Forest Management and Afforestation Programmes in Indiaby Dharmendra Kapri | 28-02-2017 04:46 |
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Forest Management- Forest should be properly managed and looked after. Noncommercial trees, old dying trees, trees damaged by storms and animals, diseased trees and crooked tress should be removed. This operation is called improvement cutting. As the timber trees mature, they should be cut off use. This is called selective cutting. It is better to remove the less vigorous trees for timber and allow the others a chance for normal growth. Such trees should be replaced by new ones quickly. Forest floor littered with fallen trees and broken branches should be cleared. Overcrowding of trees in the forest should be avoided. A well managed forest will provide mature trees for cutting regularly, and will thus, be a source of constant revenue. Afforestation Programmes Many afforestation programmes have been taken in hand by central and state governments. 1- Social Forestry Programme (1976)- It requires raising trees for fuel wood, fodder, agricultural implements and fruits on public and common lands for the benefits of rural community. The programme is aimed at reducing the demand on existing forests needed for soil and water conversation. 2- Agroforestry Programme- Is is aimed at reviving the ancient practice of using the same land for farming, forestry and animal husbandry. 3- Urban Forestry Programme- It is aimed at growing ornamental and fruit trees in urban areas along road, in private compounds and in common parks. 4- Production Plantation- It involves growing trees needed for industries in specific areas. 5- Reserve Forests- These are grown in ecologically fragile areas. Feeling trees and grazing cattle are prohibited in these forests. Nongovernmental Efforts- It is held by experts that at least one third of a country?s land should be under forests to sustain agriculture and maintain the quality of environment. Government effort and public cooperation are equally essential for raising and protecting forests. Chipko Andolan in Uttarakhand by woman successfully checked feeling trees by contractors. It was started in 1973 at Gopeshwar town of Chamoli district. The women saved the trees ear marked for cutting by hugging them (Chipko = Hug). Public agitation for preventing the construction of a hydroelectric project in the Silent Valley in Kerala is a nice example of people?s awareness about the importance of forests. |
