Forest, Categories, Types, Functions and Institutional Framework for protection Rahul Kumar IFS PCCF (HOFF) Introduction • The word forest is derived from a Latin word“ Foris” means Outside • Forests are one of the most important natural resources of the earth. • Approximately 1/3rd of the earth’s total area is covered by forests • Forests vary a great deal in composition and density and are distinct from meadows and pastures. • Forests are important to humans and the biodiversity. For humans, they have many aesthetics, recreational, economic, historical, cultural and religious values. • Forests provide fuelwood, timber, fodder, wildlife, habitat, industrial forest products, climate, medicinal plants etc. Forest Cover of India • As per the State of forest report 2013, forest cover of country is 6,97,898 sq.km (69.79 million hectare) • This is 21.23% of the total geographical area of the country. • The tree cover of the country is estimated to be 9.13 million hectare which is 2.78% of the total geographical area. • The total forest and tree cover of the country as per 2013 assessment is 78.92 million hectare, which is 24.01% of the total geographical area of the country. • There is an increase of 5871 sq.km in the forest cover of the country in comparison to 2011 assessment. Source-India State of Forest Report 2013 FOREST COVER IN INDIA Years FOREST COVER % F. cover sq km Growing stock Million m. cum 2005 23.41 769,621 4602.30 2009 21.02 690,899 4498.66 2011 21.05 691,969 6047.158 2013 24.01 789,164 5658.046 77.51% 1.26% 9.70% 8.99% 2.54% 21.23% An Overview of Forest Area in Rajasthan • Total Geographical Area of the State : 342239 sq.km • Total Forest Cover of the State : 16086 sq.km • Tree Cover : 7860 sq.km • Total Forest & Tree Cover : 23946 sq.km • Per capita forest & Tree Cover : 0.035 Hectare • Of State’s Geographical Area : 7.00 % • Of India’s Forest &Tree Cover : 3.03 % • Very Dense Forest : 72 sq.km • Moderately Dense Forest : 4424 sq.km. • Open Forest : 11590 sq.km • Recorded Forest Area:- – Reserved Forest : 12475 sq.km – Protected Forest : 18217 sq.km – Un-classed Forest : 2045 sq.km Total : 9.57 % Source: India State of Forest Report, 2013 Physiographic Zones Land Use types Total Geographical area 3287263 sq km Arable land 51 % Forest Cover Distribution in India 10 to 40 % canopy density Source: Environmental Information system, Database WII India Area FSI, 2009 Growing stock in India State of forests, FSI 2009 g4g4gg545g By: erjveruivbevb Protected areas in India, 2011 Trends in PA,s India Up to 2016, Proposals: 75 NPs & 219 WL S Source: Environmental Information system, Database WII India Protective Functions • Forest Provide protection against Soil erosion, Droughts, floods, noise, radiations Soil erosion Soil erosion Floods Droughts Productive Functions • Forest Provide various products like, gum resins, medicines, Katha, honey, pulp, bamboo, timber, and fruits Regulative Functions • The Forest regulates the level of Oxygen and carbon dioxide in atmosphere. The forests also help in regulating temperature conditions Accessory Function • Forest provides aesthetics, habitat to various flora and fauna besides that it also has an recreational value. Ecological Importance or uses of Forests • Regulation of global climate and temperature • Forests play a crucial role in regulation of global climate and temperature as forest cover absorb the solar radiations that would otherwise be reflected back into the atmosphere by bare surface of the earth. • Transpiration of plants increases the atmosphere humidity which affects the rainfall, cools the atmosphere and thus regulate the hydrological cycle Reduction of Global Warming • The main green house gas co2 is used by forests for photosynthesis process, the forests act as a sink for co2 there by reducing the green house effect due to co2 Production of Oxygen • During Photosynthesis process forest releases oxygen a very important gas for human survival thereby are called as lungs of earth. Conservation of Soil • They prevent soil erosion by binding the soil particles tightly in their roots. They also reduce the velocity of wind and rain which are chief agents causing erosion Absorption of air pollutants • Forest absorbs many toxic gases and air pollutants and can help in keeping air pure. Economical Importance of Forests • Timber: Wood used for commercial purposes like for making furniture and other items like boats, bridges and other day to day uses. • Fuel Wood: The wood is used as fuel for cooking and other purposes by poor people. • Raw material for wood based industries: forests provide raw material for various wood based industries like paper and pulp, sports goods, furniture, match boxes etc. • Food: Fruits, roots, leaves of plants and trees along with the meat of forest animals provide the food to the tribal people. • Miscellaneous Products: Miscellaneous products like, resin, gums, oils, medicines, Katha, honey are provided by forests Tropical wet evergreen and semi evergreen forests • found in Southern Western Ghats, north-eastern India and Plains of West Bengal rainfall exceeding 200cms. • Height of trees is from 45- 60mts. • Vegetation is very dense. • Variety of species is very large consists of rose wood, paan, aini, telsur. Tropical moist deciduous forests • Found in Western ghats and ChotaNagpur plateau and Siwaliks of Himalayas. • These forests have hilly terrains and plateau regions with rainfall between 100- 200cms. • These are tropical monsoon forests with tall trees which rise upto 25-60mts. • Teak is a dominant species and other species are sandal wood, sal and shisham Tropical dry deciduous forests • occupy the large part of peninsular plateau, Ganga plain and area between the Thar, the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. • They cover vast areas of plateau and plain areas with rainfall between 70-100cms. • This type of forest is found with open formations and the important species are teak, bamboo, sal and khair. Forest Area- Udaipur Distt. RARE PLANT OF DRY DECIDUOUS FORESTS OF RAJASTHAN AERIDES CRISPUM RARE PLANT OF DRY DECIDUOUS FORESTS OF RAJASTHAN COSTUS SPECIOSUS ENSETE SUPERBUM RARE PLANT OF DRY DECIDUOUS FORESTS OF RAJASTHAN Hastikarn Thorn forests. • Found in the plains of Punjab, seaside's of Western ghats and the drier parts of the Deccan plateau, • This type forests are found in dry areas with rainfall less than 70cms. • The vegetation consists of open stunted forests and xerophytic bushes and trees are just 6-7mts high. • Acacias and euphoria's are common species everywhere Tidal forests • Tidal forests are found in channels and islands of the Indian deltas like Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna. • They grow in the brackish as well as fresh waters areas and where mud and silt get accumulated. • Mangrove is the most important tree in these forests which reaches 30mts high. • Canes and palms are the species. The Himalayan Temperate and Alpine forests • Found in all the ranges of middle and upper Himalayas. • The trees range from 100- 250cms.at an elevation 1600- 3000mts • The Alphine forests at a higher elevation of 3500mts and above. • A great variety of species like broad leafed temperate evergreen trees like oaks, laurels, chestnuts, walnuts etc… • The Alphine vegetation consists of birch junifers, silver fir and shrubby rhododendrons INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR PROTECTION OF FOREST • Principal Chief Conservator of Forests • Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests • Chief Conservator of Forests • Conservator of Forests • Deputy Conservator of Forests • Assistant Conservator of Forests • Range Forest Officer (Gr. I) • Range Forest Officer (Gr. II) • Forester • Assistant Forester • Forest Guard KEY ISSUES • Illegal mining activities • Encroachments • Forest fire • Grazing pressure • Fuel-wood removal • Shifting cultivation Impact of human activities and natural forces on the forest of India • Clearing and burning of the forests for agriculture,cattle rearing and timber extraction. • Clear cutting and conversion of forest land in hilly areas for agriculture,plantation and housing. • Forests affected by acid deposition originating from industries. • Pesticides spraying to control insects in forest plantation leads to poisoning all the way up the food chain and unintended loss of species. Impact of human pressures • Dams build in forest areas for hydropower and water drown huge areas ,destroying species and depriving people of their land. • In wilderness areas like the Arctic ,oil exploration and military activities disrupt the ecosystem ,contaminating areas and lead to decline of species. • The harvesting of old growth forests destroys crucial habitat for endangered species • . History of forest management • Ancient Indian scriptures and literature mention forest management • scientific study of managed forests and came with the colonial rule only • The Indian Forest Department was set up with British officers in senior positions and Indian officers to assist them. • Forest Act of 1878- control of all reserved forests including harvesting if timber and restricting access of the people and livestock to these forests. • 1890 almost every province in India had a permanent forest administration to look after the state forests. • Historically India had forest cover 65% • It shrunk to 40% by the middle of the century • Since India’s independence the figure has shrunk to 19% today. Management concern • JFM not extended to protected areas and well-stocked forests • lack of clarity regarding tenure • the extent of forestry department control within JFM is significant. • village organizations in most states have no autonomous status and can be dissolved by the forestry department. Causes of forest management failure • Indian Forest Act 1927 -restricting people’s access to ‘government’ forests • The Forest Act 1952- village communities should in no event be permitted to use forests at the cost of 'national interest'. • rights to manage forests were vested with the state governments till 1976 • After that forests put on the concurrent list • Prior to the Forest (Conservation ) Act 1980 the state governments could take any forest land out of forestry and put to other use such as agriculture, roads, and habitation settlement.