 FORESTS AND SOIL CONSERVATION

FORESTS

THE forests of India are the source of many kinds of timber with varied technical properties, which subserve the requirements of the building industry, of defence and communications as well as of an expanding range of industries in which wood forms the principal raw material. Forests are also the source of urban firewood and of small timber required by rural communities. They provide grazing hay and fodder. Apart from these direct benefits, forests perform a vital function in protecting the soil on sloping lands from accelerated erosion by water and on flat lands from desiccation and wind erosion. In the catchments of the rivers, they serve to moderate floods and to maintain stream flow. They have an important ameliorating influence on the factors of the climate. These protective benefits are fully realised when forests extend over sizeable tracts, but even scattered trees and clumps of tree growth exercise a beneficial influence. Properly disposed shelter belts and wind belts serve to increase agricultural yields to a marked extent. Finally, forests are the home of our rich and varied wild life. Their destruction directly spells the destruction of wild life.

2. These are familiar facts, but they emphasise the compelling need for retaining an adequate proportion of the land surface under permanent forests which are properly distributed and assured of freedom from encroachment, abuse and over-use. In India forests account for 22 per cent of the total land surface. As a percentage this would not appear to be an unsatisfactory figure, but actually the timber value of the areas classed as forests falls far short of their potential, which is itself substantially below the yield per acre of forests in Western countries. A considerable proportion of Indian forests are such only in name and are subject to various forms of maltreatment. The proportion of forest land varies from about 11 per cent in the north-west to about 44 per cent in the central region. Thus the forests, such as they are, are unevenly distributed. Forests are most scarce in the areas where they are most needed as, for example, in the densely populated and intensively cultivated Gangetic basin. Over most of the country the forests are of a tropical character, being naturally somewhat open in the drier region and being everywhere composed of a large variety of species of which only a few have an economic value. Thus, an acre of forest land even in the valuable mixed moist deciduous forest yields less utilizable timber than an acre of forest in the purer European forests. Some improvement in this matter can be effected (and indeed has been effected) by finding uses for secondary timbers through research and by avoiding waste in extraction. In advanced countries, such as the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. the area under forest is often about a third of the total land area. Having regard to these considerations, especially the lower productive capacity of the natural tropical forests, the National Forest Policy Resolution of 1952 proposed that the area under forests should be raised steadily to 33 per cent of the total area, the proportion to be aimed at being 60 per cent in hilly regions and 20 per cent in the plains.

3. It is well to remember that every advance in industrialization. will be reflected in an increased demand on the produce of the forest. Several industries will make use of wood directly as a material, but even where this is not the case, timber will be needed not only initially in the construction of factories but also regularly for the packaging of the manufactured products. The forests will have to provide cellulosic raw materials in increasing measure for the production of paper needed for educational and other programmes. It is not an accident that the most advanced countries in the world are precisely those with the highest per capita consumption of wood. India's per capita consumption of round wood is 1.4 cft. as compared with 58 cft. in the U.S.A. The consumption of pulp products is 1.6 lbs. as against 78 lbs. in the UK The per capita forest area is 1.8 and 3.5 hectares in the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. respectively, while in India the figure is 0.2 hectare. These figures indicate the leeway that has to be made up in order to attain a comparable standard of living.

4. Forest policy has to be directed, on the one hand, to securing the long-range development of forest resources and, on the other, to meeting the increasing demands for timber in the immediate future. In both

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directions it is necessary to plan realistically. Reference has already been made to the disadvantages arising from the mixed character of the tropical forests, with the valuable species forming a mere sprinkling in them. This causes serious difficulties in the effective regeneration and management of the mixed forests. In the case of teak, these difficulties could not be overcome in many areas except by resort to clear-felling and artificial regeneration in compact areas. A similar solution will have to be found for the production of wood required for industrial purposes; ready availability of wood for industrial purposes in adequate quantities and at reasonable cost is a sine qua non for successful timber-based industries. A pronounced trend towards artificial regeneration of industrial (and commercial species) will therefore be inevitable in the future management of our forests. The dangers and difficulties implicit in such a course are fully realized and it should. be the task of intensified silvicultural research to overcome the difficulties and ward off the dangers.

5. The extension of the area under forests and their transformation so as to increase their yield potential will necessarily take a long time. It is therefore essential to resort to short-term measures which will not at the same time injure the prospects of long-term development. Measures should be taken to "upgrade" inferior or secondary timbers. The strength and durability of these timbers can be improved by known techniques of plywood manufacture, seasoning, preservative treatment, lamination, and timber engineering. Ornamental timbers can be made to go a longer way by being used as face veneers. Chip-boards and bard-boards made out of inferior timbers or wood waste:will help to meet the timber deficit. Improved methods of timber extraction will help to cut costs and reduce waste.

6. The main principles governing the management of forest resources and their continued development were also laid down by the Forest Policy Resolution, 1952. The Resolution stressed the need for:-

(1) evolving a system of balanced and com- plementary landuse, under which each type of land is allotted to that form of use under which it would produce most and deteriorate least;

(2) checking-

(a) Denudation in mountainous regions on which depends the perennial water supply of the river systems whose basins constitute, the fertile core of the country;

(b) the erosion progressing apace along the tree- less banks of the great rivers leading to ravine formation, and on vast stretches of undulating waste-lands depriving the adjoining fields of their fertility:

(3) establishing tree lands, wherever possible, for the amelioration of physical and climatic conditions and promoting the general wellbeing of the people;

(4) ensuring progressively increasing supplies of grazing, small wood for agricultural implements, and in particular, of firewood to relase the cattle-dung for manure to step up food production;

(5) sustained supply of timber and other forest produce required for defence, communications and industry, and

(6) the realisation of the maximum annual revenue in perpetuity consistent with the fulfilment of the needs enumerated above.

In order to implement these directives and develop the country's forest resources effectively and usefully, measures will be necessary

(i) to extent and improve areas under forests;

(ii) to meet the increased demand for timber and forest produce in the immediate future; and

(iii) to plan for the long-range development of forest resources.

PROGRESS DURING THE FIRST PLAN

7. The first five year plan provided Rs. 9.6 crores for forest development. During the first plan period, State Governments carried out a number of schemes relating to afforestation, development of forest communications, strengthening of forest administration and formation. of village and small-scale plantations. On an area exceeding 75,000 acres, the vegetative cover was restored by afforestation or planting. Over 3000 miles of forest roads were constructed or improved. A considerable area (over 20 million acres) of forest land under private ownership or management was brought under State control, and the administrative set-up was strengthened to deal with this additional responsibility. The preparation of working plans was speeded up and additional areas were brought under new working plans.

8. The Central Government sponsored a scheme for matchwood plantations and towards the end of the Plan period, such plantations were being raised in the

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States at the rate of about 3000 acres per year. The principal schemes of the Central Government related to Forest Research, Forestry Education and the Preservation of Wild Life. New fields of investigation in forest research included studies in the introduction of Malayan cane into India, protection of timbers against marine organisms, preservative treatment of green bamboos, etc. Work was initiated in revising and bringing up to date important and standard works connected with forestry and forest utilisation. Additional accommodation and, equipment have been provided at Dehra Dun to meet the increased requirements of forest education. The Indian Board for Wild Life was constituted in 1952 and has done useful work in the cause of preservation of wild life in the country. Preliminary steps have also been taken towards the establishment of a modem Zoological- cum-Botanical Park in Delhi.

FOREST PROGRAMMES FOR THE SECOND PLAN

9. Besides continuing, wherever necessary, work on the schemes initiated during the first five year plan the programme of second plan will include proposals or measures for-

(i) afforestation and improvement of poorer areas in the forests and extension forestry,

(ii) formation of plantations of species of com- mercial and industrial value,

(iii) promotion of methods for increased production and availability of timber and other forests produce in the immediate future,

(iv) conservation of wild life,

(v) amelioration of the conditions of staff and labour in the forests,

(vi) increased tempo of forest research,

(vii) increased provision of technical personnel, and

(viii) central co-ordination and guidance in the implementation of forest development schemes all over the country.

Forest programmes have been drawn up by different States on a fairly uniform and systematic basis consistent with local requirements. The total provision for forest development in the second plan is about Rs. 27 crores. The Central Government will pay special attention to research, education, demonstration and co- ordination, and the States will carry out the forest development projects.

10. As has been stated earlier a large area of degraded forests has come under State control. Frequently these forest lands are not demarcated on the ground or indicated on maps. These extensive areas have to be defined on the ground and suitably notified under Forest Act as early as possible if they are to be saved from further indiscriminate cutting and denudation. The first task of State Forest Departments will therefore be to undertake surveys of such areas, with a view to arranging for their better management. At the same time, many of these degraded or derelict areas are urgently in need of rehabilitation. The restoration of a tree cover or even any form of vegetation may prove extremely difficult and expensive. These areas are unlikely to result in a productive forest crop in the near future, and yet, in the interests of securing their protective functions the rehabilitation of as many of these areas as possible must receive urgent attention. It is proposed to tackle about 3,80,000 acres in this manner; this will augment the effective forest area of the country.

11. Further, since it may prove extremely difficult to secure land under other use (especially in thickly populated areas) for increasing the extent of forest, measures of extension forestry are to be encouraged to a considerable extent. Plantations will be formed along canal banks, in roadside avenues, in the form of shelter belts and on village waste lands. It is visualised that many of these plantations will prove productive in the long run.

12. Under existing forest working plans, Forest Departments have been forming timber plantations only on a limited scale and not all the areas suitable for such plantations have been tackled. There is much scope for increased work along these lines. Extensive areas could be profitably put under such plantations, especially as it is clear that the country's needs for timber and other forest products already exceed production levels and are likely to increase further. About 50,000 acres of forest land will be planted anew with commercially important species like teak. Matchwood plantations will be formed on a larger scale than during the first five year plan and it is proposed that about 50,000 acres will be added to such plantations during the next five years. Progress at this rate for a further period of five years may lead to self-sufficiency with regard to this requirement when the plantations begin to mature. A further 13,000 acres will be planted with species like Wattle and Blue gum of value to the tanning, paper and rayon industries. Plantations of baib grass, suitable for paper making, are also planned.

13. The schemes described above are in the nature of long-term measures of forest improvement. Shortterm measures which would help to increase output in the immediate future will include better techniques for timber extraction, the development of forest com- munications and the increased use of preservative and seasoning processes besides the use of plywood, com-

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posite wood, chip-boards, etc. The plan provides for adoption of improved "logging" methods particularly with reference to the use of efficient tools for felling and extraction. The adoption of simple wire ropes for extraction in hilly areas and other similar inexpensive measures will help in the utilisation of resources in relatively less accessible areas to a greater extent than previously. Such improved operations may prove of special value in the hill forests of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and parts of Bihar, Madras and Mysore., Along with improved logging, attention will also have to be given to large-scale development of forest communications. Under the plan it is proposed to construct or improve 7,400 miles of forest roads. Side by side with the increased production of commercially valuable timbers effective use of all timbers readily available in the forest should be made. It is known that India's forest include a variety of secondary timbers which can supplement the commercial timbers if properly seasoned and rendered durable by preservative treatment. The plan therefore provides for the establishment of three or four demonstration timber treating and seasoning plants by the Centre and also some 10 small-scale treating and seasoning plants in the States with a view to upgrading secondary timbers and utilising them fully.

14. Much difficulty has been felt in planning and development of forest resources due to lack of basic statistical information regarding such resources in the country. Resources surveys, particularly a timber trends survey, are to be undertaken (in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organisation) for the study of timber production including utilisation and end-uses as of also future trends in consumption. The latter will help in the future planning of production.

15. India's forest are known to be rich in their content of minor forest produce such as bamboo, cane, resin yielding trees, plants yielding essential oils, medicinal plants, grasses, etc. While such well known items as bamboos and lac are being cultivated or reared and utilised on a fairly satisfactory scale, better methods of rearing, collection, extraction and marketing should be possible with a view to ensuring quality as well as regular and adequate supplies of all minor forest produce. In the case of some items such as medicinal plants, intensive cultivation under controlled conditions (in plantations) needs to be developed as speedily as possible. It is proposed to put about 2000 acres of land under such plantations during the second plan. Improvement of pastures and forest grazing also will receive attention and about 5 lakhs acres are likely to be dealt with in the period.

16. The conservation of wild life is an intergral part of forest management, especially in view of the imperative need for protecting India's rich heritage of wild life, which is now finding its last refuge within the limits of the reserved forests of the country. Such notable animals as the lion and the rhinoceros are in danger of extinction. In order to serve the cause of wild life, forestry programmes in the second plan include the establishment of 18 national parks and game sanctuaries, besides a modem zoological park in Delhi.

17. The conditions of working and living in or near forests involve unsual forms of hardship and the amelioration of the working conditions of staff and labour in the forests calls for special con- sideration. The provision of facilities by way of accommodation, drinking water supplies, medical assistance, schooling, etc. will therefore receive the attention of State Forest Departments. In order to strengthen the economy of comparatively backward, tribal forest workers, forest labour co-operatives may be established on an increasing scale for working forest produce (based on the experience gained in this field in Bombay), so that profits which now go to con- tractors should accrue to forest labourers. Care should, however, be taken to see that these cooperatives do not fall into the hands of individuals who may exploit the tribal people. Forest Departments should therefore give close and sympathetic guidance in the working of co-operatives.