Indian forest policy

Historically our communities have always lived in harmony with nature, and participation of community in protection and management of common property Resources has been a tradition. The British introduced scientific management of forests through a centralised approach to forest management and development. The first formal government approach to Forestry can be traced to the enactment of the National Forest Policy of 1894 which stressed on conserving forests for maintaining environmental stability and meeting basic needs of fringe forest user groups. The policy was revised in 1952 and the new policy emphasised on extension of forests beyond the traditional forest areas. This gave impetus to Social Forestry and agro/Farm forestry.

This policy was the harbinger of the green movement in the country. It also proposed that 60% of the land in the hills and 20% in the plains and in all 33% of the total geographical area should be under forest/tree cover. The serious depletion of forest resources due to biotic and industrial pressure and other reasons made the policy makers review the situation in the late eighties and evolve a new strategy for conservation of forests. The National Forest Policy was once again revised in 1988, which envisaged community involvement in the protection and regeneration of forests. It accorded highest priority to sustainable management of the forest resource.

Aims of the policy :

Maintenance of environmental stability” through preservation and restoration of ecological balance;
Conservation of natural heritage;
Checking Soil erosion and denudation in catchment areas of rivers, lakes and reservoirs;
Checking extension of sand dunes in desert areas of Rajasthan and along coastal tracts;
Substantially increasing forest/tree cover through massive afforestation and social forestry programmes;
Taking steps to meet requirements of fuel, wood, fodder, minor forest produce, soil and timber of rural and tribal populations;
Increasing productivity of forests to meet the national needs;
Encouraging efficient utilisation of forest produce and optimum substitution of wood; and
Taking steps to create massive people’s movement with involvement of Women to achieve the objectives and minimise pressure on existing forests.

An Integrated Forest Protection Scheme (IFPS) was being implemented during the Tenth Five Year Plan and is being continued during Eleventh Plan.

The Planning Commission suggested renaming the scheme as ‘Intensification of Forest Management’ during the 11th Five Year Plan. It is proposed to broad-base the scheme by including following two new components in addition to the existing components of IFPS, i.e., Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE-development/”>Infrastructure Development and forest fire control management.

The new components are: conservation and restoration of unique vegetation and eco-systems; protection and conservation of sacred groves; and joint forest management (JFM). The conceptual framework for JFM emphasises development of partnerships with forest fringe people.

The Government of India has assigned the ownership of minor forest produce to the people living in and around forests for the purpose of collection, processing, trade and Marketing through a national level legislation named as The Scheduled Tribes And Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition Of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. This will help the forest-dependent people to improve their economy.

Forest conservation Act

To check indiscriminate deforestation and diversion of forest land for industrial or construction work the Forest Conservation Act was enacted in 1980. The Act was amended in 1988 to further facilitate prevention of forest destruction.

The basic objective of the Act is to put a check on the indiscriminate diversion of forest lands. Under the provisions of this Act, prior approval of the Central government is required for diversion of forest land to non-forest purposes. Since the enactment of the Act, the rate of diversion of forest land has come down.

As diversion of forest land is normally not favoured, permission under this Act is difficult to obtain. The rare exceptions carry stipulations for compensatory afforestation and other conditions as laid down in the Act and in the National Forest Policy, 1988.

Draft National Forest Policy, 2018

The ministry of Environment, forest and Climate change has framed a new draft National Forest Policy 2018 which proposes Climate Change Mitigation through sustainable forest management. The new policy, which aims to bring a minimum one-third of India’s total geographical area under forest cover through scientific interventions and enforcing strict rules to protect the dense cover, will replace the existing one that has been guiding the government to manage forests since 1988. Unlike the previous policies, which stressed on environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance, the 2018 policy focusses on the international challenge of climate change.

The policy also addresses the issue of human-animal conflict. It proposes short term and long term measures to reduce this. The draft says, “Quick response, dedicated teams of well equipped and trained personnel, mobility, strong interface with Health and veterinary Services, rescue centres, objective and speedy assessment of damage and quick payment of relief to the victims would be at the core of the short-term action. Monitoring and management of Population of wildlife would be adopted on a longterm basis within and outside forests for maintaining the balance.”

The Indian Forest Policy is a set of guidelines that govern the management of forests in India. It was first issued in 1894, and has been revised several times since then. The most recent revision was in 2018.

The policy aims to ensure the sustainable use of forests, while also meeting the needs of people who live in and around forests. It covers a wide range of topics, including:

Forest conservation
Forest management
Forest utilization
Forest research
Forest Education
Forest extension
Forest cooperation
Forest administration

The policy is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It is overseen by the National Forest Policy Council, which is chaired by the Prime Minister.

The Indian Forest Policy is an important document that helps to protect and manage India’s forests. It is a living document that is constantly being updated to reflect the changing needs of the country.

Table of Contents

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Forest conservation

Forest conservation is the practice of protecting forests from deforestation, degradation, and fragmentation. It is important to conserve forests for a number of reasons, including:

Forests provide a number of ecosystem services, such as water purification, soil erosion control, and climate regulation.
Forests are home to a wide variety of Plants and animals.
Forests play an important role in the livelihoods of many people.

There are a number of ways to conserve forests, including:

Creating Protected Areas, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Promoting sustainable forest management practices.
Raising awareness about the importance of forests.

Forest management

Forest management is the practice of planning and controlling the use of forests. It is important to manage forests sustainably so that they can continue to provide a range of benefits to people and the environment.

There are a number of different forest management practices, including:

Selective logging: This involves harvesting only certain trees from a forest.
Clear-cutting: This involves harvesting all of the trees from a forest.
Coppicing: This involves cutting down trees to the stump, which then resprouts.
Pollarding: This involves cutting down trees to a height of about 6 feet, which then regrows.

The best forest management practice for a particular forest will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of forest, the climate, and the needs of the people who live in and around the forest.

Forest utilization

Forest utilization is the practice of using forest products. Forest products can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:

Timber: Timber is used to build houses, furniture, and other structures.
Fuelwood: Fuelwood is used for cooking and heating.
Non-timber forest products: Non-timber forest products include things like fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants.

It is important to utilize forests sustainably so that they can continue to provide a range of benefits to people and the environment.

Forest research

Forest research is the practice of studying forests and forest Ecosystems. Forest research is important for a number of reasons, including:

It helps us to understand how forests work.
It helps us to develop sustainable forest management practices.
It helps us to protect forests from pests and diseases.

Forest research is conducted by a variety of organizations, including government agencies, universities, and non-governmental organizations.

Forest education

Forest education is the practice of teaching people about forests. Forest education is important for a number of reasons, including:

It helps people to understand the importance of forests.
It helps people to develop a respect for forests.
It helps people to make informed decisions about forests.

Forest education is conducted by a variety of organizations, including government agencies, schools, and non-governmental organizations.

Forest extension

Forest extension is the practice of disseminating information about forests to people who live in and around forests. Forest extension is important for a number of reasons, including:

It helps people to understand how to use forests sustainably.
It helps people to develop a respect for forests.
It helps people to make informed decisions about forests.

Forest extension is conducted by a variety of organizations, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations.

Forest cooperation

Forest cooperation is the practice of working together to manage forests. Forest cooperation is important for a number of reasons, including:

It helps to ensure that forests are managed sustainably.
It helps to prevent conflicts between different stakeholders.
It helps to share information and resources.

Forest cooperation is conducted by a variety of organizations, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations.

Forest administration

Forest administration is the practice of managing forest departments. Forest departments

What is a forest?

A forest is a large area of land covered mostly by trees and other plants. Forests are important for many reasons, including providing habitat for wildlife, protecting water quality, and storing carbon.

What are the different types of forests?

There are many different types of forests, depending on the climate and the types of plants that grow there. Some common types of forests include tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and boreal forests.

What are the benefits of forests?

Forests provide many benefits, including:

Habitat for wildlife: Forests provide a home for many different types of animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Protection of water quality: Forests help to filter water and prevent erosion.
Storage of carbon: Forests absorb carbon dioxide from the Atmosphere, which helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Recreation: Forests provide a place for people to hike, camp, and enjoy nature.

What are the threats to forests?

Forests are threatened by many things, including:

Deforestation: Deforestation is the clearing of forests for other uses, such as agriculture or development.
Climate change: Climate change is causing forests to change in many ways, including changes in the types of plants that grow there.
Fire: Forest fires can destroy large areas of forest.
Pests and diseases: Pests and diseases can kill trees and other plants in forests.

What can we do to protect forests?

There are many things we can do to protect forests, including:

Reduce deforestation: We can reduce deforestation by choosing products that are made from sustainable wood.
Plant trees: We can plant trees to help restore forests that have been lost.
Support organizations that protect forests: We can support organizations that are working to protect forests.
Educate others about the importance of forests: We can educate others about the importance of forests and the threats they face.

What is the future of forests?

The future of forests is uncertain. Forests are facing many threats, but there are also many people working to protect them. It is important to continue to work to protect forests so that they can continue to provide us with the many benefits they offer.

Which of the following is not a type of forest?
(A) Tropical rainforest
(B) Temperate rainforest
(C) Boreal forest
(D) Desert forest
Which of the following is the largest type of forest in the world?
(A) Tropical rainforest
(B) Temperate rainforest
(C) Boreal forest
(D) Desert forest
Which of the following is the most biodiverse type of forest?
(A) Tropical rainforest
(B) Temperate rainforest
(C) Boreal forest
(D) Desert forest
Which of the following is the most threatened type of forest?
(A) Tropical rainforest
(B) Temperate rainforest
(C) Boreal forest
(D) Desert forest
Which of the following is the most important role of forests?
(A) To provide habitat for wildlife
(B) To regulate the climate
(C) To provide clean water
(D) To provide timber
Which of the following is the most common threat to forests?
(A) Deforestation
(B) Climate change
(C) Pollution
(D) Overexploitation
Which of the following is the most effective way to protect forests?
(A) Reduce deforestation
(B) Plant trees
(C) Conserve forests
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the most important thing you can do to help protect forests?
(A) Recycle paper
(B) Use less energy
(C) Eat less meat
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the most common misconception about forests?
(A) Forests are not important
(B) Forests are not threatened
(C) Forests can be replaced
(D) Forests are not renewable
Which of the following is the most important thing to remember about forests?
(A) Forests are essential to life on Earth
(B) Forests are threatened by human activities
(C) We need to protect forests
(D) All of the above