This report is at the request of FAO through MOEF to prepare an in-depth study of Forestry situation in India visualising a projected scenario for 2010.
There has been growing awareness of the environmental concerns in which forests play a very vital and critical role in maintaining health and stability of the country, the region and the world. Forestry is among the most difficult of all environmental issues and is certainly linked with India's long range ecological and economic security. But unfortunately there is a lack of acknowledgement of the role of the forest in human life even though everyone knows about it. Environmental challenge is threatening the survival of mankind and the globe. Man's thoughtless action for decades by ruthless exploitation of nature and unfettered consumption of resources has scarred the planet and defiled the environment. There is global realisation of impending crisis to the earth more so the approaching gloom in 21st century. Human intelligence and ingenuity made our earlier generations live in harmony with nature, then why not the present and future generations?
Forests constitute primary and renewable natural resource particularly in developing countries, contributing considerably to national economy, socio-economic developments and rural life support system.
Life styles of Indian people traditionally and philosophically have been environment friendly and conducive to protection and conservation of forests and wildlife. The customs and heritage of nature worship, trees and animal worship, sacred groves, several festivals and folklores related to nature and seasons bear testimony to the fact that paths shown by our religious and social leaders have been all along environment friendly. The sacred groves formed in olden times was a kind of reverence and tribute to nature. Our ancient sages realised the primary and ideal relationship between man and nature. The earlier reverence to nature prevented people from causing any harm to nature being consider as divine and god given ecological symbols. Nature was maintained as it is in inviolate and untouched form. Due to multiple value and use of forest people in the past lived in synergy with nature (forest). India has the wisdom and legacy of veneration and conservation of forests.
India fortunately has a tradition of scientific forest management for over 130 years. Over the years with passage of time the forest scenarios are fast changing. The initial forest policies and thereafter have been quite pragmatic in spite of criticism by cynics and pseudo-environmentalists. The forest polices have been modified from time to time, in keeping with changing times, to address to the ongoing current situations.
Forests in India as well as in Asia Pacific Region at the moment are under tremendous pressure from several sides and are in a crucible of changing situations. Last few years of this millennium and as well as first few years of 21st century will have very many situations that would affect forests to a great extent. The Rio conference 1992 gave forestry a boost in shape of Forest Principles. Agenda 21 while addressing the current pressing problems, aims at preparing the world for the challenges of the next century. It also reflected global consensus and political commitment at the highest level of development and environment co-operation. Since then and even before that Government of India has taken several initiatives in implementation of the forest principles.
Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests are engaged in formulating the National Forest Action Plan (NFAP) which will be a vision document forward looking for next 20-25 years. The exercise is on for last few years and now perhaps in final stages of completion. It envisages protection and conservation of natural forests, eco-fragile areas and wildlife habitats; massive afforestation programme both in Government and private land through peoples participation (including women); regenerating degraded natural forests through J.F.M. which empowers people; improving skills and motivation of forestry personnel through specialised training; increasing forest productivity to meet growing demand by intensive need based research and development programmes and providing adequate financial resources to forestry.
An intensive and detailed study over a fairly long time would actually be needed to arrive at the emerging forestry scenario in first decade and quarter century of the next century on a realistic basis. In a way this paper attempts to project the situation concisely on which NFAP is dealing with at great length. Further the time available for report writing is very little compared to expanse and coverage of the subject matter. Considering all these limitations a very sincere and genuine effort has been made to cover all aspects of forestry situation in India - 2010. Opinions, views and observations expressed herein belong to the author. In retrospect many comments can be made, which is but natural and the present document expresses the best possible that could be done under prevailing limitations of time and other resource constraints. There is always scope of improvement but this is the best at that point of time. In hindsight or as afterthought it can be said something better could have been done but to philosophise the fact of life is "of all the good and bad words the worst are if it would have been". This paper is based on the informed judgement and assessment of current situations, trends and likely developments, in all probability, to arrive at a realistic forestry scenario in India in 2010 with as far correct as possible. In such a paper repetition of certain matters are unavoidable and inevitable. Having tried to cover the entire gamut of subject matters and issues there might have been some inadvertent gaps or omissions and inaccuracies or discrepancies in figures and statistics in the text for which the author offers sincere apologies. However it is hoped that all such aberrations would be erased with NFAP document which would present a detailed scenario of the future in an elaborate and authentic manner with more clarity.
The topics as per terms of reference have been described in three chapters with specified sub-headings. Chapter 1 deals with the context in which the forestry sector is developing. Chapter 2 narrates the state of forestry in the country and major trends therein. Chapter 3 projects the future prospects. Tables and Annexes have been furnished to illustrate the concerned issues and facilitate understanding. References are placed at the end.
