About forest resources of India:
The forest and tree cover of India is about 24.56% of the total geographical area of India. 12.4 percent are dense forests, 9.26 percent are open forests, and 0.15 percent are mangroves.
Major development projects have damaged the forest cover in India. According to estimates, since 1951, river valley projects have destroyed more than 5,000 sq km of forest area.
Although there has been a marked increase in forest cover in India due to forest conservation measures, management interventions, and plantation by conservation communities, the loss of forest cover from river dam projects and mining continues.
Destruction of forests is not just an environmental issue but is also associated with the loss of cultural diversity. Such losses largely affect the communities that are directly and indirectly dependent on forests.
So we need to preserve the forest ecosystem for ecological balance and cultural conservation.
Conservation of India's Forest Resources:
In the 1950s and 1970s, conservationists sought to conserve forests. Since then the measures to conserve forest resources can be divided into two types -
- Conservation measures initiated by the government.
- Conservation measures by the community and NGOs.
Forest Conservation Measures Launched by Government:
The following important policies have been adopted for the conservation of forests in India.
- National Forest Policy 1952
- National Forest Policy 1988
- National Forest Policy 2018
National Forest Policy 1952:
The National Forest Policy 1952, for a sustainable ecological balance, recommended 66 percent forest cover for hilly areas and 33% forest cover for plains and plateau areas.
For forest management and conservation purposes, forests were divided into three major categories:
- reserve forest
- protected forest
- unclassified forest
More than 50 percent of the total forests are classified as reserved forests. Reserved forests are the most valuable forests for maintaining the biodiversity of flora and fauna.
About a third of the forests are classified as protected forests. These forests have to be prevented from further degradation.
Reserved forests and protected forests are considered permanent forests for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce.
Unclassified forests are those forests that fall under barren land and other lands and are protected by the government, private individuals, and communities.
National Forest Policy 1988:
The National Forest Policy 1988 has recommended the following:
It recommended that there should be an overall forest cover of 33% for the maintenance of ecological balance and environmental sustainability.
It laid emphasis on the conservation and expansion of forest reserves and sustainable forest management to meet the needs of the local people.
It encourages people to reduce the pressure on the forest and use wood substitutes.
It emphasized afforestation by reducing floods and droughts and preventing soil erosion.
It promotes large-scale afforestation and social forestry.
This national park allows land use to promote wildlife conservation through a biosphere reserve
Forests are the national heritage of the country. Emphasis on conservation of forests for biodiversity and genetic pool.
It discourages forest-based industries
Draft National Forest Policy 2018:
The following are the recommendations for the draft National Forest Policy 2018.
It again emphasized that at least 33% of the forest area is meant for eco-sustainability.
PPP model The public-private partnership model emphasizes afforestation and reforestation in degraded forest areas.
Sustainable management of forests is necessary to meet the needs of the present and future.
It focuses on green belts around urban areas and transport lines.
The need to establish two bodies of forest conservation:
- National Commercial Forest Management
- National Forestry Board.
Community and Forest Conservation:
The Chipko movement has worked successfully against deforestation in the Himalayan region.
India Join Forest Management (JFM) is a good example of taking care of forests with the participation of local communities in forest management. JFM is in existence since 1988 and Odisha was the first state to pass the resolution for JFM.
- What are the measures being taken to conserve forest resources in India? ( 60-62nd BPSC geography)
- भारत के वन संसाधनों का संरक्षण
- Resources | Geography of India
- Marine resources of India
- Forest Resources of India
- India State of Forest Report(ISFR) 2019 summary
- Conservation of Forest Resources of India
- Social Forestry
- Wildlife Resources
- Conservation of Wildlife
- Wildlife sanctuary and National Park
- Project Tiger 1973
- Biosphere Reserves
- Biodiversity hot-spots
- Energy Crisis
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