle marmelos - - 1680 - - - - 1680 Bauhinia variegata 1489 ------1489 Bombax ceiba - 1680 - - - - - 1680 Butea monosperma - 580 - - - - - 580 Cassia fistula 655 ------655 Diospyros tomentosa 200 200 1970 - - - - 2370 Diospyros montana 590 2670 - - - - - 3260 Emblica officinalis 410 410 - 590 - - - 1410 Erythrina subumbrans - 1680 - - - - - 1680 Eucalyptus tereticornis - 30 35 47 43 23 - 178 Flacourtia indica 590 ------590 Grewia tiliaefolia - - 450 - - - - 450 Holoptelia integrifolia 3760 2130 - - - - - 5890 Lannea grandis 1680 4650 6830 5160 1930 - 410 20660 Leucaena leucocephala - 450 - - - - - 450 Mallotus philippinensis 1770 ------1770 Tectona grandis 4650 250 140 90 - - - 5130 Ziziphus mauritiana 590 ------590 Total 53371 42830 14595 5887 1973 23 410 119089

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Table 14.8: Growing stock of volume of trees of Bamboo Working Circle

Volume of trees (cum) Total 70 & Species 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 Volume above (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cum) (cm) Acacia catechu 1849.35 4215.00 1919.50 - - - - 7983.85 Aegle marmelos - - 924.00 - - - - 924.00 Bauhinia variegata 74.45 ------74.45 Bombax ceiba - 252.00 - - - - - 252.00 Butea monosperma - 87.00 - - - - - 87.00 Cassia fistula 32.75 ------32.75 Diospyros tomentosa 10.00 30.00 1083.50 - - - - 1123.50 Diospyros montana 29.50 400.50 - - - - - 430.00 Emblica officinalis 20.50 61.50 - - - - - 82.00 Erythrina subumbrans - 252.0 - - - - - 252.00 Eucalyptus tereticornis - 4.5 19.25 51.7 86.0 64.40 - 225.85 Flacourtia indica 29.50 ------29.50 Grewia tiliaefolia - - 247.50 - - - - 247.50 Holoptelia integrifolia 188.00 319.50 - - - - - 507.50 Lannea grandis 84.00 697.50 3756.50 5676.00 3860.00 - 1435.00 15509.00 Leucaena leucocephala - 67.50 - - - - - 67.50 Mallotus philippinensis 88.50 ------88.50 Tectona grandis 232.50 37.50 77.00 99.00 - - - 446.00 Ziziphus mauritiana 29.50 ------29.50 Total 2668.55 6425.50 8027.25 5826.70 3946.00 64.40 1435.00 28392.40

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CHAPTER–XV

BAMBOO REHABILITATION WORKING CIRCLE

15.1 General Constitution of Working Circle: This working circle comprises of all areas of bamboo bearing forests of Karanpur and Bindraban forests not included in the Bamboo Working Circle. These areas have degraded and understocked bamboo forests. Mainly these areas have congested clumps which have not been cleaned for a period of time and the regrowth of bamboo culms has stopped. After the Resource Assessment of the forests, it was amply clear that the forests of Karanpur and Bindraban can be easily categorized into two classes, viz. first forests having clear clumps commercially exploitable and the second, forests having highly congested and degraded clumps which cannot give commercial exploitable culms and need special treatment for their growth and sustainability. The latter areas were allocated to Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle. The total area under this working circle is 1522.0 ha. The area statement of this working circle is given in Table 15.1

Table 15.1: Area allotted to Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle

Total Total Pvt. Net %of Comptt. number Clumps Congested Forests Area Area Area congested No. of per ha clumps (ha) (ha) (ha) clumps clumps

Karanpur C1(a) 49.8 - 49.8 4980 100 3480 70.0

C2 143.7 1.6 142.1 7105 50 2840 40.0

C3(a) 116.5 6.5 110.0 25320 230 24200 95.0

C4 233.9 17.0 216.9 28200 130 21690 77.0

C5 248.5 56.7 191.8 17260 90 7670 44.4

C6 80.1 - 80.1 16820 210 9000 53.50

C7 109.7 - 109.7 32910 300 19250 58.5

C8 169.2 14.2 155.0 21700 140 10850 50.0

C9 51.8 - 51.8 10880 210 7250 66.6

C10 61.5 - 61.5 12915 210 6760 52.3

Bindraban C1(b) 163.5 - 163.5 11445 70 8175 71.4

C3 138.4 - 138.4 9700 70 1900 19.6

C9 51.4 - 51.4 3600 70 1540 42.7 Total 1618.0 96.0 1522.0 202835 130.75 124605 61.43

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Fig 15.1 A view of degraded Bamboo forest of Bindraban

Fig 15.2 A congested bamboo clump

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Fig 15.3 Number of total clumps in Karanpur forest

Fig.15.4 Congested clumps in Karanpur forest

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It is apparent that the crop is highly degraded as out of the total number of clumps 61.43 per cent are congested and compact. The congested clumps are defined as degraded and compact clumps having no space for proliferation of new culms and the present culms are mostly dried, twisted and malformed which cannot be put to commercial use. The number of clumps per ha varies considerably from 50 per ha in C2 Karanpur to 300 in C7 Karanpur. Similarly, the number of congested clumps also varies from 40 per cent in C2 Karanpur to 95 per cent in C3a Karanpur. In some compartments where the clumps per ha are high, but due to high percentage of congested clumps, these areas cannot be worked. In other compartments allocated to this Working Circle, though the absolute number of clumps may be high, but when seen from the per ha quantum, it is very low. Therefore, all these parameters have compelling evidence to allocate these compartments to Rehabilitation Working Circle for improvement of crop in the working plan period.

15.2 General characteristics of vegetation: The vegetation conforms to 5/E9 Dry Bamboo Brakes forest type where the only bamboo species Dendrocalamus strictus is found gregariously with a sprinkling of tree and shrub species of the local dry deciduous and scrub type of forests. The main tree species found are Diospyros montana, Lannea grandis, Diospyros tomentosa, Cassia fistula, Aegle marmelos, Acacia catechu, Acacia modesta, Holoptelia integrifolia, Emblica officinalis, Mallotus philippinensis, Bombax ceiba, Butea monosperma, Ficus benghalentis, Flacourtia indica and Mangifera indica. The shrub growth consists of Lantana camara, Adhatoda vesica, Carissa opaca, Murraya koengii and Flacourtia indica. Except Lannea grandis and a few trees of Bombax ceiba and Mangifera indica, all other tree crop belongs to younger diameter classes and mature trees are rarely found. The planted trees of Eucalyptus and Tectona grandis have few patches here and there forming the upper most canopy. All other forests are single storeyed with no distinction of upper and second storey. Generally north-western slopes bear bamboo crop than the south-eastern slopes which are more steeper and friable.

The bamboo growth is of degraded class as the average height of clumps is only 5.6m. The degraded site quality is due to high biotic pressure in the past,

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invasion of lantana, and non-working of bamboo clumps. Especially due to non- working of clumps, the peripheral growth of clumps has stopped and the central portion is filled with dried and congested culms in such a tight pack, that it is difficult to imagine to extract a single straight, undamaged or untwisted culm out of the entire clump. There may not be much difference in the number of clumps per ha between the crop of Bamboo Working Circle and this Working Circle, however, it is the quality of extractable number of culms per ha that gives an indication of the quality of bamboo crop. Table 15.2 gives the proportion of open clumps and congested clumps and their average height and diameter.

Table 15.2: Proportion of open and congested clumps and their height and diameter

Av. Girth Total No. No. of No. of Height of of Forest Comptt. Area (ha) of congested open clumps clumps clumps clumps clumps (m) (m) Karanpur C1(a) 49.8 4980 3480 1500 5.53 3.30 C2 142.1 7105 2840 4265 6.0 4.20 C3(a) 110.0 25320 24200 1120 7.5 3.50 C4 216.9 28200 21690 6510 6.0 5.30 C5 191.8 17260 7670 9590 5.6 4.50 C6 80.1 16820 9000 7820 5.7 3.40 C7 109.7 32910 19250 13660 4.5 2.60 C8 165.0 21700 10850 10850 6.0 3.60 C9 51.8 10880 7250 3630 4.8 3.70 C10 61.5 12915 6760 6155 6.0 2.80 Bindraban C1(b) 163.5 11445 8175 3270 5.7 3.90 C3 138.4 9700 1900 7800 5.6 5.90 C9 51.4 3600 1540 2060 4.14 3.70 1522.0 202835 124605 78230 5.60 3.88

15.3 Blocks, compartments and JFM areas: The Working Circle is constituted into compartments as given in Table 15.1. There are no blocks in the forests. The areas allotted to this Working Circle do not have JFM areas, however, they can be allotted to JFM institutions as per the proposals contained in this chapter.

15.4 Special Objectives of Management: The past management of these forests shows that these had a good crop of bamboos, but after the World War II, the forests have degenerated due to many reasons described elsewhere. The main purpose of the constitution of this working circle is to treat these forests with special treatment so as to revive their quality and productivity. The special objectives of management are therefore:

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1. To stop the process of degradation of bamboos by adopting suitable silvicultural and management techniques. 2. To sustain the new growth by working and cleaning the clumps. 3. To enhance the growth and productivity of bamboo. 4. To maintain the green cover in the fragile ecosystem for soil and water conservation and other ecological services.

15.5 Method of treatment: The main purpose of constitution of this Working Circle is to provide special treatment to the crop so that it regains its potential to produce new growth. As the present crop consists of highly degraded clumps with no economic value of the congested, twisted and malformed culms contained in them, the first task before the management is to clean the clumps by taking out the malformed culms and dispose it off in a phased manner so that new growth starts taking place without any obstruction and obliteration. This can only be possible if the rules for cleaning and working prescribed in this Working Plan are adhered and followed meticulously. While the congested clumps will be cleaned, the merchantable clumps will be extracted of sound culms simultaneously in one compartment as per the allotment in the felling programme. Cleaning will consist of cutting and disposal of congested, twisted, dried, malformed and particularly cut culms which otherwise hinder the growth of new culms. The open clumps having the bare minimum number of culms will not be harvested. While harvesting the culms, care should be taken to provide support to the newly emerging culms. The badly damaged or congested clumps shall be clearfelled to give way to new regeneration. In case of clearfelled clumps, lantana weed removal around the clumps will be necessary and this operation shall be repeated for the next three years or until the clumps are established and start producing rhizomes.

On the steep slopes particularly on the southern western aspects and over the ridges, where the moisture retention is very poor, crest shaped trenches should be dug around the clumps for soil and water conservation. This measure is particularly important in areas where sporadic flowering of clumps has taken place. Here, clearing of Lantana only after the germination of seed has taken place is to be done carefully. Afterwards, the same treatment will be applied to

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the new regeneration as prescribed for Bamboo Working Circle. Where the weight of the clumps has the tendency to bend downward on the steep gradient, cleaning or clearfelling of the clumps will be necessary as per the situation on the site. In the comparatively, flat areas, the mounds of earth should be prepared around the clumps. Chemical fertilization will be given only in areas where organic matter has washed away and the clumps have been struggling to achieve growth. Therefore, different treatments will be given as per the condition on the site. As the main treatment to the crop will be cleaning of clumps, the debris disposal will be necessary before the fire season arrives. As far as possible, the fine particles of vegetable biomass will be retained to enhance the production of organic matter for the site. At every site, there are troughs, trenches dug for plantation raising but failed, which can be utilized for dumping of this organic matter. The pieces of bamboo not saleable can be used for constructive vegetative spurs and check dams in the same compartment. The Divisional Forest Officer can seek the funds under the MNREGA project and deploy labour for cleaning of congested clumps as well as for carrying out soil conservation measures in the area. Only sincere efforts can increase the productivity of these forests as given above.

Another treatment needed urgently is to eradicate lantana. The problem can be solved through silvicultural and management measures. Silviculturally, the blank areas should not be allowed to remain for more than two seasons as the lantana will take over. Therefore overhead shade is required to be maintained in the areas occupied by bamboo clumps. In the clumps to be worked, sufficient number of culms should be retained. In between bamboo clumps the tree growth should be nurtured and tree cover should not be reduced unless the new bamboo clumps take over the area. In the sporadic flowering areas, the bamboo regeneration shall be looked after to increase the growth of clump formation as bamboo being fast growing can only suppress the growth of lantana under its shade.

15.6 Analysis of Crop: During the Resource Assessment Survey, the number of open and congested clumps, the total number of culms alongwith with their

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current growth and past growth as also the quantum of malformed and dried culms were also assessed.

Table 15.3: Age-wise number of culms and their diameter

Average Average Average No. of dia of No. of dia of dia of No. of 3rd year 3rd& Comptt. Area 2nd year Total No. current 2nd Forest current & above above No. (ha) old of culms year year culms old year culms culms culms culms culms (cm) (cm) (cm) Karanpur C1(a) 49.8 24900 64740 74700 164340 3.08 3.24 3.47 C2 142.1 21320 85260 113670 220250 2.38 3.85 4.24 C3(a) 110.0 192230 256300 234570 683100 3.28 3.43 3.79 C4 216.9 169180 282000 338320 789500 2.92 3.04 3.04 C5 191.8 69050 138100 207150 414300 2.21 2.38 1.93 C6 80.1 67280 84100 134620 286000 3.11 3.14 3.29 C7 109.7 65820 164530 164550 394900 2.17 3.02 3.5 C8 165.0 69300 138600 117600 325500 3.10 3.02 3.36 C9 51.8 2240 54400 54360 111000 2.67 2.52 3.07 C10 61.5 38750 64575 51675 155000 3.15 2.30 2.75 Bindraban C1(b) 163.5 65240 80110 68650 214000 3.8 3.6 3.9 C3 138.4 5990 77500 254510 338000 3.9 3.6 4.3 C9 51.4 14390 28780 61230 104400 3.87 3.26 4.21 Total 1522.0 805690 1518995 1875605 4200290 3.04 3.10 3.45 per ha 519.0 979.0 1209.0 2708 3.04 3.10 3.45

The data shows that growth of current year‟s culms per ha is 519 which is very low as compared to Bamboo Working Circle where it has 1579 culms per ha. The total culms per ha is also low at 2708 per ha when compared to Bamboo Working Circle at 5125 per ha. The average diameter of mature culms is 3.45 cm which is significantly lower than the average diameter 4.12 cm in the Bamboo Working Circle. The further quality of the crop can be judged from the percentage of congested culms /malformed culms in the clumps (Table 15.4). The data shows

Table 15.4: Compartment wise twisted/malformed and sound culms

No. of dried No. of total twisted No. of sound Forest Comptt. No. Area (ha) culms in culms in culms comptt. comptt. Karanpur C1(a) 49.8 164340 49800 114540 C2 142.1 220250 63900 156350 C3(a) 110.0 683100 556600 126500 C4 216.9 789500 310170 479330 C5 191.8 414300 207150 207150 C6 80.1 286000 168200 117800 C7 109.7 394900 394200 700 C8 165.0 325500 217000 108500 C9 51.8 110000 87000 24000 C10 61.5 155000 142000 13000 Bindraban C1(b) 163.5 214000 9800 204200 C3 138.4 338000 15800 322200 C9 51.4 104400 6200 98200 Total 1551.3 4200290 2227820 1972470

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that more than 53 per cent of the total culms are either dried, twisted as malformed or badly damaged and have no merchantable value. These are the culms due to which the clumps have become congested and need cleaning for further growth of bamboo crop.

15.7 Yield Estimation: The data shows that only about 20 per cent culms out of the total stock are of the current year‟s growth. This is the annual increment that can be expected in terms of number of culms. On a rotation of three years therefore, one third of these culms can be harvested every year. This amounts to 2.68 lakh or 2.70 lakh. This yield however will be obtained from 3 year old and above sound culms in a felling coupe every year. In absolute terms, the total number of sound culms are assessed to be 19.72 lakh, out of which 18.75 lakh are assessed as three year old and above. Therefore, this harvesting can be done in the working plan period on a sustained basis. Though the proportion of twisted and sound culms is nearly equal, the working in this Working Circle may not be economically a sound proposition, but keeping in view the future prospects of the crop and maintaining the sustainability, working of these forests will be absolutely necessary and there is no substitute for it.

15.8 Felling Cycle: Bamboos will be worked on a five year felling cycle. The extent of area as well as the condition of the crop demands the working of bamboo forests on this cycle. Especially the crop in this working circle needs periodical working and cleaning by removing the mature culms and retaining the new culms with supporting bamboos left uncut. In case of congested clumps, removal of dead, dry, malformed and twisted culms and damaged and cut pieces of culms have to be removed for aeration to the growing culms and also for providing necessary space for growth. The working of these forests shall be done in equi-productive coupes as far as possible.

15.9 Regulating yield: Yield shall be regulated by area by laying out equiproductive coupes. The coupes shall be worked departmentally or through the Punjab State Forest Development Corporation under strict departmental supervision.

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15.10 Felling Programme: The bamboo shall be worked on a five year cycle as the felling programme given in the Table 15.5. The five year felling and cleaning programme has been prescribed keeping in view the nature of crop, the volume of work of cleaning congested clumps and the regeneration time required to establish the crop. The programme shall be repeated as clearfelled and cleaned clumps will need more time to reproduce the mature bamboo crop. The felling coupe shall be coterminous with the compartment boundary, so that there is no difficulty in demarcation of coupe. Care however shall be taken that next coupe shall be undertaken only after the completion of felling in the previous year‟s felling coupe. This shall be certified by the Divisional Forest Officer.

15.11 Period of Working: Ordinarily, the Working of bamboos will be undertaken after 15th October and shall continue upto 15th March. There shall however be no felling between 1st April to 15th October due to silvicultural seasons.

Table 15.5: Felling and cleaning programme of Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle

S.No. Year of working Comptt. No. Area (ha)

1 2015-16 C1a, C2Karanpur C9Bindraban 243.5 2 2016-17 C3a Karanpur C3 Bindraban 267.7 3 2017-18 C4, Karanpur C1b Bindraban 380.4 4 2018-19 C5,C6, C7 Karanpur 301.6 5 2019-20 C8,C9, C10 Karanpur 278.3 6 2020-21 C1a,C2, Karanpur C9 Bindraban 243.3 7 2021-22 C3a Karanpur C3 Bindraban 267.7 8 2022-23 C4 Karanpur C1b Bindraban 380.4 9 2023-24 C5,C6, C7 Karanpur 301.6 10 2023-24 C8,C9, C10 Karanpur 278.3 11 2024-25 C1a, C2Karanpur C9Bindraban 243.3 12 2025-26 C3a Karanpur C3 Bindraban 267.7 13 2026-27 C4, Karanpur C1b Bindraban 380.4 14 2027-28 C5,C6, C7 Karanpur 301.6 15 2028-29 C8,C9, C10 Karanpur 278.3

15.12 Rules for Bamboo Working: The following rules shall be followed for carrying out bamboo cutting and cleanings:

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only partially in the prescribed year shall be felled in the next year on a priority basis. (ii) Ordinarily, work will be completed in a compartment before proceeding to the next and the coupes shall be worked from top to down hill. (iii) Cleaning and felling operations shall be carried out simultaneously under the supervision of an experienced officer-on-duty. (iv) Current year shoots (manu), one and two year old culms will not be felled. Sufficient number of culms to support manu and provide food for rhizomes will be retained evenly distributed over the rootstock to give over all spacing of 15-20 culms in a clump. As far as possible, culms on the periphery shall not be felled to give the shape of a horse-shoe. The felling shall start from the centre to the periphery. (v) The following priority will be observed while taking out the culms: a. Dried, burnt, and damaged culms. b. Among the green culms takeout first broken and twisted culms. (vi) A minimum number of 15 culms shall be retained in a clump, well spaced culms should be left and preferably at the periphery and in the order of preference as below: a. Karla and mahila b. Young green bamboo c. Older live bamboo d. Others as may be available (vii) Open clumps and clumps with unmerchantable culms shall not be worked out but they must be cleaned so as to remove dead, dying and malformed bamboos. (viii) Clumps that have flowered may be clearfelled but in case of partially flowered clumps, only the flower bearing culms will be removed. (ix) Clumps that are badly congested and where more than seventy per cent culms are dried, damaged, twisted or malformed shall also be clearfelled by making three segments and working the middle segments in the first cutting cycle. The other segments shall be worked in the subsequent 2nd and 3rd cycles. (x) Felling shall be cautious and conservative on hot aspects, near ridges, where growth is generally poor and near habitation and along the

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periphery of the forest where both demands of right holders and damage due to illicit felling, lopping and browsing is heavy. (xi) Culms shall be cut with a sharp instrument between 15 cm to 25cm above the ground level leaving behind atleast one prominent node. No cut portion of bamboo will be left in a clump. (xii) Digging up of rhizomes shall not be permitted. (xiii) The labourers shall not be allowed to use the fibre of green bamboos for bundling of cut bamboos. (xiv) Debris shall be removed atleast one metre away from the periphery of each worked clump. (xv) All cut material shall be lifted from the bamboo area well before 15th March. (xvi) Fire protection measures shall be strictly followed in the felling coupes. (xvii) In the worked areas, grazing shall not be permitted for a period of three years.

15.13 Special Treatment for uncongested open clumps:

(i) All dead, dried, and damaged culms shall be felled. (ii) Where the number of culms in a clump is less than 15, no culms shall be harvested and only cleaning shall be done. (iii) In the open clumps, where the number of culms is more than 15, felling of culms shall be done keeping in view the prescribed rules. (iv) Cleaning and felling of culms shall be done in one operation.

15.14 Special Treatment for Congested Clumps:

(i) Commercial felling of culms shall not be done in any congested culm. (ii) All dead, dry, overmature, fire damaged and broken culms shall be cut and removed. (iii) For the purpose of protection and support and in order to maintain the size of clump, wherever necessary culms of 2.5m or more in length shall be retained.

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15.15 Special Treatment for over congested Clumps:

(i) All dead, dry, over-mature, fire damaged and broken culms shall be cut and removed. (ii) For the purpose of support and protection of new sprouts. 10–15 culms of 2.5m in length shall be retained.

15.16 Gregarious Flowering:

In the eventuality of gregarious flowering of bamboos, the same treatment will be followed as far Bamboo Working Circle. In such a case, the Bamboo Working Circle and Bamboo Rehabilitation Circles can be treated as one unit as the entire area of Karanpur and Bindraban forests have been allotted to these two Working Circles only.

15.17 Lantana Eradication:

Lantana is the most dangerous weed that is responsible for degradation of bamboos, blocking of regeneration and loss of biodiversity including the loss of palatable grasses in these forests. Lantana has invaded so thick in the area that it is difficult to imagine the growth of other vegetative or animal species. The Resource Assessment Survey carried out has shown that lantana frequency is 100 percent barring two compartments of Bindraban and the density ranges from 36600 plants/ha to 93000 plants/ha. Years of its growth has made it woody with thick rootstock making it difficult to eradicate manually. Table 15.6 shows the details of the survey about lantana growth.

Table 15.6: Lantana growth in Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle

Density Forests Comptt. No. Frequency (%) IVI (No/ha) Karanpur C1(a) 100 76000 119.44 C2 100 93000 181.30 C3(a) 100 75000 191.60 C4 100 41000 88.40 C5 100 62000 190.62 C6 100 36600 70.55 C7 100 65500 66.46 C8 100 65500 116.87 C9 100 63000 89.16 C10 100 92000 93.21 Bindraban C1(b) 50 - 50.94 C3 50 - - C9 100 62000 100.57

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As the lantana is a very fast-growing plant, strong light demander and regenerates through seeds and multiplies through vegetative cutting, it is advisable to create the conditions not suitable for its growth. Particularly, the bamboo clumps should not be fully harvested of its growth and the prescriptions of the felling programme shall be adhered. Apart from above, the following prescriptions are made:

(i) Near sporadically flowered culms of bamboos, the soil working should be done for the germination of seed to take place. After the germination is over, the lantana should be eradicated to provide overhead light to the seedlings to grow. (ii) Around clearfelled overcongested clumps, lantana should be cut for three consecutive years until the new established clumps have gained a height of 2.5m and above. After growth of bamboo clumps, its shade will take care to suppress the lantana growth. (iii) As during the felling and cleaning programme, for extraction of bamboo culms and their carriage, clearance around the clumps will make the operation easier, it is prescribed to clear lantana 3m around each clump while working and cleaning.

The above measures will help to reduce the menace of lantana.

15.18 Evaluation of Growing stock of trees: During the Resource Assessment Survey, the growing stock of trees was assessed by enumerating trees of 10cm diameter and above encountered in the quadrats of 31.62m×31.62m. The analysis of assessment data shows that besides bamboos, the tree density in different compartments of this working circle varies from 29 trees/ha to196 trees/ha. It must be acknowledged that the density of trees is better in Bindraban forest than in Karanpur forest. The average number of trees per ha however is below than that found in Bamboo Working Circle. The maximum growing stock of trees is represented in Comptt. 3a, C8, C2 of Karanpur and C1b and C3 of Bindraban forests. Further analysis shows that of the total crop 81.5 percent trees belong to 10–30 cm diameter class. The mature trees are rare and mostly belong to Eucalyptus tereticornis, Lannea grandis and Mangifera indica.

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The maximum contribution to the growing stock by number of trees is made by Acacia catechu, Lannea grandis, Mallotus philippinensis, Acacia modesta, Diospyros spp and Holoptelia integrifolia. As per character of the forest type and the ruggedness of the terrain, the tree vegetation is dominated by Acacia catechu and Acacia modesta comprising 47 percent of the total number of trees assessed. This is followed by Lannea grandis and Holoptelia integrifolia having 15.42 and 9.27 percent, respectively. Other species represent between 4.50 percent to 0.20 percent.

When seen from the view of contribution of volume, only two species viz. Lannea grandis and Acacia catechu have the major stakes representing 53.40 and 22.0 percent of the total growing stock. It is therefore apparent that Acacia catechu and Lannea grandis are the two most important tree species of these forests.

15.19 Silvicultural System: The composition of growing stock shows that the crop is represented by a number of tree species. The younger age classes predominant and only Lannea grandis, Mangifera indica and Eucalyptus tereticornis have mature trees for harvesting. Plantation of Tectona grandis in some compartments is not yet reached the rotation age. As most of the trees belong to miscellaneous species providing NTFP or are of religious importance, only a few species can be considered for harvesting. From conservation point of view, it is important that the young tree crop be preserved and let it grow to their fullest potential. Therefore, only those trees which are silviculturally available and are in the interest of crop growth are essential to be removed, shall be removed. The silvicultural system followed will therefore, be, selection-cum-improvement fellings.

15.20 Rotation: The rotation of the predominant species is fixed as under: Exploitable Rotation S.No. Species girth at breast (years) height (cm) 1 Acacia catechu 60 90 2 Holoptelia integrifolia 60 120 3 Lannea grandis 90 160 4 Diospysos species 90 120 5 Eucalyptus tereticornis 25 130 6 Miscellaneous species 60 130

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15.21 Calculation of yield: Simmon‟s modification of Von Mantel‟s formula has been used to calculate the annual yield as follows:

Y = 2 Vr r 2  x 2

Where Y = Annual yield in cubic metres

V = Volume of growing stock in cubic metres

r = Rotation in years

x = Age in years corresponding to 60 cm g.b.h. down to which the stock has been enumerated.

On the basis of above mentioned formula, the yield of main species is calculated as under:

Total Acacia Holoptelia Lannea Eucalyptus Misc. S.No. Volume catechu integritolia grandis tereticornis species (cum) V 8322.90 1449.0 25052.3 1353.0 4638.3 40815.5

r 60 60 90 25 60

x 20 25 30 10 25

Y 312.00 58.00 626.00 129.0 187.0 1312.00 Annual prescribed 300.00 30.00 100.00 130.0 90.00 650.00 yield

It may be mentioned that while calculating the yield, the growing stock of fruit trees was not considered. The annual prescribed yield is half of the calculated yield as per the instructions of the Govt. of India. In case of Eucalyptus maximum yield has been prescribed, as the trees are mature and have reached beyond the rotation age. Also, it is desirable to replace Eucalyptus with other indigenous species. The overall annual yield however will remain half of the calculated yield. The first charge towards the annual yield will be dead, dry, fallen and diseased trees. In case, the prescribed yield is not obtainable from these trees, green trees will be marked, keeping in view the marking rules.

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15.22 Felling and Improvement Cycle: The five year felling cum improvement cycle will be followed as prescribed for cleaning and felling of bamboos in this Working Circle. The yield will be controlled by area. The felling of trees also will be contained in the same felling coupe as for the bamboos. 15.23 Marking Rules: The following marking rules shall be observed:

1. All dead, dry, diseased and fallen trees shall be marked for felling. 2. Green shisham and chil trees shall not be marked for felling. 3. In case of Bohr, Pipal, Amla, Bahera, Harar, Jamun, Mango and Bel trees, only dead, dry and diseased trees shall be marked. 4. Advance growth of Khair less than 20cm diameter and of shisham, jamun, simbal, rajain, diospyros, less than 40cm diameter will not be marked wherever it occurs. 5. No marking shall be done on slopes having gradient more than 30 per cent in areas subject to active soil erosion and areas being sparsely stocked. 6. No tree shall be marked upto 10 metres from the outer boundary of a gully, nallah or a choe. 7. No marking shall be done for any tree which opens the canopy of the stand. 8. Trees which hinder the development of bamboos shall be marked for lopping. 9. Trees of religious importance and those situated near the temples, shrines, ponds, baulis shall not be marked. 10. Trees providing shelter to wild animals and birds shall not be marked.

15.24 Method of Executing felling:

1. Felling shall not be done in hilly areas according to Rule No. 5 of Marking Rules referred above. 2. No damage shall be done to advance growth while felling the tree. 3. The felling coupe shall be the same as marked for cleaning and cutting of bamboos in this Working Circle. 4. The sequence of felling and the timing of felling shall be the same as in case of cleaning of bamboos.

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5. No digging of stumps shall be carried out. However, stumps of trees affected by Ganoderma infestation or otherwise diseased shall be uprooted to minimize spreading of inoculum to the healthy stand, but the stands shall be promptly refilled. 6. Dressing of stumps or coppice bearing species like Cassia fistula, Acacia catechu, Bauhinia variegata, Diospyros tomentosa and Tectona grandis upto 90cm girth and 10cm above the ground shall be done.

Fig.15.5 Lannea grandis trees in Karanpur forest

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Table 15.7: Growing stock of trees of Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle

No. of trees in diameter classes Trees per Forest Comptt. No. 71 & Total trees 10-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 ha above (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)

Karanpur C1a 1481 558 634 1269 160 80 160 4342 87.0

C2 9895 7169 2885 824 - - - 20773 146.0

C3a 4825 2895 - 965 - - - 8685 62.0

C4 16356 7623 3566 4587 1019 - - 33151 152.0

C5 3243 4880 2755 50 60 20 80 11088 58.0

C6 9200 3150 300 300 200 - - 13150 164.0

C7 1384 2179 546 284 318 490 180 5381 49.0

C8 14650 2795 5880 - 580 - - 23905 154.0

C9 5552 820 - 410 205 - 6987 134.0

C10 5171 3360 1420 2040 90 - - 12081 196.0

Bindraban C1b 16600 6700 700 - - - - 24000 136.0

C3 6600 13440 - - 930 93 - 21063 152.0

C9 628 600 300 - - - - 1528 29.0

Total 95585 56169 18986 10729 3562 683 420 186134 120.0

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Table 15.8: Species wise growing stock of trees of Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle

No. of trees in diameter classes 71 & S.No. Species 10-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 Total trees above (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) 1. Acacia catechu 40766 31462 5728 412 - - - 78368 2. Acacia modesta 5546 2637 824 - - - - 9007 3. Aegle marmelos 412 412 995 - - - - 1819 4. Butea monosperma 500 1860 - - - - - 2360 5. Cassia fistula 5011 2255 - - - - - 7266 6. Diospyros tomentosa 4732 940 - 510 - - - 6182 7. Diospyrea montana 2527 238 - 238 - - - 3003 8. Emblica officinalis 320 320 - - - - - 640 9. Eucalyptus tereticornis - 260 540 590 128 40 - 1558 10. Ficus benghalensis - 509 - - - - - 509 11. Ficus glomerata 5282 509 1290 - - - - 7081 12. Flacourtia indica 51 ------51 13. Grewia laevigata 10830 5230 1209 - - - - 17269 14. Holoptelia integrifolia 2550 5639 7861 8419 3374 530 340 28713 15. Lannea grandis 12104 - 510 - - - 12614 16. Mellotus philippinensis - - 30 50 60 113 80 333 17. Mangifera indica 3058 509 - - - - - 3567 18. Milletia auriculata - 1019 509 - - - - 1528 19. Khalawa - 510 - - - - - 510 20. Tectona grandis 1896 1860 - - - - - 3756 Total 95585 56169 18986 10729 3562 683 420 186134

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Table 15.9: Species wise growing stock of trees of Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle

S.No. Species Volume of Trees in diameter classes Total volume 10-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 70 & (cum) (cm) (cm)` (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) above (cm) 1. Acacia catechu 2038.30 4719.30 3150.40 453.20 - - - 10361.20 2. Acacia modesta 277.30 395.55 453.20 - - - - 1126.05 3. Aegle marmelos 20.6 61.8 547.25 - - - - 629.65 4. Butea monosperma 25.0 279.0 - - - - - 304.00 5. Cassia fistula 250.55 338.25 - - - - - 588.80 6. Diospyros tomentosa 236.60 141.00 - 561.0 - - - 938.60 7. Diospyrea montana 126.35 35.70 - 261.8 - - - 423.85 8. Emblica officinalis 16.00 48.0 - - - - - 64.00 9. Eucalyptus tereticornis - 39.0 297.0 649.0 256.0 112.0 - 1353.00 10. Ficus benghalensis 2.55 ------2.55 11. Ficus glomerata - 76.35 - - - - - 76.35 12. Flacourtia indica 264.1 76.35 709.5 - - - - 1049.95 13. Grewia laevigata - 152.85 279.95 - - - - 432.80 14. Holoptelia integrifolia 541.5 784.50 664.95 - 1990.95 15. Lannea grandis 127.5 845.85 4323.55 9260.90 7948.0 1484.0 1190.0 25179.80 16. Mellotus philippinensis 605.2 - 561.00 - 1166.20 17. Mangifera indica - - 16.5 55.00 120.0 316.4 280.0 787.90 18. Milletia auriculata 152.9 76.35 - - - - - 229.25 19. Khalawa - 76.50 - - - - - 76.50 20. Tectona grandis 94.8 279.00 - - - - - 373.80 Total 4779.25 8425.35 10442.3 11801.90 8324.0 1912.4 1470.0 47155.20

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CHAPTER XVI

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES WORKING CIRCLE

16.1 General Constitution of Working Circle: This Working Circle comprises all forest areas of Nandbir Protected Forests and Compartment No. 1a of Bindraban Reserved Forests. The total area allotted to this working circle is 859.2 ha. These forest areas have only sporadic sprinkling of bamboo and the broadleaved tree species comprise the main crop. In the earlier working plans, also these areas were allocated to a separate working circle other than the bamboo working circle. Though treated as scrub forests, the density and composition of the crop has improved considerably over the years through artificial regeneration and assisted natural regeneration practices. The Resource Assessment of the forests, has shown that crop consists of mixed tree species of dry scrub type of forests and it is mainly young. Table 16.1 gives the area and density of trees in the working circle.

Table 16.1: Area and density of trees in Miscellaneous Species Working Circle

Trees 10- %age of trees in Comptt. Total No. of Trees per Forests Area (ha) 30 cm 10-30 cm No. trees ha diameter diameter

Bindraban C1(a) 125.5 20080 160 11295 56.25

Nandbir C1 65.2 105947 1625 104291 98.44

C2 55.9 24596 440 16211 65.90

C3 27.5 7153 260 6603 92.30

C4 91.0 90090 990 80080 88.90

C5 95.9 84392 880 71925 85.90

C6 72.4 35476 490 34752 97.96

C7 77.7 36519 470 34965 95.74

C8 85.8 87516 1020 84084 96.08

C9 162.3 244773 1508 233412 95.35 Total 10 No. 859.2 736542 857 677618 92.00

The data shows that density of crop varies open to dense. C1 and C9 of Nandbir have a fairly dense crop. The average density of trees per ha assessed is 857. However, 92 percent of the crop consists of diameter class between 11 to 30 cm. the mature trees being rare and far between.

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16.2 General Characteristics of Vegetation. The forests conform to 5/DS1 Dry Deciduous scrub type forests. The tree component is predominantly represented by Acacia catechu, Acacia modesta, Diospyros tomentosa, Diospyros montana, Cassia fistula, Holoptelia integrifolia, Lannea grandis and Ziziphus mauritiana. The other common trees represented are Albizia procera, Aegle marmelos, Butea monosperma, Bombax ceiba, Flacourtia indica, Limonia acidissima, Mallotus philippinensis, Ficus glomerata and Tamban. The common shrubs are Carissa opaca, Nyctanthes arboretristis, Ziziphus nummularia, Murraya koengii and Adhatoda vesica. Lantana camara has invaded where Murraya koengii and Adhatoda vesica become absent and the area is exposed to direct sunlight, exposed landslide areas and heavily grazed areas. Among the common grasses are Eulaliopsis binata (Bhabhar grass), Chrysopogon (Dhaulu), Heteropogon contortus (Sariala) and Dicanthium annulatum (parsiri), Saccharum spontaneum (Kahi), Typha elephantina(dib) and Cynodon dactylon (Khabbal). Bhakra (Tribulus terristris), Bathu (Chenopodium album), Kandiari (Solanum xanthocarpum) are the common weeds of the area. Among the climbers, Bauhinia vahlii (Taur), Tinospora malabarica (Giloe), Milletia auriculata (Gauj) and Ichnocarpus fruitscens (Bakarbel), Mimosa himalayana (Daghiari) are quite common. Tectona grandis has been introduced in compartment No. 4 of Nandbir. Except mature trees of Lannea grandis, Acacia modesta, Holoptelia integrifolia and Ficus species, all other crop consists of trees of young classes. Regeneration of Dalbergia sissoo has come out along the nallahs and streams. Thick growth of Murraya koengii and Adhatoda vesica is also noticed in the protected slopes under the young crop of Holoptelia integrifolia.

16.3 Blocks, Compartments and JFM areas: The Working Circle is constituted by compartments as given in Table 16.1. There are no private areas (chaks) in the compartments. There are also no JFM areas, nor there is any proposal to distribute these areas to JFM institutions. The outer boundary of Nandbir forests has iron pillars distinguishing from the private areas.

16.4 Special objects of management: During the past years, due to extensive plantation and soil conservation works carried out in these areas, a promising young crop has emerged except where the Lantana and Murraya have

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overtaken. The main purpose of the constitution of this Working Circle is to protect the crop in a manner that it grows up to mature crop and fill up the gaps with assisted natural vegeneration or artificial means to enhance the density of the crop and its productivity. The special objects of management of this Working Circle will be:

1. To protect the young established tree crop. 2. To increase the density and productivity of the scrub crop by assisted natural regeneration and artificial regeneration. 3. To develop a selection forest for protection of fragile ecosystem of the hills. 4. To take up soil and water conservation measures to stabilize the hills.

16.5 Method of Treatment: To achieve the objectives of management, the forests will be protected against grazing, forest fires and illicit removal of poles. No thinnings are proposed in the crop as the area being hilly and having fragile ecology, disturbance to the crop will have other consequences of soil erosion and lantana invasion. Only very light fellings mainly of dead dry trees in the compartments where overmature trees are found, will be done. Areas will be identified having severe soil erosion to take up soil conservation and stream/choe bank protection bunds. Natural regeneration will be protected and adopted for growth through subsidiary silvicultural operations. Baggar grass will be planted on slopes, along contours and on the berms of trenches. Except above treatments, there will be no other interventions.

16.6 Analysis of Crop: The growing stock consists of a number of tree species mixed in the crop having young to middle age class. As already mentioned about 92 per cent of the crop is represented by diameter class between 10 to 30 cm. Mature trees therefore represent only 8 per cent of the crop. Out of the total number of trees assessed 10 cm diameter and above at breast height, the maximum representation is made by Holoptelia integrifolia (28.4%), Acacia catechu (12.8%), Acacia modesta (9.0%), Diospyros montana (7.3%) and Tamban (5.5%). Per cent representation of main species in the crop is given in Table 16.2

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Table 16.2: Percent representation of tree species in the crop

S.No. Species No. of trees % of trees 1 Holoptelia integrifolia 209545 28.46 2 Acacia catechu 94392 12.82 3 Acacia modesta 66489 9.02 4 Diospyros montana 54054 7.34 5 Tamban 40433 5.50 6 Diospyros tomentosa 39152 5.30 7 Lannea grandis 32103 4.36 8 Cassia fistula 28578 3.88 9 Ficus spp 11772 1.60 10 Mallotus philippinensis 9455 1.28 11 Others 150569 20.44 Total 736542 100.00

Diameter classwise distribution of trees in the growing stock is given in Table 16.3. It can be seen that maximum number of trees belong to younger classes. Lannea grandis is the only species having representation in all age classes. The number of activities in the past. Table No. 16.3 gives the contribution of various species to growing stock of volume. Maximum contribution is made by Holoptelia integrifolia, followed by Lannea grandis, Acacia modesta, Acacia catechu, Diospyros montana, Tamban, Diospyros tomentosa, Albizia procera, Azadirachta indica and Cassia fistula.

Table 16.3: Contribution of tree species to volume of growing stock

% of total S.No. Species Volume (cum) volume 1 Holoptelia integrifolia 26223.45 29.83 2 Lannea grandis 9856.20 11.21 3 Acacia modesta 9768.45 11.11 4 Acacia catechu 9220.20 10.49 5 Diospyros montana 7529.30 8.56 6 Tamban 5431.05 6.18 7 Diospyros tomentosa 4852.50 5.52 8 Albizia procera 2395.60 2.72 9 Azadirachta indica 2074.45 2.36 10 Cassia fistula 1732.00 1.97 11 Others 8814.55 10.05 Total 87897.75 100.00

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These ten species together constitute about 90 per cent of the total growing stock whereas other 18 species constitute only 10 per cent. It may further be seen that about 58-35 per cent volume is contributed by younger diameter classes between 10-30 cm as the mature trees are deficient in the crop.

16.7 Silvicultural System: As the crop in all the compartments consists of different age classes and species, silvicultural system to be followed will be “selection-cum-improvement felling”. In no circumstances clear felling will be followed. The marking shall be done in a manner that the canopy remains closed so as to preserve soil and water conservation in the area.

16.8 Rotation: As the mature trees are available only of Holoptelia integrafolia, Lannea grandis, Acacia modesta, Acacia catechu and Diospyros montana, the rotation of these trees is defined as follows:

Table 16.4: Rotation for main tree species

Exploitable Rotation S.No. Species girth at b.h. (years) (cm) 1 Holoptelia integrifolia 60 120

2 Lannea grandis 90 130

3 Acacia modesta 60 100

4 Acacia catechu 60 90

5 Diospyros montana 90 120

6 Others species 60 120

16.9 Calculation of yield: Simmon‟s modification of Von Mantel‟s formula has been used to calculate the annual yield as follows:

Y = 2V r r 2  x 2

Where Y = Annual yield in cubic metres.

V = Volume of growing stock in cubic metres

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r = Rotation in years

x = Age in years corresponding to 60cm g.b.h. down to which the stock has been enumerated. On the basis of above mentioned formula, the yield comes as follows:

Holoptelia Lannea Acacia Acacia Diospyros Total S.No. Misc spp Integrifolia grandis modesta catechu tomentosa (cum) V 18614.70 9585.50 7786.90 6559.10 6036.1 36348.75 66316.35 r 60 90 60 60 90 60 - x 25 30 30 20 30 25 - Y 750.84 319.51 346.08 246.00 201.20 1466.17 3329.36 Annual prescribed 375.45 159.75 173.00 123.55 100.60 733.10 1664.88 yield

As according to the guidelines issued by the Govt. of India, the prescribed yield is to be kept limited to 50 percent of the calculated yield, therefore, only half of the calculated yield is prescribed to ensure representative green cover in the hills. The prescribed yield shall be obtained from dead, dry and fallen trees and in case it is not obtainable from the salvage fellings, only then green trees will be felled. In case, the volume obtained from felling of dead, dry and fallen trees is more than the prescribed annual yield, then the excess volume will be adjusted against the annual yield of the following years, so that green felling is minimized. Further, the volume of trees felled illicitely shall be counted towards the prescribed yield and there will no relaxation.

16.10 Felling Cycle: The felling shall be done on a five year felling and improvement cycle to avoid the disturbance to the ecology of the area. The order of felling cycle is given in Table below.

Felling and Improvement programme miscellaneous species Working Circle

S.No. Year Comptt. No.

1. 2015-16, 2020-21, 2025-26 C9, C8, Nandbir

2. 2016-17, 2021-22, 2026-27 C7, C6, Nandbir C , C , Nandbir 3. 2017-18, 2022-23, 2027-28 5 4 C , C , Nandbir 4. 2018-19, 2023-24, 2028-29 3 2 C Nandbir, C a, Bindraban 5. 2019-20, 2024-25, 2029-30 1 1

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From silvicultural point of view, minimum number of trees will be felled. Silvicultural available trees will be those, felling of which make no difference to the canopy and do not create permanent gaps in the canopy and also young trees are available to take their place. The main principle behind felling will be that no tree will be felled unless it is essential from forest conservation point of view. Trees will not be felled simply to reafforest the area. After felling of trees, the minimum density should not fall below 0.5 and no blank areas should ever emerge as a result of felling.

Simultaneous to felling of trees, crop improvement measures or subsidiary silvicultural operations shall also be carried out.

(i) Where Lantana or Murraya koengii shrubs are hindering the growth of tree species, shrubs will be removed 3m radius around the tree saplings. (ii) Singling of stem stools will be done. (iii) The natural seedlings will be adopted by weeding out and working the soil around. (iv) Where the saplings/poles have a dense crop of mixed species, thinning will be done. While thinning out the order of preference for retention will be Bombax ceiba, Acacia catechu, Cassia fistula, Diospyros tomentosa, Lannea grandis and Holoptelia integrifolia. The lesser known species like Limonia, Mallotus, ziziphus, Murraya, Flaucaurtia, Casearia etc. will be removed. (v) Special fire protection measures will be taken in the area.

16.11 Marking Rules: The following marking rules shall be observed:

1. All dead, dry, diseased and fallen trees shall be marked for felling. 2. Green Shisham and Chil trees shall not be marked. 3. In case of Bohar, pipal, amla, bahera, harar, Jamun, mango and bel, only dead, dry and diseased trees shall be marked.

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4. Advance growth of Khair less than 20cm diameter and of shisham, jamun, simbal, Rajain, Diospyros, less than 40cm diameter will not be marked wherever it occurs. 5. No marking shall be done on slopes having gradient more than 30 per cent in areas subject to heavy soil erosion and areas being sparsely stocked. 6. No tree shall be marked up to 10 metres from the outer boundary of gully, nallah and choes. 7. No marking shall be done for any tree which opens the canopy of the stand. 8. Trees near the wells, ponds, baulis, religious places and historically important places shall not be marked for felling. 9. Trees having special niches for birds, and animals and trees bearing nests shall not be marked for felling. 10. Indigenous tree species which have numerically coming down drastically such as Bel, Lassoora, chamror, Kangu, Kinnu, and medicinally important species shall not be marked unless dry or dead.

16.12 Method of Executing Felling:

Trees shall be felled according to the following rules:

1. Felling shall not be done in hilly areas according to Rule No. 5 of Marking Rules referred above. 2. No damage shall be done to advance growth while felling the trees. 3. The annual coupe shall be marked on the ground. The size of the coupe can vary suitably to make use of conspicuous land features such as nallahs, inspection paths, ridges etc as coupe boundary. Annual coupes of compartment should be marked on the map in the first year of the plan. 4. The coupes shall proceed from one side of the forest to the other in a systematic way as per the felling programme. 5. No digging of stumps shall be carried out. However, stumps of trees affected by Ganoderma infection or otherwise diseased shall be uprooted to minimize spreading disease in the healthy stand and the pits be promptly refilled.

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6. The felling should commence before winter and should be completed by the end of February, so that felling refuse can be disposed off before the onset of fire season so as to minimize the fire hazard. 7. Dressing of live stumps of all coppice-bearing species like Cassia fistula, Acacia catechu, Aegle marmelos, Bauhinia variegata, Tectona grandis upto 90 cm girth 10 cm above the ground level shall be done.

16.13 Special treatment

1. Areas having 20º and above gradient, areas prone to soil erosion, areas along 20cm on along either side of the choes and nallahs shall be specifically treated for soil and water conservation measures. The plan for treatment of areas will be the same as shown for felling and improvement programme: a. No green felling of trees shall be done in these areas. b. The felling refuse in the felling coupe shall be used for brush wood check dams as per the requirement. c. Soil and water conservation measures by construction of check dams, gully plugging and choe training shall be done in these areas. 2. Blank areas will be suitably planted with indigenous species such as Holoptelia integrifolia, Dalbergia sissoo, Aegle marmelos, Cassia fistula, Acacia modesta, Acacia catechu, Diospyros tomentosa and Albizia procera. Planting of Melia azedarach and Eucalyptus species shall be avoided. Natural seedlings of tree species shall be adopted by weeding around the adopted plants and working the soil.

16.14 Grazing control: Natural regeneration from fair to adequate numbers has come up in C6, C7 and C8 of Nandbir. To save the regeneration, areas of these compartments should be closed for grazing for five years i.e. from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

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Fig16.1 A view of scrub forests of Nandbir

Table 16.5: Diameterwise Growing stock of Trees (No) of Miscellaneous Species Working Circle

No. of trees in Diameter classes Total Total No. of Trees/ha 71 & No. of trees 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 above trees (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)

Bindraban C1(a) 8785 7530 3745 - - - - 20080

Nandbir C1 86075 18216 1104 552 - - - 105947

C2 7267 8944 7267 1118 - - - 24596

C3 4678 1925 550 - - - - 7153

C4 51870 28210 6370 2730 910 - - 90090

C5 53704 18221 10549 1918 - - - 84392

C6 23892 10860 - - - 724 - 35476

C7 26418 8547 1554 - - - - 36519

C8 49764 34320 2574 858 - - - 87516

C9 176607 56805 9738 1623 - 1623 - 244773

Total 489060 193578 43471 8799 910 2347 - 736542

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Table 16.6: Specieswise growing stock of Trees (No) of Miscellaneous Species Working Circle

No. of trees in diameter classes Species 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71 & above Total (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) Acacia catechu 53222 40211 959 - - - - 94392 Acacia modesta 40231 20785 4749 - - 724 - 66489 Acacia nilotica 858 858 - - - - - 1716 Aegle marmelos 3339 1817 - - - - - 5156 Albizia procera - 1623 2795 559 - - - 4977 Azadirachta indica 4391 1817 959 959 - - - 8126 Bauhinia variegata 2448 ------2448 Butea monosperma 4804 2786 - - - - - 7590 Bombax ceiba - - 275 - - - - 275 Casearia tomentosa 2513 - 959 - - - - 3472 Cassia fistula 25547 3031 - - - - - 28578 Cordia myxa 1623 1820 - - - - - 3443 Dalbergia sissoo 3246 - 1118 559 - - - 4923 Diospyros melanoxylon 30455 3634 5063 - - - - 39152 Diospyros montona 29864 18171 6019 - - - - 54054 Ehretia laevis 959 ------959 Flacourtia indica 6493 777 - - - - - 7270 Holoptelia integrifolia 152175 44467 9105 2175 - 1623 - 209545 Lannea grandis 5414 19851 4969 959 910 - - 32103 Lencaena lencocephala 1410 3798 - - - - - 5208 Limonia acidissina 777 ------777 Mallotus philippinensis 4353 5102 - - - - - 9455 Tamban 12831 25979 1623 - - - - 40433 Tamarindus indica 1623 ------1623 Tectoya grandis 559 ------559 Murrage paniculata 7178 ------7178 Nyctanthus arboretristis 4550 ------4550 Ficus spp 554 - 1820 730 - - - 2104 Ziziphus mauritiana 10218 1554 - - - - - 11772 Total 489060 193578 43471 8799 910 2347 - 736542

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Table 16.7: Growing stock of volume of trees of Miscellaneous Species Working Circle

Volume of trees (cum) Total Volume Species 70 & above 11-20 (cm) 21-30 (cm) 31-40 (cm) 41-50 (cm) 51-60 (cm) 61-70 (cm) (cum) (cm) Acacia catechu 2661.1 6031.65 527.45 - - - - 9220.20 Acacia modesta 2011.55 3117.75 2611.95 - - 2027.2 - 9768.45 Acacia nilotica 42.9 128.70 - - - - - 171.60 Aegle marmelos 166.95 272.55 - - - - - 439.50 Albizia procera - 243.45 1537.25 614.90 - - - 2395.60 Azadirachta indica 219.55 272.55 527.45 1054.90 - - - 2074.45 Bauhinia variegate 122.4 ------122.40 Butea monosperma 240.2 417.9 - - - - - 658.10 Bombax ceiba - - 151.25 - - - - 151.25 Casearia tomentosa 125.65 - 527.45 - - - - 653.10 Cassia fistula 1277.35 454.65 - - - - - 1732.00 Cordia myxa 81.15 273.00 - - - - - 354.15 Dalbergia sissoo 162.36 - 614.9 614.9 - - - 1392.10 Diospyros melanoxylon 1522.75 545.1 2784.65 - - - - 4852.50 Diospyros montona 1493.20 2725.65 3310.45 - - - - 7529.30 Ehretia laevis 47.95 ------47.95 Flacourtia indica 324.65 116.55 - - - - - 441.20 Holoptelia integrifolia 7608.75 6670.05 5007.75 2392.5 - 4544.40 - 26223.45 Lannea grandis 270.70 2977.65 2732.95 1054.9 1820.0 - - 9856.20 Lencaena lencocephala 70.50 569.70 - - - - - 640.20 Limonia acidissina 38.85 ------38.85 Mallotus philippinensis 217.65 765.30 - - - - - 982.96 Tamban 641.55 3896.85 892.65 - - - - 5431.05 Tamarindus indica 81.15 ------81.15 Tectona grandis 27.95 ------27.95 Murraya paniculata 358.90 ------358.90 Nyctanthus arboretristis 227.50 ------227.50 Ficus spp 27.70 - 451.0 803.0 - - - 1281.70 Ziziphus mauritiana 510.90 233.1 - - - - - 744.00 Total 21581.40 29712.50 21677.15 6535.10 1820.0 6571.6 - 87897.75

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CHAPTER XVII

PLANTATION (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE

17.1 Constitution of Working Circle:

This overlapping working circle shall comprise of all forests which needs to planted artificially, areas under existing plantations, blank areas which cannot be rehabilitated by Assisted Natural regeneration and lands under CAMPA etc. which are suitable for raising plantations. There are substantial areas in the forests which are understocked, have less than 40 per cent density and areas with lantana only which need to be brought under tree cover of economical, NTFP, medicinal and fruit trees depending upon their suitability. In the past plantations of various species have been raised, some of which are successful and others not successful. Such areas will also be treated under this Working Circle. There are no areas diverted under the Forest (conservation) Act, therefore, no compensatory afforestation areas are available.

The overall purpose of creation of this Working Circle is to stop the degradation forces and help the natural process to increase the tree cover and its density by intensive treatment methods and application of external inputs.

17.2 Special objectives of Management: The following are the special purposes of management of this circle:

1. To identify and afforest the blank or understocked areas with suitable economical, NTFP or medicinal plant species as per the site conditions.

2. To increase the overall density of the forests and enhance their productivity.

3. To control the growth of Lantana and other invasive weed species.

4. To stop the degradation of forests and ameliorate its condition.

17.3 Area statement: Considerable areas are lying blank for the past many years in the forests and due to this fact have been infested heavily with lantana

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and other weeds. The extent of blank areas are more in the Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle than in the Bamboo Working Circle. Very few areas are available for planting in the miscellaneous species Working Circle. The statement of blank areas is given in Table 17.1

Table: 17.1 Blank areas in the forests

Area attempted Comptt No. Blank Area Forest for Working Circle (ha) plantation (ha) Bamboo Working Karanpur C b 22.0 – 1 Circle C3b – – Bindraban C2 20.0 – C4 12.0 70.00 C5 10.0 30.0 C6 8.0 – C7 25.0 35.0 C8 30.0 50.0 C10 20.0 - Total 147.00 185.00 25.0 35.0 Bamboo Karanpur C a 1 Rehabilitation W.C. C2 20.0 - C3a 20.0 - C4 30.0 40.0 C5 150.0 150.0 C6 10.0 80.0 C7 40.0 15.0 C8 40.0 35.0 C9 10.0 10.0 C10 10.0 - Bindraban C1b 40.0 35.0 C3 45.0 35.0 C9 20.0 35.0 Total 460.0 470.0

Though, plantations done in the past have exceeded in the past (measure of hectare for plantation was different than the physical area), there are still blanks which needs urgent treatment. Natural regeneration is nearly absent because of the intense biotic pressure, illicit felling and grazing and the calamity of forest fires. The only solution is to artificially afforest the blank areas to enhance the growing stock per unit area and also to enhance the biodiversity. In the past sporadic attempts of planting of teak and Eucalyptus have shown good results where the young plantations were protected against biotic factors. However by and large, repeated attempts of raising plantations have failed. Therefore, it

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becomes necessary to analyse the factors responsible for failure of past efforts before attempting afresh.

17.4 Reasons for failure of plantations: The factors responsible for failure of plantation are enumerated below:

(1) Choice of species: Wrong choice of species has led to many failures. Instead of planting primary succession species like Dalbergia sissoo and Holoptelia integrifolia, species like teak and Eucalyptus were introduced near the nallahs and streams where frost also damaged the teak.

(2) Suppression by Lantana: When the plantations were not maintained, Lantana overtook the plants because of its fast growth and suppressed the tree saplings.

(3) Timely Planting: In the Shiwalik hills, the crucial point to success lies in the timely planting during the first showers of monsoon. Late planting fails to give adequate growth for survival against dry and winter spells.

(4) Protection against grazing and forest fires: Inadequate protection against grazing and forest fires have taken considerable tolls.

17.5 Method of Treatment: The identification of area for planting shall be done after the cleaning/cutting and felling of trees is over in the felling coupe. The felling coupe shall be taken up for plantation in a year next to felling. Areas which are totally bereft of tree growth and areas with scanty tree growth and bamboo clumps shall be treated separately. Areas with failed plantations shall also be treated separately.

(a) Blank areas: In such areas, uprooting of Lantana and weeds shall be done on the 3m broad contour lines and advance earth work shall be done after the disposal of felling debris. No heavy machinery shall be used for uprooting of Lantana, neither leveling of area shall be done. Such areas shall be planted with bamboo, teak, Albizia procera, Bauhinia spp or Dalbergia sissoo depending upon the locality factors. This is because the fast growth of these species will overtake lantana in the establishment period.

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(b) Areas with sparse tree growth: In areas with sparse tree growth and bamboo clumps, weed removal shall be done in the entire area saving the natural seedlings and bamboo clumps. Trenches shall be dug depending upon the availability of space. The area shall be made contiguous by linking corridors for plantation so that protection and maintenance is practicable.

(c) Areas failed in the past: Such areas have the advantage that the trenches are already done and they are enriched with leaf litter and the moisture regime is better. The trenches shall be located and soil working done in advance. Advance sowing shall be done in these areas with species of Acacia catechu, Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica, and Leucaena leucocephala. Where in the stumps are available after clearing lantana along the contours, rootstock shall be cut and the seedlings shall be adopted.

17.6 Choice of Species: The choice of species shall be guided by the following principles:

(a) Adaptability and Resistance: Resistance to extreme weather, frost, drought and forest fires and against pest and diseases are important factors for consideration. Obviously, local species are more adaptable and resilient as against exotic species. The growing stock of these forests show that the indigenous species such as Acacia catechu, Holoptelia integrifolia, Diospyros species, Bombax ceiba, Grewia laevigata, and Lannea grandis have resisted the hostile factors and survived.

(b) Growth rate: In the lantana infested areas, species which compare the growth of Lantana in the beginning can only succeed. Among such species are Dendrocalamus strictus, Albizia procera, Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia nilotica, Holoptelia integrifolia and Bombax ceiba. Among the exotics Tectona grandis and Eucalyptus tereticornis can be considered.

(c) Livelihood value: Species having livelihood values, NTFP fuelwood or fodder value should be preferred over other species. Species such as Grewia laevigata, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia catechu, Emblica officianalis Bauhinia variegata, Cassia fistula meet these criteria.

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(d) Biodiversity Conservation Value: Species having importance for wildlife, and species declining in numbers such as Diospyros montana, Lannea grandis, Cordia myxa, and Toona ciliata and Emblica officinalis and Bauhinia vahlii should be preferred over other species.

17.7 Planting Programme: The felling coupes in Karanpur and Bindraban forests will be treated a year after the felling. The order of plantation will follow the felling programme. In case, no funds are available for planting, the felling programme of trees will be treated as cancelled and will be resumed only after funds for planting including cleaning programme of bamboos are made available. The first plantation will start therefore from the year 2016-17. Yearwise, areas will be selected from the felling coupes and adjoining contiguous blank areas. The planted area shall be maintained for three consecutive years for weeding and hoeing, removal of weeds and repair of contour trenches. The programme is given in Table 17.1. No areas of Miscellaneous Species Working Circle have been added into this programme, as no plantation is considered necessary because of the young growth as already mentioned in the concerned Working Circle.

Table 17.1: Planting Programme

Year Karanpur forest Bindraban forest C9, C7, C8, C10 2016-17 C1a, C2 C3, C5, C4 2017-18 C3a, C1b C1a, C1b, C2 2018-19 C4 C9, C7, C8, C10 2019-20 C5, C6, C7 C3, C5, C4 2020-21 C8, C9, C10

17.8 Planting Rules: The following rules shall be observed:

i. Area will be measured and marked with the help of pegs or other suitable marks and cleared of jungle growth on the guidelines given under the methods of treatment. ii. No heavy machinery shall be used for cutting/removal of lantana and other weeds.

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iii. No leveling of soil will be done and earth work shall be completed in the month of March-April of the year of plantation. iv. Planting will invariably be done on contour trenches. v. Lantana or vegetation removal will not be done on steep slopes and areas prone to active soil erosion. vi. Fencing on the boundary of the plantation with cut down bushes only will be done and no barbed wire fencing shall be done. vii. Planting should start with the onset of monsoon and completed by the end of July. viii. The plantation shall be tended for maintenance for a period of three years.

17.9 Protection against grazing and Forest Fires: Areas planted in a year shall be protected strictly against grazing and fire control for a period of 3 years. Grass cutting however shall be allowed to the villagers.

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CHAPTER XVIII

WILDLIFE (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE

18.1 General Constitution of Working Circle:

Forests are inseperable part of wildlife habitat. If the forests flourish, the wildlife self-generates. However, since the beginning of the nineteenth century, ruthless destruction of wildlife habitat has resulted in pronounced improverishment and regression of wild animals. Especially in the past five decades, the habitat of wild animals has been greatly affected by intensive agriculture, urbanization, and construction of dams and canals etc. Most of the land in the state has been cleared off for cultivation of agricultural crops leaving only 6.12 per cent area under forests. Intensive agriculture on one hand has depleted the habitat of large mammals and on the other hand has favoured rodent pests. The intensive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has a bad effect on the population of many of the aquatic and terrestrial animals. Effect of use of deadly pesticides has been pronounced on the populations of partridges, house sparrows, vultures and many others. After clearance of vegetation, the wild animals particularly the carnivores were indiscriminately hunted and killed from this area to the point of extinction. After independence, though, measures have been taken to restore the vegetation cover which has yielded positive results. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was enforced in the state w.e.f. 01.04.1975 to save the environment and wildlife. The rules under this Act were also framed and notified vide Punjab Govt. No.-G.S.R. 108/CA. 53/72/S-64/75 dated 6th November, 1975. A separate Wildlife Division has been created with its headquarter at Hoshiarpur to look after the protection of wildlife in this area. Besides, the Divisional Forest Officer (wildlife), the territorial D.F.O. and the subordinate staff is equally responsible for the protection and enforcement of wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Wildlife Working Circle has been created to look after the interests of wildlife and their habitat while managing the forests.

18.2 Objectives of Management: The following are the special objectives of management:

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1. To conserve and protect the existing biodiversity of the ecosystem as a whole. 2. To improve the wildlife habitat in terms of living space, forage conditions, protective and breeding cover, water holes and salt licks. 3. To supplement the existing natural vegetation by planting fruit and fodder species with special emphasis on trees that provide shelter to wild animals and birds. 4. To prepare scientific data base for the maintenance and development of viable populations of fauna.

Character of Vegetation: As already mentioned, the forests in the area comprise bamboo brakes and the dry deciduous scrub types with predominance of trees such as phalai, khair, simul, Rajain, white siris, Amaltas, Kinu, and Kangu etc. The common bamboo found is Dendrocalamus strictus. A number of fruit and fodder trees for wildlife importance occur in the areas of which the following are important:

1. Bel (Aegle marmelos) 2. Amaltas (Cassia fistula) 3. Dhak (Butea monosperma) 4. Khair (Acacia catechu) 5. Phaai (Acacia modesta) 6. Kinu (Diospyros tomentosa) 7. Kanju (Diospyros montana) 8. Bohr (Ficus glomerata) 9. Pipal (Ficus religiosa) 10. Kangu (Flacourtia indica)

The following palatable grasses are found:

1. Bhabhar (Eulaliopsis binata) 2. Khabbal (Cynodon dactylon) 3. Panni (Dicanthium annulatum) 4. Kahi (Saccharum spontaneum) 5. Anjan (Cenchrus ciliaris)

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6. Dholu (Chrysopogon spontaneum) 7. Sariala (Heteropogon contortus) 8. Nari (Fragmites carka) 9. Sarkanda (Saccharum munja) 10. Dib (Desmostachya bipinnata)

Therefore, there is a variety of tree and grass forage found in these forests. However, there is a persistent scarcity of water in the dry and winter months as no perennial source of water exist in the area except one stream in Nandbir forests.

18.3 Analysis and evaluation of wildlife and its habitat.

Wildlife Institute of India in its biogeographical classification has recognized north Shiwalik region from Ropar to Gurdaspur as one of the regions amongst three regions of Punjab of biological significance. In this Shiwalik region, animals like Pangolin and Pythons are rare which are included in the International Red Data list of I.U.C.N. Sambar, barking deer and hog deer which are included in the schedule III of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 are also found in these forests. Tigers and leopards are not found in the area which have long back disappeared but found to be migrating to these forests from the Himachal Pradesh area. Apart from above, other animals such as Black buck, Blue bull, Wild boar, Jackal, Rufous tailed hare, small Indian mongoose, fruit bat, Rhesus monkey, Indian Porcupine are common. The others noticed are Pale hedge hog, Grey Musk shrew and Indian Fox. The list of recorded animals in these forests is given in Table 18.1.

A variety of birds are also found in the area of which are peacock, koel, pied- crested cuckoo, red jungle fowl, blue rock pigeon, doves, lapwings, babblers, hoopoe, bulbuls, jungle mynas, grey tit, golden backed wood pecker, king crow, shama, common grey hornbill and grey partridges are important occurring in numbers. The main bird species which are not seen in other parts of the state but found in this tract include Himalayan slaty headed parakeet, Blue headed Rock thrush, yellow backed sunbird and paradise flycatcher. The list of birds found in the tract are given in Table 18.2.

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18.4 Wildlife Conservation Measures:

The protection to wildlife can be afforded by adopting preventive, remedial and control measures. The preventive measures suggested are creation of public awareness, immunization of cattle in the surrounding areas to ensure that contagious diseases do not spread to wildlife. Controlling of grazing in the wildlife rich areas so that cattle do not encroach upon the rights of forage of wild animals. The awareness about the benefits of wildlife can be created effectively through meeting the elderly people, delivering lectures in schools and colleges, arranging public shows during village melas and Govt. functions. The public at large and concerned staff should be suitably rewarded for prevention, investigation and prosecution of cases relating to wildlife offences. Wild life club can be constituted to foster interest in wild life conservation as the town is in habited by a large number of government employees and educated populace.

The remedial measures like habitat improvement, pasture development, creation of water holes, provision of salt licks, and periodical census of wildlife are of importance. The control measures suggested are anti-poaching measures through strengthening of infrastructure and communication network, prevention of forest fires and enforcing legal provisions of wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

18.5 Habitat Improvement:

Habitat especially for the endangered species and the species in the schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 requires to be protected by all means. The areas where schedule-I animals are found, needs to be specially protected and entry of domestic animals should be stopped so that wild animals get the required forage and shelter. Regular monitoring of their habitat should be done.

There should be no felling amounting to alteration of crop composition near the water holes and on the paths frequented by the wild animals. Gap planting with species such as Amla, Bahera, Jamun, Ber, Mallah, Bel, Kinu, Bauhinia and Dhak should be carried out in pockets.

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Lantana weed is the biggest hazard for deterioration of wildlife habitat. Measures to control its further spread, and eradication and utilization of the existing lantana weed as suggested in the Plantation Working Circle should be vigorously adopted.

Provisions have also been made in the various Working Circles to reserve the trees of wildlife importance near the water holes, baulis, near temples and shrines. Similarly trees providing roosting and nesting for birds are to be left intact. One dead tree preferably of low commercial value per hectare should be retained for shelter and resting of wildlife. Unsound and hollow logs are to be left in the forest as shelter for wildlife provided they are not fire hazard.

Salt licks may be provided at important water holes where the wild animals regularly make a visit.

18.6 Provision of Water holes: Due to high gradient and lack of suitable water harvesting structures, the area is deficient in water to meet the needs of the wild animals. As a result, the animals in the dry months of summer and winter months usually migrate to the lower foothills and the farmers‟ fields to find water. It is therefore absolutely necessary to construct water holes at suitable locations for storage of water in the lean months. Such water holes may be in the form of ponds, water tanks, check dams at the choe heads, but they should be constructed in a manner to allow storage of water for the maximum period. To stop the seepage of water layers of bajri/gravel, two layers of polythene sheet in between the sand layers, and the uppermost layer of bajri should be prepared. Silt retention dams should be prepared in the catchment area. No vertical concrete walls are allowed around the ponds and they should be gradually slanted, for easy approach of wild animals.

18.7 Fire Protection: Fire is potentially a deadly enemy of both forests and wildlife. Rapid running forest fires particularly crown fires are very destructive to wildlife. If it occurs in the nesting season of birds, breeding stock may be destroyed. The wild animals are usually trapped in the thick lantana bushes in case of fire. The rodents and reptiles are usually the bigger casualities as they are holed up. Therefore, strict fire protection measures as prescribed in the

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Protection Working Circle should be followed. The fire watch towers should be used for detection of fire outbreaks.

18.8 Anti-Poaching Measures: Poaching is one of the main causes for destruction of wildlife. For effective protection of wildlife from poaching and hunting, preventive patrolling, establishment of check posts, arming of staff with vehicles and weapons and communication network are being done by the wildlife wing. Joint inspections by the wildlife and territorial staff should be conducted to stop the hunting of wild animals.

18.9 Census of Wild animals: Census of wild animals give useful data for management. To have a clear picture of wildlife species and their diversity, the department should conduct atleast one census during the period of Working Plan. Special census of red jungle fowl should be undertaken in the working plan period to know the population size of the species.

18.10 Coordination between Forests and Wildlife Sectons: Coordination between forests and wildlife wings is imperative in the interest of forests and wildlife. Forest is the habitat for wildlife and wildlife is the protector of forest growth. The survival of wildlife is dependent on the existence of forests. The role of each component is required to be understood and appreciated in their respective roles. It is therefore suggested that not only the level of existing position of divisional functionaries of wildlife improved but effective wildlife management should be created.

18.11 Man-animal conflict: Usually in the winters and in the hot month of April- June when there is a scarcity of water and fodder inside the forests, the wild, animals move out of the forests and raid the adjoining fields of farmers. Thus damaging the agricultural crops. To compensate the farmers, the forests and Wildlife Preservation Department Punjab has framed the rules. The compensation is provided to the farmers after assessment of damage by the local forest officer, or the revenue officer of the area. The following are the compensation rates and ex-gratia relief payable to the victims of predation/depredation by wild animals as per the revised rates vide Punjab Govt. Notification No. 1/7/2000-Ft-5/4022 dated 17.06.2013.

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Table No. 18.1 List of Wild Animals found in Hoshiarpur District

S.No. Common Name Scientific Name 1. Black buck or Indian Antelope Antelope cervicapra 2. Blue Bull Boseloplus tragocamelus 3. Wild boar Sus scrofa 4. Spotted deer Axis axis 5. Barking deer Muntiacus muntilak 6. Sambhar Cervas unicolor 7. Hog deer Axis porcinus 8. Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata 9. Jackal Canis aureus 10. Rufous tailed hare Lepus nigricollis 11. Small Indian Mongosse Herpostes autopundatus 12. Common Mongoose Herpestus edwardsi 13. Fruit bat Rousettus leschenaultia 14. Smaller Indian Civet Vivesrricula indica 15. Rhesus Monkey Macaca mulatta 16. Indian Porcupine Hystrix indica 17. Common house rat Rattus rattus 18. Pale Hedge hog Paracchinus micropus 19. Grey Musk shrew Suncus murinus 20. Indian Fox Vulpes bengalensis 21. Palm squirrel Funambulus pennanti 22. Yellow monitor lizard Varanus flavescens

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Table No. 18.2 List of Birds found in Hoshiarpur District S.No. Common Name Scientific Name 1. Little Grebe Podiceps luficollis 2. Large Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbe 3. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigher 4. Darter and Snakebird Anhinga rufa 5. Grey heron Ardea cinerea 6. Purple Heron Aredea purpurea 7. Pond Heron Ardeola grayii 8. Eastern Grey Heron Ardea cinerea rectirostria 9. Eastern Purple Heron Ardea purpurea manilensis 10. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 11. Large Egret Ardea alba 12. Median Egret Ergetta intermedia 13. Little Egret Egretta garzetta 14. Night Heron Nycticorax nyctricorax 15. Chestnut Bittern Ixobreychus cinnamomeus 16. Black ibis Pseudibis papillosa 17. Glossy ibis Plegndis falcinellus 18. Barheaded goose Anser indicus 19. Brahminy duck Tadorna ferruginea 20. Pintail duck Anas acuta 21. Common teal Anas crecca 22. Spotbill Duck Anas peocilorphyncha 23. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 24. Gadwall Anas strepera 25. Wigeon Anas penelope 26. Garganey Anas quersuedula 27. Shoveller Anas clypoata 28. Redcrested pochard Netta rufina 29. Common pochard Aytha ferina 30. Whiteeyed pochard Ayathya hyroca

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31. Tufted pochard Aythya fuligula 32. Cotton Teal Nottapus coromeddellianus 33. Comb Duck or Nakta Sarkidiernis melanotos 34. Black winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 35. Pariah kite Milvus migrans 36. Laggar Falcon Falco hiarmicus jugger 37. Asiatic merlin Falco colummarius insignis 38. Brahminy kite Haliastur indus 39. Shikra Accipitar badius 40. Imperial Eagle Aquila helieca 41. Tawny Eagle Aquila vindhiana 42. Lesser spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina 43. Greater spotted Eagle Aquila clanga 44. Fall‟s Fishing Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus 45. Whitebecked vulture Gyps bengalensis 46. Scavenger vulture Neophron perenopterus 47. Pale Harrior Circus macrourus 48. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 49. Osprey Pondion heliactus 50. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 51. Black partridge Francolinus francolinus 52. Grey partridge Francolinus pondicerisnus 53. Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica 54. Grey Quail Coturnix coturnix 55. Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelana 56. Pea fowl Pavo cristatus 57. Red jungle fowl Gallus gallus murghi 58. Ruddy crake Amaurornis fuscus 59. Brown crake Amaurornis akool 60. Baillon‟s crake Porzana pusilla 61. Whitebreasted water-hen Amaurornis pheenicurus 62. Indian Moorhen Gallinul chloropus 63. Purple moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio

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64. Coot Fulica atra 65. Pheasant tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus 66. White tailed lapwing Venellus leucurus 67. Red wattled lapwing Venellus indicus 68. Peewit Venellus venellus 69. Little ring plover Charadrius dubius 70. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinues 71. Curlew Numenius arquata 72. Redshank Tringa tetanus 73. Dusky Redshank Tringa ery-thropus 74. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 75. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stragnatilis 76. Green shank Tringa nebularia 77. Dunlin Calidris alpina 78. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris testacea 79. Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucas 80. Spotted Sandpiper Tringa gallingao 81. Funtail snipe Callinago gallingago 82. Little stint Callinago minutus 83. Temrenik‟s stint Calidria Lemmenckii 84. Ruff & feaf Philomachus pugnax 85. Blackwinged stilt Himantopus himantopus 86. Great stone plover Rscacus magnirostria 87. Lesser Blackbacked gull Larus fuscus 88. Great Blackheaded gull Larus ichthyaetus 89. Brownheaded gull Larus brunnicephalus 90. Blackheaded gull Larus ridibundus 91. Whishered Tern Childonias hybrida 92. Gullbilled Tern Gelocheliden nilotica 93. Indian River Tern Sterna aurantia 94. Blackbellied Tern Sterna acutiaauda 95. Indian Skimmer Rhynchops albicollis 96. Blue rock pigeon Columba livia

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97. Green pigeon Treron phoenicoptera 98. Indian ring dove Streptopelia decaocto 99. Spotted dove Stroptapelia chinensis 100. Red Turtle Dove Stroptopelia tranquebarica 101. Large Indian Parakeet Pasittacula eupatria 102. Rose Ringed Parakeet Pasittacula kramori 103. Blossom headed parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala 104. Slaty headed parakeet 105. Common hawk Cuckoo Cuculus yarius 106. Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micrope terus 107. Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis passerines 108. Pied creasted cuckoo Clamator Jacobinus 109. Crow Pheasant Centropus sinensis 110. Dusky Horned Owl Bubo Coromandus 111. Brown Fish owl Bubo Zeylonenensis 112. Mottled Wood owl Strix ocellata 113. Barn Owl Tyto alba 114. Spotted Owlet Athene brama 115. Great horned Owl Bubo bengalensis 116. Shorteared Owl Asto flammous 117. House swift Apus affinia 118. Palm swift Cypsiurus parvus 119. Pied King fisher Ceryle rudis 120. Common king fisher Cerylo athis 121. White breasted king fisher Halcyen smyrenesis 122. Green Bee Eater Merops orientalis 123. Blue tailed bee eater Merops superciliosus 124. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis 125. Hoopoe Upupa epops 126. Large green barbet Megalaima zeylanica 127. Crimson breasted barbet Megalamia haemacephala 128. Coppersmith Megalaima haemaceptala 129. Wryneck Jynx torquilla

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130. Goldenbacked Wood-pecker Dinopium javanense 131. Yellow fronted pied Picoides maharattensis 132. Ashy wined Finch Lark Eremopterix grisea 133. Rufoustailed finch Lark Ammomanes phoenicurus 134. Redwinged bush Lark Mirarfa erythroptera 135. Singing Bush Lark Mirafra javanica 136. CresedLark Galerida cristaca 137. Sky Lark Alauda gulgula 138. Indian Collard Sand Margin Riparia riparia 139. Common Swallow Hirundo rustica 140. Wiretailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 141. Grey shrike Lanius excubitor 142. Baybacked shrike Lanius vittatus 143. Rufousbacked shrike Lanius schach 144. Black drongo Dicrurus adsimilis 145. Starling Sturnus vulgaris 146. Pied Myna Sturnus contra 147. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis 148. Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus 149. Tree pie Dendrocitta vagvunda 150. Grey Hornbill Tocks hirortris 151. House crow Cervus splendens 152. Jungle crow Corvus macrohynchos 153. Raven Corvus cora 154. Common wood shrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus 155. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus 156. Small minivit Pericrocotus cinnamomeus 157. White cheecked bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys 158. Red vented bulbul Phononotus cafer 159. Yellow eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense 160. Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus 161. Striated Babbler Turdoidos earlei 162. Jungle Babbler Turdoidos striatus

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163. Red Wrested fly eatcher Muscicape parva 164. Vorditor Fly catcher Muscicape thatssima 165. White browed faintail fly catcher Rhipidura aurejola 166. Brown fly catcher Muscicapa latirostris 167. Paradise Fly catcher Terpsiphone paradise 168. Indian wren warbler Prinia subflava 169. Ashy wren warbler Prinia socialis 170. Franklin‟s warbler Prinia hodgsoni 171. Yellow bellied wren warbler Prinia flaviantris 172. Striated Marsh warbler Magalurus palustris 173. Indian Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentorous 174. Blyths warbler Acrocephalus dumetoram 175. Sand Lark Clandrella roytal 176. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 177. Chiff Chaff Phyllescopus collybita 178. Yellow browed loaf warbler Phylloscopus znornotus 179. Greyhead Fly catcher warbler Phylloscopus znornotus 180. Blue throat Eritacus svecicus 181. Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis 182. Black rodstart Phoenicures orchruras 183. Plumbeous Redstart Rhyacorhis fuliquinosus 184. Whitesped Redstart Chaimarrornis laucocephalus 185. Collared Bush Chat Saxicole torquata 186. Pied Bush Chat Saxicole caprata 187. Pied Chat Conantha picata 188. Black throated thrush Turdus ruficollis 189. Grey tit Parus major 190. Wall Creeper Tichodroma muraria 191. Tree pipit Anthus trivialia 192. Paddyfied pipit Motacilla gilava thunberqi 193. Greyheaded yellow wagtail Motacilla gilava thunberiqi 194. Yellow headed wagtail Motacilla citreola 195. Black yellow wagtail Motacilla flava calcarate

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196. Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea 197. Indian white wagtail Motacilla albe 198. Masked Wagtail Motacilla personata 199. Purple sunbird Nectarinia asiatica 200. Large pied wagtail Motacilla maderspatensis 201. White eye Zosterops palpobrosa 202. House Sparrow Masser domesticus 203. Spanish Sparrow Passer Hisapniclonsis 204. Crested Buntings Melophus lathami 205. Black headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala 206. Yellow throated sparrow Potronia zenthecollis 207. Indian weaver bird or Baya Ploceas phillippinus 208. Black throated weaver bird Ploceas Benghalansis 209. Streaked weaver bird Ploceas manyar 210. Red Munia Estrilda amandaya 211. Spotted Munia Lonchura Buntautata 212. White throated Munia Lonchura malabarica 213. Braminy Mynah Sturmus pagodrun 214. Tailor Bird Orthetonues sutorius 215. Golden urial Oriulus oriulus Kundoo 216. Kool Eudyananmy scolopacea 217. Common sand grouse scolopacea 218. Imperial Sandgrouse Teminnic austus 219. Pitta Plerocles orientalis 220. Grey headed gold finch Cardulinae carduelinae 221. Black winged kite Elanus cearuleus 222. Sparrow hawk Accipiter nisus

Table 18.3: Rates of ex-gratia grant to the victims of wildlife Nature of damage caused by wild S.No. Revised Rates animals (a) Death or permanent incapacitation Rs. 2,00,000/- (b) Grievous injury 30% of (a) (c) Minor injury Cost of treatment Loss of property Value of loss/damage as assessed (d) (i) Crop damage by authorized officer (ii) Cattle killing

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CHAPTER XIX

JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT (OVERLAPPING)

WORKING CIRCLE

19.1 Forest Management: Joint Forest Management could be described as management of the state forests jointly by the state and the local community with joint sharing of benefits. The programme has its origin in the National Forest Policy (1988) which envisaged” creating a massive people's movement with the involvement of the women, for achieving the objectives and to minimize pressure on existing (reserved) forest". Pursuant to this policy, the participation of people in the protection, management and development of forests has assumed more and more significance. In fact, it has been felt for long that foresters and local communities should work together in the onerous task of protection of forests. Slowly the concept has changed to involvement of local people in the management of forests by participation in the formulation of plans for the management of forest resources. It is further envisaged that the local communities should participate in the decision-making process on choice of species to be planted, areas to be taken up for afforestation, protection of forests and benefit sharing of usufructs. The concept of Joint Forest Management usually referred as JFM has thus developed after a series of experiments and resolutions.

The first policy initiative on JFM was taken by the Government of India by issuing a notification in June 1990 to all the states providing broad guidelines for involvement of village communities and usufruct rights of the community over forest produce (including non-timber, grass, firewood and timber products), share in final harvest of timber, and preparation of micro-plan for the forest. Again in 2000, the Government of India has issued "Guidelines for JFM 2000" with a view to consolidate the gains made by JFM and iron out the issues confronting the Forest Protection Committees, Non-Governmental Organisations and the Forest Departments. The issues covered include providing legal status to JFM to areas having below 40 per cent crown cover, improving the

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effectiveness of micro-plans, recognition to self-initiated forest protection groups, and investment to forest management and development.

19.2 JFM in Punjab

The concept of Joint Forest Management first started in the state with the issuance of Punjab Government guidelines vide resolution No. 46/27/93-Ft- 111/8284 dated 14/4/1993. These guidelines were subsequently revised and renotified in the year 2003 vide Punjab Government‟s Notification No.46/242/99- Ft-III/18759 dated 18/11/2003 in suppression of the earlier JFM guidelines and their subsequent amendments (Annexure IV). With this notification, there has been a clear intention to spread the concept of JFM throughout the state and make it applicable to all the reserved, protected and unclassed forests of the state. The refurbished JFM process is now intended to adopt a three-pronged strategy to involve the local people through Forest Protection Committees (FPCs), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), voluntary Agencies (VAs)/Religious Bodies/Institutions and farmers. Village, Forest Committees constituted under Forest Development Agencies have also been made a part of JFM process.

JFM guidelines cover and regulate the constitution of FPCs and management committees, their duties and responsibilities towards forest protection and conservation, preparation of micro plans for the development of respective areas and benefit-sharing with the people. Investment of VAs has also been specified for carrying out afforestation and ancilliary works that are not intended to be carried out by FPCs. The FPCs are entitled for usufruct and non-timber forest produce (NTFP), rights in the assigned areas provided these FPCs discharge their duties and responsibilities as per the regulations contained in JFM guidelines. In case of NTFP, FPCs are entitled for collection/removal of grasses, fruits, palm leaves etc. and lease of commercial NTFP. Bhabhar grass will also be provided free of cost to FPCs with 25% of the revenue that will accrue to the Department from auction/royalty of forest produce like timber, bamboos, khair etc.

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The guidelines confer that half of the income generated/obtained by FPCs through sale/revenue of forest produce will be ploughed back by FPCs into the JFM areas by investing this amount in conservation, protection and regeneration of forests. The balance is to be utilized for other development and welfare activities for the common benefit of the FPC members or in the form of direct distribution of appropriate share among its members.

In addition to above, JFM provides for carrying out entry point activities/development activities in JFM areas to establish a close and constructive support with the village communities. These development activities include improvement of school/panchayat buildings, repair of traditional water resources like baulis, village ponds etc, provision of training of women, landless and SCs to help them earn their livelihood through income generation activities.

As per the latest guidelines of the Govt. of India, all the JFMCs are coordinated under the Forest Development Agency (FDA) in Dasuya Forest Division. The FDA works under the State Forest Development Agency (SFDA).

19.3 Special objects of Management: Keeping in view the JFM guidelines, the objects of management of this Working Circle shall be

1. To give adequate protection to the existing forest resources through effective people‟s participation. 2. To maintain and improve the quality of the environment by maintaining and improving the existing forest resources. 3. To reduce the pressure on the forests by developing alternative sources of energy. 4. To manage the forests in such a way that there is effective sharing of usufructs to the local people in a sustainable manner. 5. To create awareness among the people about the importance of forest resources/tree cover for a better future for humanity. 6. To improve the overall socio-economic condition of the people in the forest fringe areas.

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19.4 Present Status of JFM: Since the implementation of the JFM policy in the state, attempts have been made to bring into practice JFM, but the results have not very encouraging. There are seven JFM committees constituted in the fringe villages. Besides there are 51 Forest Protection Committees in Dasuya Forest Division of which ten lie in the fringe villages of these forests. The list of JFM committees and FPCs are given in Table 19.1.

Table 19.1 List of JFMCs and FPCs in the fringe villages of forests Executive Committee S.No. Name of village FPC/JFMC members of FPC/JFMC 1. Sansarpur FPC 15 2. Rampur Haler FPC 15 3. Hardo Neknama FPC 11 4. Bel Nangal FPC 11 5. Narangpur FPC 11 6. Beh Kushala FPC 11 7. Beh Ranga FPC 13 8. Plahar FPC 7 9. Bhatoli FPC 15 10. Bering FPC 11 11. Beh Fatto JFMC 7 12. Beh Vidya JFMC 7 13. Beh Dullo JFMC 7 14. Rakri JFMC 13 15. Beh Mawa JFMC 11 16. Beh Lakhan JFMC 9 17. Heer Beli JFMC 9

The Member Secretary of the JFMCs is the block officer/forester of the area. JFMCs function for the planning and decision-making process of preparation of micro-plans using participatory rural appraisal during (PRA) exercise. The meetings of the JFMCs are held regularly and that of the general body once in a year. These committees were granted special funds for the year 2003-04 under JFM programme of the externally aided project JBIC for some entry point activities. With the help of these funds, the areas owned by panchayats,

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common lands of the villages and of private individuals were planted and treated for development of silvipasture and enrichment planting. Also soil conservation works, line brushwood check dams, dry stone masonry dams, live hedges etc were created.

As per the prevalent guidelines, JFMCs have been registered with the Forest Development Agency, Dasuya. The FDA is a two-tier structure with executive body and a general body, the Conservator of Forests, Shiwalik Circle, being the Chairperson and Divisional Forest Officer, Dasuya, the Member Secretary of this Agency. The Executive Committee of the FDA is well represented by the district head of the development departments, Additional Deputy Commissioner, representatives of Zila Parishad and Presidents of VFCs/JFMCs. The main objectives of this agency are:

 Conservation, management and increase in the forest cover in the project area, in a sustainable manner.  Conservation of soil and water in the project area.  Employment generation through creation of productive community assets.  Formation of village level committees which will carry out the activities mentioned above.  Employment generation to most needy section of the society, particularly women, SC/ST and landless labourers and encourage them to be self- sufficeint.  To train the rural women in income generating activities and to improve their social, economical and health conditions.  To provide the alternative sources of energy to the rural people, and subsequently decreasing their dependence on forest for fuel.  To inculcate the idea of conservation of natural resources among the members of JFMs and other people.  To ensure the active people participation in the implementation of the different objectives of the project.  To share the usefructs with the local people.

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To effectively implement these objectives, a percentage of the allocated funds can be used for entry-point activities which are taken up in the JFM area so that active coordination between the Forest Development Agency and the villagers improves. Microplans are also to be drawn up for investment and production activities after taking into consideration the local needs of the people. Self-help groups can also be constituted to achieve the objectives. The money saved by the self-help groups can be used for developing other income generating activities. Along with these there is increased need to improve the marketing places having processing facilities so that the villagers can get added value of their products. As the self-reliance of the villagers increases, their dependence on the forests and resulting, destruction of these valuable resources gradually decreases.

19.5 Reinvigorating JFM: However, inspite of the JFM institutions in the fringe areas, the participation of people in either management or providing protection to the forest or sharing benefits is lacking. On the other hand, the natural forests of great ecological and economical importance have deteriorated alarmingly over the years. The lantana weed has invaded densely and the productivity of bamboos has decreased considerably. The bamboo clumps are highly congested and dying slowly. The people are watching the area helplessly as the Department has not made any plans to share the forests with people though they have been stealing the forests to meet their bonafide needs. To save the forests, there is an urgent need to reinvigorate the institution of JFM from the beginning, by constituting the JFMCs after having a continuous dialogue with them and learning from the people, and taking them along in the process of rehabilitation of degraded forests especially in the Bamboo Rehabilitation Working Circle. For implementing the JFM programme, the following points shall be kept in mind:

 Local people‟s interest and responsiveness prior to starting the programme at any given location.  Initial emphasis should be on places where good and constructive local leadership is forthcoming and forest dependency is higher.

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 The process should provide for local people‟s requirement and needs in planning, including some non-forestry developmental initiatives and programmes to be implemented by the Department.  There shall be regular half-yearly or annual review of the programme involving other stakeholders for the lessons learnt and also to identify strengths and weaknesses so as to amend the rules and regulations to steer the course of events towards a positive direction in the overall interest of forest conservancy and local people‟s development.

19.6 Method of treatment: To achieve the objectives of management, the following methods of treatment are suggested:

(1) Cleaning of clumps (2) Protection against fire (3) Lantana eradication (4) Income Generating activities

(1) Cleaning of clumps: The major constraint of management of these bamboo forests is the non-working of bamboo clumps over the years as a result the clumps have become compact with the malformed and dried culms packed without any fresh growth of straight and merchantable culms. It is therefore essential to clean these clumps so that fresh growth takes place. As the total number of congested clumps is quite high, and it will not be possible for the Department to clean all the crop, it would be useful to allot area of comptt No. C3a Karanpur under Rehabilitation Working Circle to JFM Committee of the village where it is situated. For cleaning of clumps, the following procedure may be adopted:

(i) Divide the compartment into smaller units depending upon the capacity of the JFMC. (ii) Train the members of the JFMC and apprise them about the rules of working as given in the Rehabilitation Working Circle. (iii) Do not realize any revenue from the JFMC. As per JFM policy, the JFMC be allowed to stack the material under the supervision of the

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JFMC Secretary and a through accounting of material extracted should be recorded. (iv) The auction of the material extracted, leaving behind the material useable for vegetative check dams and brush wood soil conservation works, be done and the whole-receipt of the auction should confer to the JFMC. (v) The JFMC shall work the congested and uncongested clumps simultaneously. (vi) The Department should pay wages to the JFMC for carrying out soil conservation works or plantation works in the compartment. (vii) The JFMC shall be responsible for all the protection measures during the course of cleaning operation in the compartment. (viii) The JFMC however shall not have any right to damage the standing trees in the compartment. (ix) The scope of work can be extended to include eradication of Lantana in the compartment.

(2) Protection against fire: Frequency of fires in these forests is quite high and damage is consequently also high. The hilly terrain does not allow the fire fighting machinery to work and thus only normal methods of fire fighting can be considered. More important however is to work on fire prevention strategies including patrolling and education to the fringe forest villagers. The JFMCs can play an important role in prevention of fires and in the event of fires, help in local deployment of people. The JFMCs can also be deployed and trained to build fire lines and fight fires. In this working plan period, it is suggested to hand over compartment 3a and 3b of Karanpur forests to the JFMC as this is the most vulnerable compartment for forest fires as per the data of fire incidences in the past. The fires are reported in this compartment every two-three years and major fires are reported after a cycle of 5-6 years. Involvement of JFMCs in the fire protection can help to eliminate the major degradation factor of forests in the area. (3) Lanana eradication: Lantana is another most important degradation factor of forests. The frequency of Lantana is 100 per cent in all the

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bamboo forests. Lantana prevents the growth of new regeneration and also hinders the growth of existing clumps. Eradication of lantana cannot be thought of without the involvement of local public through JFMCs. Lantana not only affects the forests, but also the local communities whose dependence on forests may be direct or indirect. It is a source of inoculum for adjoining agricultural fields. People are not able to graze their cattle or harvest grass from the forest as the lantana has suppressed its growth. The plantations done in the past have failed because of overtaking by lantana. This is loss of public money. The JFMCs can play an active role in eradication of lantana through the Departmental support. The PAU is soon establishing a pilot unit for production of hand-made paper from lantana. A few local persons have been trained for the job. This group should be supported with all the financial and technical inputs so that the unit becomes a viable one and can be emulated further in the area. This will be particularly helpful for the women of the area. The Department can work out coupes for eradication of lantana. (4) Income Generating Activities: To generate interest among the public for the forest resource conservation, it is important that the local people get some income from the resource. To supplement their livelihood efforts, a host of income generating activities can be established.

(i) Bamboo basket making: Traditionally there was a great demand for bamboo baskets for daily use in the household. The craft was popular among the local villagers and large quantities were exported to Kangra, Pathankot and Jammu and Kashmir. Nevertheless, due to the invention of polyethylene, it has been totally replaced. However, slowly people are realizing the nuisance of polythene bags. To help to revive the truly organic use of bamboo material will be to raise the self-help groups for bamboo basket making. The groups should be trained at first, and provided the seed money, helping to introduce the product in the market through the Red-Cross or Aganwadi group, can revive the use of organic material.

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(ii) Rope-making/mats of Bhabhar Grass: Bhabhar grass is the local grass found in these forests. Again due to lantana, its harvestable quantities are decreasing annually. But nevertheless there is a large scope for income-generating through rope-making and mat-making. The self help groups or JFMCs can be allotted the area after registration by the Divisional Forest Officer. This allotment should be on the conditions that Bhabhar grass will not be exported and shall be used for making value added products. The major reason for depletion of bhabhar grass in the forests is also because locally dependent people have not been involved in protection and raising of grass in the forests. Therefore, the real involvement of the groups and JFMCS will be when they are allowed to plant new tufts on the slopes and protect it from natural hazards. This will raise the output of bhabhar grass in the forests and increase livelihood opportunities for the local people.

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CHAPTER XX

NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (OVERLAPPING)

WORKING CIRCLE

20.1 Constitution of Working Circle: Traditionally, forests have been managed for production of timber and fuelwood, being recognized as major forest produce, and all other products termed as „minor forest produce‟. However, with the passage of time, and with the realization of dependence of local communities on MFPs especially the tribals to a great extent on collection and sale of these products particularly the medicinal plants, these products gained importance and referred as „non-timber forest products (NTFP) or Non-wood Forest Products (NWFPs). Hence, it has become essential to constitute a separate Working Circle for management of these products. This Working Circle will include all areas under this Working Plan.

The National Forest Policy, 1988 also laid emphasis on the protection, regeneration and optimum utilization of minor forest produce along with institutional arrangements for the marketing of such produce. It also set one of the basic objectives to meet the requirements of fuelwood, fodder, minor forest produce and small timber of the rural and tribal population.

20.2 Special objects of management:

1. To protect, conserve and improve the non-timber forest products which have not been covered by the prescriptions of other working circles. 2. To build-up the growing stock of non-timber forest products and medicinal plants in the composition of forests. 3. To increase the value of the forests by introducing commercially valuable non-timber forest products including medicinal plants. 4. To harvest the non-timber forest products in a manner to sustain their production in the future.

20.3 General character of the vegetation: The species yielding non-timber forest products grow everywhere in the forests of Karanpur, Bindraban and

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Nandbir forests. Leaves, flowers, seeds, bark, roots, rhizomes of many herbs, shrubs and trees are collected from the forests for their medicinal and economical values. Thatch, palm leaves, grass, mango, jamun, bel etc. are collected from the forests in huge quantities. Honey is another forest produce which is collected from the forest areas by the local people. Amla, Arjun, Neem, Bel, Pipal tree species and Brahmi, tulsi, pudina, Sarpagandha, Kalmegh are herbs of medicinal value collected from these forests. Curry patta, Adhatoda vesica and Giloe are found in large quantities in these forests which can support small scale industries for their products.

20.4 Analysis and valuation of crop: The following are the common NTFPs of these forests and their uses:

Table : Common NTFPs of the forests

S.No. NTFP Particulars Uses 1. Amla (Emblica officinalis) Fruit Pickles, candies, medicinal uses as hair tonic, vitamin C. 2. Desi Mango (Mangifera indica) Fruit Fruit, medicinal 3. Neem (Azadirahta indica) Leaves Local medicinal uses insecticidal value 4. Amaltas (Cassia fistula) Fruits Medicinal 5. Bel (Aegle marmelos) Fruits Medicinal, carminative cooling agent 6. Khair (Acacia catechu) Heartwood Katha and Cutch 7. Lasura (Codia myxa) Fruits Medicinal 8. Holarrhena antidysenterica Seed, stem bark Dysentery 9. Arjun (Terminalia arjuna) Stem bark Febrifuge in heart diseases 10. Bahera (Terminalia belerica) Fruit Laxative 11. Woodfordia fruiticosa Flower Haemrohoides 12. Giloe (Tinospora cordifolia) Stem Antipyretic 13. Basuti (Adhatoda vesica) Root and leaves Rubificient 14. Flacourtia indica Leaf Diarrhoea 15. Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum) Whole plant Dropsy 16. Kampilla (Mallotus philippinensis) Fruit Styptic

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Bhabhar grass (Eulaliopsis binata) is an important grass found in the forests useful for rope-making and mat making. Commercial quantities of this grass can be available for harvesting. There is a large potential for its growth especially in the Nandbir forests where the yield can be increased manifold.

Natural regeneration of the species yielding non-timber forest produce is usually inadequate. Grazing and other biotic interference exist and the natural regeneration is adversely affected.

20.5 Silvicultural System: The silvicultural system to be followed is the selection system. Only the silviculturally available non-wood forest produces are to be extracted with due importance to the rotation of the specific plant/tree species. The trees having medicinal value for their fruits, seeds, barks, leaves etc. are to be protected and the vegetative parts are to be extracted scientifically.

Plantation of medicinal plants and other highly valuable NTFPs are to be raised following the standard techniques. Natural regeneration in patches of medicinal plants and their NTFPs may be supplemented by artificial planting.

The selection of areas is left to the discretion of the territorial DFO who should encourage their plantation and maintenance through JFM committes of the area.

20.6 Present System of exploitation: At present, no system is followed to regulate the exploitation of NTFP in the area, neither data is available about the annual extraction of plants and their parts. Although there is no bar on collection of medicinal plants, the local people take it stealithly generally for their local use. Amla and Aegle marmelos fruits are left unexploited, whereas, fruits are sold through departmental auction in compartment No. 5 of Karanpur Reserved forest. Baggar grass was sold in the past in compartments 3 and 9 of Nandbir forests, but it has been stopped now. The area should be allocated to the JFM committee of the area for protection, planting and income generation through various uses of baggar.

20.7 Enrichment of NTFP yielding plants: The Resource Survey has pointed out that the availability and density of NTFP plants is very less as uncontrolled

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exploitation in the past has made the depletion of many trees and plants. Aegle mamelos trees therefore are found in only in C1, C2, C5, C10 of Karanpur, and C5, C8 and C9 of Nandbir forests and of C7 of Bindraban forests. The total population being 10745 trees only. It is suprising that Emblica officinalis has only 5639 trees situated in Karanpur C1a and C1b and it is found no where else. Therefore, a sprinkling of NTFP species should be made present through enrichment planting.

The choice of species should be among Mango, bahera, Ziziphus, Jamun, Neem, Mahua, Bel, Arjun, and Amla. The plantation of medicinal herbs like brahmi, sarpagandha, tulsi, pudina, kalmegh etc. and other herbs which are prioritized species are to be ranked in herbal garden as demonstration plot as well as understory intercrop in the forest area. The department has made an attempt to raise a medicinal plant nursery where 68 species have been raised for the supply to the public. Out of these, the common indigenous species should be introduced in the forests to augment the natural resources.

As already stated, Baggar grass should be planted in Nandbir Forest to augment its resource to raise the livelihood of the local people.

20.8 Planting Cycle: The planting cycle to be followed will be 5 years corresponding to the felling-cum-improvement or cleaning plan of bamboo areas. The operation of artificial planting in the gaps for supplementing the natural regeneration, raising medicinal tree species mixed with principal species etc are to be carried out in the available areas. Other improvement works are also to be carried out in these areas including releasing of natural plants from the weed seizure and adoption by working soil around these plants. The areas to be selected for raising these plantation are left to the discretion of the Divisional Forest Officer. Neverthless, the schools situated on the boundary of the forest should be involved in raising of herbal gardens in the area.

20.9 Exploitable size and Rotation: Non-timber forest products are derived from herbs, shrubs, climbers, grasses and trees leaves or flowers etc. which are annual, biannual and perennial in longevity. Therefore, the herbs, shrubs,

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climbers and their parts are to be collected annually, or biannually depending upon the life-span of the individual species.

The flowers, fruits, seeds, barks, leaves and other vegetative parts are to be collected from the perennial trees depending on their phonological characters, i.e. flowering time, fruit maturity time, seed maturity time etc. Barks and roots from trees are to be collected only with the written permission from the Divisional Forest Officer. Trees yielding non-timber forest produce are not to be felled for extraction before attaining their age of physical rotation.

20.10 Sustainable Harvesting: Sustainable harvesting of produce can be assured by

(i) Fixing the time of collection (ii) Marking the area/for extraction (iii) Fixing the quantity of extraction

(i) Time of collection: Time of collection of different products can be fixed by arranging the meeting with JFMCs and making them aware about the sustainable harvesting. In this respect proper training to the JFMCs should also be imparted. (ii) Marking the Area/boundary: Certain NTF Products are found in particular compartments and areas only. Therefore those areas should be identified and marked to improve the working. (iii)Quantity of extraction: The extractable quantities of NTFP without causing harm to the plants‟ population and its regeneration should be evaluated for rare medicinal plants, so that they can survive for the future.

The golden rule for extraction, is however, that only the silviculturally available produces are to be allowed for collection and if any area is found deficient of any species, such species are not to be allowed for collection. The calculation of yield at present cannot be done as NTFPs are neither systematically harvested nor their estimated quantities are available. Such data should be recorded by the Range Officers for future planning.

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20.11 Methods of Treatment:

1. Wherever medicinal tree species are mixed with the principal plantation species they are to be retained during tending, thinning operations which are to be carried out for establishment of the principal species. 2. During tending, thinning operations in these areas, if any patch of medicinal plants is found which requires silvicultural subsidiary operations, they should be done. 3. Non-wood forest produces are as important as major forest produces and have pronounced uses in daily life. So, all the field officers should remember during the time of carrying out different operations that the NTFPs are protected, maintained and improved upon.

20.12 Miscellaneous Regulations: The following regulations will be observed:

1. No lopping of Bahera, Jamun, Mango and Bel trees shall be done. 2. Lopping of Khajur leaves are permitted only after ensuring that a unit of 5 leaves per tree are left intact. 3. Fire protection shall be strictly observed in the NTFP areas. 4. Grazing in the plantation shall not be permitted.

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CHAPTER XXI

BIO-DIVERSITY CONSERVATION (OVERLAPPING)

WORKING CIRCLE

21.1 Constitution of the Working Circle:

Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species and ecosystem in a region. Richness of biodiversity of a region or country shows its richness of biological heritage, high conservation values and the richness of its population‟s socio-economic culture, as the biodiversity directly or indirectly affects the living standards of the human populations, health conditions and overall prosperity. In a bio-diversity rich country, there are multiple food choices, multiple choice of medicinal plants and multiple economic avenues. While biodiversity provides the people with a host of organic products, it is the people‟s duty to conserve the biodiversity which is the product of hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history.

In the recent past, biodiversity as a subject was not given the due importance. It is only after the Earth Summit held in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro, where on „Convention on Biological Diversity‟ (CBD) was adopted. The CBD having near universal membership has set out commitments for maintaining the biological resources underlining three main goals: conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. India is a party to the CBD and committed to conserve the natural heritage.

Biodiversity is conveniently studied into genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within species, covering distinct populations of the same species or genetic variations within a population. Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a region. Ecosystem diversity is harder to measure than species or genetic diversity.

The Shiwalik hills of Punjab are the only area in Punjab having ramnants of biodiversity which needs to be preserved. The forests dealt in this working plan

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are situated in the Shiwalik hills. It is imperative to have special consideration of these forests for conservation of biodiversity by constituting a separate Working Circle. The biodiversity Working Circle will encompass all areas of the Working Plan.

21.2 Objectives of Management: The state has prepared the strategy and Action Plan for Conservation of Biodiversity for Punjab in 2002. The principal objectives of the SBSAP are to:

1. Assess the existing status of biodiversity. 2. Identify the causes of its deterioration, if any. 3. Promote conservation and sustainable use of the state‟s biological resources. 4. Promote awareness among and dissemination of information amongst government departments and the public for realizing people‟s involvement and participation in conservation activities. 5. Create mechanisms required to plan for natural resource management and long-term conservation. 6. Promote cooperation between all stakeholders including government, public institutions, social and economic groups and the masses. 7. Incorporate principles of restoration, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in planning and execution of sectoral and cross-sectoral policies. 8. Identify legal and financial instruments to achieve these objectives.

The conservation strategy is guided by the following principles:

1. Recognizing the right of survival of each species. 2. Identifying the root causes of biodiversity loss and taking corrective action. 3. Restoring degraded habitat components to recover dwindling species. 4. Promoting in situ and ex-situ conservation of particular species. 5. Ensuring the share of local communities in the benefits obtained from use of natural resources which they have helped to conserve over long periods of time.

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6. Ensuring sustenance of common property resources through local institutions. 7. Promoting biodiversity education 8. Generating biodiversity data base. 9. Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach in biodiversity research. 10. Taking up economic evaluation of bioresources.

The above objectives and principles will guide the conservation of biodiversity of this Working Circle.

21.3 The Present Status of Biodiversity: Because of different geological fermations, physical geographical conditions and climate regime of the area, there are different bio-forms, ecosystems and forest types in the area. The bamboo brakes are unique forest ecosystems of the area. Among the tree components Diospyros tomentosa and Diospyros montana, Lannea grandis, Limonia species, Carissa opaca and Flacourtia indica are characteristics of the vegetation. The biodiversity of the area was studied during the Resource Assessment Survey. The tree component was assessed by laying out quadrats of 36.2m×36.2m, the shrubs component by laying out quadrats of 3m×3m and herbs and grasses in 1m×1m quadrats.

The results of the study are given in table 21.1

Table 21.1: Biodiversity status in the Working Plan Area Total No. of Forest Type No. of species species Trees Shrubs Herbs Dry Bamboo Brakes 34 18 38 90 (5/E9) Dry Deciduous Scrub 41 42 18 101 (5/DS1)

The list of recorded trees, shrubs and herbs is given in Table 21.2

The analysis shows that there is a high species diversity as many equally or nearly equally abundant species are found in the population. The number of tree species in the Dry deciduous forests is high as compared to bamboo forests. It is also seen that the number of tree species is as high as the number

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of herb species. This is because the survey was done in one season and also due to thick mass of invasive species. the diversity of herb species has declined. Evidently, the community in the bamboo forests is disturbed as compared to dry deciduous forests.

Importance Value Index (IVI) is the sum of relative density, relative frequency and relative dominance for each species involved. It may be expressed as a range from 0 to 3 to give importance percentage, which will range from 0 to 1 or 100 per cent, may be divided into 300 per cent. In the present case, 300 per cent has been considered. Importance value provides an overall estimate of the influence or importance of a species in a community. IVI of tree species found in three different forests were calculated and given in Table 21.3.

It is found that Lannea grandis has the maximum IVI in Karanpur forest, Acacia catechu in Bindraban forest and Holoptelia integrifolia in Nandbir forest. The other species having IVI more than 20 are Cassia fistula, Mallotus, philippinensis, Butea monosperma, and Acacia modesta.

Among the economically important species are Acacia catechu, Aazadirachta indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Diospyros tomentosa, Emblica officinalis, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Lannea grandis, Mangifera indica, and Tectona grandis.

There are a number of medicinal plants as well. Among them are Acacia catechu, Adhatoda vesica, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica, Cordia myxa, Emblica officinalis, Nyctanthes arboretristis and Murraya koengii.

Species recorded were screened for their uniqueness with references in the literature. No species under Red Data Book was recorded. All the species were found abundant in nature. No rare plants were encountered during the survey.

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Table 21.2.: Biodiversity recorded in the Working Plan area

Shrub Species 12. Mimosa pudica 13. Murraya koengii 1. Adhatoda vesica 14. Sonchus asper 2. Adiantum pedatum 15. Lantana camara 3. Ageratum conyzoides 16. Oplismenus burmanii 4. Carissa opaca 17. Parthenium hysterophorus 5. Dodonaea viscosa 18. Oxalis corniculata 6. Galium aparine 19. Solanum indicum 7. Lantana camara 20. Sida rhombifolia 8. Flacourtia indica 21. Solanum xanthocarpum 9. Murraya koengii 22. Jungli patha 10. Parthenium conyzoides 23. Stellaria media 11. Solanum xanthocarpum 24. Sisymbrium irio 12. Holarrhena antidysenterica 25. Persistrophe paniculata 13. Asparagus racemosum 26. Urena lobata 14. Chenopodium album 27. Pupalia loppacea 15. Eurphorbia royleana 28. Pupalia lappaca 16. Woodfordia fruticosa 29. Bidens pilosa 17. Tribulus terristris Grasses: Herb species 30. Eulaliopsis binata 1. Tridax procumbent 31. Cynodon dactylon 2. Achyranthes aspera 32. Chrysopogon sponteaneul 3. Adiantum paniculata 33. Heteropogon contortus 4. Anagalis arvensis 34. Dicanthium annulatum 5. Ageratum conyzoides 35. Saccharum arundinaceum 6. Argemone maxicana 36. Typha elephantina 7. Cannabis sativa 8. Galium asperuloides Climbers: 9. Carissa opaca 37. Ichnocarpus frutescens 10. Galium aparine 38. Bauhinia vahili 11. Geranium rotundifolium

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39. Tinospora malabarica 16. Ehretica laevis 40. Milletia auricuata 17. Flacourtia indica 18. Holoptelia integrifolia Bamboos: 19. Lannea grandis 20. Leucacena leucocephala 41. Dendrocalamus strictus 21. Limonia acidissima 42. Bambusa arundinacea 22. Mallotus philippinensis 43. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii 23. Moringa olifera Tree species 24. Tamban 25. Tamarindus indica 1. Acacia catechu 26. Tectona grandis 2. Acacia modesta 27. Murraya paniculata 3. Acacia nilotica 28. Nyctanthes arboretristis 4. Aegle mormelos 29. Ficus benghalensis 5. Albizia procera 30. Ficus glomerata 6. Azadirachta indica 31. Ziziphus mauritiana 7. Bauhinia variegata 32. Rihaan 8. Butea monosperma 33. Jarkhand 9. Bombax ceiba 34. Carissa opaca 10. Casearia tomentosa 35. Boehmeria platyphylla 11. Cassia fistula 36. Emblica officinalis 12. Cordia myxa 37. Erythrina suberosa 13. Dalbergia sissoo 38. Eucalyptus tereticornis 14. Diospyros tomentosa 39. Grevia leavigata 15. Diospyros montana 40. Mangifera indica

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Table 21.3: IVI of Tree Species in Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir Forest

S.No. Species Karanpur Bindraban Nandbir

1 Acacia catechu 42.29 89.16 34.62 2 Acacia modesta 5.24 6.03 30.44 3 Acacia nilotica - - 1.89 4 Aegle marmelos 8.20 8.63 4.04 5 Albizia procera - - 7.53 6 Azadirachta indica - - 8.78 7 Bauhinia variegata 1.84 1.12 3.42 8 Bombax ceiba 4.92 2.08 7.77 9 Butea monosperma - 24.96 11.51 10 Boehmeria platyphylla 2.45 - - 11 Casearia tomentosa - - 5.08 12 Carissa opaca 3.00 - 1.47 13 Cassia fistula 24.25 9.18 10.80 14 Cordia myxa - 1.18 1.63 15 Dalbergia sissoo - - 6.17 16 Diospyros tomentosa 14.30 10.48 17.76 17 Diospyros montana 6.38 6.44 18.07 18 Ehretia laevis - - 2.98 19 Emblica officianalis 11.20 2.75 - 20 Erythrina subumbrans - 2.90 - 21 Eucalyptus tereticornis 15.48 - - 22 Flacourtia indica 8.57 4.78 5.04 23 Holoptelia integrifolia 13.15 21.56 42.85 24 Lannea grandis 72.28 61.30 32.02 25 Leucaena leucocephala - 3.0 4.38 26 Limonia acidissima - - 1.71 27 Mallotus philippinensis 25.69 5.86 8.13 28 Mangifera indica 10.98 7.34 - 29 Milletia auriculata 3.14 - - 30 Murraya koengii - - 3.65 31 Nyctanthes arboretristis - - 1.17 32 Ficus benghalensis 1.81 - 3.24 33 Ficus glomerata 1.76 - 1.47 34 Grewia laevigata 2.21 3.32 - 35 Khalwa 2.73 - - 36 Jarkhand - - 5.66 37 Rihaan - - 1.56 38 Tamban - 1.34 10.22 39 Tamarindus indica - - 0.71 40 Tectona grandis 18.14 11.58 2.96 41 Ziziphus mauritiana - 7.05 1.27

21.4 Proposed Management: The following guideliens are proposed for follow- up:

1. Tree species whose IVI is less than 5.00 will be promoted by planting and preservation. 2. Fruit trees such as Mango, Amla, Bel, Diospyros, Jamun, Bahera, Bohr and Pipal will not be felled during any operation.

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3. Areas infested with dense lantana and Parthenium be replaced by useful economical species. 4. Fire protection will be done to save the biodiversity. 5. Compartments or parts of compartments which have population of fruit trees, or trees of lesser known species shall be preserved against any exploitation activity. 6. During plantation or felling operations, care should be taken not to sacrifice the rarely found species or their regeneration.

21.5 Treatment Proposed:

Natural regeneration or assisted natural regeneration shall be promoted. The regenerative capacity of the species shall be studied and on the basis of their capacity to regenerate, exploitation of medicinal herbs and plants shall be followed.

A total ecosystem conservation concept needs to be adopted for conservation of these forests. An effective naturalization plan needs to be devised based on principles for maintaining natural diversity. To enrich the low diversity areas, efforts should be made to restore native complementing natural species rather than planting as many different kinds of trees as possible without looking into the natural regeneration and the needs of the natural fauna of the site. Further, introduction of exotic species in the area be restricted and plantation of both, slow and fast growing native species of herbs, shrubs, and trees shall be promoted.

Involvement of local communities especially women in forest and wildlife protection through awareness, participatory planning and equitable sharing of responsibility and benefits needs to be promoted. Excluding local population can often lead to illegal activities which can cause further degradation of the environment. The efforts therefore be to impose minimum restrictions on local populations and allow traditional practices to continue to ensure their long-term success. For this purpose capacity building programmes may be taken up.

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Further efforts should be made to preserve as many patches of natural communities as possible. This will help to sustain regional diversity.

Wherever possible, fragmentation of large patches of natural vegetation be avoided. Even a narrow access road through a forest can act as a barrier to movement of small organisms and effect their habitats.

Ecotones between natural communities support a variety of species from both communities. Hence, these should be allowed to develop naturally between adjacent communities.

Regular monitoring and updation of species data through R & D activities needs to be taken up taking the present data as the base. Ethno biological information also needs to be generated.

21.6 Permanent Preservation Plot: Due to increasing biotic pressure and imminent climatic change, the natural regeneration of most of the tree species has not been coming. To preserve the natural floristics of the forest, it is proposed to establish a permanent preservation plot in Compartment No. 2 of Karanpur forest. The vegetation of the compartment represents the typical of the area and has major tree elements like Acacia modesta, Aegle mormelos, Cassia fistula, Diospyros tomentosa, Diospyros montana and Lannea grandis in good numbers. The area preserved will be demarcated on the ground with erection of suitable stone structures. The various coordinates of longitude, latitude, altitude will be recorded alongwith a map. This preservation plot shall not be less than 3 ha area and will be studied for ecological succession and biodiversity of the area. No grazing shall be allowed in this area nor any type of cultural operations will be done. Biannual studies on compositon and structure of the forest will be done. In case of trees, girth at breast height shall be recorded. The biodiversity will be studied by laying out 3m×3m and 1m×1m quadrats as explained in the methodology of Resource Assessment Survey. The Conservator of Research Circle shall inspect the area annually alongwith the Divisional Forest Officer of Dasuya Forest Divison to record their findings. A copy of the findings should be sent to the Central Silviculturist, FRI Dehradun for further investigations.

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CHAPTER XXII

FOREST PROTECTION (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE

22.1 General Constitution: General principles followed in the constitution of this working circle have been explained in the previous chapters. The overlapping working circle will embrace protection to forests, and conservation of flora and fauna, forest fire management, invasive species and weed management, prevention of illicit removals of bamboos and maintaining the boundaries of forests against encroachment. Therefore, the objective of this working circle are very important for the overall conservation of forests.

Forest resource being open wealth is liable to theft and illegal activities by the opportunists and also by those who cannot afford to acquire for their survival. The biotic pressure on the forests has increased tremendously over the years and it is important to know the causes to bring a halt to these forces. Forest produce such as timbers and NTFP are valuable and have high market value which also tempt the people to gather the money through quick means. The land has also become a costly asset and there are always attempts to grab the land by illegal means and encroachments. The forests are also under stress from causes like forest fires, soil erosion, weeds and firewood collectors. The protection against these causes is necessary to save the forests to let them perform the ecological functions. The Working Circle therefore extends over the whole area of this Working Plan.

22.2 Special Objects of Management: i) To provide protection to the forest and wildlife against illegal removals of timber and poaching of wild animals. ii) To protect the forests against forest fire, soil erosion, and invasive weeds. iii) To secure the forest against illegal encroachments. iv) To secure the involvement of local people on the management of forests through JFM.

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22.3. Methods of Treatment: Forest is a renewable resource and its management involves both legal and preventive measures, management and silvicultural measures. The administrative machinery of the Forest Division should be geared up to take legal and preventive measures, education and participatory approach for protection of forests. At the same time steps are necessary against degrading and deforestation forces such as soil erosion and land encroachments. Prevention of forest fires and weed management are other important activities for protection of forests.

Legal Provisions: There are legal provisions for protection of forests in the Indian Forest Act, 1927, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The Indian Forest (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2004 has enhanced the punishments under sections 42 and 62 to two years of imprisonment or fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or both. It also prescribes procedure for confiscation of seized property under Section 52 (A to G). Section 68 of the amended Act empowers the forest officers not below the rank of Divisional Forest Officer to accept as compensation under sub-section (a) upto five thousand rupees and every illicit felling of tree shall be treated as a separate offence. In compliance of the order dated 30.10.2002 passed by the Hon‟ble Supreme Court of India, the state has formulated rules called „Punjab Regulation of Saw Mills, Veneer and Plywood Industries Rules 2006 to regulate wood based industries in the state.

22.4 Duties and Responsibilities of Forest Officers: The forest officer is defined in the Indian Forest Act as “any person the state Government or any office empowered by the state Government in this behalf, may appoint to carry out all or any of the purposes of this Act or do anything required by this Act or any Rule made thereunder to be done by a Forest-Officer”. Divisional Forest Officer is the overall head of the Forest Division and is responsible for overall protection, upkeep, maintenance, record and enforcement of law in the Division. He is the administrative, and management head of the Forest Division and advises his subordinates about the steps taken for protection of forests and its management. He is responsible for arranging funds from the Government through preparation of annual schemes/plans. He also keeps liaison with the

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district administration and seeks help for protection of forests in the event of natural calamity like floods, fires and public apathy. The Divisional Forest Officer is supported by Range Officers, who are incharge of the respective Ranges and entrusted with the responsibilities of enforcing protection measures in their area by way of patrolling and detecting forest offences. The Range Officer is required to draw offence reports, incidences of forest fires and forward it to the „DFO‟ to get it sanctioned either for compounding of offence or for prosecution in the court.

The Block Officer is entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing protection measures in the block area by way of patrolling and detecting forest offences. Block officer is empowered for accepting the compounding fee from the offenders as well as sending the cases for prosecution. Block officers (Foresters) are directly assisted by the Forest Guards posted under him. The Forest Guards are entrusted with the responsibility of detecting forest offences by keeping a daily vigil in their beat forests and report to the Block Officer under whom their service have been placed.

The forest officer under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 has the same meaning as in the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or under any other Act for the time being in force in a state.

Under the JFM policy resolution, the block officer is the ex-officio secretary of the JFMCs. The JFM policy has the provision for formation of JFMCs and Self-Help Groups which can be given the responsibility of protection in lieu of the usufructs that they receive from the areas provided protection.

22.5 Execution of Search Warrants: The forest officers up to the rank of Range Officers and above are empowered with the power of executing search warrants in any premises for finding out the hidden or illegally collected forest produce.

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Section 30, the forest officer may require any such person to produce for inspection any captive animal, wild animal, animal article, meat, trophy, specified plant or part or derivative in his

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control or possession or stop any vehicle to search or inquiry, if he has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence has been committed under this Act.

Powers of Arresting the Offenders: The forest officers upto the rank of foresters have the powers to arrest any person against whom a reasonable suspicion exists of his having been concerned in any forest offence punishable with imprisonment for one month or upwards. The offender/offenders is/are to be released or handed over to the nearest police station within 24 hours from the time of arrest for other legal action required under the law.

Collection of Information: Range in change and Block Officers should maintain a system of collection of information on illicit felling in the forests, extraction of illegal produce from the forests, illegal transport used to the markets and other places, and a list of the habitual offenders. The information regarding illegal sale of timber and other produce may be got from the labourers when direct patrolling may not be working.

Special patrolling during nights: As the crime of timber and wildlife trade usually takes place in the dark, special patrolling should be done in the night hours by making groups and erecting nakas at the exit points of the roads leading from forests. Special patrolling can control the organized illicit felling and wildlife poaching in the forests. The police station posts are be reminded from time to time for effective control of smuggling of timber and wild animal products from the state.

Posting of young and healthy personnel: Young, energetic and physically fit forest personnel should be posted in the patrolling parties for performance of tough duties. Aged, unhealthy and sick personnel should not be given the protection duty. Patrolling staff should however be changed from time to time.

22.6 Protection of Bamboos against grazing: Forests of Karanpur, Bindraban and Nandbir will remain closed for gazing from 1st July to 30 September for three monsoon months of the year. Further:

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i) In Bamboo working circle, grazing shall be closed in the following year of the cleaning/felling of bamboo coupes. ii) In the Bamboo Rehabilitation Circle, grazing shall be closed for three consecutive years of the cleaning and felling year. iii) In all areas, grazing shall not be allowed in areas for three years consequent to plantations. iv) In Compt. 8 and 9 of Nandbir as there are no grazing rights of the people, grazing shall not be allowed. In the remaining seven, compartments, the four- year rotational closure will continue, compartments 1,3,5 and 7 farming one block and compartments 2,4 and 6 another block. The closure arrangement in the working plan period shall be as under:

Compt. No. Period from To 1,3,5 and 7 1 Jan, 2017 31 Dec, 2020 1 Jan, 2025 31 Dec, 2028 2,4 and 6 1 Jan, 2021 31 Dec, 2024 1 Jan, 2029 31 Dec, 2032

v) The territorial staff should verify that only the animals of the villages having right are allowed to graze.

22.7 Protection against lopping of bamboos: Though people have no rights for lopping of bamboos, yet this practice is going on without any curbs by the Department. Lopping of bamboos has been noticed in the areas near the habitations. Even people using bamboo stairs were noticed lopping bamboo fodder. This leads to irreparable loss to the bamboos, congestion and development of damaged bamboos. The Department should organize camps by the Animal Husbandry Department and educate them about the new schemes of the Government for stall feeding and dairy development. The Department should act strictly against the habitual offenders.

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22.8 Protection against forest fires: Forest fires, undoubtedly have rendered the forests in degraded condition. So far, no strategy is followed to prevent and control the fires. Fires are still considered a natural calamity and allowed to spread unhindered and unobstructed without any action unless they become too big to handle effectively. The response time lag is very high. There is no preparedness at the field level and no system of detecting fires. On the basis of the data of forest fires in the past, it is noticed that there is a fire-cycle repeated after every 5-6 years. The big forest fires have occurred in 2002-2003, 2007- 2008, and 2013-14 affecting 264 ha, 658.80 ha and 907.56 ha forest area, respectively. It is also noticed that the intensity of forest fires has increased tremendously. In the year 2013-14, the fires consumed 9071.56 ha of Bindraban forests which comes to 75 percent of the total area. The Divisional Forest Officer did not provide the extent of financial loss but it can be well imagined that the direct loss ran into crores of rupees besides ecological and environment hazards. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop a well-developed strategy to prevent and control the fires. The following strategy is suggested for the area:

Fig 22.1 Bamboo being lopped using bamboo stairs

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i. Increase the capacity of the personnel by training in forest fire management programmes including preventive, pre-suppression planning and suppression of fires. ii. Accelerate salvage of dried bamboo and fuel management programmes to reduce the hazard of wildfire in the forest. iii. Chalk out well planned programme to eliminate lantana and control its further spread. iv. Prepare a fire management plan and implement it.

The fire management plan should contain the following:

i. Description of area and the management objective. ii. Statement of fire management goals and policy. iii. Fuel management plan including expected statement hazard reduction, fire break and fuel break construction and maintenance. iv. Fire prevention plan including all specific activities such as public meetings, exhibition and time table for each activity. v. Detection including all detection activities by JFMCs and Self–Help– Groups. vi. Manning plan to govern initial dispatching of personnel and equipment by fire location and fire damage class. vii. Reinforcement plan listing procedure for back up, if initial attack predicted to be unsuccessful. viii. Communication plan establishing links among the DFO, Range Officer and the fire fighters.

A proper coordination of various activities of forest fire prevention, pre- suppression and suppression is a must. A proper institutional framework for training of personnel and research is of importance. Keeping relevant and accurate records are essential for future planning. The records include, the time of forest fire when occurred, location of fire, size of fire, time taken to extinguish a fire, area of productive forest burnt and the extent of damages. The fire plan shall also give a programme of maintenance of fire lines and construction of new fire lines.

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Maintenance of fire lines: In Karanpur and Bindraban forests 10 km long fire lines were constructed in the last working plan period, but due to non- maintenance they are of no use from the fire protection point of view. Therefore, maintenance of all fire lines should be made an annual feature.

Annual maintenance should be done in January and February each year clearing off all vegetation live or dead including the organic matter.

Construction of new fire lines: So far there are no fire lines in Nandbir and in other forests they are insufficient to reach out link compartments. Therefore, construction of new fire lines should be attempted to approach the areas to stop fires from spreading to larger areas. As proposed elsewhere, along the entire boundary of all forests, a 3 m wide path should be developed which can also help in inspection and prevention and fire suppression. The programme for construction of new firelines is given below.

Forest Compartments Total Length Bindraban 7,8,9,10 5.0 km 3,4,5,6 5.0 km 1,2 5.0 km Nandbir Linking all compartments 10.0 km Karanpur - -

Construction of fire watch towers: It is recommended to construct new watch towers at the highest points in Compartment No. 3,4,7,10 and 8 of Karanpur, Comptt. No. 1,4,7 and 9 of Bindraban forest during their working plan period. The fire watch towers should be linked to the fire lines and communication links with ROs.

Notification of Fire season: The Divisional Forest Officer should notify the fire season giving the detailed instructions to the field staff about the preparation work and necessary preventive measures. Posting of fire watchers should be done and the do‟s and don‟ts in the vicinity of the forests and inside the forests should be laid down by issuing notices/playcards in the forests fringe villages. Meetings with JFM committees and the local representatives should be done to

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facilitate their cooperation. DFO can also cancel the leaves/holidays to the local staff in the public interest.

Fire drills: Fire drills should be done with the help of local departments/JFM committees to fight of any eventuality.

22.9 Boundary Pillars: During the process of Forest Resource Assessment, physical verification of each and every boundary pillar was done and their coordinates of longitude, latitude and altitude at mean sea level were recorded along with the condition of boundary pillars. It was noticed that boundary pillars of Karanpur Reserved forests were missing at some places and at others were in a bad condition, some were also displaced. The position of boundary pillars and their coordinates are given in Annexure I, the summary of which is given under:

Forest No. of boundary Missing Good Requiring pillars condition Repair Karanpur 512 - - - Bindraban 157 41 26 90 Nandbir 53* 30 - 23

* Iron Pillars

On the basis of above information, boundary register of all the forests should be prepared and maintained permanently in the office of Divisional Forest Officer as well as in the Range Office. The digitized maps also be prepared and made available to the concerned Forest Guard and the Block Officer as the permanent record and made a part of charge. The maps and the information about the coordinates will be of great use in the future for verification of boundary pillars, boundary disputes and court cases. It is the duty of the Range Officer to physically verify each and every boundary pillars after every year and record his certificate to this effect. This will check the tendency of encroachment and also personally converse him about the condition of forests and its vulnerability to degradation at the outer boundary. As a number of boundary pillars need repair, a ten year programme of making these pillars strong is

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prepared and given in Table 22.1. After repairs, boundary pillars should be numbered by grooving stones.

Table 22.1: Repair programme of boundary pillars S. No. Year Forest Compt. No. Pillar No. from to

1 2016-17 Nandbir C1 to C3 1 to 23 2 2017-18 Nandbir C4 to C9 24 to 54 3 2018-19 Bindraban C1 to C3, C7 1 to 41 4 2019-20 Bindraban C8, C9, C10 42 to 96 5 2020-21 Bindraban C7, C6, C5, C4 97 to 157 6 2021-22 Karanpur C1a, C1b, C2, C3a 1 to 100 7 2022-23 Karanpur C3b, C4 101 to 191 8 2023-24 Karanpur C5 192 to 371 9 2024-25 Karanpur C6, C7 372 to 461 10 2025-26 Karanpur C8 to C10 462 to 512

Fig 22.2 Taking coordinatos of boundary Pillars

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CHAPTER XXIII

MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS

23.1 Petty Fellings: The following kind of trees may be marked for petty fellings:

(i) Trees required for scientific investigations at the Research Circle, Hoshiarpur and the FRI, Dehradun.

(ii) Trees required to be felled for establishing new nurseries, extension or alteration of nurseries.

(iii) Trees required for establishing new fire-lines.

The petty fellings will be shown in the Control forms if the trees which count towards yield are felled. The trees which do not count towards yield will not appear in the control forms and their felling shall be regulated by the Conservator of Forests, Shivalik Circle.

23.2 Deviations:

Any large and unusual operation, variation from yield and target for plantation/regeneration and other activities provided in control forms of the working plan constitutes a deviation. Deviation beyond 20 percent of target is considered to constitute a major deviation.

All deviations, which permanently alter the basis of management laid down in a working plan, will require prior sanction of the PCCF. All deviations, which do not permanently alter the basis of management and with the necessity of which he agrees, may be approved and sanctioned by the Working Plan Conservator on behalf of the PCCF. Where there is difference of opinion between the Working Plan Conservator and the territorial Conservator of Forests, the former will refer them to the PCCF for instructions. The PCCF/CFWP, as the case may be, will counter sign the deviation statement.

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Minor deviations can be sanctioned at the level of the CF Working Plan or the PCCF as the case may be, but the PCCF before sanctioning the major deviations of following nature, will necessarily take prior approval of the Regional CCF/APCCF of the Ministry of Environment and Forests:

(i) Change in Silvicultural system

(ii) Clear felling of natural forest

(iii) Formation of new felling series; and

(iv) Large scale felling due to natural calamities, which cannot be adjusted against future yield.

For all major deviations with respect to prescriptions where sanction of the MoEF is mandatory, an explanatory note alongwith the request for regularization has to be sent by PCCF (HoFF) to RAPCCF (MoEF). In case, where there is difference of opinion between the PCCF (MoFF) and RAPCCF (MoEF), the former will refer the matter to DG F&SS (MoEF), whose decision shall be final. The PCCF (HOFF) will countersign the deviation statement for reporting to the MoEF (para 132 of National Working Plan Code-2014).

The following format for deviation statement should be used:

Year….. Division……

Sr. No. of Control Reference to Working Nature of deviation deviation book, name, Plan requiring sanction form, No. Paragraph Nature of page Prescription

The DFO territorial will forward through the Head, territorial circle, typed copies of this form in triplicate yearly with his copy of control forms. No explanatory remarks are required on this form but these should be given in the

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forwarding letter. The Head, Working Plan Organisation, as per situation given above, after sanction, will return one copy of the statement to the DFO territorial through the Head, territorial circle, and the other copy will be sent to the WPO for record. All major deviations without altering the basis of management, the prior sanction of the PCCF (HoFF) should have been obtained in advance, the sanction number and date should be quoted in the last column.

23.3 Construction of Roads/Link roads: No construction of roads/link roads passing through the forests shall be allowed without the sanction of the competent authority/Government of India, as they attract the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

23.4 Buildings: The following buildings are existing in the Talwara I & II and Badla Ranges.

Range Name of Building Location Talwara I Range Officer Residence Talwara Range Office Talwara Tractor shed Talwara Check post Comptt. No. 4 Bindraban Check post Comptt. No. 8 Bindraban FG Quarter Comptt. No. 8 Bindraban Talwara II Store Sandhpur Range Residence Sandhpur Seed Store Sandhpur Rest House Sandhpur Badla Range office Badla Range Residence (abandoned) Badla FG hut Badla Forester quarter Badla Rest House (abandoned) Badla Pump house Sagran Nursery

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The old buildings at Badla need heavy repair and those at Compt. No. 8 of Bindraban are not put to use. There is no requirement for construction of new buildings.

23.5 Maintenance of boundaries and Pillars: This aspect has been dealt with in detail in the Protection Working Circle. The avoid legal disputes in the future, maintenance or boundary pillars is necessary especially the internal boundaries of the private areas of „chaks‟. A multipurpose inspection path of 3 m wide all along the boundary should be prepared for inspection and protection. The boundary pillars must be numbered and written. The distantly located pillars may be connected to one another by digging lines, which should be regularly cleared. Boundary registers should be maintained. The records be prepared in triplicate and kept in Range, Division and Circle Offices.

The Range Officer should check the boundaries once a year and record a certificate to that effect on the Boundary Register. The Block Officer should check the entire boundaries of the forest under his charge and send the necessary report to the Forest Range Officer. The Beat Guards should keep the records of boundaries of their beats in the Beat Book.

The programme repair of Boundary Pillars should be followed as given in the Protection Working Circle.

23.6 Fire Protection: The subject has been dealt with in detail in the Protection Working Circle. The following miscellaneous regulations are necessary to ward of forest fires:

i. Annual maintenance of fire lines should be done in the January of each year clearing of all vegetative material. ii. Fire season should be notified by the Divisional Forest Officer giving the detailed instructions to the staff, preparatory work to be carried out and the necessary preventive measures. iii. The meetings of the JFM protection committees should be convened by the Range Officer and the help and cooperation should be solicited for detection of fire, reporting and early suppression.

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iv. Posting of fire watchers should be done in the fire season. v. Disposal of felling refuse should be done well before the fire season. vi. Entry of people inside the forests for extraction of MFP should be stopped. vii. Fire–drills should be done with the help of local departments/JFM committees to fight of any eventuality.

Above all, the territorial staff should maintain cordial relations with the local people to garner their support in case of fires and other eventualities.

The Divisional Forest Officer should visit the fire-affected areas immediately after it comes to his knowledge and should submit a report to the Conservator of Forests giving all the detail of occurrence of fire, causes of fire and damage occurred to the crop with remedial measures for the future.

23.7 Control of Grazing: The prescriptions on control of grazing made in the various working circles should be strictly observed. In this regard, strict enforcement of the penal provision of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Cattle Trespass Act, 1871 should be ensured.

23.8 Teak Preservation Plot: In Compartment 3 of Bindraban forest, teak plantation raised in 1937 is giving good results. It is proposed to preserve 3.00 ha area of this plantation as the permanent preservation plot to study the increment of teak in the area and its further prospects. A deep trench should be dug around this forest and the boundary geo-coordinates should be recorded. Periodical measurement should be taken and recorded. Account of any silvicultural operation, maintenance measures and natural disasters should also be recorded.

23.9 Nurseries: There are only six nurseries catering to the needs of departmental use of Badla, Talwara I and II ranges as well as to meet the needs of farm forestry in the area. A new nursery for raising medicinal plants has also been established at Bharoli in Talwara I Range.

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List of nurseries in the Area

S.No. Range Name of Nursery Area of Nursery (ha) 1 Badla Sagran 1.00 2 Badla Dadial 0.40 3 Talwara I Hajipur 1.50 4 Talwara I Chhatarpur 0.35 5 Talwara II Talwara ITI 1.00 6 Talwara II Talwara Pandhiyan 0.15

To raise good quality seedlings, the following steps should be taken up in the nurseries:

i. Seed from identified Plus Trees of various species should be used. In case of other species seed from the seed orchards of R&T Circle Hoshiarpur should be used. ii. Production through vegetative means should be promoted by methods like vegetative cuttings, cloning and rhizomes to raise the planting stock. iii. In case of bamboos, the rhizome multiplication method should be used to raise qualitative seedlings. iv. For storage of bamboo seed, proper storage structures should be developed. v. To minimize the cost of transportation of seedlings to the field in the difficult terrain situations, seedlings should be raised in the root-trainers which give sturdy seedlings with high root-shoot ratio.

23.10 Petty Sales: Dry and fallen trees may be disposed off as early as possible to avoid financial loss. The bhabhar grass, sarkanda may be handed over to the JFM committees. However when they are not willing to take over, various minor forest produces should be auctioned.

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CHAPTER XXIV

MONITORING, ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING

24.1 Control Forms: The following control forms will be used for monitoring all the important operations prescribed and suggested in this working plan:

Felling Control Form: For controlling and maintaining the record of all trees marked for felling and trees retained, the Control Form (a) shall be used. For cutting of bamboos Control Form (b) shall be used (See Appendix).

Silvicultural Control Form: For control of all silvicultural operations such as fellings, subsidiary cultural operations, cleanings, burnings etc., Form No. 2 shall be used (Appendix).

NTFP Control Form: For controlling and maintaining a record of all NTFPs harvest so as to make the removal/harvesting of NTFP sustainable, Form No. 3 shall used (Appendix).

The DFO territorial will annually make entries in his copy of the control forms and send them, together with the deviation statement in triplicate to the Head, territorial circle. After the entries have been checked and approved, the Head, territorial circle will first get his copies completed and then send it in two copies to the concerned WPO. The later will then complete his copy and finally return the DFO‟s set for deposit in the latter‟s office till next year. The WPO will send the deviation statement with appropriate justification in four copies to the PCCF (HoFF) for sanction. After the sanction, one copy each will be sent to the WPO, Head, territorial circle and the DFO territorial for their record and the CCF/APCCF (WP) as the case may be, will retain the fourth copy for his set of control forms. The control forms should be submitted by the DFO territorial to the Head, territorial circle by October and the latter should send them to the WPO concerned by December each year (para 129 of the National Working Plan Code-2014).

24.2 Maintenance of Records: A detailed record of each forestry activity shall be maintained in order to have a solid database for scientific monitoring,

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evaluation and future planning. In order to avoid any complicacy at any level, the controlling officers should inspect these documents while touring.

i. Annual Plan of Operations ii. Plantations journals iii. Forest journals iv. Nursery Registers v. Divisional Note Book vi. Fire Control Forms vii. Beat Book

24.2.1 Annual Plan of Operations: An annual plan of operations should be prepared by the Divisional Forest Officer based on the prescriptions and operations to be carried out as per the provisions of the Working Plan. It should be got approved from the Conservator of Forests.

24.2.2 Plantation Journals: For each plantation, a separate journal shall be maintained in the prescribed form wherein a complete record of plantation viz. year and month of plantation, area planted, No. of plants planted, species, details of expenditure incurred month-wise, compartment wise/and operation- wise should be given. It will also, later on, include the maintenance cost for subsequent three years. At the end of each year observation regarding success of plantation, growth figures and the reports about monitoring and evaluation by the external and internal agencies should be given. Specific instructions given during the tours of senior officers should also be recorded. Instructions of the PCCF, regarding checking of plantations issued from time to time should also be followed.

24.2.3 Forest Journals: The Forest Journals are the most important record of the history of the forest. They should be maintained in the prescribed proforma for each forest separately. All forestry activities such as regeneration, felling and enumeration, maintenance cost, weed cutting, constructing of fire-lines etc. should be recorded for a year. For each year, there will be one entry that should be signed by the Forest Range Officer. The inspection notes by the officers

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should be recorded in the journals. The Divisional Forest Officer should inspect the entries at the time of annual office inspection.

24.2.4 Nursery Register: For each nursery, a separate registers shall be maintained. It shall have monthly detail of operations and expenditure incurred, plants raised, plants used departmentally, plants supplied to the public during the month etc. Detail of plants supplied free of cost to other Government Departments, public institutions, NGOs etc. shall also be recorded in the register. Plants destroyed as a result of natural calamities or otherwise destroyed shall be got written off from the competent authority. A copy of the nursery statement showing details of species wise nursery stock should be sent to the Divisional office monthly.

24.2.4 Divisional Note-Book: The Divisional Forest Officer should maintain a note-book in which the following information shall be recorded.

a) Flowering of seeding of important tree species. b) Gregarious flowering of bamboos. c) Climate-rainfall and temperature experienced during this year and its effect of the forest crop. d) Pests and diseases noticed in the crop, treatment and result thereof. e) Growth date of trees collected during the year. f) Labour related problems faced during the year. g) Market trend of forest produce. h) Working of JFM committees. i) Any other major important issue from the forest management point of view.

24.2.5 Fire Control Form: The record of forest fires should be maintained without any bias. The details of area burnt with sketch, cause of fire, date of fire, time of fire, date and time of control, damage and financial loss will be recorded. The copy of the fire report should be sent to the Conservator of Forests.

24.2.6 Deviation statement: To exercise control over progress of various operations at the end of each financial year, the prescriptions of the working plan

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will be compared with the actual operation done in the field on felling, silvicutural operations and miscellaneous works and any excess or short fall shall be recorded giving reasons for deviation and sanction of the competent authority shall be obtained as per the details given in the Miscellaneous Regulations.

24.2.7 Beat Books: Each beat guard will maintain a Beat-Book to be prepared and issued by the Divisional Office. The Beat-Book shall contain the following information:

a) Beat map b) Detail of forests in the beat c) Copy of boundary register of forests d) Duties of Forest Guard e) Legal status of the forest area with notifications f) Abstract copy of the relevant sections of the Indian Forest Act, 1927; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and vernacular translation thereof. g) List of buildings, roads, paths, fire-lines in the beat h) List of plantations raised during the past 10 years i) Record of water table at various places in the area

24.2.8 Registers and Records: The following updated (till last financial year) register and records will be maintained by the Division:

1. Compartment histories 2. Fire records and registers 3. Register of Boundary Pillars 4. Register of Rights and Concessions 5. Record of forest produce harvested 6. Free grants 7. Register of land transferred to other departments under FC Act. 8. Register of soil and water conservation works 9. Register of rotational grazing 10. Register of invasive species e.g. Lantana eradication

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11. Register of wildlife management may include detailed record of human- wildlife conflicts that includes data on human casualities and injuries, loss of domestic animals and crop damage and compensation paid etc. 12. Register of Government buildings that includes log of the repairs and addition (if any) undertaken in the building. 13. Register of registered saw-mills in the Division.

24.2.9 Annual Inspection: Annual inspection of DFO territorial office by CF/CCF and Range office by DFO territorial is mandatory within three months of completion of financial year to have checks on annual statements in control forms and deviation statements and maintenance of registers and records.

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Control Form Forest Department, Punjab Control Book of……………………the Working Circle of……………………Division……………………….Circle, Punjab…………………….for the year…………………

Form 1a Main Fellings Provision of the Working Plan

Locality to be exploited Results of Operation Compari Rema son rks Ye For Com Ar Volu Year Balan Locality Trees Balance ar est ptt. ea me to of ce exploited felled carried in be Worki broug forward ha remov ng ht ed forwa (cmt) rd (cmt) For Com N Volu (+) cmt est ptt. o. me (-) cmt (cmt)

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Control Form Forest Department, Punjab Control Book of……………………the Working Circle of……………………Division ……………………….Circle, Punjab…………………….for the year…………………

Form 1b Bamboo Harvesting

Provision of Working Plan Year Locality to be exploited Results of Operation No. of Comparison Remarks Forest Comptt. Area No. of Year of Balance Locality exploited Culms Balance felled carried forward (ha) culms to be Working brought Forest Comptt. removed forward + No. (-) No No. of (culms)

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Control Form Forest Department, Punjab Control Book of……………………the Working Circle of……………………Division ……………………….Circle, Punjab…………………….for the year…………………

Form 2 Silvicultural Operations

Provision of Working Plan Year Para of Locality Nature of Results of Operation Cost Amount Remarks W.P. Forest Comptt. Operation Year of Locality of operation Area spent operation Forest Comptt. (ha) (Rs.)

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Control Form Forest Department, Punjab Control Book of……………………the Working Circle of……………………Division ……………………….Circle, Punjab…………………….for the year…………………

Form 3 NTFP Harvesting Provision of Working Plan Year Para Locality Area NTFP to Results of Operation Comparison Remarks of (ha) be Year of Locality Area NTFP W.P. harvested Forest Comptt. harvsting Forest Comptt. (ha) harvested Excess Short (+) (-)

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Annexures

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Annexure-1A

Details of samples taken during Resource Assessment Survey Karanpur forest:

Sl.No Comp. No. Sample No. Latitude Longitude Altitude 1 1 A 1 31056’06.7’ 75050’14.4’’ 426.3 m 2 31056’08.8’’ 75050’21.7’’ 480.1 m 3 31056’10.8’’ 75050’10.7’’ 428..5m 2 1B 1 31056’13.4’’ 75050’39.6’’ 453.1m 2 31056’0.59’’ 75050’01.4’’ 458.7m 3 2 1 31056’16.7’’ 75050’49.7’’ 430.5m 2 31056’08.6’’ 75050’53.6’’ 430.5m 3 31055’56.0’’ 75051’11.4’’ 474m 4 31056’24.9’’ 75050’55.4’’ 439.9m 4 3A 1 31055’51.7’’ 75051’26.4’’ 576m 2 31055’44.4’’ 75051’32.7’’ 581.m 3 31056’16.8’’ 75052’19.0’’ 395m 5 3B 1 31055’41.6’’ 75051’39.2’’ 558m 2 31055’30.5’’ 75051’54.4’’ 535.8m 3 31056’12.1’’ 75052’36.6’’ 378m 6 4 1 31055’28.5’’ 75051’56.7’’ 493m 2 31055’52.5’’ 75052’38.0’’ 410m 3 31055’37.4’’ 75052’56.7’’ 467m 4 31055’36.9’’ 75052’33.5’’ 499m 5 31054’48.5’’ 75051’21.0’’ 632m 7 5 1 31054’41.5’’ 75051’44.4’’ 639m 2 31054’22.9’’ 75051’36.1’’ 642m 3 31054’06.9’’ 75051’39.6’’ 628m 4 31055’31.6’’ 75053’13.5’’ 439m 8 6 1 31054’45.2’’ 75051’9.7’’ 588m 2 31054’32.8’’ 75051’24.3’’ 599m 3 31054’17.2’’ 75051’36.2’’ 645m 9 7 1 31054’58.2’’ 75051’14.7’’ 597m 2 31054’44.6’’ 75050’55.2’’ 569m 3 31055’27.6’’ 75050’2.6’’ 425m 4 31055’10.2’’ 75050’16.7’’ 466m 10 8 1 31054’56.5’’ 75051’23.0’’ 617m 2 31055’16.4’’ 75051’2.4’’ 513m 3 31055’42.0’’ 75050’6.8’’ 422m 4 31055’22.8’’ 75050’25.0’’ 444m 11 9 1 31055’02.4’’ 75051’27.0’’ 628m 2 31055’11.3’’ 75051’11.7’’ 527m 3 31055’19.7’’ 75051’21.9’’ 601 m 12 10 1 31055’39.2’’ 75051’10.8’’ 584 m 2 31055’52.0’’ 75050’23.0’’ 453m

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Bindraban forest:

Sl.No Comp. No. Sample No. Latitude Longitude MSL 1 1A 1 31055’30.7’’ 75045’29.4’’ 370m 2 1B 1 31056’3.8’’ 75046’22.3’’ 372m 2 31055’57.8’’ 75046’28.3’’ 433m 3 31055’48.8’’ 75046’23.2’’ 417m 4 31055’32.4’’ 75046’20.0’’ 423m 3 2 1 31055’49.4’’ 75046’49.6’’ 410m 2 31055’15.6’’ 75046’52.3’’ 511m 3 31055’41.6’’ 75046’14.7’’ 407m 4 3 4 31055’37.1’’ 75047’40.5’’ 392m 3 31065’20.6’’ 75047’14.3’’ 462m 2 31055’25.5’’ 75047’22.4’’ 439m 1 31055’30.4’’ 75047’32.1’’ 416m 5 4 1 31054’34’’ 75047’40’’ 473m 2 31054’39.0’’ 75047’41.6’’ 462m 3 31054’42.6’’ 75047’43.1’’ 459m 6 5 1 31054’28.2’’ 75047’44.6’’ 474m 2 31054’37.7’’ 75047’45.7’’ 466m 7 6 1 31053’43.7’’ 75047’19.9’’ 536m 8 7 1 31054’04.8’’ 75047’22.7’’ 493m 2 31054’28.2’’ 75045’44.6’’ 474m 3 31054’34.7’’ 75045’45.7’’ 466m 4 31055’57.8’’ 75047’58.9’’ 446m 5 31055’26.8’’ 75047’59.6’’ 9 8 1 31054’17.2’’ 75047’57.3’’ 519m 2 31054’15.2’’ 75047’57.3’’ 530m 3 31054’19.7’’ 75048’7.5’’ 471m 10 9 1 31055’30.7’’ 75045’29.4’’ 370m 2 31055’28.9’’ 75045’30.2’’ 350m 3 31055’4.6’’ 75045’33.6’’ 384m 11 10 1 31053’59.3’’ 75048’33.6’’ 528m 2 31053’41.4’’ 75048’20.3’’ 533m

Nandbir forest :

Sl.No Comp. No. Sample No. Latitude Longitude MSL 1 C1 2 31055’27.7’ 75045’3.4’’ 346m 1 31054’35.5’’ 75044’48.4’’ 333m 2 C2 1 31055’16.4’ 75045’9.5’’ 342m 2 31054’52.1’’ 75045’41.9’’ 352m 3 C3 1 31054’55.4’ 75045’44.6’’ 371m 4 C4 3 31054’14.7’ 75046’36.1’’ 427m 2 31054’22.1’ 75046’51.6’’ 491m

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1 31054’32.6’ 75046’42.2’’ 440m 5 C5 3 31053’9.4’ 75047’2.2’’ 402m 2 31053’37.1’ 75047’16.4’’ 526m 1 31053’41.5’ 75046’56.1’’ 468m 6 C6 2 31052’56.7’ 75047’53.6’’ 399m 1 31053’18.2’ 75047’36.1’’ 452m 7 C7 2 31052’54.1’ 75048’22.8’’ 438m 1 31052’50.9’ 75048’3.3’’ 422m 8 C8 3 31053’31.8’ 75047’43.9’’ 536m 2 31053’26.3’ 75047’33.4’’ 444m 1 31053’15.6’ 75047’20.5’’ 450m 9 C9 4 31054’30.9’ 75046’53.4’’ 477m 3 31054’36.4’ 75046’25.3’’ 403m 2 31054’54.7’ 75046’32.8’’ 405m 1 31054’59.3’ 75046’15.2’’ 382m

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