FORESTS AND SOIL CONSERVATION
DEVELOPMENT of forest resources is an integral part of the programme for optimum land utilisation. Forests have important protective as well as productive functions. They not only supply timber, fuel, fodder and a variety of other products but also have a moderating influence against floods and erosion and help maintain soil fertility. A number of industries, such as, construction, furniture, paper, rayon, plywood, matches, resin and tanning depend on forests for supply of raw materials. Development of forestry and forest industries is also essential for raising the income of the tribal people who live in the forest areas.
2. In view of India's tropical climate, periodic monsoons, low forest productivity and predominantly agricultural economy, it has been urged that at least a third of the total land area in the country should be under forests. But as against this, the actual proportion today is only 21.8 per cent. Moreover, most of the forests are concentrated in a few States only, namely, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa and a few Union Territories. In northern India, in particular, the proportion of forest land to the total area is much lower than the all India average. There is great need not only for increasing the forest area for the country as a whole but also for more intensive development in areas which are lacking in forest wealth.
3. While the area under forests continues to be at a low level, the demand for various forest products, both for industrial use and for domestic purposes, has been steadily increasing. It is estimated that the requirements of industrial wood (including pulp material) which amount to 4.5 million tons at present, would increase to about 9.5 million tons in 1975. The demand for paper and rayon grade pulp, in particular, is likely to expand considerably with growing population, increasing literacy and rising standards of living. As new plantations take 25 to 30 years to develop, in the ordinary course production may not increase beyond 5.5 million tons by 1975, thus leaving a gap of as much as 4 million tons. Due to acute shortage of fuel wood, nearly 400 million tons of cowdung (wet weight) equivalent to 60 million tons of firewood is annually burnt instead of being put in land as manure. The shortage of firewood is anticipated to be about 100 million tons by 1975. As regards minor produce, the present requirement of tanning materials is about 30.000 tons of pure tannin, 30 per cent of which still comes from abroad. In the case of medicinal plants, owing to favourable ecological situation there is considerable scope of development.
4. In productive areas in well-maintained forests, yields of about 2.75 tons per acre per annum are obtained for sal. of 4.10 tons for deodar and of 1.30 tons for chir pine. For several reasons the average yield in India is, however, extremely low. Large areas of unclassed State forests and the former private forests acquired by Government after the abolition of zamindari are understocked and require to be rehabilitated. In forests in inaccessible hilly areas a proportion of the timber is lost because of lack of adequate facilities for transportation. Large quantities of inferior woods which could be put to economic use through seasoning and preservation treatment remain only partially utilised. Customary forest frights and concessions, which are undoubtedly important, also have the effect of reducing the yield. As economic development proceeds and river valley and other projects are undertaken, to an extent forest areas are even apt to diminish. There are obvious difficulties in expanding the area under forests. In the circumstances the principle objective of forest policy must be to raise productivity progressively and to undertake cultivation of quick-growing species so as to meet the growing requirements of the economy.
REVIEW OF PROGRESS 5. Both the First and the Second Plan put considerable emphasis on preservation processes, improvement of communications and introduction of degraded forests, establishment of new plantations, especially of fast growing species, application of modern systems of intensive forest management, better utilisation of inferior varieties by seasoning and preservation processes, improvement of communications and introduction of modern logging techniques. In 1950. the Central Board of Forestry was set up. In 1952, Government declared its forest policy, which emphasised the protective as well as productive role of forests and suggested as a desirable long-term objective that a third of the land area should be under forests. A sum of Rs. 9.5 crores was spent during the First Plan and about Rs. 19.3 crores during the Second Plan for the development of forestry. Schemes directly undertaken by the Central Government related to forest research, forest education and the preservation of wild life. Large tracts of degraded forests situated in the former zamindari estates and princely States came under Government control. Schemes for the demarcation of such areas and preparation of maps were taken up. New plantations of matchwood extending over an area of about 55,000 acres and of industrial timber over an area of 330.000 acres were undertaken during the First and Second Plans. Survey and demarcation was undertaken
190 THIRD FIVE YEAR PLAN
over about 18,000 square miles, 9,000 miles of forest roads were built and about 400,000 acres of degraded forests were rehabilitated. Improved methods of logging were demonstrated, especially in the States of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
PROGRAMMES FOR THE THIRD PLAN 6. In the Third Five Year Plan it is proposed not only to intensify some of the programmes initiated under the First and Second Plans but also to put special emphasis on measures which will help meet the long term requirements of the country and ensure more economic and efficient utilisation of the available forest products, including inferior timber and wood residues. The immediate objective is to increase the output through better techniques of timber extraction, to develop forest communications and to bring about better utilisation through the increased use of preservation and seasoning processes. The Plan provides an outlay of Rs. 51 crores for various development programmes in the States and Union Territories, including a sum of Rs. 6.7 crores for Central and Centrally sponsored schemes. Some of the important programmes included in the Third PI-an are briefly described below.
7. Economic Plantations.-A large scale programme of new plantations is essential for meeting the increasing requirements of industry. These plantations should comprise not only the traditional species of timber with long periods of maturity but also fast growing species with a comparatively short rotation. The programme for new plantations includes 210,000 acres for teak, 40.000 acres for bamboo, 60,000 acres for match-wood, 22,000 acres for wattle, 46,000 acres for fuel-wood including casuarina and 325,000 acres for miscellaneous plantations. An additional programme for planting 300,000 acres over the period of the Third Plan with fast growing species of industrial wood is also proposed to be taken up.
8. Village and Extension Forestry.-The importance of village and fuel plantations and of extension forestry has been frequently stressed, but the practical results gained thus far are small. Panchayat Samitis and Panchayats should be assisted to take up these programmes on a large scale, and Forest Departments should ensure that seeds and saplings are available in each area, There is considerable scope for community effort in planting trees on village common lands, along village roads. contour bunds and irrigation tanks. Individual cultivators should also be assisted in growing trees. It is estimated that an area of over 1.2 million acres will come under farm forestry during the Third Plan. Programmes for planting trees along national and State highways, canal banks and railway tracks should be intensi- fied. Efforts in these directions can add substantially to the supply of firewood and of wood for tools and implements.
9. Promotion of methods for increased production.-Improved logging tools and mechanical contrivances can help reduce wastage and increase the utilisation of wood resources. In hilly areas, in particular, the savings are considerable. Modern tools and other equipment employed in advanced countries have been tested and the staff of Forest Departments in several States have been trained in their use. Work on improved implements is also being undertaken at the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun.
10. Some of the rich forests at higher elevations in the Himalayas remain untapped or are only partially exploited. This is mainly due to their inaccessibility. There are some steep and rocky slopes where the use of cable cranes is essential. Forest roads need to be linked with trunk roads and river landings, so that the timber can be transported or floated easily. The Plan provides for the development of about 15,000 miles of forest roads.
11. Development of minor forest produce.Indian forests have a large variety of minor products, there being over 3,000 species, besides a number of animal products. Considerable scope for exploitation and development exists, for instance, in respect of medicinal plants, essential oils, resins, fatty oils; fats, waxes, starches, bamboos, canes, grasses, and insect products, such as, honey, lac, and bees' wax. Export possibilities also exist for certain medicinal plants, such as, Rauwolfia serpentina. Proposals for the exploitation of various forest products are provided for in the plans of States.
12. Timber Treatment.-There are about 100 secondary species of timber which are not utilised properly at present. These secondary species can be used as a substitute for the primary timber after the necessary seasoning and preservation treatment. The Plan provides for the setting up of 27 seasoning and 3 seasoning-cum-preservation plants. It is important that high grade timber should be reserved for uses which are valuable and for which adequate substitutes are not available.
13. Survey and Demarcation.-Large areas outside the reserved forests and those recently acquired by State have not yet been classified nor their legal status defined. Proper demarcation on the ground is essential for scientific working and rehabilitation of these areas. Survey and demarcation work is proposed to be taken up over an area of about 43,000 square miles.
Rehabilitation work on areas which were surveyed and demarcated previously, will be taken up and extended to about 600,000 acres, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Madras and Mysore.
14. Pre-investment survey of forest resources.The need for a comprehensive appraisal of the country's forest resources with a view to
FORESTS AND SOIL CONSERVATION 191
developing forest-based industries such as rayon. chipboard, particle board, fibre board, etc. has been felt for some time. Until adequate and dependable supplies of raw material are established, it is difficult to promote the formation of integrated industrial units. The Third Plan includes a project for a pre-investment survey of forest resources and industries. The main object of the survey is to facilitate the formulation of a long-term programme for planting quick-growing species, for opening up forest regions in the interior and for assessing the economic prospects of forest-based industries. The pre-investment survey will also take into account the requirements of different industries over the next 15 years or more. The survey is intended to be followed up by detailed programmes for the improvement of transport facilities, setting up of integrated wood utilisation units of saw milling, board manufacture, etc. Measures taken in the light of the survey should assist in filling the gap between the availability of timber and other forest products of economic value and the demand for these products to which reference has already been made.
15. Grazing and Pasture Improvement.-In some parts of the country there is often acute shortage of fodder for cattle. There are certain hardy trees and bushes, the leaves of which have fodder value and are extensively used by local graziers for tiding over periods of scarcity. Where agriculture is precarious or where large non-arable lands exist and the people follow pastoral pursuits and maintain big herds of cattle, it is necessary to establish large pastures studded with suitable trees and shrubs of fodder value. The Plan provides for the development of about 150,000 acres of pasture and grazing lands in such areas.
16. Forest Research.-The programme of research initiated during the Second Plan at the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun will be continued and further expanded. Three regional research stations are to be established for supplementing the work done at Dehra Dun. With a view to promoting the use of various species of wood available in forests in different regions, extensive studies will be undertaken at these centres on their properties, e.g., strength, durability and economic use. Investigations will also be made on factors affecting the yield of valuable products, such as, sandal, agar, etc. and the possibilities of more intensive utilisation of lesser known forest products. Experiments will be conducted on the utilisation and raising of various kinds of canes and bamboos which can be put to diverse use.
17. Training of technical personnel.-For the efficient implementation of different programmes of forest development. a large number of trained persons will be required. It is estimated that 480 officers and 1,520 rangers will have to be trained for State Forest Departments. It is, proposed to increase the rate of admission of the officer's course from 85 to 100 at the Forest College, Dehra Dun, and to the forest rangers' course from 200 to 300 at the Forest Rangers' Colleges at Dehra Dun and Coimbatore. In addition, States will provide facilities for the training of about 10,000 field personnel, such as, foresters and forest guards.
18. Nature conservation.-Nature conservation is an important aspect of forest development and includes the protection and proper management of indigenous flora and fauna. Where fauna have been greatly depleted due to human interference, animals and birds will be re-introduced. The Plan includes a programme for the development and establishment of 5 zoological parks. 5 national parks and 10 wild life sancturies. The Delhi zoological park is also to be developed further.
19. Amenities for forest labour.-Forest labour is not yet properly organised. To safeguard the interests of forest labour and the tribal people from exploitation by private contractors, as far as possible it is proposed to organise them into forest labour co- operative societies and give these societies suitable concessions in the matter of working of coupes and exploitation of other produce by way of encouragement. State plans provide for schemes for housing, medical aid, water supply and primary education for forest labourers.
20. Public co-operation.-Public co-operation has a vital role in forest development. The contribution of the local community in village and extension forestry has been referred to earlier. Whether trees are planted by the people or by Government agencies, their care and protection can only be secured if the people as a whole are conscious of the value of trees and endeavour earnestly to preserve them. Village fuel plantations are important community assets and, village communities should be helped to build them up for themselves and, progressively, greater responsibility for managing forests should be placed on Panchayat Samitis and Panchayats.
SOIL CONSERVATION 21. One of the principal reasons for low productivity in agriculture in certain parts of the country is the progressive deterioration of soil due to erosion. In irrigated areas soil deterioration has occurred on account of water logging and consequent salinity and alkalinity. It has been estimated that about 200 million acres of land, that is, almost a fourth of the country's land surface is suffering from soil erosion. It will not be possible to maintain yields of crops on dry lands, much less to increase them, if the soil is allowed to deteriorate. Effective steps, therefore, need to be taken to plan and undertake soil and moisture conservation measures on a large scale.
192 THIRD FIVE YEAR PLAN
REVIEW OF PROGRESS 22. The urgency of a nation-wide policy for dealing with various problems relating to soil conservation was emphasised in the First Five Year Plan. In 1953. the Ministry of Food and Agriculture set up the Central Soil Conservation Board to initiate, organise and co- ordinate research in soil and water conservation, to train personnel and to assist States in carrying out soil conservation programmes. A sum of about Rs. 1.6 crores was spent in the First Five Year Plan on implementing soil conservation programmes. A large part of this was utilised for contour bunding and terracing of about 700,000 acres of agricultural lands, mostly in Maharashtra and Madras States. Eight regional research-cum-demonstration centres were established for the study of problems of soil and water conservation. In addition, the Desert Afforestation and Research Station was set up at Jodhpur for undertaking the study of the desert problems.
23. In the Second Plan about Rs. 18 crores were spent on carrying out soil conservation works. Contour bunding and terracing made good progress, especially in the earstwhile Bombay State. and an area of 2 million acres was benefited. An integrated all-India Soil Conservation and Land Use Survey was also initiated. About 12 million acres have been surveyed of which about 2 million acres are in the catchment areas of river valley projects.
24. Training centres started during the First Plan for training officers at Dehra Dun and for assistants at Kotah, Bellary, Ootacamund and Hazaribagh were continued during the Second Plan. About 170 officers and 900 assistants have been trained. In addition, arrangements were made for training community development personnel and for providing refresher courses.
25. With a view to popularising dry farming techniques, 40 demonstration projects, each covering about 1000 acres and undertaken on a catchment basis were sanctioned in the latter part of the Second Plan. Work has already begun on some of these projects and these will be extended and completed during the Third Plan.
26. Research work carried out at various research centres has yielded useful results. Methods for the reclamation of shallow ravines for agricultural purposes were worked out for Gujarat ravines. Techniques developed for the economic utilisation of deep and narrow ravines for horticultural crops, forest plantations and pasture improvement have brought promising results. Experiments conducted in deep black soils have shown that contour cultivation increases the yield by 60 to 70 lbs. per acre in the case of jowar grain and about twice that much amount in the case of fodder. At Jodhpur, techniques were developed for stabilising moving sand dunes and shifting sands, and about 1800 acres of sand dunes were stabilised. Studies on pasture development have indicated that closure and rotational grazing helped to increase materially the yield of grasses.
27. The Desert Afforestation and Research Station at Jodhpur was reorganised as a Central Arid Zone Research Institute in collaboration with UNESCO. The scope of its studies now extends to arid and semi- arid regions throughout the country. Experiments carried out at Jodhpur have emphasised the importance of pasture development and management for stabilisation of shifting sands. A scheme for pasture development was started in Rajasthan. The scheme envisages setting up of 55 paddocks of about 200 acres each on pasture improvement and management for demonstration and research purposes. About 50 paddocks in 18 extension blocks have been developed so far.