vol 2 | issue no. 12 | APRIL 2013 | `50 | pages 52 AHEAD

Forests For A Prosperous Future Harbingers of Sustainability Maharashtra has five forest types as per the Champion and Seth’s classification. Each forest type represents a unique Eco-system.

Southern Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests i) Dry Teak Bearing Forests: 1 Forests of this type occur Principal species is Tectona mostly on upper hill slope from grandis (Teak) and the 450 meters to 1050 metres associates are Ougeinia above the m.s.l. in Western dalbergiaoides (Tiwas), Acacia Ghats. The main species are catechu (Khair), Gmelania Terminalia paniculata (Kinjal), arborea (Shivan) and Memocylon umbellatum Anogeissus latifolia (Dhawada) (Anjani), Terminalia chebula etc. (Hirda), Syzigium cumini (Jambul), Olea diocea (Parjamun) and Mangifera indica (mango), Actinodaphne ii) Dry Mixed Forests hookeri (Pisa), etc. Teak is present occasionally and the evergreen component Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests of species is larger than 2 Two main sub-types occur under this group. in case of Teak bearing i) Moist Teak bearing Forests forests. The main species Important and valuable forests are Pterocarpus marsupium of the State from commercial (Bija), Salmalia malabaricum view point, these are mainly (Semal), Terminalaia bellarica (Behada), Dalbergia confined to Project latifolia (Shishum), Syzigium cumini (Jambul), Terminalia area in region of tomentosa (Ain), Lagerstremia parviflora (Bendara) etc. Amrawati district, Chandrapur, Gadhchiroli and Thane districts Southern Tropical Thorn Forests with Tectona grandis (Teak), 4 Under this forest type fall the associates are Terminalia tomentosa (Ain), Delbergia the forests of the low rainfall latifolia (Shisham), Adina cardifolia (haldu), Madhuca areas of Marathwada, , indica (Moha), Pterocarpusmarsupium (Bija), Mitragyna Khandesh and Western parviflora (kalam), Salmalia malabaricum (Semal) and Maharashtra. Majorities of these Dendrocalamus strictus(Bamboo) etc. forests are heavily degraded due to low fertility coupled with ii) Moist Mixed deciduous Forests low rainfall. The main tree species found in these forests Teak is present occasionally are Acacia arabica (Babul), Acacia leucophleca (Hiwar), and the evergreen component Zizyphus jujuba (Bor), Butea monosperna (Palas), and of species is larger than in case Belanites rexburghii (Hinganbet) etc. These forests are full of Teak bearing forests. The of Euphorbia and Cassia scrub. main species are Pterocarpus marsupium (Bija), Salmalia Littoral and Swamp Forests malabaricum (Semal), 5 The littoral and swamp Terminalaia bellarica (Behada), forests occur along the creeks Dalbergia latifolia (Shishum), Syzigium cumini (Jambul), and littoral in Sindhudurg Terminalia tomentosa (Ain), Lagerstremia parviflora and . Although (Bendara) etc. their comparative extent in the State is marginal, Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests these forests are important 3 Forests falling in this group occupy a major part of for protection of seacoast state. Main specie being Tectona grandis (Teak), these and marine life. The typical mangrove species found forests produce middle and small size timber. Following in this area are Avicennia spp. and Rhizophora are the main forest sub-types. spp. etc. Our Forest, Our Future

I have immense pleasure in extending my best wishes to Various schemes are being implemented at Central and State all, on the auspicious occasion of Gudhi Padwa. This month level to set up Sanctuaries, reserved areas, tiger projects is also special for Directorate General of Information and and protection of wildlife. Everyone has now realized that Public Relations, as it’s first and foremost publication, infrastructure facilities should be created for golden maiden Marathi ‘Lokrajya’ is entering 65th year of its existence. The of symbiosis of nature. Hence, the concept of Joint Forest uninterrupted journey of Lokrajya since pre-independence Management with the participation of locals is implemented era in Mumbai State continued through the Bilingual State effectively. Income sources have been created for locals and in Samyukta Maharashtra. During this period Lokrajya through implementation of forest-based employment-self- created its own identity. With extensive support of readers employment schemes. In Maharashtra, experiment of Joint and active cooperation from the Government this journey has Forest Management Committee has effectively curbed illegal become successful. activities of wildlife poachers to a great extent. Every year, World Earth day is celebrated through various During last few years many instances of panthers crossing awareness programmes on 22nd April to create an emotional into the human habitats near forests has been noticed and it bond with earth, water resources, flora, and fauna and to share is due to human interference in the wildlife habitats. This can the responsibilities of maintaining the ecological balance. On be avoided by implementation of Joint Forest Management, this occasion, we are bringing out Forest Special issue. people’s participation and their awareness. Of the total area of 3,07,713 Sq.Km, forests of Maharashtra The issue carries a review of untiring efforts of State is spread over 61,939 sq km. This is around 20% of the Government for conservation of flora and fauna in total land area. The Western Ghats in the Sahyadri Hill Maharashtra. I am especially thankful to Praveen Pardeshi, Ranges, Satpuda Hill Ranges, Ajanta Hills, Balaghat, Principal Secretary for Forest Department for his immaculate Gavilgad in Vidarbha ,Tadoba and Sironcha bring grandeur cooperation. I hope this issue will invaluably contribute to for Maharashtra. A noteworthy mention is that Vidarbha is enhance love, affection and concern for forests and wildlife. replete with 38% of forest area in the State. Maharashtra Chhatrapati Maharaj was a great visionary. He has has six National Parks at Navegaon, Borivali (Mumbai), mentioned importance of forest resources for human beings Gugamal (Amravati), Pench, Tadoba and Chandoli besides 43 in his commandments and recognized the support of nature sanctuaries and 4 Tiger projects located at Melghat, Tadoba, for a huge leap towards progress and development. We all Pench and Sahyadri. know the important role played by dense forests of Sahyadri, We are aware that human culture is nurtured and developed hills, rivers alongwith his soldiers in his efforts for foundation by forests and rivers. The Indian culture visualizes forests of Swarajya. In present circumstances it is our duty to restore as a Goddess and even today it is worshipped traditionally. old grandeur to forest by keeping him as an ideal. Due to industrialization and modernization forests are Vrikshavalli Amha Soyari Vanachari seen with commercial approach and as supports for human Pakshihi Susware Alawiti … needs and facilities. Human beings brutally attack forest by In tune with these lines of Saint Tukaram nurturing of the neglecting eco-balance. Its dreadful results are felt from the forests and spirituality will lead human beings to the eternal beginning of the 21st Century. The ecological imbalance has happiness. Let us prove ourselves worthy of this confidence astonishingly increased global average temperature and also fostered by our culture through conserving forest resources. affected season cycles. Due to absolute neglect of forest resources a huge number of wild animals are endangered. Many species have almost extinct and some others are at the stage of extinction. Tiger, the core of biodiversity is being poached brutally. A century Pramod T. Nalawade ago, the number of was around 10,000 has come down Editor-in-Chief, ‘Maharashtra Ahead’, DGIPR to 1,500 only. Hunting any animal cannot be termed as valour and definitely not as an achievement. However human beings hunt wild animals and ramshackle foundations of biodiversity resulting in their downfall. For sustainable development of forest, special attention is paid to management, conservation of forest and wildlife.

April 2013 3 Contents Maharashtra ahead 5  Let Us Inherit the VOL.2 ISSUE NO.12 April 2013 `50 Realm of Forestry - The Chief Minister

Editor-in-Chief 8  Retaining the Green Cover Pramod T. Nalawade - The Deputy Chief Minister Managing Editor 10 Movement for Pralhad Jadhav  Maha-Forest-Rashtra Team Maharashtra Ahead 5 Suresh Wandile - Minister for Forests Dr. Patangrao Kadam Kirti Pande Kriti Lalla 12  Let Us Join Hands for

Sales and Circulation Forest Conservation Digamber Palve - Bhaskar Jadhav, Vilas Bodke Minister of State for Forests

Produced by Navbharat Press Ltd. 14  The Way Forward Director Operations: D.B. Sharma - Praveen Pardeshi Project Management Team 18  Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright G.M. Operations: A. Shrinivas - Atul Dhamankar 12 A.G.M.: Dalvinder Singh Manager: Ashok Shirke 22  Wildlife At Its Best Editorial Coordinator: Subhash Shirke - Sunil Limaye Prepress 25  The Dream ‘Re-Green Maharashtra’ A.G.M. Prepress: Sachin Phulpagar - Praveen Pardeshi Art Art Director: Mahesh Jadhav 27  Rejuvenating the Biodiversity Photos Correction:Siddhesh Sawant of Western Ghats Maharashtra Ahead is printed on behalf of the - Abhay Mokashi Directorate General of Information and Public 18 Relations, Government of Maharashtra, at 30  Managing the Woods Jointly Navbharat Press Ltd - Popatrao Pawar Navbharat Bhavan, Plot no. 13, Sector 8, 33  Boosting Nature Tourism Sanpada (East), - Gauri Suryawanshi Navi Mumbai 400 706. 36  Enabling Forest Management Published by Pramod T. Nalawade at Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032 for Sustainable Livelihood - T. S. K. Reddy Letters should be addressed to Directorate General of Information and Public 38 Relations, New Administrative Building, 17th Floor,  Spectacles for Opposite Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032. Incredible Wildlife 22 Email: [email protected] - Chandragupta Amritkar Please visit the website http://dgipr.maharashtra.gov.in 42  Exploring the Wild World in Jawali - Hrishikesh Yadav

46  Framework for All Inclusive Development 49  Overcoming Drought and Directorate General of Information 38 and Public Relations Railways on Track… A Government of Maharashtra Production

Pls note: The views expressed by the writers are their own Let Us Inherit the Realm of Forestry The number of tigers at Melghat, Tadoba and Pench ,Andhari Tiger Project is on rise. The forests in the State are amply rich with Biodiversity and great resource of animals and birds. The State Government is fully committed to protect the same. It is the duty of everyone to protect and conserve the same. We can exist only if the forests and the environment exist. This is a universal truth. This is a war for our own existence. Let us win it with honours…the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan explains…

to enjoy the forests in order to gain Government such as Agriculture, happiness. Since the Vedic era the Forests, Rural Development, School Indian Culture has provided immense education and all the Divisional importance to nurturing trees. Many Commissioners, District Collectors, evidences for the same have been Chief Executive Officers of the Zilla referred to in ancient literature. Parishad and Divisional Forest Ayurveda that has been gifted by Officers. The coordination control to the World is a symbol of the responsibilities of the movement are same. The forests are the sole reason being exercised by the Chief Secretary for our existence on every count. of the State. In comparison to around The total area of Maharashtra 3 crores tree plantation achieved last State is 3,07,690 sq.km. Out of this year by the Forest Department the area, the forests occupy 61,939 sq.km. tree plantation this year has touched According to the National Forest around 8 crores. However it is also Policy, 1988, it is essential that 33% of essential to care, nurture and protect he significance of forests is the land area should be under forest the trees that have been planted. The immense from the point of cover. However in Maharashtra State, control activities are being exercised Tview of the Earth, all the living the forest cover is at about 20%. In with modern tools such as GPS beings here, environment as well order to achieve the forest cover as system and others. as atmosphere. More protected the prescribed by the National Forest forests remain the more protected Policy it is necessary to undertake Recruitment of Forest would be all of us. The importance of plantation of trees on a large scale. Guards forests has been carried through the With comprehensive consideration The responsibility of protection of the words of eminent Saint Tukaram. of enhancing Global warming and forests lie with the forest guards on a the resultant dangers we have taken divisional level. Due to certain reasons Vrikshavalli Amha Soyari a decision to plant 100 crore trees the recruitment process for the forest Vanachare…. within five years. guards was stalled. Considering the Pakshihi Susware Alawiti …. inconveniences arising out of this we Ambitious initiative carried out a special recruitment plan (The trees, the creepers and Plantation of 100 crore trees in the and 1172 posts of forest guards have the animals wild State is a very ambitious project. been filled. The recruitment process Are our kith and kin in these This project is being effectively emphasized the need for physically woods so kind) implemented by coordination competent candidates from tribal Saint Samarth Ramdas advises us among various Departments of the class for recruitment of forest guards

April 2013 5 Maharashtra Ahead

Tigers at Melghat, Tadoba, Andhari and Pench Tiger Projects is on the rise. Alongwith this Sahyadri has been declared as a new National project.

The Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary Earlier the designated area Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary was 8496.44 sqkm. This Great Indian Bastard is of utmost importance in conservation of Nature. However with a view to conservation and nurturing of these birds and also streamline the developmental activities in this region, there was a continued demand for a long time from the local public representatives and other institutions for reorganization of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary Area. Now this Sanctuary has been reconstituted with an area of 1229.24 SqKm. for difficult areas. The plan provided and to set up an International level Maharashtra State has a sea shore jobs to the tribal candidates and Zoo at Gorewada near . The of around 720 Kilometers. In order the Forest Department accrued zoo is being set up at Gorewada by to overcome these natural disasters competent forest guards who know Maharashtra Forest Development like cyclones, it is inevitable to the forests and have an emotional Corporation. Permission has been protect and nurture the mangroves attachment with the forests. sought from the Hon. Supreme Court in the sea shore areas. For this the to set up Rescue Centre at the zoo. action is under way for notification Joint Forest Management Maharashtra forests are amply rich of total areas of mangroves in the The programme for Joint Forest in Biodiversity. The State Government Government and Private sector. An Management is being implemented is committed to protecting these. independent Mangrove Cell has been all over the country for the last 20 The existence of Tiger is inimitable established at the State and under the years. Under the programme there evidence of completeness of the administrative leadership of Chief is a provision to constitute Joint rich forests and Biodiversity. In Conservator (Mangrove) 37 new posts Forest Management Committees for order to protect all these, 6 National have been created. According to the conservation of forests at villages Parks and 36 Sanctuaries have been Government Notification dated the near to forests. At present we have established in the State. These are 20th September 2012 the Mangrove set up approximately 15,000 Joint being managed efficiently through species of trees have been notified as Forest Management Committees in Forest Departments. ‘Reserved’ and have been provided the State. However they did not have Tadoba Tiger Project is by far the with protection of Constitutional a constitutional support. However best habitat for Tigers not only in rights. under the Government Resolution the State but at the National level as dated the October 5, 2011, the Joint well. Considering the importance of Protection and Control Forest Management Committees conservation of tiger the total Tadoba With a view for effective protection have been declared as a constituent Tiger project has been brought under and control of the forests situated of the Gram Panchayat under the integrated administration. For pre- at far away locations and difficult Mumbai Gram Panchayat Act 1958. vention of illegal poaching of wild terrains, steps have been taken to Now these Joint Forest Management animals, Tiger Task Force has been establish network upto Divisional Committees have been provided with established. With untiring efforts level through the use of computer a legal standing they can be motivated from the Forest Department there systems. The patrol through the to undertake the forest conservation has been an impressive growth in the Divisional Forest Officers, the efforts activities more effectively. number of Tigers at Tadoba National taken by them and the work carried The State Government has taken Park since 2009. Nagpur is the Tiger out for wild life management at a decision to protect the forests Capital of the Country. The number of divisional level would all be controlled

6 April 2013 from the Headquarters through this system. The Divisional officers could be guided in their duties of forest protection by senior officers and also at the Headquarters level.

Historic inheritance The State has an eminent historical inheritance of hill forts and forts. Most of the forts are in the forest areas or the approach roads are invariably through the forests. Due to the increased number of tourists visiting these forts the amount of waste gathered in these areas was on the rise and this has adversely affected the environment and Biodiversity of the area. In order to overcome this, the Government has recently taken a decision for participation of the Joint Forest Management Committees in preservation of the historical forts. For preservation The Schemes would benefit 18036 Central India. of the forts the tourists would be families in the State. The areas from the State in charged for nuisance prevention and The forest zones of Kuhi and proximity of the Indravati National photo-shooting fees. The Joint Forest Bhivapur in Nagpur forest area as Park from Chhatisgarh State have Management Committees have been well as Pauni forest zone in Bhandara been included in the Sironcha Forest authorized for collecting the same. forest area with an expanse of 189.29 Zone of District. In the With a view to reduce the depen- Sqkm have a sizeable number of wild Kolamarka area here Indian Wild dence of the tribals on the forests animals especially Tiger. Considering Buffalo is seen. This is the only place schemes such as provision of bio-gas this factor a Wildlife Sanctuary exists in India where the almost extinct at concessional rates with 75% Grant, at Umrer Karandla. According to species of Wild Buffalo exists. With Gas supplies for cooking, grant for the Government Notification dated a view to protect this specie the milching animals and encouragement the June 29, 2012 this has been Kolamarka area has been notified as for conservation and protection of tree notified as a Sanctuary. This project Reserved Forest with effect from 8th plantation have been implemented. is affiliated to the 6 Tiger Projects in January 2013. Protection and conservation of the forests is not the work to be carried out by the forest department alone. Forests are rich inheritance for every one of us. Hence we are duty bound to preserve the same. It is possible for each one of us to share the responsibility individually. It would be a great job done even if we just follow the rules made by the Government for maintaining the existence of forests. Finally it is only if the forests and the environment is maintained we shall be existing. This is a universal truth. In a way this war is for our own existence and with the cooperation of every one we would be able to easily win this war.  - As told to Satish Lalit

April 2013 7 Maharashtra Ahead Retaining the Green Cover Public awareness and participation is most important part of forest development programme Maharashtra is known as most progressive and leading State in the Country. We have a huge challenge to stall the reduction in forest areas of the State due to growing industrialization and urbanization and also to increase the forest cover. The increase should not just relate to statistics but should be qualitative. Keeping this in view we should move forward, says the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

aharashtra is a magnificent be qualitative. For this we should State bestowed with plant large, useful and long lasting Mexcellent natural resources trees such as Mango, Jackfruit, Fig such as forests and wild life. This and Banyan instead of going in for opulence has been coming from exotic types. We must concentrate generations together. When we on enhancing the diversity, density always reiterate that the history of and quality of the forests. The Forest Maharashtra so far has been one of Department has set an aim to plant bravery, valour and development we about 3 to 4 crore trees in each of the must also acknowledge the fact that six divisions namely Konkan, , this history was created in the forests, Pune, Aurangabad, Amravati and valleys and terrains here. We should Nagpur. These efforts would help in also keep in mind that Chhatrapati conservation of forests in the State. Shivaji Maharaj and his soldiers- The efforts of the Forest Mavale stayed in the same forests of Department need to be supported Sahyadri, fought the Moghals with a by various departments of the guerilla warfare and also nature here Government, schools, colleges, helped them. industrial establishments, housing We can see that the Maharashtra societies, voluntary organizations, has been crafted by the nature, forts, cooperative institutions working in valleys, hills, dense forests, medicinal various fields as well as individuals. herbs, wild animals and has been are striving to achieve the same. No Such persons and institutions should related to a great extent to the doubt there are certain obstacles in help the Forest Department and at people revering the forests and their our efforts due to industrialization the same time take a lead in planting nature complementing culture. The and urbanization. However we need more and more trees in their areas. protection and prosperity of nature, to eliminate these obstacles and move Tree plantation programme forests and wild life has been the forward in future at a higher speed. is organized every year by the ancient culture of Maharashtra. All of Public awareness and participation Government as well as various us must be happy and proud for the is going to be the most important part Institutions. A question arises in my fact that we have preserved the same in the forest development programme. mind that and where do the trees so far. Large scale tree plantation is the first planted every year go. Keeping Presently the forest cover of the and foremost important stage. With this in mind we must also look State is about 62,000 sq km which is large scale tree plantation the forest after maintaining the trees after 20% of the total land area of the State. development is being accelerated. The plantation and it should be given a With a view to maintain the ecological development of the forests will not be serious thought. In order to bring balance, we have set a target to achieved just by increasing the area transparency in the tree plantation increase the forest cover to 33% and of the forests. The increase should programme the State Government

8 April 2013 has implemented a Satellite Image management, committees of these Monitoring System. This will people were formed. The State today definitely prove beneficial. has around 12,500 Joint Forest The United Nations declared 2011 Management Committees which are as International Year of the Forests. shouldering responsibilities of more During the year we implemented many than 27 Lakh hectares forest area. It projects for protection, permanent would not be wrong to say that these management and development of people are the real ambassadors forests in the State. The concept of forest area development in the behind International Year of the State. Considering the work and the Forests was Forests for the People. importance of these committees I On this occasion we tried to seek have made a special provision of co-operation of locals living in the Rs. 9.5 crore in the annual Budget. forests and those on the peripheries Through the medium of these to enhance the forest cover and enrich committees many responsibilities forests and wild life protection and the forests. In fact we had already are being handled such as prevention conservation. initiated this programme and with of tree cutting, protecting forests Fortunately both our Country and the International Year of the Forests, from fires, prevention of wild life our State are considered preciously the programme was accelerated. On poaching apart from protection and important in terms of Global this occasion we also accelerated the prosperity of the forests. As the stance Biodiversity. India is considered to be process of providing financial benefits is complementary with ‘As it is your amongst top 12 Nations in the World of forest produce to those locals who forest, the benefits from the forests with maximum Biodiversity. India participated in enriching the forest also belong to you’ and as the same is can boast of at least 1.5 Lakh species areas. beneficial for everyone I am confident of plants and animals and most of The culture of Maharashtra reveres that in the near future we shall be them are found in the Western Ghat the nature. We have faith that every definitely able to witness growth in areas. It is an important, happiness part of the nature is sacred. The the forest area of the State. and matter of pride that 33 % of the warp and weft of this cultural faith As an another step towards these Western Ghat area considered as is being nurtured by the people efforts, the Forest Department is the richest in terms of Biodiversity living in the villages as well as the implementing Eco Tourism Centres is located in the State including people migrated to urban areas in with the participation of locals, Matheran, Mahabaleshwar and search of employment. Tribals living at places such as Tadoba-Pench, Panchgani in the Sahyadri ranges. in the forests enriched this forest Bor, Tipeshwar, Melghat and At the same time it also places a culture with heart and soul and also Bhimashankar. The youth from these responsibility on us to protect and improved the same. They looked areas are getting an opportunity for enhance this Biodiversity. after the forests in a real sense. They employment through this initiative. The importance of National followed certain rules such as not to This is an excellent example of Parks and Sanctuaries is extremely cut a live branch of a tree, not to use how forests can help in economic important for protection and a plough on the forest land, not to development of an area. prosperity of forests and wild life. rob the forests more than that was The United Nations declared year Considering this fact the Government essential and other traditions they 2011 as International Year of the has taken a decision to prioritize followed. They considered themselves Forests. The concept ‘Forests for rehabilitation of villages in the areas blessed with whatever limited forest the People’ was implemented. This of National Parks and Sanctuaries. produce they got for their livelihood. concept was an integral part of lives Under this rehabilitation programme The forest protection and prosperity of our people and tradition from I have made a provision of Rs. 11 programme will only be successful if thousands of years. One can say that crore in the Annual Budget this we seek active participation of tribals International Year of the Forests year for rehabilitation of villages in who love forests and understand the provided an opportunity to review this Sahyadri Tiger project, Dnyanganga, language of the forests. Considering age old concept again. The concept Katepoorna and Tipeshwar and these facts we planned the State of forest management in a scientific acquisition of lands for Great Indian Forest Policy some 5 years ago. manner was officially implemented Bustard Bird Sanctuary. This will In this forest policy special in the State in 1860. Considering all definitely help to a great extent in responsibilities were placed on these facts and various aspects you developing the forest areas of the the people living in the forests and can see that Maharashtra has always State.  in the forest periphery. For forest been an alert and prompt regarding  - As told to Sanjay Deshmukh

April 2013 9 Maharashtra Ahead

Movement for Maha-Forest-Rashtra The biodiversity of seashores has been maintained due to the mangroves With the forest conservation reforms undertaken over the last few years, it has been a comforting development that the number of tigers forming the most important link off the forest food chain has been constantly increasing says

What is the condition of forests the requirement of manpower for movement has been undertaken. Last in the State as on today? the Forest Department we are also year we planted 3 crore trees and this Considering the geographical recruiting Forest Security Guards, year we shall be planting 8 crore trees. expanse of our State the picture is Rangers and Officers. Positive quite positive. It was only during the results are now visible with the forest Climate Change is affecting last year that a huge section of the conservation reforms undertaken everywhere in the World. What Western Ghats has been declared as a over the last few years. It has been is its effect on the forests? World Heritage Site for the uniquely a comforting development that the Most of the Rivers in the State have rich Biodiversity observed here. This number of Tigers forming the most originated from forests. Hence the notification is immensely helpful in important link of the forest food resources for water at the forests are making the forest movement more chain has been constantly increasing. excellent. Although there has been a comprehensive through various new Two special battalions have been shortage of rainfall, the forest areas schemes for the rich biodiversity in established for Tiger conservation have received a better share of the the State. Considering the population at Tadoba and Pench. In order to same. The erosion of soil is less with density, we have created five new increase the forest cover in the State larger number of trees. As a result protected areas. Keeping in mind a very ambitious tree plantation of this the evaporation is reduced

10 April 2013 and the same helps in maintaining animals and encouragement scheme the water levels. This enables the for tree plantation, conservation availability of water for the wild life at and protection. The scheme will many places. We have made adequate benefit 18036 families residing in arrangement for the water wherever forests of Maharashtra. Provision of it is not easily available. The climatic Rs. 25 crore has been made for tribal change is adversely affecting the and Rs. 100 crore for other Scheduled mankind in many ways and probably Castes beneficiaries. The objective more than the wild animals. However of the scheme is to reduce the use of it is essential to undertake an increase trees as fuel for household cooking in the forest density and drastically purposes as also to encourage the reduce the erosion of soil in future. greenery. It is only with this view that we have undertaken tree plantation on a huge How is the Forest Rights Act scale. The State has vast and expansive implemented in the State? seashore. The Biodiversity at these The Central and the State seashores has been maintained due Governments have implemented to the mangroves. We have taken many schemes for bringing tribal up conservation activities for these into mainstream. These schemes mangroves. have benefitted thousands of tribal. Government of India enacted What are the Schemes for a revolutionary Act in 2006 for enhancing the Forest cover in transferring the records of rights the State? for the land tilled by tribal families We have undertaken many remedial for years together to earn their measures for enhancing the forest livelihood. The State is effectively cover in the State to around 33 % implementing the provisions of this within few years. We have taken up Act and 1571 Authority letters on an ambitious scheme for planting 477336 acres of forest lands have 100 crore trees in the next five years. been issued. At the same time except Under this scheme 15 crore trees have for Gadchiroli, Gondia and Amravati been planted in 2012 and during 2013 districts 301 Authority letters have our objective is to plant 20 crore been issued for 25172 acres of trees in the State. We are also taking forest lands. made available for the same. This will measures to see that the trees planted help in the number of such crimes should be nurtured properly. Due to What are the measures taken getting reduced drastically from now this the density of forests in the State for preventing illegal tree onwards. will increase in the next few years. felling, encroachments and With the increase in forest cover the wildlife poaching in forest What about the rehabilitation wild life and the natural resources areas? of the people affected by would also be increased. Since last year we have started sanctuaries, parks and forest recruitment for forest security guards. projects? What decisions have been taken We have also taken up strengthening The rehabilitation work of those for more comfortable life of and enhancing the efficiency of the affected due to Sanctuaries, National forest dwellers and to lessen forest department through increased Parks and other forest projects their dependency on forests ? number of security guards and other has been undertaken. However we With a view to reduce the dependency manpower. The instruments for a have now declared a new policy for of people living in the forests, scheme better organized security are being such rehabilitation to accelerate the has been implemented for provision made available. This will help in process. According to this policy, an of Bio gas or cooking gas to members preventing crimes such as illegal tree amount of Rs. 10 lakh per family for of the Joint Forest Management felling, encroachments and wildlife total rehabilitation will be provided Committee and villagers at 75% poaching in the forest areas. We are and the process has been lines up on subsidy. Besides this, under the same also creating a strong network of the Government of India policy for scheme grant has been provided informers about these crimes. Funds project affected persons.  to the people for rearing milching amounting to Rs. 50 lakhs have been - As told to Yuvraj Patil

April 2013 11 Maharashtra Ahead Let Us Join Hands for Forest Conservation Human being has main responsibility to protect the bio diversity Our lives are totally dependent on the nature and the forest resources. If we can place more and more emphasis on preservation and protection of the forests the water scarcity will not be able to threaten us, says Bhaskar Jadhav, Minister of State for Forests.

The forest cover in Maharashtra The State has aimed to plant 100 is around 20%. The Government is crore trees within the next two years constantly making efforts to enhance and we have planted around 16 crore this. Forests are said to be protector trees even during the famine like of earth, hence people’s co-operation situation last year. The nurturing of is need of hour to protect the forest these trees would be a responsibility of cover. With this aspect it is necessary the local people. The Government has that every citizen should participate recently taken a decision to provide in the activities of forest conservation. Gas stove on a 75% Grant basis to The forest department is committed villagers who pass a resolution for to preserve and rehabilitate this Axe prohibition, Grazing prohibition life support for Earth. The forest and illegal cutting of trees. Under he most crucial problem today department is shouldering the total this scheme 30,000 tribal families is that of the adverse effects on and able responsibilities in the have been provided gas stoves in Thuman lives due to escalating ambitious forestation movement of place of their traditional chulhas. Global temperature and ecological the State Government. The protected The grants payable to each tribal for imbalance. The contribution of forests areas in the State have been enhanced the next two years has been credited in maintaining the environmental so as to protect wildlife habitats. The to the accounts of the Joint Forest balance is both infinite and precious. progressive rehabilitation of the Management Committee. This will The forests have been life support villages has been accelerated. The halt the passage to the forests for for both the population and the modus-operandi of such schemes has those who are dependent of the forest. industries. However as the forest properly identified the necessity of Maximum help would be sought cover is dwindling we have to face public participation, public interest from the local people in protecting calamities such as Global warming as well as keeping the nature in the forests. The policy of the State and others. full focus. Government is that the villagers

12 April 2013 should enhance the forest cover following the three conditions of Axe prohibition, Grazing prohibition and illegal cutting of trees and also reap the benefits accruing from the forests. In order to bring in the required transparency in the tree plantation campaign the State Government has initiated a Satellite Image Monitoring System. Through this system any one can get the information on every tree planted online by visiting website of the State Forest Department which is www.mahaforest.nic.in Under the Scheme accepted by the Forest Department for Joint Forest Management and Nature Tourism a and Wild life Conservation. This field in the forests. Hence it is essential special status has been provided for has ample opportunities not only in to conserve the forests. The human environmentally supportive people India but at other countries as well. beings cannot just get the inherent participation. The forests alone are The deteriorating environment is biodiversity of forests even at the helping in the development of the warning us of an impending natural expense of huge fortunes. Human villages specifically dependent on calamity. Apart from Global warming being is also a part of the biodiversity forest based needs. other natural dangers are hovering and as such he has main responsibility With a view that people should on us such as heavy rains, floods, to protect the same. be able to visit the natural habitats famines, earthquakes and Tsunami. The Government is considering of animals, birds and plants at the With the devastating effects of these provision of water through tankers forests, a Tourist Bus Service for there is a great need for environmental at watering places for animals in the Nature Tourism on the basis of Nashik awareness. Considering this factor the forests where there is a scarcity. Darshan with the cooperation of the industries such as forestry, wild life There is a very close relationship Maharashtra Tourism Development conservation and natural resources are between the nature and human Corporation is on the cards. Presently proliferating very fast and the need for beings. Our lives are totally number of students who are interested experts in the field is also increasing dependent on the nature and the in mountaineering, wild animals rapidly. Adventurous and environment forest resources. If we can place more and birds and medicinal herbs have conscious youth can obtain education and more emphasis on preservation increased. With this in view there are and training in this field and take up and protection of the forests the plans to develop Kalsubai Peak and the responsibilities for conservation of water scarcity will not be able to Bhandardara as tourism locations. forests and plants in the Country. threaten us. The participation of each For nature and environment lovers Forests are an integral part of the and every one from school students who have an inherent attitude to Biodiversity and immense species of to youth and citizens at all levels of stay close to nature, can stay at such plants and herbs are found here. The the society in protection of forests is places and make a career out of their plants, the insects, the animals, the sincerely essential.  hobbies. This is known as Forestry birds, the snakes are all to be found - As told to Dr. Dilip Sadhale

April 2013 13 Maharashtra Ahead The Way Forward Today, a major effort is underway to win support for organic farming in the neigh- bourhood of this sanctuary We have evolved a nuanced strategy to meet our biodiversity objectives, while simultaneously catering to the sensitivities and the needs of local communities. In Tadoba’s core area, we began wit the voluntary rehabilitation of villages, states Praveen Pardeshi, Principal Secretary for Forests.

The Great Indian Bustard millennia, there is no guarantee that and Nannaj our children will still see this display It is four a.m. in Solapur, the year is 20 years from now. 1996. My five-year-old daughter and The GIB sanctuary was scattered I creep across the still dark grasslands over 8,200 sq. km., whereas a much of Nannaj to sit in our little hide. smaller forest area needed to be As the sun rises, casting a pinkish made inviolate for the bustards to glow across the eastern horizon, breed. If even this small area could a soft booming call echoes across be well protected, we could secure the undulating landscape. An alpha the future of this endangered bird male Great Indian Bustard (GIB) for posterity. It was vital, however, to is courting females, head thrown include areas such as the Gangewadi back, gular pouch raised, and tail grasslands into this more tightly- up. Moments later, a covey of female protected bustard haven. People had bustards shufflepast, foraging for begun to turn hostile towards the Mohol and Karmala were included crickets that have come to gorge on birds because they considered the within the Protected Area boundary! the fresh, green grass. declaration of a vast 8,200 sq. km. Wildlife conservation was proving Though this bustard and his sanctuary dedicated to bustards as to be an obstacle as it came in the countless ancestors have exhibited illogical, since the birds were not way of the alignments for highways, their mating rituals on the small found in most of the areas here. What canals and even in the decisions they lookout plateau of Nannaj-Mardi for is more, entire towns such as Solapur, had to make about how best to use their own lands. Blackbuck learned to hide in protected forest patches in the day and then to devastate jowar and groundnut crops of farmers at night. Had the State Government not denotified a huge chunk of the GIB Sanctuary, neither the blackbuck, nor the bustards would have been able to survive. Today, a major effort is underway to win support for organic farming in the neighbourhood of this sanctuary, a step that will enhance the food availability and safety of the GIB which consumes beetles and other insects. How quickly things can deteriorate Great Indian Bustard can be judged by the fact that as the

14 April 2013 District Collector of Solapur from 1995 to 1997, I would see GIBs on every visit to Nannaj. On none of my recent visits was I able to see a bird, not even on the bird’s favourite hillock. It worries me, of course, to observe how farmers who were once happy to grow coarse grains like jowar now want to grow sugarcane, flowers and pomegranates, thanks to the abundant water they obtain from the Ujjani dam. If this trend continues, then grassland species, such as the blackbuck, , grey and the GIB face a bleak future.

The Melghat Tiger Reserve: Cattle and people too well. The tigers would resort to forests remaining in Maharashtra. I first visited Melghat in 1979, when cattle raiding, particularly during the Home to source populations of tiger, it had just been brought under the monsoons, and Korku cattle owners gaur, , sambar and endemic Project Tiger mantle. On night and farmers had to suffer not only birds such as the Forest Owlet, the drives, we came across gaur and crop losses, but bear attacks and hill forests of Melghat have relatively sambar, but during the day all we saw cattle kills. low herbivore and tiger populations, were cows and buffaloes… no wild We had to cut this Gordian Knot in contrast to the plains of Tadoba herbivores. A decade later, I returned if both people, and the reserve, were and the Karandla, Bor and Nagzira as Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla to be provided a real and sustainable landscapes, all of which have dense Parishad, Amravati, with a clear future. populations of herbivores and mandate to implement programmes We took a conscious decision to consequently, tigers. to reduce poverty. The sustenance of develop variegated strategies based Over the past two years, we Korku tribal communities depended on local geography, social conditions have evolved a nuanced strategy to on lightly-cultivated soils on which and ecological circumstances. We also meet our biodiversity objectives, they grew wild millets including aimed to involve local communities while simultaneously catering to kodo andkutki. Each year roughly in regenerating ecosystems on which the sensitivities and the needs of half their crop would be lost to deer their own lives would ultimately local communities. In Tadoba’s and wild pigs, not to mention beetles depend. In the last 18 months, with core area, we began with the and grasshoppers. The sanctuary the support of the Chief Minister, voluntary rehabilitation of villages. regulations did not permit black Prithviraj Chavan and Forest Minister, And to provide space for spillover topping of access roads, new dams for Dr. Patangrao Kadam, Maharashtra’s populations of tigers and herbivores, irrigation or setting up cotton ginning political and administrative system, we have managed to expand inviolate and dalmills, all of which were the Forest Department has been Protected Areas such as Nagzira and possible just a few kilometres outside able to put these plans to the test. Navegaon and their corridors. In the wildlife sanctuary. And while it is still too soon to pass Melghat, however, 15 of 28 villages Protecting wild animals in the judgement, the landscape-wide will remain in the core. Here, we are 1,500 sq. km. Melghat Tiger Reserve, approach seems to be showing results trying to promote co-existence by with 28 villages, a population of that point towards a renewal that reducing their dependence on forest 16,000 humans and 11,000 head will benefit both livelihoods and biomass. This involves providing of cattle, was a huge challenge. biodiversity conservation. alternative fuelwood, fodder and also Particularly, when you consider that by encouraging eco-tourism based the estimated number of herbivores A nuanced approach to livelihoods. was a mere 3,500 on which 34 protecting Melghat, and tigers were supposed to depend. At Tadoba The Melghat Landscape: that time, neither the tiger, nor the The Satpuda and Tadoba landscapes Co-existence and Korku people seemed to be doing are two of the largest contiguous conservation

April 2013 15 Maharashtra Ahead

are now flooding us with requests for similar rehabilitation packages. This includes Semadoh, Somthana, Talai, Rora, Gullarghat and we now need to obtain the resources to enable this. An independent socio-economic study by the Amravati University reveals that in the rehabilitated villages the per capita income has tripled!

The larger Tadoba Landscape “Why is the tiger coming to our village every day? Do something about it!” That was the continual refrain of one resident of Jamni village who kept disrupting a meeting I was attending to discuss the park- people relationship. I imagined that In Melghat, we have been which cannot be encashed without in bygone days Jim Corbett must implementing a strategy of ecological the prior permission of a committee have faced similar outcries, but the development in the buffer zone headed by the District Collector. Each villager no longer had the option of villages. Six out of 28 villages have family thus draws a monthly income summoning Jim Corbett to solve the already been rehabilitated after they of Rs. 6,500. With prior permission problem his way! passed the necessary Gram Panchayat of the Collector, 60 families chose Later that day I was at the and Gram Sabha resolutions. These to encash the bank deposit, and Pandharpauni lake in Tadoba, when I include Vairat, Churni, Dhargad, have purchased more than 70 ha. of saw a tigress with her four cubs that Barukheda, Amona and Nagartas valuable agricultural land. showed up as if on cue in response to whose rehabilitation package was Going beyond the legal stipulations the heat of summer. Ideally, villagers specifically tailored to fit individual of the ‘cash package’ to help develop the living around Tadoba and similar requirements. Churni and Vairat, for new village sites, the administration wild landscapes should profit from instance, wanted land for the land provided drinking water, electricity to the presence of tigers. Instead today, they gave up. This was done, even each home, internal roads to newly- the tourism trade and visitors benefit, the landless got land and the new settled villages and more. All four while villagers are left paying the village gaothan was provided water newly-settled villages chose their own price in terms of loss of livestock, crop supply, electricity, black top approach sites next to, or as part of an existing, raiding and constant fear. roads and access to schools. Their developed gaothan so that they could Tadoba, Jamni, Navegaon, and farms were provided well-irrigation benefit from existing infrastructure most of the families of Kolsa have by tapping existing state schemes. and connectivity to larger towns. opted for voluntary rehabilitation They all agreed to move away from Credible NGOs such as the outside the park. Funds were free grazing of livestock in the forest Satpuda Foundation led by Kishor allocated for Navegaon and Jamni to stall feeding, which also supplies Rithe worked with dynamic forest to move to chosen sites at Amdi and biogas-based fuel for kitchen fires. officials such as Srinivasa Reddy, then Khadsanghi on the Mul-Nagpur Amona, Nagartas, Dhargad the Deputy Conservator, Akot and A. road with irrigation, electricity and opted to collect the National Tiger K. Mishra, Field Director, Melghat, drinking water facilities at the gaothan Conservation Authority package because they knew that delivering itself.Tiger conservationist Bandu of 10 lakh rupees per adult in the real benefits to villagers was key to Dhotre, and the husband and wife family. The Forest Department and the tiger’s future. team Poonam and Harsh Dhanwatey Collector’s Office chose to ‘hand-hold’ Camera trap images reveal the who run the Tiger Research And the process by providing two lakh return of gaur, chital and tiger to Conservation Trust (TRACT) have rupees for relocation and construction all the meadows that magically both played positive roles by working of homes. To prevent men from regenerated after the villages with the Forest Department, while squandering this sum, seven lakh moved out. Following the principle representing the villagers’ interests. rupees was placed in a long-term, of ‘nothing succeeds like success’, But this is not enough. In the monthly interest-yielding annuity, villages that were initially hesitant buffer zone and in forests under the

16 April 2013 Territorial Division of the Forest as wildlife guides. With 15 more routes Working with the Sahyadri Tiger Department, serious tiger-poaching planned in the protected buffer, Reserve officials they have developed incidents have recently taken place. It these areas promise wildlifesightings trekking routes for intrepid hikers is here that the spillover populations comparable to those in the core. The who will be invited to walk designated of tigers are lost after they leave the experiment seems to have succeeded. trails on the understanding that protective care of the 10 to 12 breeding Seeds have been sown for livelihoods theirs will be zero-garbage visits, and females that occupy Tadoba’s core that sustain people, while benefitting that all waste will be carried back critical habitats. Strengthening less- the tiger. out of the park. Local village guides, protected forests such as the corridors familiar with the area have been leading to Bhivapur, Navegaon and Sustainable livelihoods trained by expert naturalists who will Bor is therefore essential. This is what linked to a rise in tiger add to the monitoring strength of has occupied Dr. Vinay Sinha, Field and wildlife populations poaching squads, particularly in the Director, Tadoba, who did his PhD. Villages in the Koyna Sanctuary, like remote crest areas that are difficult in participatory Forest Management, Dichauli, Punawali, Nahimbe and to reach daily, even for forest guards, over the past year. Working on a Ambheghar suffer a double burden. particularly during the monsoon. strategy to share revenues earned The Koyna reservoir has cut them off from tourism with villagers in the from their normal economic markets in Hope for the future buffer zone, he used the gate fees of Karad and Satara, and the declaration In recent years, with advancing Rs. 45 lakhs lying with the Tadoba of the has climate change, habitat destruction Tiger Foundation to give a sum of led to further restrictions on them, and pollution, India has been battered Rs. 51,000 to each of the 53 villages making transportation, livelihoods by bad news. But we also have news in the buffer zone. This was used for and energy a huge challenge. Such of resurrection and recoveries – for community welfare on necessities villages have been petitioning for instance, the slow return of Gyps such as biogas plants and stall feeding rehabilitation for several years and vultures (with the Bombay Natural of cattle. we are trying to raise resources to History Society taking the lead) and He also placed a moratorium meet their demands. Over the past olive Ridley sea turtles (thanks to on more than 51 vehicles entering year, the State Forest Department Bhau Katdare and his inspirational Tadoba’s core, while empowering has managed to develop village team of volunteers off the coast of the Junoana and Devada villages infrastructure in Pulus and Babar Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg). outside core areas to erect a gate and Machi, where nearly 200 families Recognising the wisdom of using collect fees from visitors who chose have already shifted, free from crop the internal motivation of NGOs, the to avail of a specially-created wildlife depredation by wild pigs and sambar! Maharashtra Forest Department is route managed by the village Eco- In the vast buffer zone around adding its strength by co-financing Development Committees (EDC). Koyna, Joint Forest Management ‘vulture restaurants’ to ensure Additionally, local youth were trained Committees have become active. Diclofenac-free food. Support for collecting and hatching of olive Ridley turtle eggs and releasing them is underway. All the tiger reserves of the State have received support from Hemendra Kothari’s purposeful Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), which donates patrolling vehicles and equipment for forest staff. In the case of the GIB and the grey wolf, the process of protecting grasslands is underway, though the course is predictably long and uncertain. It is my view that Homo sapiens may well be able to reverse the destruction of nature. This article is a plea to all of you to join hands with Forest Departments and conservationists to make this a reality. Admittedly we have a long way to go. But we now know the right direction. 

April 2013 17 Maharashtra Ahead Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright

Project Tiger proved a superb conservation project not only for India, but a conservation model for entire world

aharashtra State is one of the Government’s most successful Tadoba is now very best ecologically rich State conservation initiative at that time. famous place for Tiger Mof India. Its biodiversity Project Tiger later proved a superb and wildlife watching. is exceptional. From the Western conservation project not only for Ghats forest in western boundary India, but a conservation model for So many international to the eastern Maharashtra’s very entire world. This project was started wildlife film companies rich dry deciduous forest, to nice hill in 1973 and it was the time when are working here for ranges of Satpuda in north-eastern India’s national animal Tiger was on boundary to the grasslands and scrub the verge of extinction and now 1700 making wildlife films. forest of southern-western part, it is tigers are remaining in various Indian East Tiger sighting a rich diverse habitat in this State. forests. is one of the main Maharashtra having mountains, rivers, sea coastline, lakes, reservoirs, MELGHAT TIGER RESERVE reasons behind such grasslands, scrub land, different Indian Government started “Project success. Full credit for types of forests. So the wildlife in Tiger” in nine different forests this goes to some very these habitats is very diverse and lots of India. Melghat is one of them. of endemic species are found in the Melghat lies in good decisions of the State. of Maharashtra, on the border of Government and the Maharashtra State now has four . ‘Melghat’ means Forests Department. It’s tiger reserves. Three of these tiger ‘meeting of the ghats’, which describes reserves are situated in eastern the area as a large tract of unending surely now a world class Maharahshtra’s Vidarbha region, hills and ravines. This type of habitat tiger reserve and a jewel which is a very good forest covered is very good for apex animal like Tiger of Maharashtra State region. Melghat Tiger Reserve is first and other predators like and tiger reserve of the State which was Wild Dog. It is also nice forest for says Atul Dhamankar. established at the time of foundation many herbivores angulates. of “Project Tiger”, a Central The total area of the Melghat Tiger

18 April 2013 Reserve is about 1677 sq. km. The Antelope, Honey Badger, Jackal, it was only 116 sq. km. In 1986 about forest type is southern tropical dry Flying squirrel, , Hanuman 506 sq. km. area adjacent to Tadoba deciduous forest and main trees are Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Porcupine, national park was declared as Andhari Ain, Tendu, Teak, Arjun, Jamun, Pangolin and Indian Hare are also Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1995 both Mango, Mahua, Dhawda, Garadi, found in this forest. these areas were attached and formed Bhera etc. Melghat Tiger Reserve is a Melghat is famous for newly 625 sq. km of “Tadoba Andhari Tiger good catchment area for some rivers rediscovered and very rare “Forest Reserve”. This is undoubtly one of like Sipna, Gadga and Dolar, Khandu. Owlet” (Athene Blewitti). This the best Tiger Reserve not only of These all rivers are tributaries of owlet was believed to be extinct by Maharashtra but of India. I think it Tapti. So this Tiger Reserve is very ornithologists in the past, but it was is the best Tiger breeding habitat in important for water security of lower rediscovered in Melghat’s teak forest, country and it is a real magical land villages and cities. which is an excellent habitat for this of the Tiger. The mammals variety of Melghat rare Diurnal Owlet. Other birds are Tadoba is situated in eastern is exceptional. The main mammal also found in this forest. The bird Maharashtra’s . found here is national animal Tiger. list is over 270 species and some are This is a land of Gond tribal kings In the past Tiger population was very like Crested Serpent Eagle, White- who ruled in past on this area and good in this territory, but in recent eyed Buzzard, Shikra, Sparrowhawk, Chandrapur which called “Chanda”” years due to some cases of poaching, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Spotted Owlet, in the past. You can still see many their population dropped and Forest Indian Roller, Racket-tailed and ancient piller inside the Tadoba along Department is working hard for white-bellied Drongo, Rufous the main road built by the Gond king conservation and protection of this Treepie, Asian Paradise and Tickell’s about 300 years ago. Tadoba’s forest apex predator. Melghat is a different Flycatcher, Brahminy Starling, Lesser is “Southern tropical dry deciduous habitat with hill, so it is very difficult Whistling Duck are found in this nice forest” and mainly dominant by Teak to monitor Tigers in this forest. jungle. and Bamboo. Despite these flora The other predator in this forest This tiger reserve also sheltered Tadoba is having Mahua, Bhera, is . This animal also some unique variety of reptiles like Bhehada, Hirda, Ain, Saja, Arjun, lives in territory of Tiger, but its size Monitor Lizard, Indian Rock Python, Jamun, Movai, Rohan, Sawari, Palas, is very small compared to Tiger, some Indian Cobra, Crait, Russell’s Viper, Amaltas, Kavath, Tendu, Bel, Jujube, time it prefers to stay on tree and even Calotes, Lizards, Geckos. It is also a Babul and Dhawada trees. Bamboo take a prey upto his own size on it. home for many types of butterflies, is seen all over the Tadoba and it Other predator is Dhole or Wild Dogs Moths, Insects. is very important for herbivorous are also found in Melghat. This small animals as fodder and for Tiger for dog like animal always live in pack TADOBA ANDHARI TIGER hiding and catching prey. Many and hunt together. Mammals like RESERVE types of grasses, shrubs, herbs, , Chital or Spotted Deer, Tadoba is the oldest protected area climbers are also found in this jungle. Sambar, Indian Gaur, Barking deer, of Maharashtra State. It was declared Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is a , Mouse Deer, Four-horned as a national park in 1955. That time very good catchment area of Irai dam and many other rivers. The Andhari river originate from a nallah near Khatoda and it is a important river for Tadoba’s wildlife. In harsh summer when there is water scarcity all over in Tadoba, Andhari river contains plenty of water in its small pools which are called “Doh” in local language. These doh are main source of water for wildlife and so some pool get name like Waghdoh which means “Tiger’s Pool”. It is a best place to watch Tigers in summer when temperature rises upto 48 degrees and heat is on its peak and Tiger come into waterhole for drink and soak him. Tadoba Tiger Reserve having three ranges, Moharli, Kolsa and Tadoba.

April 2013 19 Maharashtra Ahead

Department and Government’s some very good decisions in the past. It’s surely now a world class tiger reserve and a jewel of Maharashtra State.

PENCH TIGER RESERVE Pench is India’s first inter-State tiger reserve which is divided in the two States, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, was created in 1983, carved out of the Sanctuary. The Tiger Reserve, 19th in the series, was formed under the Project Tiger scheme in November 1992. The Reserve lies in the southern lower reaches of the of hills on the southern border of Madhya Pradesh. Pench Tiger The biggest water body is Tadoba Deer, Wild Boar, Hanuman Langur, Reserve is covered by small ridges reservoir which is in Tadoba range Chinkara, Nilgai or Blue Bull, Jungle and hills, with a number of seasonal and surrounded by Chimur hills. This cat, Pangoline, Porcupine, Flying streams and nullahs. Pench river reservoir is about 5 km in diameter Fox, Flying Squirrel, False Vampire flows through this forest and it is an and a main attraction for wildlife. In Bat, Indian Tree Shrew, Sloth Bear, important water source for Pench’s the morning and evening, one can Squirrel, Ruddy and Grey Mangoose, wildlife. Southern boundary of Pench see big herds of , Sambars and Jackal. Tiger Reserve, Totladoh dam has Wild Boars, grazing on the bank. This More than 280 species of birds been constructed on the Pench River. reservoir is surrounded by lush green are recorded in this tiger reserve like It acts as a State boundary between Jamun trees and a best place for Indian roller, Spotted and Eurasian Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. wildlife sighting. Some more water Collared Dove, Green Bee-eater, This dam is a good place to watch for bodies are Kolsa reservoir, Telia Changeable Hawk Eagle, Grey-headed tigers and wild animals in summer Dam are also superb wildlife habitat. Fish Eagle, Lesser Adjutant Stork, when other small water sources are Tadoba’s main attraction is the Tiger. Painted and Wooly-necked Storks, dried up and animals remain with no Number of this national animal is Golden and Black-headed Oriole, option but to come at the dam water about 60 in Tadoba Tiger Range. Sirkeer Malkoha, Egrets, Herons, for a drink. Hundreds of Chitals and Tadoba having highest tiger breeding Grebe, Ducks, Geese, Cormorants, are seen foraging on the bank success is more than any Tiger Range Darter, Munia, Prinias, Baya etc. of dam’s open area, where some green in India. Now Tadoba is a special Tadoba is having good variety grass will be seen. Sometimes you can attraction for nature lovers who of reptiles which including a large see the tiger sitting in the water near come across the globe to watch and number of Marsh Crocodile which dam’s back water. photograph this excellent wildlife. are found in Tadoba reservoir, Telia Pench jungle is mainly a tropical Maharashtra Government now dam, Pandharpauni ponds. Indian Moist Deciduous Forests, which encourage to eco-tourism in Tadoba, Python, Cobra, Krait, Saw-scaled dominated by Teak trees. The other so the local people get employment and Russell’s Viper, Rat Snake, Blind trees in this forest are Tendu, Saja, for this. Many local young people Snake, Checkered Keelback, Forest Dhawda, Mahua, Arjun, Mango, are working here as tourist guide, Calotte, House Gecko, Monitor Jamun, Lokhandi, Bhera, Ber, gypsy owner and drivers and related Lizard. 94 species of butterflies are Temrind, Amaltas, Bel etc. In some eco-tourism industry, which benefits also recorded here. area, bamboo is seen in clusters both, wildlife and local people. Tadoba is now very famous place for and its mainly near hill slopes. In Tadoba’s mammals consists of Tiger and wildlife watching so many ravine and nallahs, some lush green very successful predator Leopard, international wildlife film companies evergreen patches are also found. Whistling Pack Hunter Wild Dogs, are working here for making wildlife Karu or Ghost tree is also a one of the Flatfooted Four-horned Antelope, films. East Tiger sighting is one of the attractive tree in . Alert herds of Spotted Deers or Chital, main reasons behind such success. Near Totladoh dam some area is India’s largest Deer Sambar, Barking Full credit for this goes to the Forest covered with grasslansd and scrub

20 April 2013 forest. These areas attract herbivore for any nature lover who wants to very nice and dense forest, this area lost animals for grazing. In summer when feel jungle and wildlife experience. its Tigers in past because of poaching dam water evoparate, banks are and other industrial activities. But exposed and green grass is attraction SAHYADRI TIGER RESERVE now it recovers from this loss and for herbivore and they attracts the This is the fourth and youngest tiger hope very soon will be an excellent predator like Tiger, Leoprad and Wild reserve of Maharashtra. Sahyadri Tiger habitat with high density of this Dogs. Tiger Reserve, including all of big cat. Other than Tigers, Sahyadri Major predator of Pench Tiger Chandoli National Park and Koyna Tiger Reserve is having good number Reserve is Tiger. This forest also Wildlife Sanctuary was declared by of Indian Leopard. Because of low supports good number of Indian The National Tiger Conservation density of Tigers they get the chance Leoprads and Dholes, which are seen Authority as a Project Tiger Reserve to increase their population and in dense forest. The herbivore like on May 2007. The Sahyadri Tiger now their number is good. Rhesus Indian Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Reserve was then estimated to have Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Indian Four-horned Antelope, Barking Deer, nine Tigers and 66 . Today Gaur, Chital, Sambar, Barking Chinkara are found in this Tiger there are 24 Tigers in the Tiger Deer, Indian Palm and Small Indian reserve. Omnivorus mammals like Reserve and its vast western ghat Civets, Indian Giant Squirrel, Sloth Sloth Bear, Wild boar, Palm Civet, landscape. Bear, Nilgai, Chinkara, Wolf, , Ruddy and Grey Mangoose are Porcupine, Wild Pig are some also a attraction of this park. major fauna. On park’s dry and open areas, Sahyadri is a paradise for mammals like Indian Wolf, birdwatchers. This jungle Striped Hyena, Jungle cat and contains over 300 bird species. Jackal are seen in small number. This includes Grey, Malabar and Hanuman Langur, Pangolin, Great Hornbill, Common Peafowl, Honey Badger, Flying Squirrel, Yellow-crowned Wood Peaker, Indian Hare are some other Brown-headed and Coppersmith mammals. Barbet, Indian Roller, Common About more than 250 species of and White-throated Kingfisher, birds are recorded here in which Greater Coucal, Alexandrine Crested Serpent Eagle, Malabar Parakeet, Cylon Frogmouth, Pied Hornbill, Rufous Treepie, Nightjar, Owls and Owlets, Green Indian Roller, Blue-tailed Bee- Imperial Pigeon. Doves, Vultures, eater, Grey and Purple Heron, Large Buffer and core area of the eagles, Kites, Shikra, Harriers, and little Cormorants, Spotbilled Sahayadri Tiger Reserve will combine Buzzards, Falcons, Shrikes, Orioles, Duck, Comb Duck, Little Grebe, an area of 1,165 sq km. It includes Drongos, Jungle Crow, Minivets, Cotton Pigmy Goose, Black-rumped buffer zone of 424 sq km. The Flycatchers, Lora, Cuckoo-shrikes are Flameback, Openbilled Stork, Plum- State had notified 741 sq km STR some birds. headed and Rose-ringed parakeet, on January 2010. It consisted of In reptiles Monitor Lizards, Indian Brown Fish Owl, White-brested and Chandoli National Park and Koyna Rock Python, Hump-nose pit Viper, Common Kingfishers, Yellow-footed Wildlife Sanctuary. Malabar pit Viper, Saw-scaled Viper, Green Pigeon, Purple Swamphen, Sahayadri Tiger Reserve is situated Cobra, Flying Snake, Gecko, Gliding Indian Pitta, Eurasian Blackbird, in Western Ghats area of mountains. frog and lizards are mainly seen. Red-rumped Swallow, Plain Prinia Western Ghats is declared as a World Hundreds of variety of Butterflies, are some of them. Totladoh dam is Heritage Site by the UNESCO, which moths and other insects are include in also a superb wintering place for many indicates its ecological importance lesser fauna is a major diet for birds. migratory birds like Ruddy Shelduck, of this jungle. Western Ghats are Eco-tourism activities are present Red-crested Poachard, Black Stork home for many endangered species in this area as tracking, camping, who come all the way from Russia, of mammals, Birds, Reptiles, bird watching in past. But now Mangolia and Himalayas. Amphibians and plants. So formation Forest department and Maharashtra Pench Tiger Reserve’s forest is of this tiger reserve is a good Government plan to introduce wildlife known as “Mogli’s Land” which is step towards conservation of this tourism which increase awareness described by famous Nobel prize biodiversity hotspot. among local persons and give a winner English writer Rudyard Sahyadri is having low population sustainable source of employment Kipling in his world famous book of Tigers compare to other Tiger for them. Such steps are very much “Jungle Book”. It is still a best forest reserves of Maharashtra. Despite of needed for conservation of forests. 

April 2013 21 Maharashtra Ahead Wildlife At Its Best

The avifauna of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is its most attractive wildlife features The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is home of many endangered species. The vertebrate fauna of the parks includes 42 species of mammals, 251 species of birds including migratory land and water birds, 38 species of reptiles and 9 species of amphibian. The National Park is notable for its wealth of birds and is indeed a bird watchers paradise says Sunil Limaye Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Sanjay Gandhi National Park Borivali.

he Sanjay Gandhi National butterflies and nearly 8,000 species and Wild Hog Plum i.e. Spondius Park is a tropical wilderness of insects are found here. It has a Acuminata are the two important Twithin the limits of Mumbai, floral extravagance of nearly 800 indigenous trees of this park. but not known to many Mumbaikars, species of flowering plants from This National Park is home of as well as to the people living outside humble herbs and woody climbers many endangered species. The Mumbai. A protected area of almost to terrific teak trees and two types of vertebrate fauna of the parks includes 104 sq.kms, the park is fringed by bamboos. Recently noted naturalist 42 species of mammals, 251 species a burgeoning population of more Sanjay Monga has witnessed some of birds including migratory land and than twelve million people and is birds ‘Oriental Hobby’ ‘Oriental water birds, 38 species of reptiles possibly India’s most visited and least Hawk Eagle’ and ‘Orange Breasted and 9 species of amphibian. The understood nature reserve. Green Pigeon’ for the first time in National Park is notable for its wealth The park is home to 274 kinds of the history of the park indicating the of birds and is indeed a bird watchers birds, just under a quarter of India’s wilderness of the park with a capacity paradise. The rare mammalian specie avifauna; 42 kinds of mammals, to support the varied wildlife inspite seen in this national park is the Rusty- of which the most renowned is of tremendous biotic pressure. Indian spotted Cat [Felis Rubiginosa]. the elusive leopard. 150 species of Kino tree i.e. Pterocarpus Marsupiam The National Park is abode of

22 April 2013 innumerable insect species, nearly Hornbill, Emerald Dove, Black from its self-imposed hiding by early hundred and fifty butterfly species hooded Oriole, Puff-throated Babbler August, sometimes even sooner and and over two dozen species of ants. and White-eyed Buzzard on any of the the ever mesmerizing ‘trap door’ The insect fauna of the National Park nature trails like Shilonda, Malad or spider will leave you spell bound Wildlife At Its Best are covered under twelve different Gaimukh; such is the diversity of this when you see its amazing power to natural orders. Nearly 42 species great park. tap the small, unsuspecting insects as of mammals belonging to 8 natural The total number of insect species prey. orders and 17 families are seen in the could possibly be in the range of The post-monsoon change in National Park; out of which 8 species 8,000 to 10,000 Naturalist, Sunjoy the park is quite rapid. A few weeks are of endangered status. These are Monga has so far identified twenty earlier visibility from the road would Panther, Rusty Spotted Cat, Jungle species of ants, nineteen of mantis be hindered by a curtain of Karvi Cat, Small Indian Civet Cat, Common and 150 or more of butterflies. Most of growth and other floral profusion, but Palm Civet Cat, Jackal, Four Horned the naturalist have a vague idea of the once the monsoon is over it becomes Antelope and Mouse Deer. variety of beetles, flies, grasshoppers, possible to see many meters into the The avifauna of the park is its most moths and other insects and its due to forest. This marks the beginning of attractive wildlife features. Well over the vast wilderness of this parts and the finest bird-watching period in 250 species belonging to 18 different its mind boggling biodiversity. the park. Winter migrants from the order of species like Sparrow During a visit on nature trail when Himalayas and beyond; and a few Hawk, European Kestrel, Black children hold a grasshopper or a local migrants from several hundred Breasted Quail, Marsh Sandpiper, glistening beetle or come face to face kilometers around the park, begin Stone Curlew are also found here. with an Owl Moth as big as 12 cm, arriving by early September. Among The National Park is a home of five there is a noticeable change in their the earliest bird to arrive is the Long- endangered birds. They are Peafowl, perception of the so-called lowly tailed Shrike. It mostly keeps to the Osprey or fish-eating eagle, White insects and this insect variety thriving scrub areas on the park’s periphery Bellied Sea Eagle, Hawks and Lager in the park itself will bamboolize the but some of them are visible around Falcon. nature lovers for a long period. Tulsi lake and Vihar lake. October sees The National Park is abode of The park abounds with spiders in an avian influx, with over a hundred 38 species of reptiles belonging to an incredible array of forms. Over species of winter visitors spreading 3 natural orders and 14 families of seventy varieties have been located over the many kinds of terrain in and which 7 species are of endangered in the park and there are many more. around the forest. status. Out of which Marsh Crocodile The best time for observing spiders is Blue Rock Thrush, Common or Mugger, Rock Python, Indian between end July and mid-November. Stonechat, Black Redstart, Common Cobra, Russel”s Viper, Krait and Saw While it is the web-weaver or orb Hoopoe, Bluethroat are birds that Scaled Viper are the commonly seen. spider that people are familiar with, one can see in Vihar lake’s precincts The National Park is home of many there are many that do not weave a and would be less seen around Tulsi interesting varieties of frogs and web, preferring to hunt by ambush. lake. Small bands of restless wagtails toads like tree-frog, bull frog, six-toed The most widespread web-weaver is frolic by the waterside, frequented frog, an uncommon toad-Ramanelia the Giant Wood Spider that emerges by Pheasant-tailed Jacana. Bronze- Montana etc, In all 9 species of amphibian belonging to 4 different families are seen in the national Park. The Bassein Creek, Tulsi Lake, Vihar Lake and other water sources in and around the park have abundant variety of fishes. 25 species of fish like Mumbai duck, Golden anchovy, Hekru, Malrine Catfish, Murre, Singala, Catla, Rohu, Vadas, etc. are seen within the National Park. During dawn or dusk any one can have an encounter with the stealthy Leopard and the Langur Troop, several species of birds-Grey Junglefowl, Red Spurfowl, Greater Racket tailed Drongo, Indian Grey

April 2013 23 Maharashtra Ahead

footsteps. Sambar stag glaring before bolting with an ear-splitting alarm cry. The elusive Fourhorned Antelope can also be seen in & around Tulsi lake. Deer, Langur, hare and sometimes the elusive wild pigs can be spotted occasionally and the signs of their presence are seen usually around water bodies. In a landscape abounding in withered stalks, it is confounding what these animals live on. Over the last few years the forest department has created several waterholes and for last two summers they are regularly filled up with winged Jacana, Purple Swamphen, to its feeding site on the rock above external water supply to take care of Little Cormorant, Grey Heron, Purple Kanheri. In winter morning, one the animals. Phanasache Pani, one Heron, Egrets and Standpipers, can see Laggar Falcon flapping its of the waterholes below Kanheri, Painted Storks, Asian Openbills and wings over waterbodies. An Osprey normally has regular water supply Black-headed Ibises can sometimes pair spends much of the winter over as at-least trickling water will be be seen feeding in deep waters. Each the calm waters of Tulsi lake and there in the height of summers also winter there is tremendous variation indulges in raptor hunt a timeless and one can normally observe fresh in the number of birds visiting the performance. leopard pug marks and the diggings Vihar lake. Waterfowl come to the Early summers i.e. February is of Sambar and wild pigs in search of edge of the lake on winter mornings, the best time for Gaimukh and Yeur water. Spot Swordtail and Common their numbers fluctuating by the trail. A vivid orange cluster of flowers Blue bottle butterflies frequent the day. On some mornings there are in the brown and pale green of the damp surroundings adding colour to hundreds of birds, a bevy of species. A forest catches everyone’s eye. The the muted landscape in the summer. few days later, hardly any can be seen. Flame of the forest looks spectacular As again the monsoon sets in or ever Perhaps the Tulsi and Vihar lakes are and is a fortnight’s bonanza for before that a few seasonal showers in just fleeting stopovers for migrating forest birds. The Indian Coral tree the early June; make the listless, leafy waterfowls. has flowered too and its glowing carpet to drip with water. Glorious Predatory birds too frequent scarlet flowers lasting nearly a Pink-striped Trumper lilies sprout these lakes. Oriental Hoeny-Buzzard month are visited continuously by as if by magic but they barely last flies overhead and the long-drawn, birds for nectar. April announces the the first week of rain. and disappear plaintive three-note whistle of a flowering of the Indian Laburnum, as quickly followed by the gorgeous soaring Crested Serpent Eagle can its dropping flowers an exhilarating pink and white flowers of the Hill be heard over a nearby hill. Black- shade of lemon-yellow. The Firmiana Turmeric. For the next four months, shouldered Kite, Brahminy Kite, tree in bloom is a beaming scarlet. many flowering species add to the Black Kite, Eurasia n Marsh Harrier This mass-flowering during the dry beauty of the park. Malabar Glory and an occasional Grey-headed Fish months breaks the monotony of dull Lilies, Garden Balsams, Smithias, Eagle fly low while White-bellied Sea browns and tawny shades that so Sesame, Commelina and Costus are Eagles and Booted Eagles soar high characterize the forest at this time only some of them. In late September, over the lakes. Bassein Creek attracts of the year. By early May, when the several orchids burst forth on high sea eagles and an occasional Osprey. summer sun is at its most oppressive, plateaus a gradual change in species The Shaheen falcon flies overhead an entire hillside in the tourism zone composition takes place. Where there of the park turns a flaming scarlet would usually be a pageant of Garden as the exotic flamboyant flame trees Balsam and Sensitive Smithia, Silver- flower a mimicking the ‘Rangoli’ of spiked Cockscomb or Sesame. the nature. It is the most breathtaking Thus the wildlife of this park, sight before the monsoon. which includes flora and fauna adds In the parched forests during to the everlasting mystery of the park summer one can see a barking deer and makes it a beautiful place of ‘ sprinting away at the sound of human WILDLIFE – AT ITS BEST …’. 

24 April 2013 The Dream ‘Re-Green Maharashtra’ More than 2000 vacant posts of guards have been filled by giving primacy to local tribal youth To bring the Maharashtra’s green cover upto that magic figure, the Forest Department of Maharashtra is working with the dream- Regreen Maharashtra alongwith tiger and its ecosystem. To help this Herculean task, the Government of Maharashtra has empowered the forest officials with delegated powers and filling all vacancies of officials and staff explains Principal Secretary Forests, Praveen Pardeshi.

ccording to the Constitution of India, the onus of protecting Athe environment, biodiversity and forest cover is the responsibility of the State. The State Government is taking efforts for the management of wildlife and forests to bring 33% of land under forest cover. To bring the Maharashtra’s green cover upto that magic figure, the Forest Department of Maharashtra is working with the dream- Regreen Maharashtra alongwith tiger and its ecosystem. To help this Herculean task, the Government of Maharashtra has empowered the forest officials with delegated powers and filling all vacancies of officials and staff. With a practical approach, the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Dr. Patangrao Kadam, Minister for Forests have issued orders to fill all the giving preference to local tribal youth. forest dwellers to govern forests. vacancies of Forest Department right Maintenance of forests is Thereby the Government ensured from guards to senior level officers. impossible without involving the people’s participation in forest While filling up these vacancies, villagers residing near or within the protection by strengthening Joint preference has been given to the local forests. Considering this fact the Forest Management Committees. residents. More than 2000 vacant State Government has approved a These committees are now under the posts of guards have been filled by path breaking policy to empowering control of Gram Sabhas and delegated

25 April 2013 April 2013 25 Maharashtra Ahead with powers ‘To Govern, Protect, Use Management Committees, the protection against forest fire and and Afforest’. This has resulted in Deputy Conservators of Forests can illegal encroachment in the forest strengthening nearly 12,500 Joint make micro planning to keep track of areas and also availing grants for Forest Management Committees to such illegal activities. plantation. govern forests, share in bamboo and The lives of the forest dwellers The villagers residing near minor forest produce. are dependent on forest produce. forest and tribal families are totally To avoid illegal removal of forest dependent on forest for fuel wood. To Responsibilities of JFMC produce, it is necessary to have their reduce pressure of fuel wood on forest The Joint Forest Management share in the minor forest produce. land and to decrease tree falling, Committees are responsible for Considering this fact the Joint Forest nearly 20,000 tribal and Scheduled maintenance of forests. For this Management Committees have been Castes families have been provided they have been delegated with some given authority to extract 33 minor connection of cooking gas. Under powers and rights. According to forest produce. The Committee also the Tribal Sub Plans total 14,676 the policy of the State Government, has powers to assign specific areas to families received LPG connection if there is forest within 3 km of family individual for protection and and 2931 tribal families have existing villages, the maintenance extraction of minor forest produce. received bio gas connection. Under of the forests should be carried out If JFMC nurtures and protects the Special Component Plans, total 3360 by elected members of Joint Forest timber plantation, the committee has Scheduled Castes families received Management Committee. For this 20 % share in that major timber wood. LPG and 1632 families received biogas Gaothan should be treated as a unit For the management of tourists to connection. This not only helps in and not the Gram Panchayats. With eco tourism spots like waterfalls, forts improving the health of tribal women the coordination of these committees, etc. the Joint Forest Management by reducing her exertion for fuel wood the Forest Department can manage Committees have powers to levy fees collection but also protects her from the manpower necessary for fire for entry, parking etc besides taking being affected from the asthmatic protection, anti poaching camps, deposits for non-littering plastic, diseases. chowkidars etc. To reduce over non-degradable waste. The JFMC can The Forest Department has a extraction of forest it is necessary use the revenue collected from these dream of re-greening Maharashtra. to create parallel employment activities to employ youth as a guide To fulfill this dream, the Department opportunities for the forest dwellers. for visitors or to carry out activities aims at plantation of 1 billion trees, To provide employment to the local related to forest protection. Saving Tiger and its ecosystem. The people, by outsourcing the services The Joint Forest Management Chief Secretary Jayant Banthia has form these committees, maintenance Committees also plays an important put his efforts for implementation of of eco-tourism complex is also being role in forest protection. These 100 crore trees in five years. Till the carried out. It is very difficult for Committees are join with the year 2012 total 16 crore trees have the forest staff to keep track of the schemes State Forest Development been planted in the State. Besides individuals grazing animals illegally Agency [SFDA] and Compensatory this efforts are also being taken for or over extracting forest or grazing Afforestation Fund Management and protecting tigers. So there is no doubt their animals in newly planted Planning Authority to implement that Maharashtra will shortly have its area. With the help of Joint Forest no grazing, no fire wood collection, rightful green cover. 

26 April 2013 Rejuvenating the Biodiversity of Western Ghats Western Ghats Ecology Authority should strive to promote nature conservation activities Various statutory and other bodies, responsible for the clearance or implementation of projects have been empowered to ensure that the ecology in the State is protected, states Abhay Mokashi.

he Maharashtra Government separate Western Ghat Ecology has always been committed Authority (WGEA), by the Ministry Tto ecological issues and of Environment and Forests with the the protection of environment powers it enjoys under section 3 of the and ensured that these issues are Environment Protection Act, 1986, as taken care of while implementing recommended by the Western Ghats developmental projects in the State. Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), Various statutory and other bodies, headed by Madhav Gadgil. responsible for the clearance or The committee was set up by the (ii) To demarcate areas within the implementation of projects have been Ministry of Environment and Forests, Western Ghats Region which empowered to ensure that the ecology Government of India, taking into need to be notified as ecologically in the State is protected. Maharashtra consideration the environmental sensitive and to recommend for Regional Town Planning Act, sensitivity and ecological significance notification of such areas as Maharashtra Municipal Corporation of the Western Ghats region and the ecologically sensitive zones under Act, Maharashtra Land Revenue Code complex inter-State nature of its the Environment (Protection) Act, and CRZ guidelines are in place to geography, as well as possible impacts 1986. In doing so, the Panel shall take care of environmental concerns of climate change on this region. review the existing reports such in the State. as the Mohan Ram Committee In the light of these laws and The Panel was asked to perform Report, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s the existence of certain bodies that the following functions: decisions, recommendations of take steps to protect the ecology (i) To assess the current status of the National Board for Wildlife in the State, the Government feels ecology of the Western Ghats and consult all concerned State that it is redundant to set up a Region. Governments. (iii) To make recommendations for the conservation, protection and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats Region following a comprehensive consultation process involving people and Governments of all the concerned States. (iv) To suggest measures for effective implementation of the notifications issued by the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests declaring specific areas

April 2013 27 Maharashtra Ahead

in the Western Ghats Region as approaches to the issues. The capabilities of conserving high levels eco-sensitive zones under the resulting bureaucratic setup will of biodiversity,” the report has stated. Environment (Protection) Act, result in bottlenecks in clearance of The Panel has observed that 1986. developmental projects, which are mining, power production and (v) To recommend the modalities otherwise permissible under existing polluting industries have seriously for the establishment of Western laws. impacted, both environmentally and Ghats Ecology Authority under The expert panel has recommended socially. The impacts being manifold; the Environment (Protection) Act, that the WGEA should comprise 24 depletion and pollution of ground 1986 which will be a professional members from different domains and water, siltation of water bodies, body to manage the ecology should be headed either by a retired increased flood frequencies, loss of of the region and to ensure its judge of the Supreme Court or an fertile agricultural land, depletion sustainable development with the eminent ecologist from Western Ghat of fisheries, deforestation, loss of support of all concerned States. region. unique biodiversity elements such as (vi) To deal with any other relevant WGEA should strive to make herbaceous plants of lateritic plateaus, environment and ecological a transition from regulations and air pollution, noise pollution, traffic issues pertaining to Western negative incentives to promote nature congestion and accidents, increase Ghats Region, including those conservation-oriented activities to a in respiratory ailments, and so on. which may be referred to it by system of use of positive incentives The situation clearly warrants a the Central Government in the to encourage continued conservation- careful assessment and mid-course Ministry of Environment and oriented action in the context of correction. Forests. traditional practices such as sacred It has noted that the Maharashtra (vii) The Ministry has subsequently groves and to initiate other actions in Government has prepared a Regional modern contexts. Plan for Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg The WGEEP has stated that districts emphasising the natural technical inputs would be required endowments and strengths of these to decide on a common system of districts and prescribing land use assigning conservation value to priorities. specific elements of biodiversity and The Development Research, to organise a reliable, transparent Awareness and Action Institute system of monitoring biodiversity (DEVRAAI), Kolhapur has assigned levels within the territories assigned to ESZ1, ESZ2 and ESZ3 categories for various local communities, in the form some areas falling in Satara, Sangli, of either Community Forest Resources Kolhpur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg assigned under FRA, or Panchayat districts following WGEEP areas are assigned to Biodiversity methodology. These categories have Management Committees. been accepted by WGEEP and as a “Educational institutions at all levels, result, entire Taluka is proposed to be asked the Panel to include in its from village primary schools to included in these categories. mandate (a) the entire stretch universities, could play an important The State Government feels that of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg role in this effort. Indeed, these this would mean that even the Taluka districts, including the coastal exercises could become very valuable towns which may not fulfill the region, and to specifically components of environmental criteria of steep slope or forest cover examine the (b) Gundia and education curricula. In the long will fall under the ESZ-1 and is of (c) Athirappilly Hydroelectric run, only a very lean bureaucratic the opinion that only those pockets, Projects. (d) recommendations apparatus should be retained to play which actually fall in the category of with regard to the moratorium a coordinating, facilitative role and ESZ-1 should be so classified. As such, on new mining licenses in Goa. to ensure that local communities can the State Government is not inclined effectively enforce a desired system to accept this recommendation. On the recommendation of of protection and management of Further, the methodology defined is setting up of Western Ghat Ecology the natural resource base. Such a complex and needs to be reviewed, Authority, Maharashtra Government system would create a very efficient while at the same time there is a need is of the opinion that such mechanism market for conservation performance to review the definition of ESZ-1 and would operate parallel to existing so that funds earmarked to promote ESZ-2 as they cover comparatively environmental agencies and there biodiversity would flow to localities larger areas. would be dangers of divergent and local communities endowed with The panel has proposed strict

28 April 2013 exception to the ban on mining, as it feels that mining of minerals outside the forest area should be allowed, while stone and sand mining could be banned. Transport is one of the major factors for development of an area. WGEEP has recommended a complete ban on new railway lines, new highways, major roads in ESZ-1. Even power generation is dependent on railway for transport of coal. Also, geographically, given the location of some of the ports, it would be essential to have railways and good roads to connect the ports, making the recommendation detrimental to growth. If the recommendation banning Inter-basin diversion of rivers is accepted, it would result in a huge loss to Maharashtra in respect of substantial power generation to the tune of 3900 Million Units through Koyna Hydroelectric Project. restriction in ESZ-1 in terms of land mind in terms of the social costs of the The State Government is of use, waste water management, waste on-going projects. For example, the the opinion to entirely reject the treatment, water, agriculture etc, panel has recommended a complete recommendation banning the issue which Maharashtra Government feels ban on wind mills in ESZ-1, but it of new licenses for quarry and sand are well intended with the objective needs to be noted that the sites for mining, as it would adversely hamper of fragile eco-system. However, some the wind mills are geo-specific. Areas, the financial viability of water of them are based on one or two field where the people have to depend on resources projects. examples and not based on thorough wind power for their daily needs, will As regards the recommendations social cost-benefit exercise. then be deprived of power and they that only small hydro-power projects, In general, the recommendations would then be forced to revert to the below 10MW, should be allowed in for ESZ-1 should be acceptable for use of wood as a source of energy, ESZ-1 and no new dams above 15 forest areas, protected areas and eco- thus damaging the environment. metres and in case of ESZ-2 no new sensitive zone around the protected Maharashtra has 32 Taluka in the thermal power project be allowed, areas. ESZ-1 category, while Karnataka with permission for hydro-power While the recommendations of the has 26 and Kerala has 15. Even the projects up to 15 MW, the State feels panel are in the interest of preservation Kerala Government has taken strong that these recommendations are of ecology of the Western Ghat, there exceptions to many recommendations objectionable. Large hydropower seems to be a lack of application of of the WGEEP. projects having optimal sizes and Among the WGEEP which are techno-economically viable recommendations are should be allowed within existing complete ban on mining framework of law. and setting up of new WGEEP has recommended that thermal power projects. dams and thermal power projects, Maharashtra has a power which have crossed their liable life deficit of 4000 MW and span to be de-commissioned in the recommended ban on phased manner. The Maharashtra new thermal power station Government is of the opinion that would affect the power the recommendation is not based on situation in the State. technical reasoning and deserves to Maharashtra has taken be rejected in its entirety. 

April 2013 29 Maharashtra Ahead Managing the Woods Jointly Joint Forest Management Committees have been established in 12,760 villages. Forgetting our total indebtedness to the trees and forests we went on to destroy them brutally. We are experiencing the adverse effects of the same in the form of Air pollution, water scarcity and infertile soil. The Forest Department under the Government is carrying out its duties for protection and nurturing trees. However the efforts will not be successful without total participation from the citizens says, Popatrao Pawar.

he Indian Culture was born all the living creatures on the earth the ownership of the Government. in a forest and these forests and also maintain the environment. A special Forest Department was Talone provided it the way to The Devrais , the sacred groves also created with an objective to use prosperity. In the ancient times the evolved from this concept. It was the forests for commercial purpose. trees and the herbs from the forests considered as a heinous sin to cut Accordingly they over exploited and were one of the main supports of down any green tree from these destroyed many forests for Railways human life. The one who bestows sacred groves. This resulted in the and providing coal for Industries in everything on us is called the God. protection of forests. Even today we Britain. The Indian forests continued Therefore our saints and sages revered have a huge number of Devrais in our on way to ruins since then. When the trees which provide everything State. this came to light, the British enacted for leading our lives. They revered the When the British arrived they the 1st Forest Conservation Act in trees and worshipped them. The life set their sight on the Indian forests 1927. After independence the Forest is dependent on the water, air, fire, and used these dense forests for Conservation Act was modified in 1952 space and earth and therefore the business. In 1855 Lord Dalhousie and 1988. However there was even people also worshipped all these five declared a policy for the forests. In larger devastation of forests under the elements. All the ancient epics such 1856 all the forests except privately name of development than during the as Vedas, Puranas, Upanishadas, owned ones were brought under British regime. The rising population, Ramayan and Mahabharat have also increasing industrialization, incre- explained the eternal importance asing urbanization are some of the of the trees and herbs. The main reasons for the same. forests have been considered During the British regime a large as the Deity which bears tract of Indian soil was under the forest cover. This greatly dwindled after independence. According to the National Forest Policy, it was decided that the forests should occupy 33 % of the total land area of the Nation. However according to a Government survey report in 2007, only 21.02 % land area was under forests. This means that out of the 3,07,713 sq km of total area of Maharashtra State only 61,939 sq km land is under forests. The national parks and sanctuaries covers the total area of 15,539 sq.km. There was a huge deforestation under the name of development and the forests got cramped. This has adversely affected the environment.

30 April 2013 The trees are the nectar vessels and the humans for the forests. Management Committees as a consuming the Carbon Dioxide and During the British era this concept people’s movement. The Joint providing us Oxygen. Besides this the was ruined. The British established Forest Management Committee soil alone provides us everything that ownership rights on the forests. Due was acknowledged as a self we need to survive. It takes around to this the people got distanced from established public system. These four 250 to 700 years for creation of one the forests. Government resolutions also made inch of soil layer on the earth. If this The following major Government sure of the coordination between the life giving soil cover would washed Resolutions from the Government Government Forest employees and off the land would be converted of Maharashtra have once again the people at large. This will help in into desserts. The trees and plants established a relationship with the achieving 33 % forests on the lands prevent the process of soil erosion. forests. at Maharashtra State. It is also slated Forgetting our total indebtedness 1. GR dated the October 5, 2011 to enhance the forest production and to the trees and forests we went on 2. GR dated the January 8, 2012 prevent forest fires. The devastation to destroy them brutally. We are 3. GR dated the July 10, 2012 due to these fires would be stalled. experiencing the adverse effects of All these Government Resolutions Greater budget for the Forest the same in the form of Air pollution, have a precious contribution from protection comes from the water scarcity and infertile soil. The Praveen Pardeshi Principal Secretary Employment Guarantee Scheme. It present drought situation is definitely for Forest Department. According to would be of great help if 5 % of this not a natural calamity but is the result the GR dated the 5th October 2011 budget (as per earlier Employment of the brutal destruction of nature the constitution of the managing Guarantee) is provided for Forest carried out by humans. committee has been modified with 50 management. If the works such as The Forest Department under the % women members. This has been a Deep CCT, Forest ponds and Contour Government is carrying out its duties great reform. Bunding etc are carried out with for protection and nurture of the The Government Resolutions the use of machines, there would trees. However the efforts will not be dated the January 8, 2012 and July 10, be great work in the forest areas successful without total participation 2012 have provided more authority in terms of soil and water from the citizens. Acknowledging this to the Forest Managing Committees. conservation. This will not only factor the Government of Maharashtra Praveen Pardeshi organized camps benefit the people but also make established Social Forestry and workshops for strengthening provision so that the wild animals Department in 1982. Through this these Committees and to guide will not need to enter the human a movement for administration of them at Shahapur in Thane Region, forests through public participation Chandrapur in Nagpur Region and has commenced. Forestation on the at Amravati Region. These camps Government and private lands has ensured dissemination of information started in the earnest. Joint Forest about Government Resolution to the Management Committees have been people. It also immensely helped established at 12,760 villages out of in making and accelerating the 15,000 which have Government lands Joint Forest belonging to the Forest Department. The State is leading at a national level in this aspect. With a view to strengthen Joint Forest Management Committees and make them more efficient the Government of Maharashtra took certain major decisions under the visionary initiative of Principal Secretary for Forest Department, Praveen Pardeshi. Earlier there was harmony between the tribals from the forests, the villagers near the forests and the forests themselves. The people used to protect the forests with the concept of forests for humans

April 2013 31 Maharashtra Ahead

the forest. The dreams coordination among Joint Forest of Mahatma Gandhi Management Committees, Gram of Self Reliant and Self Sabhas and Gram Panchayats. The Sufficient villages will come in honesty at work is most important. If true when the forest managing all these aspects are understood the committees and forest rights forest conservation movement will committees will work more get huge acceleration and the problem effectively and contribute in resource of environment would be resolved. habitats for their fodder and water development. The Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, requirements. The villages will not Under the present circumstances the Deputy Chief Minister Ajitdada experience the hardships of water the forest dwellers were on way Pawar and Minister for Forests Dr. scarcity. This will ensure sustainable to a mass exodus. However due to Patangrao Kadam have resolved for development of both humankind the Government Resolutions their plantation of 100 crore tree. The and wild animals. If this happens income levels have improved and forest department is taking efforts Maharashtra will emerge as a leading they are on way to prosperity. The for fulfillment of this. The direction State to guide the nation for forest Government Resolution dated the of Forest Department in Maharashtra conservation. The labour does not go 5th October 2011 has provided many is thus changing … to the faraway place for Employment authorities and rights to Gram Sabha Praveen Pardeshi is also an Guarantee work. He is also not and Gram Panchayat. However there enthusiastic social activist from interested to work at the forests due is a danger of marketing agents and administration. Under his guidance to lack of facilities, meager wages and mafia taking over Gram Sabha. This a great movement for forest greater distances. If the labourers will lead the movement in a totally management and forest conservation are provided with all the facilities wrong direction. Thus, to prevent can flourish. For this it is necessary from the Non-Plan budget, they will this danger, it is essential that that the Joint Forest Management surely go for work and also carry out a Gram Sabhas should be empowered Committees should include members good job. and every one form the village who are gentle, honest, and studious These Government Resolutions should participate in Gram Sabha. and who consider the village as would greatly benefit the society. Just as the Gram Sabha must be a family. The individual benefits To cite an example we can take the empowered to prevent this danger accruing out of the Government case of a village Lekhamendha in it is equally essential that everyone Resolution should reach the proper . The Joint Forest must participate in the Gram Sabha individual. It would be a loss to the Management Committee of the to maintain efficiency,alertness and movement if these benefits reach village could reap a profit of Rs. 8 transpency in their overall activities. wrong individuals. The efficiency of crore from the sale of Bamboo. The The Government Resolutions have the committee would be reduced. Maharashtra Minor Forest Produce been enforced now it’s proper With honesty in working more and Act was helpful in this action. There implementation at village and tauka more funds would be available is a great opportunity to enhance the level is important. For this forest to villages. The economic and income of Joint Forest Management committees should seek proper social structure would be changed Committees and people residing in guidance and there should be positively. 

32 April 2013 Boosting Nature Tourism The forest trail provides freshness to mind and body Nature Tourism can be defined as cultural performance of the local residents, study of wild life as well as flora and fauna in their natural habitats, introduction to nature and a nature trail to rejoice with the nature says Gauri Suryawanshi.

et every village be replete with Kalpavriksh a benevolent tree “Lthat yielded everything that was desired, let it have live powers as Chintamani to ward off anxiety and let the speech from the village be sweet as the nectar…” Saint Dnyaneshwar placed this demand as a disciple with his mentor Saint Nivrittinath in his epic Dnyaneshwari. The Kalpavriksh from the heavens would not be available at forests near any village as demanded by Saint Dnyaneshwar. However the forest near village cannot be less than the Kalpavriksh. A question may arise whether there is a real and existent Chintamani which could ward of all the anxiety and awaken the vigour amongst everyone and the city folks are seen evidently essential to preserve them. With a but if a village is surrounded by a distanced from the nature. Due to view that the tourists can enjoy the forest each of the villagers will be able this we cannot find a village that nature without harming the natural to receive pure air and water. Soil was expected by Dnyaneshwar. Due heritage in any way the Government erosion would not take place. At the to increased industrialization the of Maharashtra has declared State same time non-conventional forest lifestyle seems to have mechanized Nature Tourism Policy on the 20th based herbal medicines and forest and busy. Hence the tourism area February 2008. According to this fruits such as Blackberry, Temroo, is getting accelerated for attaining Policy it is expected that Nature Mahua, Almondette, Khirni and essentials such as a bit of mental Tourism in a small window of the Marking Nuts etc would be available. peace in proximity of nature and a bit environmental perspectives should be A human being is a social animal and of leisure. Maharashtra has no dearth socially, culturally and economically leisure is an integral part of his life. of Tourist locations. The forts with proper, experience proved and with The peace and tranquility experienced historic inheritance, religious places, learning modules. The nature tourism through forest trail and variety of bird hill stations are places duly visited should have participation from the sounds provide essential freshness to by the tourists. However even these local population. It should not be both the body and soul. places are getting more and more detrimental to nature and should Presently the large cities are crowded. It may be for this reason the comply with the aspirations of the growing in a haphazard manner. tourists now prefer to go for a forest tourists with certain regulations. The conversion of small towns trail for the needed peace, observation Nature Tourism can be defined to cities and urbanization of the of wild life and leisure. as cultural performance of the local villages have resulted in a horizon residents, study of wild life as well increasingly dotted with concrete Natural Heritage as flora and fauna in their natural jungles everywhere. The pollution is As the forests and wild life belong habitats, introduction to nature and a increasing due to industrialization to our natural heritage it is most nature trail to rejoice with the nature.

April 2013 33 Maharashtra Ahead

While going on a Nature Trail the tourism at the Tiger projects. Action Private Hotel Resorts (upto 10 rooms) tourist attraction usually is limited to is being taken at divisional level based will have to pay a Conservation Fee of observation of wild life. In a poem by on these guidelines. A maximum 20 % Rs. 500/- per month per room. Shanta Shelke a small child is seen of the Core area of a Tiger project will Similarly Hotels/Resorts with more addressing the Grass Flower…The be declared as Tourist area. Hence than 10 rooms will have to pay a gist of the poem is that the child is maximum activities related with Conservation Fees of Rs. 750/- per so engrossed with the flower that he nature tourism will be undertaken in room per month to the Government. almost forgets his own world… buffer zone. The Government of India The reserved areas of the State such In the same way if the nature guidelines also mention the tourism as National Parks and Sanctuaries, tourists also rejoice with a meaningful facilities around Tiger projects and nurseries, plant forests, water bodies, observation of flora and fauna, fruits the income generated from the Devrais and historic locations are and flowers and small creatures in the same, development of a sustainable ideal for nature tourism. Maharashtra wild forgetting the world they arrive livelihood for the local population State has many such locations. All from while enjoying observation of and the remedial measures for wild these locations are expected to be Tiger and other wild life the objective life protection. In this connection the developed gradually with a tourism of nature tourism will be fulfilled. following decisions have been taken viewpoint. The nature tourism work as per Government Resolution dated at present is undertaken on priority Facilities Abound… 9th November 2012: where an inclination of the tourists is Just as a common tourist visits Tiger A maximum of 20% from core area well defined. Under the development project for observing a Tiger, the of a Tiger project but not more than scheme for the tourist locations the visitors to religious places consists the capacity available for tourism works undertaken for development of all types of people such as first earlier has been made permissible for of watch towers, water bodies, nature timers, amateurs and professionals. nature tourism. trails, eco-friendly wash rooms, The flock of Nature Tourists consists Permission has been accorded repairing of circuit house, residential of hobby tourists, leisure and peace for charging a Conservation Fee as accommodation, tents, check-posts, seeking tourists, tourists who rejoice mentioned below for all the tourism entrance gates, advertisement and in the proximity of nature and serious related accommodation facilities in publicity, solid waste management nature study tourists. Due to this the Tiger Project areas. and drinking water. tourists facilities are being made When the local residents in the available on great extent near the tiger buffer zone areas provide residential Nature TRAILS projects. This resulted in compression accommodation for the tourists With a view that the tourists should of tiger habitat. The National Tiger the conservation fees will not be enjoy the purity of nature tourism, Conservation Authority, New Delhi charged. When the residential nature trails have been prepared. have promulgated guidelines for Tiger facilities are jointly owned by the For enthusiast tourists sports Projects and the surrounding areas on Village Development Committee or facilities such as adventure tourism, the 15th October 2012 in compliance Gram Panchayat the Conservation cycling and rope climbing have been of orders passed by the Hon. Supreme Fees will not be charged. However provided. In order that the local Court on a PIL in connection with Government undertakings and population should get an employment and for comprehensive progress of villagers, Home Tourism Training (employee, guide, hospitality management) is provided on priority. However these development works are undertaken considering the rules in vogue and provisions under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The implementation of these activities is done through the Village Eco- Development Committee. The local residents would develop toilets and bathrooms as well as star category bedrooms and provide these facilities for the tourists at proper rates. With this the tourists will be able to

34 April 2013 Nagzira During the period from 1st November 2012 to 31st January 2013 the revenue earned by the local youth through Guide services at the Nagzira Wild life Sanctuarry, New Nagzira Wild life Sanctuary and Navegaon National Park was Rs. 4,52200, Rs. 5,900 and Rs. 41,400 respectively. With this the youth not only got an employment opportunity but also a permanent source of income. Nature Tourism is on the rise. Considering Tourism Policy, guiding instructions from Tiger Conservation Authority with regard to wild life as well as disturbances in their habitat the restrictions have been imposed on the number of entrants at every enjoy traditional home stay and the Eco-Development Committee tourist centre. local citizens will receive financial conducts Adventure Tourism, As such in order to avoid benefits. The local people have been Bird watching, acceleration to disappointment the tourists should trained for creating such residential hill trekking through the medium opt for advance reservation. Online accommodations as well as in of various groups and Nature reservation for major tourist hospitality to tourists. Education and Interpretation Centre locations has already started. The as well as arranges for residential developmental activities for nature Significant Activities accommodation and food for the tourism are being carried out at all the According to the policy of the tourists. The Committee has earned reserved areas of the State. The trilogy Government, Village Development revenue of Rs. 2,55,480 during the 1st adopted by the forest department is Committees have been established year alone. that of village development through and through their medium the nature tourism development with nature tourism projects are being Gullerghat economic development of the local implemented. Here are some of the The Gullerghat Village Eco- citizens. worthy activities undertaken by these Development Committee is deve- Committees: loping Medicinal/Ayurvedic plant Important Nature gardens under the Forest Department Tourism Locations Semadoh and with the help from Punjabrao · Pench Tiger Project The Semadoh Village Eco- Deshmukh Agricultural University, · Melghat Tiger Project Development Committee organizes Akola. The tourists will be attracted · Sahyadri Tiger Project Nature Camps for students from major towards Ayurveda as well as the · Bor Sanctuary cities. Each camp is organized with a 2 precious treasure from Nature. Bird · Radhanagari Sanctuary days stay at Semadoh and Shahanur watching at the Gullerghat Lake · Kalsubai Harishchandra Gad Nature Education and Interpretation is also attracting the tourists. The · Bhimashankar Sanctuary Centre. Catering and housekeeping Committee has earned revenue of Rs. · Kaas Plateau facilities are available at these 31,000 in a year. · Karnala Bird Sanctuary centres and Forest Circuit House. · Sanjay Gandhi National Park as the The committee provides employment Pittezari and Bakki Gram - eminent verse by Saint Tukaram to the members by making food During the period from 1st November elaborates the trees and plants are arrangements and keeps the profits 2012 to 31st January 2013 the Pittezari our relations from the forests and also earned. During the 1st year the Village and Bakki Village Eco-Development are our friends. As such these should Eco-Development Committee has Committee through Nature Tourists not be ever troubled in any way. earned revenue of Rs.1,51,340. (on account of rents for tents for Therefore while visiting the nature the number of tourists visiting tent the tourists should not behave in any Shahanur house) has collected a revenue of way as to harm the nature…This is an Under the aegis of Shahanur Village Rs. 2,54,260 and Rs. 49,600. affectionate note... 

April 2013 35 Maharashtra Ahead Enabling Forest Management for Sustainable Livelihood Income sources are generated through nurturing insects at trees instead of cutting trees The Forest department has come out with an innovative scheme with participation from District administration and the local Forest Management Committee for enhancement of lifestyle of tribals from Gadchiroli District, says T. S. K. Reddy.

n Gadchiroli District 76% of the land is occupied by forests. Five Iforest divisions are working here for bringing prosperity to these forest areas. Majority of the population here are Adivasis. They neither have their own land or agriculture. Their livelihood is mainly earned by works carried out under forest department on a seasonal basis such as Kup Tod, Water conservation, collection of Tendu leaves and the daily wages earned from work. To some extent they get some employment opportunities at paper mills like Bilt for bamboo cutting. The duration of permanent work and purchase and processing project, bestowed with rich and exhaustive the working days are limited. The Palas leaf plates manufacturing forest resources. work is available for 4-5 months on an project, bamboo artefacts and average and for rest of the year these furniture, Biodiversity Centre Incense Stick Production Adivasis collect minor forest produces establishment and caretaking have Incense stick production projects have such as gum, honey, moha flowers, been undertaken. For candidates been established at 7 locations namely amla, myrobalan, medicinal behada with less education, vocational Porla, Deulgaon, Ghot, Sironcha, and sell the same to the retailers at training such as hotel management, Rompalli, Bhamragad and Tadgaon. the weekly market. As the rates of construction and automobiles which More than 20 women have found these products are not defined, the surely provide employment have employment at each of these centres. businessmen purchase the same also been started. Abhishek Krishna The daily wages earned are more at nominal prices than the market District Collector Gadchiroli and than Rs. 150. The priority has been rates. As the options for storage and the Chief Conservator of Forests given to widows, deserted, without processing are not available these Gadchiroli Forest areas T. S. K. Reddy any support, poor and Adivasis. The perishable goods are sold at whatever have taken special efforts for all raw materials such as coal, jigat, price they fetch. these activities. Sustainable bamboo sticks are supportive to the Many production oriented projects Management of the forests is the environment. The remuneration is such as incense stick production, basis of these efforts. Employment provided at Rs. 10 per kg. One male medicinal seed collection such as generation from the forest oriented Supervisor and 20 women have Myrobalan and Behada as well as their industries and prosperity of the found work at each centre. Presently processing and sales, Moha flowers forests have been effectively joined 150 women have been employed at purchase and sales, Gum, honey together at Gadchiroli District 5 functioning centres. Women Self

36 April 2013 Help Groups have been activated. been made available to 800 Adivasi In the next phase a machine people. 5 trees are being allotted to for fabrication of bamboo sticks each beneficiary. This will bring an for Agarbatti manufacture will be income of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,500 installed at Kurkheda. A positive within a span of 8 months. The rates value addition will be provided as the for sealing wax in the International sticks would be manufactured from markets are on the rise and at present readily available bamboo in the forest are around Rs. 500 to Rs. 1200 per kg. and the coal would be obtained from Income sources are being generated the dry leaves collected locally. The through nurturing insects at trees Vocational Training financial benefits from the project instead of cutting the trees. This is 200 inadequately educated Adivasi would be distributed to Adivasi also an environment friendly project. youth have been given free 3 months women workers. residential training through a well known institution “Pratham” in hotel This is a self supported project and Palas Leaf Plates management and construction. After during 3-4 months of the year 2012-13 Production of plates from Palas leaves undergoing training these youth have more than 1,000 women will find has been started at Wadsa forest found employment with 5 Star Hotels employment in their own villages. division. such as TAJ Group and Sun ‘n Sand The funds have been sanctioned as well as at international companies such as Larsen and Toubro. Many young from the Integrated Action Plan, Biodiesel Project boys and girls are undergoing train- Human Development Programme, The forests are replete with Moha ing at locations such as Aurangabad, District Planning Committee and trees. Planning has been carried out Latur, Ahmednagar and Dhamtari sagar. others. Work on establishment of 46 for a Bio-diesel manufacturing project The minimum guaranteed wages are Production centres is going on. As from Moha seeds. With this innovative Rs. 3,750. According to the skill levels the salaries earned are in the range of the women are receiving their wages project the Adivasis depend on the Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 10,000. Inadequately every 15 days, there is a huge demand forest for their livelihood will have a educated Adivasi youth is securing for this work from Adivasi women. permanent source of livelihood. jobs with well known companies in this competitive era. Presently, more than Myrobalan-Behada Honey Collection Process 300 students are undergoing training. It has been planned to provide training Purchase Process Project and employment to more than 2,400 During 2012-13 around 8 tonnes A Honey processing project has been youth next year. Under the Human De- of Myrobalan was processed for set up at . This year the work velopment programme training is given separation of bark and the seed. The on projects at Sironcha, Gadchiroli under the aegis of Employment and same has been sold to Baidyanath and Alapalli has been undertaken. Self-Employment Departemnt. Pharmaceuticals Company The With the participation of Government Adivasis have received an enhanced of India Honey Research Centre Pune, price for the same. training will be provided in scientific honey collection process. Work will be Moha Flower Purchase provided to local youth at the process and Sale centre. At the local markets the rates 31 tonnes of Moha flowers were for honey is around Rs. 60-70 per kg. purchased through Adivasis at a The process centre will offer a rate of guarantee price. The flowers were Rs. 100 to Rs. 120 per kg. dried and then sold. Due to this the Adivasis received increased rates and Biodiversity Centre of the same. The work for setting also payment in cash on the spot. A Biodiversity Garden has been up Biodiversity Gardens at Mauja created at Semanadeo near Gadchiroli Chamorshi, Alapalli, Sironcha and Sealing Wax-Lac city. The garden is being looked after Wadsa has also been taken up. Production Project by the Joint Forest Management Through this the Tourism sector will Nurturing Lakhs of insects on the Committee, Mauja Wakdi. Through also be accelerated apart from training naturally grown trees such as Kusum an income source from the entrance in the field of environment. A Tourist and Palas the Adivasis are able to fees work has been provided to 10-12 campus and information centre will receive a substantial income within a labourers as caretaker. A Biodiversity be established at the revered location short span of 6-8 months. At locations Information centre has been set up of Markandadeo. Local youth will get such as Bhamragad, Alapalli and near city and the citizens as well as employment opportunities by looking Sironcha more than 4,000 trees have the students are taking advantage after these facilities. 

April 2013 37 Maharashtra Ahead Spectacles for Incredible Wildlife

Maharashtra is important States of the country for conservation of wildlife and biodiversity With numerous National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation can explore Wildlife tourism, which is already a multi-million dollar industry globally, to attract both domestic and International tourists feels Chandragupta Amritkar.

was in Singapore and was pretty the second largest country to have such (Sahyadri Tiger Reserve). The impressed in the way Singapore diversified wildlife tourism. India’s Western Ghats including those in Itourism department had rich tropical forests have over 1200 Maharashtra were recently included developed Wildlife tourism - showing species of birds and 350 mammals, as a World Heritage Site bringing animals in their natural habitat. A preserved in different regions of the them into global prominence. These model that Maharashtra Tourism country within 59 National Parks and biological treasures represent diverse Development Corporation (MTDC) 372 sanctuaries. Maharashtra is one vegetation types and the forests in can successfully implement across of the most important States of the their climax conditions form a unique some of the prominent Wildlife country as for conservation of wildlife Biological Heritage. There are 386 Sanctuaries in the State. and biodiversity is concerned. sacred groves in Maharashtra under Wildlife tourism is watching wild The State has 6 National Parks different agencies, such as Forest animals in their natural habitat and and 36 Wildlife Sanctuaries with Department, Revenue Department, has experienced a dramatic and rapid a total of 15,732 sq km area, Temple Trust, and in villages under growth in recent years world wide and amounting to 5.02% of the State’s private property. is closely aligned to eco-tourism and geographical area. Maharashtra has These national parks and sustainable-tourism. With public- four major Tiger Reserves: Melghat sanctuaries are home to a large private partnership travel agents can Tiger Reserve (Amravati District); number of animals and bird species, offer customized tour packages and Pench Tiger Reserve (Nagpur including the tiger, Crocodile, Bison, safaris to tourists. District), Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Gawa, Neelgai, Wild Deer, Sambar Due to its diverse topography and Reserve (Chandrapur District) and and rare migratory birds. They are varying climatic conditions, India is Radhanagari- Koyna Tiger Reserve also home to many rare species of flora

38 april 2013 and fauna. The magnificent forests, panthers. babbler are just a few facets of rare animal and fish species make The rich and diverse forest holds nature’s symphony in this forest. Maharashtra a wildlife hub. The parks more than one thousand species of Four rest houses and two camps offer splendid opportunities to see a plants, 40 species of mammals, 251 sheds are available for visitors on variety of wildlife in a spectacularly of birds, covering migratory, land and prior reservations. natural setting. water birds, 38 species of reptiles, 9 It’s now very important for the species of amphibians besides a large Allapalli, Gadchiroli Government to convert these into variety of fishes. The park is a tree The Glory of Allapalli is located in hi-tech sanctuaries suitable for both lovers delight in all seasons with the Gadchiroli district. It is a Permanent domestic and International tourists- great amount of bio-diversity, ranging Preservation Plot established in 1953. probably with support from private from Adina cardifolia (kadamb), Biodiversity of the region has been entities. The important national Albizzia lebbek (Shirish), Pongamia preserved very nicely and so very old parks and sanctuaries should have pinnata (Karanj), Tectona grandis and straight growing trees may be comfortable lanes so that jeep rides (Teak) Dalbergia latifolia (Sishum) observed here. Tallest tree is Teak and night safaris are possible, library to Acacia, Zizyphus and evergreen with 39.70 meters height. Largest and audio-visual facilities, cost- patches of Euphorbia . The national tree is also Teak with 5.27 meters effective accommodation and efficient Park is a bird watcher paradise. From girth at breast height. Because of connectivity to the nearest town/city. the tiny Tickell’s flower pecker(small fire protection thick layer of humus In the following paragraphs we have bird in India), many species of sun exists on the forest floor. Teak is the compiled interesting information on bird (humming birds) to the majestic predominant species other associates the prominent national parks and white bellied sea eagle, it is virtual are Dhaoda, Ain, Bija, Sehna etc. sanctuaries in the State. visual feast with birds like paradise Occasionally Tiger, Sambar, Chital, flycatcher, the elusive Trogon, many Blue bull, Giant Squirrel, Wild boar, Sanjay Gandhi National species of Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Barking deer are also visible. Park Borivali, Mumbai and Drongos. The continuous calling In the center of congested Mumbai of large large green barbet, the wildly Melghat Tiger Reserve is the miraculously preserved green screeching parakeets,the metallic Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in oasis - Sanjay Gandhi National Park calls of the Racket-trailed Drongo, and Dharni Tehsils of (SNGP). Many may not be aware but the musical call of the Blue flycatcher Amaravati District in Satpuda hill SNGP is the largest park in the world or the extremely melodious some range. This tiger reserve of 1676.93 located within city limits having a of the Malabar whistling thrush or Sq. km. was founded in 1974 with sizable population of big cats like the familiar refrain of the Spotted objectives of maintaining viable tiger

april 2013 39 Maharashtra Ahead population and preserve the national heritage for posterity. The forest in rugged and hilly area of Melghat is typical Southern dry deciduous forest. This consist mainly of Tectona grandis, Ain, Tiwas, Aola, Lendia, Dhawada, Kusum are the important tree species. Bamboo is widely spread in the forests. Some orchids and strobilanthes in the upper hills. The area is rich in Medicinal plants. There are 750 species of plants in the area. There are 260 species of birds in the published checklist. Serpant eagle, Paradise Flycatchers are commonly seen in the area. The Major Wildlife Attractions in area is rich in wild mammals. Tiger, Maharashtra Rohan, Tick and Shisham, Tendu and Leopard, Sloth bear, Wild dog, Jackal, Tiwas. The main shrubs found in • Anerdam Wildlife Sanctuary Hyaena, Chausingha, Sambar, Gaur, • Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary this area are Bharati, Dudhi, Ghaneri, Barking, deer, Wild boar, Mondeys • Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary Nirgudi, Phetra, Bamboo, Katang are commonly seen. Ratel, Pangolin, • Dajipur Bison Sanctuary bamboo, Kusal. The undergrowth Cheetal, Mouse deer are rarely seen. • Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary consist of Divali, Gajargawat, Goakru, There are about 25 types of fishes, • Rantulsi, Tarota and Marvel, Sabai many varieties of Butterflies. • Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Thikhadi are the main grasses. • Mahim Nature Park Eroni, Gunj, Gulvel and Khobarvel Pench National Park, • Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary are main climbers. • Udyan Zoo Nagpur • Tadoba National Park The Pench National Park and Tiger • Chikhaldara Wildlife Sanctuary Tadoba National Park , Reserve extends over an area of 257 • Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary Chandrapur sq. km. in the lower southern reaches • Katepurna Sanctuary Tadoba National Park (116.55 Sq. of the Satpura hill ranges, along the • Melghat Tiger Reserve Kms.) - Andhari wildlife sanctuary northern boundary of . • Navegaon National Park (508.85 Sq. Kms.) together form It was declared a National Park by the • Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve Government of Maharashtra in 1975 • Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary (625.40 Sq. Kms.). The National Park and received the official status of • Wildlife Sanctuary derives its name from the local tribal • Kalsubai Wildlife “Tiger Reserve of India” in February Sanctuary God “Taru”, whereas the Andhari 1999. • Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary river flowing through the forests gives The 25th Tiger Reserve of India, • Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary the Sanctuary, its name. Pench National Park nestles in a • Nayagaon Mayur Sanctuary The land vegetation is typical picturesque setting of hills and dales. • Sanjay Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary Tropical Dry deciduous type having Being close to Nagpur city, it bids fair • Tipeshwar Sanctuary Teak as dominant species. Some of to be a popular tourist center, not only • Wan Sanctuaries the major tree species found within on account of wildlife therein, but the protected area are Teak, Ain, also due to scenic beauty of park, to and a wide variety of insect life. The Arjun, Behada, Bija, Bhera, Bor, Bel, which meandering Pench river lends common animals in this sanctuary are Chichwa, Dhawada, Kusum, Mahua, special charm. In summer the river Common Langur, Jackal, Wild dog, Mowai, Phetra, Rohan, Salai, Semal, retains water in pools strewn along its Sloth bear, Indian Grey Mongoose, Shisham, Sisoo, Shivan, Surya, Sirus, bed, locally known as doh’. To the east Striped Hyaena, Tiger, Leopard, Tendu. lies ‘Golia Pahar’ about 670 meters Jungle cat, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Although the major attraction is above the main sea level, which is the Sambar, Barking Deer, Indian Bison, the Tiger, the large herds of Chital, the highest hill in Nagpur district. Nilgai, Chausinga, Large Brown stately Sambar, the elusive Barking The park is home to 33 species Flying Squirrel, Porcupine, Pangolin. Deer, the fleet footed Chausinga, the of mammals, 164 species of birds, Main trees species are Anjan, majestic Gaur, the robust Nilgai, the 50 species of fish, 10 species of Bhirra, Bija, Haldu,m Hirda, Kalam, shy Sloth Bear, the whistling Wild amphibians, 30 species of reptiles, Khair, Medsing, Moha, Mokha, Palas, dogs, the omnipresent Wild Boar, and

40 april 2013 the stealthy Leopard make lasting Sloth bears, and Wild dogs are main bamboo. Kudgudi, Tarwad, Gokhru, impressions on the visitors to this wild life species in this national park. Tarota, Neel & Kuda are aome of the Reserve. main shrubs found over here. The As the night falls the Small Indian Bhamragarh Wildlife common grasses are Chir, Mussam, Civet, the Palm Civet, the Ratel, the Sanctuary Gawat, Khus and Kusal. Flying squirrel make their presence It is home to a variety of wild animals felt. , Wild Boars, Spotted including quite a few endangered Chikhaldara Deer, Barking deer, Gaurs, Blue species like the leopard, jungle fowl, Featured in the epic, the Mahabharata, bulls, Four horned Antelopes, Indian wild boar and sloth bear. You can this is the place where Bheema Pangolins, Porcupines and Common also find the barking deer, blue bull, killed the villainous Keechaka in a Langoors are main wild animals peacock and flying squirrel among herculean bout and then threw him found in this national park. other animals. into the valley. It thus came to be The land vegetation can be known as Keechakadara Chikhaldara Navegaon National Park, classified as moist deciduous mix is its corruption. But there’s more Gondia forests. The local people in and around to Chikhaldara. The sole hill resort Nature here is wreathed in smiles, the Bhamragarh Wildlife Sanctuary in the Vidarbha region, it is situated with the peerless Navegaon Lake are mostly tribals belonging to the at an altitude of 1118 m and has spreading its silvery mirror beneath Gond-Madia tribes. The main tree the added dimension of being the mountains over an expanse of 11 species are Ain, Arjun, Behada, Bija, the only coffee-growing area in sq. km. There is an interesting legend Bel, Shishamtendu, Hirda, Kusum, Maharashtra. It abounds in wildlife about Navegaon Lake. It is said to Jamun, Mango, Haldu, Kadam and - panthers, sloth bears, sambar, have been built by one Kolu Patel Koli wild boar, and even the rarely seen at the beginning of the eighteenth wild dogs. Close by is the famous century. He is now defined as Kolasur Vidarbha region is well known for its Melghat Tiger Project which has Deo and his shrine is on one of the lush green deciduous forests which 82 tigers. The scenic beauty of peaks surrounding the lake. The are home to a variety of flora and Chikhaldara can be enjoyed from fauna. Most of Maharashtra’s tiger peaks are known as ‘sat bahini’ or reserves are located in Vidarbha. Hurricane Point, Prospect Point, the ‘seven sisters’. It is believed that These are Melghat Tiger Reserve in and Devi Point. Other interesting these deities helped Kolu in building Amravati district, Tadoba-Andhari excursions include Gavilgad and the lake. On the fringe of the lake Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district , the Pandit Nehru is an idol of Hanuman, the deity of and Pench Tiger Reserve in Nagpur Botanical Gardens, the Tribal district. The Nagzira wild life sanctuary strength, whose feet are said to go and Navegoan Bandh National Park Museum and the Semadoh Lake. below the embankment. (bird sanctuary) of Gondia District are The forest is typical “Southern also very popular. Although the east- Dajipur mixed dry deciduous forest”. The ern region of the Vidarbha is poorer in The jungle resort of Dajipur is situated main species are Teak, Haldu, Jamun, natural resources in comparison with on the border of Kolhapur and the west, it contains Maharashtra’s Kawat, Mahua, Ain, Bhel and Bhor oldest National Park created in 1955, Sindhudurg districts. Surrounded by etc. Fauna: Tigers, Panthers, Bisons, the Tadoba Tiger Reserve spanning rugged mountains and dense forests, Sambars, Nilgais, Chitals, Wild boars, 575.78 km2, one of India’s 39 Project this secluded little place is home to Tiger Reserves. bison, wild deer, chital, gawa and many more spectacular wild animals and birds. Dajipur is an exciting and beautiful holiday getaway, situated 1200 metres above sea level.

Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary The sanctuary has a number of fish, 34 species of mammals, 166 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles and four species of amphibians. The invertebrate fauna includes, besides a number of insects and ant species, several species of butterflies. Nearly 30,000 tourists visit this sanctuary annually. 

april 2013 41 Maharashtra Ahead Exploring the Wild World in Jawali Tapole is developed as a tourist spot The western part of Mahabaleshwar i.e. the Jawali valley still has dense forests. Apart from Wild Boars, Peacocks, Monkeys, Deer and Bears one may also come across Leopards in these forests states Hrishikesh Yadav.

ahabaleshwar region is one Wild Boars, Peacocks, Monkeys, Deer and descend by this age-old track, of the major destinations and Bears one may also come across in the direction of . As we Mfor trekkers. It holds many Leopards in these forests. go down, the metalled road crosses attractions. This area has gained Day-1 : Reach Mahabaleswar in our path a number of times. A one historical importance due to the the morning. Spend some time in and half hour’s descent takes us near forts constructed by Shivaji Maharaj visiting nearby areas and last minute the Vada Kumbhroshi village. From and the meeting of Shivaji Maharaj purchasing. After lunch, set-off by here a metalled road leads right up with Afzal Khan, the bridge over the the road going towards Poladpur. A to Pratapgad. We, however choose Koyna river has also added to its 15-20 minutes’ walk brings us to a to continue walking on the foot-track importance. There are numerous check-post. The road bifurcates here. and reach the fort entrance within passes such as Radtondi, Par, Hatlot The straight road goes to the Mumbai half an hour. etc. connecting the Mahad-Khed point while the one turning to the Pratapgad is one of the important region in the Kokan to the Satara-Wai right goes to Poladpur via Pratapgad. forts built by Shivaji Maharaj during region on the Deccan Plateau which We take the road on the right. the establishment of Swarajya. When make various treks enjoyable in this Half a kilometer’s walk brings us Shivaji Maharaj captured Jawali in area. Even though most of the forests to a Jananidevi temple on the left 1656, he noticed the Bhorpya hill in of the Sahyadri have been destroyed side. After walking ahead from the the region. Realising the importance by tree-felling, the western part of temple for another half a kilometer, of the strategic position of the hill, Mahabaleshwar i.e. the Jawali valley we see a foot-track descending to situated near the path joining the still has dense forests. Apart from our right. We leave the road here Kokan and the Wai region, Shivaji

42 April 2013 Maharaj decided to fortify the hill. fort, we see the watch-tower right in July 1661. The temple also holds a The fort was built in two years front of us. Turning left, we climb up quartz Shivling which used to be time, by Hiroji Indulkar, under the the steps by the side of the lake on the worshipped by Shivaji Maharaj. supervision of Moropant. right side and come to the Bhavani Coming out of the temple, we start Later in order to control the spread Mata temple. On the fort, there are climbing the steps in front, which of Swarajya, Adilshah sent Afzalkhan Dharamshalas and rest-houses which lead to the Balekilla. To the right we to get rid of Shivaji Maharaj. Shivaji offer accommodation, but one can see the Hanuman idol installed by Maharaj invited Afzalkhan for a also make arrangement with the Swami Ramdas. After entering the meeting on Pratapgad. During this local people. Food is available at the Balekilla, we visit the temple of meeting, on the 10th November restaurants. Shri Vetal, the Kedareshwar Mahadev 1959, Afzalkhan tried to kill Shivaji Dumping our sacks at one of the temple and the statue of Shivaji Maharaj. But Shivaji Maharaj, who rest houses, we set off for a visit of Maharaj stride a horse. Later, was prepared for such an attack, the fort, starting with the Bhavani walking by the side of the fort wall, we managed to kill Afzalkhan and also Mata temple. The eight handed have a look at the valleys below in defeated his army. In 1818, Pratapgad Mahishasurmardini idol astride a the Kokan, from the western side of went into the hands of the British. lion, was sculpted out of a Shaligram the fort. After sunset, we return to Currently, the fort is being maintained stone, specially brought by Shivaji the restaurant, have dinner and also by the Bhosale family of Satara. Maharaj from the Gandki river arrange for some packed food for the As we enter the first entrance of the in Nepal. It was installed here in next day.

April 2013 43 Maharashtra Ahead

Day-2: We leave Pratapgad About a 100 ft descent from behind The Ghonaspur-Chaturbet treks early morning and walk down to the right side of the temple brings us takes about one and half hour. From Afzalkhan’s tomb at the base of the to a rock-cut water cistern. There is Chaturbet we take the path going fort. From here, a foot-track descends nothing else of interest on this section. to Dudhgaon. On way we cross a over a spur. Taking this foot track, To go to the second section, we have junction, over a river. There are buses we reach the Sondpar village within to descend down the fort half way and which ply from Mahabaleshwar to 20-25 minutes. Then proceeding then take the path going towards the Dudhgaon. Without spending much along the unmetalled road, we pass right, as there is no path directly going time in Dudhgaon, we start climbing Parpar village within 5 minutes and from the top to this section. Except in the direction of the Zolai pass by after another 15 minutes, we come for some broken fortifications, there a prominent foot track and reach across the unmetalled road going is nothing on this part of the fort. If there within two hours. There are towards Dudhgaon. We turn right one wishes one can spend night on the some settlements on the way. The here and continue on this road. After fort. We descend down to Ghonaspur Mahabaleshwar Tapole road opens some time, we come across a stone and make arrangements for our stay through the Zolai pass. We board a bridge built over the Koyna river. with one of the villager. The villagers bus coming from Mahabaleshwar and This bridge, built by Shivaji Maharaj may also cook food if supplied with arrived at Tapole. is still in a good condition. Crossing the provision. Now Tapole is developed as a the bridge, we continue further till we Day-3 : As we have to cover a tourist spot. The waters of the Koyana reach a junction. Here, we leave the longer distance, we leave much before and the Solshi rivers join the back road going to Dudhgaon and instead, day break. Taking the path descending waters of the Koyana dam. Private turning right, take the road going to from Ghonaspur, we reach a flat boats are available for boating. Some Hatlot. An hour’s walk brings us to stretch after 20 minutes. Two paths hotels have also been built. As we the Hatlot settlement. The settlement have to spend the night in Kusapur, is spread across four hamlets. To the we had lunch in Tapole and then left left of the first hamlet, stands a Maruti for Kusapur, by the 3pm launch of temple which can be used as a shelter the Zilla Parishad. The launch slowly for the night. All the hamlets have winds its way through the Koyana tap-water facility; the lower hamlets lake, stopping at Gadavli, Tetli, get water from the Hatlot pass while Sotadi, Bamnoli, Dar, Shembadi, the upper hamlet gets water from Pimpli and Shelti villages on the way. Makarandgad. It reaches Kusapur after one hour. After having luch in Hatlot we The launch does only one trip per proceed towards Makarandgad. day and therefore it is important to Crossing the iron bridge built over reach Tapole in time. Otherwise one the stream in front of the temple, can take private launch to reach to we pass the upper hamlet and enter Kuusapur. In fact, Vasota is nearer to the thickets. An hour and fifteen Met Indavli than Kusapur and private minutes’ climb brings us to the base launches are available at Tapole for of the left wall of the fort. Turning Met Indavli. But since there is no right here, we walk for 20 minutes settlement at Met Indavli, one has to and reach the Gamdevi temple. The stay at Kusapur. We spend the night path going straight from the temple in the ‘Samaj Mandir’ at Kusapur. leads to Ghonaspur. We take the can be seen here. The one on the right Day-4 : As we have to catch path, on the right climbing towards descends to Dabhe village from where the evening launch to Tapole from Makarandgad and reach the top a launch leaves for Tapole village at 7 Kusapur after returning from Vasota, within 25 minutes. Although the fort am. We take the path on the left which we leave very early in the morning. is named Makarandgad (the fort of enters the thickets. After descending Walking in the east direction, between honey), there may not be any honey for a while we cross a stream on the spur on the right and the bank of the combs around, and in any case, it is way, and come to an open patch on lake on the left, we come across a foot- not a layman’s task to extract the the hillock to the left. We turn right track after 15-20 minutes. Turning honey from them. here and enter the thickets. right, we take this foot-track and start The fort is divided in two sections. From this point onwards, we walk climbing the hill. After 45 minutes we On the top of the first section stands towards the left side without turning come to a col. From here, a 10 minutes a Mallikarjun Mahadev temple which anywhere on the right. This path descent brings us to the bank of the has been renovated by the villagers. descends to the ‘Chaturbet’ settlement. lake. At this spot, one or two huts of

44 April 2013 Met Indvli hamlet can be seen. After 5 minutes walk by a foot track along the bank of the lake we come to one tip of the lake. The private launches from Tapole to Met Indvli stop at this point. Also one can come here by launch from Bamnoli. From here, we take the prominent foot-track leading towards Vasota. After 15 minutes, we come across a Maruti temple. The route from here onwards up to the wall of Vasota goes through thick forest but is quite prominent. It takes about an hour and a half to reach the fort. Fortunately, this area is still being spared from deforestation and even the fort top has dense vegetation. According to historical record the Vasota fort was built by King Bhojraj II of the Shilahar dynasty. In 1656, Shivaji Maharaj annexed this fort to his kingdom along with the Jawli region. Later, in 1730, there was a pinnacle, the Nageshwar pinnacle can Kusapur route. conflict between the Peshava and also be seen along with the cave at its Initially there is a descent but soon the Pant Pratinidhi of Aundh. Bapu base. The route going from Vasota to a climb begins and the path passes Gokhale, Senapati of the Peshavas, this spot is also visible. by the side of a water pipe, from the defeated the Pant Pratinidhi. Angered Soon after lunch, we start right side of the hillock and comes to a by this defeat Tai Telin, the mistress descending. After about 10 minutes plateau. From here it descends down of Pant Pratinidhi, went to Vasota descent a path branches off to the on the other side and enters a thicket and led a revolt against the Peshavas. left. Taking this path, we descend after 15 minutes. The descent is Bapu Gokhale then fought her as well through thick bushes of Karvi quite steep and some places it is also and captured Vasota after a tough and come to a grassy plain. From slippery, thanks to the small pebbles battle. here, we walk along the edge of the on the path. The descend ends at the On the left side of the fort top lie valley on the left, in the direction of lake. It takes about an hour and fifteen some water tanks. As we proceed Nageshwar. Near the Nageshwar minutes to reach here. Turning right, ahead from the tanks, we see the old pinnacle, slightly below on the right, we take the cart-road and walking by Vasota fort in front, in the southern stands a recently built water tank. As the side of the lake towards the east, direction along with its Babu cliff. it is not visible from the main route a we reach Kusapur within half an hour. Below, to the left, the ridge connecting board indicating its location has been Take a launch from Kusapur to old Vasota to Chhota Vasota is seen. placed on the way. Standing next to Tapole and from there take a bus We then turn back and go behind the the board and looking down over the for Mahabaleshwar for the return thickets which lie above the water cliff we can see small steps carved out journey. tanks. Ruins of an old house can be in the wall. This is the route coming Those who want to get down seen after some time. Going further, up from Chorwane village in the Khed in Kokan via Chakdev can take an we come across a lake and a single taluka. Proceeding ahead from this evening launch from Kusapur and wall of the Maruti temple carved spot we come to a bifurcation on the get down at Arav. From here, one can out in rock. We take the path in the right side. One of the paths leads to walk by the lake side for about half front of this temple and climb down the water tank below and the other an hour to reach Met Shendi village. a bit to reach a Mahadev temple. goes to Kusapur. We decide to first Take a halt for a night in the village. This is the only shelter available on visit the cave. It takes about an hour Next day visit to Chakdev village. the fort and can accommodated 8 to to reach there from Vasota. There The villagers belong to the Lingayat 10 persons. There is a bastion and is a Shivling inside the cave with a Jangam sect. From here a prominent some fortifications slightly ahead continuous drip of water from the path descends to Amboli village in of the temple. From here we can rocks falling on it. After a brief rest Kokan and from there one can reach see a pinnacle in front. Behind this here we return back and take the Khed by bus for return journey.. 

April 2013 45 Budget Highlights 2013-14 Framework for All Inclusive Development

he current fiscal year budget Rs. 53.50 crore. • Provision for Fodder Supply shows what made Maharashtra, • For Various Agricultural Develop- Rs. 186 crore. Tthe progressive State, its ment Programmes Rs. 751.04 crore • National calamity response fund policies of integrated development • For Mahatma Gandhi National Rs. 1050 crore. with equilibrium of growth of Rural Employment Guarantee agriculture and industry; rural and Scheme Rs.787.39 crore. Industry urban; science and technology. • Provision For Irrigation Projects The budgetary allocations for these Rs. 7249.70 crore. sectors corroborate this. • Maharashtra Water Sector Impr- ovement Projects Rs. 400 crore Economic Review for rehabilitation of canal and distribution works.

ANIMAL HUSBONDARY DAIRY • For Industrial Promotion Subsidy AND FISHERIES Rs. 2500 crore. • Poultry Development, Distribution • Electricity subsidy for Powerlooms of Goat Unit, Artifcial insemination Rs. 939 crore. for heredity improvement and milk • Allied and basic infrastructure production Rs. 68 crore. for promotion of Industry • Distribution of fodder seeds, Rs.123.11 crore. chalfcutter, silage making and grass land development including grass Health reservoirs Rs. 43.97 crore. • Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya • Development of Fishing Jetties Yojana Rs. 325 crore. • During 2012-13 Gross State Rs. 25 crore. • Construction of Health Institutes Domestic product is expected to Rs. 477.98 crore. increase by 7.1%. • National Rural Health Mission • For the year 2011-12 Per Capita State Rs. 500 crore. Income estimate at Rs. 95,339.

State Annual Plan • Size of Annual Plan of the State Rs.46,938 crore. • Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan Rs. 4,787.68 crore. • Tribal Sub Plan Rs. 4,177.48 crore • District Plan (General) Rs. 5,200 crore. • Mechanisation of Fishing Boats, Preservation and Marketing of Agricultural and Allied Catch Fish- Rs.37.65 crore. sectors • The Provision for the scheme of Various Measures on Education and Sports Providing Agriculture Loan at Scarcity Situation • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and subsidized rate Rs. 346.75 crore. • Provision for Supply of Water Rashtriya Madhymik Shiksha • To Keep Buffer Stock of Fertilizers Rs. 850 crore. Abhiyan Rs. 711.50 crore.

46 April 2013 • Provision for Girls Hostel Rs. 100 crore. • Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban • Non salary Grants for Granted Renewal Mission Rs. 1600 crore. Private Primary, Secondary and • Maharashtra Survarna Jayanti Higher Secondary School Rs. 266.82 Nagarotthan Mahabhiyan Rs.650 crore. crore. • Computer Training Programme • Assistance for Amenities Rs. 452 crore. Developments for Newly Created/ Newly added areas of Urban Local Bodies Rs. 20 crore. • Scheme of Basic Services to Urban pment Corporation Rs.120 crore. Poor Rs. 220 crore. • Viability Gap Funding for Four • Rajiv Awas Yojana Rs. 40 crore. Laning Works Rs. 175 crore. • Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Welfare of Schedule Rs. 64crore. Castes, Schedule Tribes • Mihan Project Rs. 200 crore and Weaker Section • Railway Projects Up-gradatation of • Aam Admi Vima Yojana Rs. 34.29 Railway Tracks Rs. 63.72 crore. crore. • For Aviation Projects and • Financial Assistance to Families Modernization of Airports belonging to Schedule Castes for • Providing Educational Material to Rs. 240.69 crore. construction of dwelling units the Student Rs. 193 crore. Rs. 320 crore. • Provision for State Sports and youth Energy • Construction of Tribal Ashram Policy Rs. 150.83 crore. • Projects of Mahajeneco Rs. 1902 crore. Schools, Hostels and other works • Technical Education Quality impro- • Hydro Electric Projects Rs. 196.47 Rs. 501.38 crore. vement Programme Rs. 80 crore. crore. • Golden Jubilee Pre-Matric Scholarship for Tribal Rs. 203.68 Water Supply and crore. Sanitation • Thakkar Bappa Adivasi Vasti Sudhar Yojana Rs. 245.23 crore. • Electrifcation In Tribal Areas Rs. 82.89 crore. • Programme for Health in Tribal Area Rs. 244.33 crore. • Government Contribution for • Minority Development Rs. 280 Various Projects of Mahadiscom crore. Rs. 409.42 crore. • Janashree Bima Yojana Rs. 12 crore. • Share Capital for the Projects of Mahatransco Rs. 300 crore. Women and Child • Non-conventional Energy Sources Development Development Rs. 80 crore.

Urban Development and Housing • National Rural Drinking Water Programme Rs. 200 crore. • Rural Dalit Vasti Water Supply and Sanitation Rs.60 crore. • Maharashtra Sujal Nirmal Abhiyan Rs. 145.45 crore. • Nutrition Programme for children in age of 0 to 6 and Pregnant woman Infrastructural and Lactating Mothers Rs. 1264.76 Development crore. • Road Development Rs. 2716.67 crore. • Rajiv Gandhi Sabala Yojana Rs. • Maharashtra State Road Develo- 110.78 crore.

April 2013 47 Maharashtra Ahead

Home Department TAX PROVISIONS • Modernization Of Police Force Rs. • Surveillance of transactions by Sales 317.17 crore. Tax Department to go up. • Installation of CCTV Surveillance • Tax exemption on essential Rs. 149.78 crore. commodities, Solapuri chadars and towels, wet dates to continue up to 31st March, 2014. • Tax exemption on currants and raisins to continue up to 31st March, 2014. • Concessional rate on tea to continue up to 31st March, 2014. • VAT exemption on Braille watches and vehicles for handicapped. • Constructions of Administrative • Reduction in rate of tax of AICD Building and Government Quarters heart implant from 12.5 per cent to Rural Development and of Zilaparishad/Panchayat Samiti 5 per cent. Tourism Rs. 55 crore. • Backward Regions Grant Fund Rs. • Constructions of Residential 309 crore. Buildings for Police Rs. 100.30 • Rural Pilgrimage Development crore. Scheme Rs. 25 crore. • Constructions of Police Stations and • Kokan Rural Tourism Rs. 50 crore. Offce Buildings Rs.88 crore. • Constructions of Court Buildings and Residential Quarters for Judges Rs. 213.60 crore. • Constructions of Godowns Rs. 24 crore. • Constructions of Administrative Building under Revenue Departments.133. 66 crore.

Development of • Reduction in rate of tax on certain • Provision for Various Programmes excavators from 12.5 per cent to 5 for Preservation and Development per cent. of Marathi Language Rs. 15.60 crore. • Rice bran, hand pumps, water meter exempt from tax. • To Develop Infrastructure For • Increase in tax rate of gold, silver Tourism and Land Acquisition and their jewellery from 1 per cent of Land for Sea World Project in to 1.10 per cent and sugar cane Sindhudurg Rs. 285 crore. purchase tax from 3 percent to 5 percent to raise fund for drought Planning Department relief for one year. • Development Plan for Taj Bagh area • Increase in tax on bidi, cigarette and at Nagpur Rs. 20 crore. tobacco. • Development Plan for Seva Gram At • Textile for industrial use to be taxed Wardha Rs. 30 crore. at 5 percent. • Tax on paver blocks to be increased Constructions of from 5 percent to 12.5 percent. Building • Financial Institutions liable to pay • Constructions of Administrative Cultural Activities stamp duty on mortgage deeds. Buildings, Government Quarters, • For Preservation and Conservation • Increase in excise duty on country Various Government Offces Rs. of Historical Heritage of Monuments liquor, I.M.F.L. and strong beer. 118.08 crore. and Museums Rs. 37 crore. • Increase in tax on Lottery. 

48 April 2013 Overcoming Drought iary Delhi D and Railways on Track…

resently the issue of scarcity is on the anvil at scene in Delhi Pand it can be seen that there is a unanimous verdict from all the parties on many related issues related with scarcity. It is very heartwarming for the State to see that the young Members of Parliament are taking the lead in this matter. The impression is strongly observed due to the vast and varied political and administrative experience of the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in New Delhi and his untiring efforts being ably supported by the senior leaders from the State including Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad the devastation of farms before the many projects the sentiments of Pawar, Union Minister for Home Central Government. Union Minister the MPs ran high. Therefore young Sushilkumar Shinde and others. The for Agriculture Sharad Pawar is the Members of Parliament had a concerted unanimity was reflected Chief of this Committee and according meeting with the Union Minister for in the adequate help received by the to him the present situation is worse Railways Pavankumar Bansal on the State for drought mitigation and the than 1972. Hence, Maharashtra was 27th February to question him on additional provision in the Railway successful in presenting the actual the reasons why many projects and Budget resultant of a demand from position of the drought in the State. demands from Maharashtra were not the peoples’ representatives. The Depending on the situation the State considered in the Railway Budget. He unity of Maharashtra stance was is expected to receive more help understood the sentiments of the MPs the only reason that Maharashtra from the Centre. The Chief Minister and assured that ongoing projects in received so many projects. Under and the Deputy Chief Minister are Maharashtra in connection with the the leadership of Sharad Pawar all constantly in touch with Centre for Railways as well as those projects party Members of Parliament met the same. As elected representatives which have already been sanctioned the Prime Minister and apprised him from the area Union Minister for would not lag behind just because of the various projects and demands Home Sushilkumar Shinde and Union these have not been mentioned in the from the State. Minister of State for Coal Pratik Patil Budget. He provided a status report are also explaining the circumstances on the projects where the MPs had Help to Overcome to the Central Ministers, leading the their doubts. Apart from this action Drought drought situation in the State. was taken on the recommendations The major achievement of the made by the Chief Minister for the month was the financial help of Rs. All Party Unity State. 1207 crore received by the State for The all party unity in the State was However even after this explanation drought mitigation. The help was evident even in the Railway Budget the MPs were not satisfied about the announced after a decision by the this year. After the Railway Budget progress of certain projects. Therefore Empowered Group of Ministers on was presented in the month of on the 1st March all the MPs from Drought. Before the decision an February many MPs expressed their the State irrespective of party met Inter-Ministerial Central Team had regret over the lack of representation Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan visited the drought hit areas of the for the State in the Railway Budget. Singh under the leadership of Shrad State. This reflected a clear picture of As the Budget had no mention of Pawar. During this meeting the

April 2013 49 Maharashtra Ahead

will make available drinking and everyone should start speaking this irrigation water available for villages language at their homes. Both made in 5 Talukas of the District namely it clear that in such a manner the Dharmabad, Billori, Umari, Naigaon proportion of Marathi speaking people and Mudkhed. The Municipalities will be maintained and increased. of Kondalwadi, Dharmabad and They appreciated efforts for love for Mudkhed will also be supplied water Marathi language carried out outside from Babhali dam. Maharashtra. On this occasion 3 On the occasion of Shahid Din, a Postage non-Marathi journalists from other Stamp was released in honour of Huta- Scintillating Marathi States and who learned Marathi tma Rajguru at Rashtrapati Bhavan and Programme were felicitated. These were Prashant these are his family members. This went on to become an occasion of revered in- India Gate witnessed two scintillating Natu, Bureau Chief of a Kannada debtedness for Marathi community and as well as rich Marathi language News Channel, Rajiv Sharma, Delhi for MP Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil a serene programmes. New Delhi has been Representative, Hitvada and Ranjeet moment of fulfillment of a commitment. one of the pioneer Marathi language Singh, Delhi Representative TV9 centre outside Maharashtra. The Maharashtra News Channel. They Prime Minister assured that a State Drama Festival at Delhi being shared their happiness of learning such as Maharashtra would not be held for the last 70 years. Marathi Marathi while being a journalist in neglected. Under this consolidated Rangabhoomi Din, Marathi Bhasha Maharashtra. With Marathi as the pressure Union Minister for Railways Din are some of the programmes 4th topmost public language these Pavankumar Bansal declared two new which represent and showcase a journalists expressed their pride to routes Nashik-Pune and Manmad- rich Marathi cultural movement. possess knowledge of this language. Indore as well as additional weekly The Culture Affair Department Under the joint aegis of Sahitya express trains Mumbai-Karaikal and is the streangth behind this. The Sanskriti Mandal, Marathi Language Nagpur- Ajmer while sanctioning Maharashtra Information Centre, Department and Maharashtra the supplementary demands of his Information Centre a 3 day Book Ministry. He announced 260 kms Festival was organized. In a justified Nashik-Pune Railway route. This reverence for the World Women’ route will pass through Nashik Road, Day on the 8th March, a Symposium Sinnar, Sangamner, Rajgurunagar, was organized on the topic of Chakan and Pegdewadi. He also inculcation of reading habits and announced Manmad-Indore track women leadership. The symposium as Rs. 2,200 Crore project passing that was graced with attendance by through , Dhule and elite women personalities from Delhi Nardana. expressed the great resolve of Savitri During the same period an and Jijau in the Capital city. Another important decision from the Supreme At a glittering ceremony in the Capital a momentous occasion in the Capital book authored by Prof. Sunayana Singh Court resolved an issue between on the work of former President of India was the publication of 24 Akbar Road Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh Pratibhatai Patil titled “Reinventing Lead- translated by senior journalist Suresh on Babhali Dam. The apex court ership” was published with all grandeur. Bhatewara in the presence of a large In a great celebration a copy of the same passed orders for blocking the water was presented to the President Pranab number of dignitaries. from the dam. The State will be able Mukherji . During the last few years the to close the doors of the dam with Marathi Cinema has shed its skin. effect from 28th October resolving New Delhi under the Directorate Mandi House area of the capital is the irrigation problems of 20,000 General of Information and Public abounding with huge discussions acres of land in . Relations plays a leadership role in on Marathi theatre and cinema. This will also resolve the drinking this. This year the Marathi Language Vikram Gokhale has performed in water issue of 50 villages. According Day event was a colorful celebration. many quality plays staged in Delhi. to the orders passed by the Hon. Nirmala Sammant-Prabhawalkar, Therefore it was an occasion for Court Babhali Dam would be able to Member National Commission for celebrations for Drama lovers when store 2.78 TMC of water. At the same Women and MP Hussain Dalwai he was bestowed with the Best Actor time for Pochampad dam in Andhra guided the audiences through their Award. Actor Usha Jadhav also Pradesh we will have to release 0.6 treatise on prosperity of a Language. snatched the Best Actress Award this TMC water. This is really a good news In order to make Marathi richer and year for her role in the film DHAG.  for Nanded District as the decision prosperous and to make it expansive,  - Amarjyot Arora

50 April 2013 Punishable Offences Under Forests Act

What are the Acts prohibited in the forests? of summary trial under section 67 in the court Under Indian Forest Act, 1927 section 26 (1) the, of Judicial Magistrate (Ist class) as well as the kindling in or setting fire, trespassing and pasturing compounding of offences under section 68. At of cattle, felling or damage to the trees, quarrying present the Forest officers of the rank of Conservator stone or removing any forest produce, encroachment of Forests, Dy. Conservator of Forests and Assistant and poaching are the main acts prohibited in the Conservator of Forests are empowered to accept reserved forests. Similar activities are prohibited in from an offender, the payment of a sum of money by the protected forest if a notification under section 30 way of compensation for the damage and compound or Rules made under section 32 are contravened. the offence.

What is the punishment for the prohibited acts? What are the duties of a common man in As per section 26 (1) and section 33 (1) of the Indian preventing the forest offences? Forest Act 1927, the prohibited acts are punishable Under Section 79 of Indian Forest Act 1927, every with imprisonment for a term which may extend to person who exercises any right in the forests, or who 1 year or with fine which may extend to Rs.2000/-, has been permitted to take any forest produce or to or with both, in addition to the compensation for pasture cattle in such forests or every person in any damage done to the forests. In addition the tolls, village contiguous to forests who is employed by the vehicles used in committing such offences are liable Government or who receives emoluments from the to seizure and may be confiscated. Government is bound to assist forest/police officers for preventing of forest offences. Whether a forest officer has the powers to arrest the offender? Under section 64 (1) of Indian Forest Act 1927, any forest officer, police officer or revenue officer may Whether anything produced or found in the without orders form a Magistrate and without a forests is forest produce? warrant, arrest any person against whom reasonable Under section 2(4) everything when found in or suspicion exists of his being involved in a forest brought from forest is a forest produce. But there are offence. Under section 65 Of Indian Forest Act any several items which are forest produce irrespective forest officer of the rank of Range Forest Officer and of the fact whether these are found in forest or upwards, police officer of the rank of sub Inspector not. These include – timber, charcoal, caoutchouc, and upwards or any Revenue Officer of the rank of catechu, wood-oil, resin, natural varnish bark, lac, Tehsildar and upwards may release such person on mahua seeds, kuth, apta and tembhurni leaves, rosha his executing a bond. grass including oil derived therefrom, Rauwolfia serpenditina and myrabolams. Do the forest offenders have to be compulsorily � prosecuted? Note : For details, the Indian Forest Act 1927 Although the majority of the forest offences are non should be Refered. bailable as per section 64 A, there are provisions Maharashtra

vol 2 | issue no. 12 | March 2 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD013 | `50 | pages 52

Reservation in Jobs and Promotion to Higher Posts

Participation in Power through Reservation

Samajik Nyaya Bhavan

Finance & Development Financial Corporation Assistance for S Employment elf

Gharkul Yojana

Overseas Scholarship for Higher Studies

Education Scholarship New Era in S ocial Justice

O.I.G.S. Presented by The Government of India MaharashTra ahead

Digamber W. Palve Senior Assistant Director, Directorate General of Information and Public Relations, Maharashtra Government, Barrack No. 19, Free Press Journal Marg, Mumbai 400 021.

Printed at Navbharat Press Ltd., Navbharat Bhavan, Plot no. 13, Sector 8, Sanpada (East), Navi Mumbai 400 706. Published by Directorate General of Infromation & Public Relations Mantralaya Mumbai 400 032 on behalf of Government of Maharashtra. Editor-in-Chief Pramod T. Nalawade, Director General of Information and Public Relations.