0787-C1

Balancing socio-cultural and economic needs and with forest capacity - a case study

J.P.Yadav ¹

Abstract

Natural resources are being degraded to meet the demand of the increasing population. This problem is compounded by the varied requirements of heterogeneous social groups of people, often enhanced by the globalisation and increased consumerism. Current management practices could not be proved adequate to meet the increased demand, hence a new participatory management approach, generally referred to as Joint Forest Management, was adopted in many countries. One of the features of the participatory approach is formulation of management plans (called microplan) which take into account different attributes of varied population and condition of natural resources. The process of microplan formulation is demonstrated in this paper for a village in India. The plan is prepared in participatory manner and it takes into account the viewpoints of different sections of society and the biophysical features of the site. In the beginning the demands and aspirations of people are assessed through a socio-economic survey and then land is divided into capability classes. Appropriate management options for the land classes constitute the microplan. Analysis of the data shows that there is considerable improvement in achieving the production and forest conservation objectives. In fact, the methodology presented in this paper is an attempt to balance different objectives.

Introduction

The demand that an increasing rural populations in developing countries places on the forest resources has led to a spiral of resource depletion. The people, out of need or sometimes out of greed too, extract forest products with impunity. Forest Department (FD), the agency primarily responsible to protect the forests, tried but could not prevent the destruction. Different socio-cultural and economic groups of people put different demands on the resources. It is important to meet the differential demands to stop further degradation and to avoid conflicting situations along with judicious management of the scarce resources on a sustainable manner. With this view, an attempt has been made to arrive at a balance between the needs of different people and the productive potential of resources, particularly the forests lands. The process is demonstrated for a site in village Garjanmura of Tripura state in India. The selected site is being managed under Joint Forest Management (JFM) regime involving different stakeholders such as village households, FD, public representatives and other government officials.

Project area and its surroundings

The project area, located between 90˚ 25′ and 90˚ 30′ East longitude and 23˚ 30′ and 23˚ 35′ North latitude, is surrounded by R.K. Pur Reserved Forest and Bagabasa village in North, Amtali village in Southeast, Hadra village in East and Totabari and Shilghati villages in West. The village people reside in southern side amid scattered agricultural land. In the north side most of tillas² are under vegetation while relatively levelled lungas³ are jote or private agricultural land plots. The climate of the place is warm and humid with three distinct seasons: summer, rainy and winter. The recorded maximum temperature in summer is 35.6˚ centigrade and the minimum in winter season is 4˚ centigrade. Average rainfall in the State is about 2100 mm. Relative humidity varies from 70% to 85%.

Methodology

In order to fulfil the needs of different socio-economic categories of people and the protection and conservation of forests land, a holistic microplan for the area was prepared in a participatory manner using the methodology described by Yadav (2001). The microplanning process involved assessment of resources, motivation and participation of stakeholders, fulfilment of the demands of basic goods and services, potential priority management options, design of a set of feasible management options. The various steps followed in the preparation of the microplan were site awareness, confidence building, collection of data, analysis of data, formulation of microplan and plan discussion.

Questionnaire was used for collection of socio-economic information while line transact method was followed for gathering biophysical information. Secondary data were collected from the records of Census, Panchayat, District, Block and other offices (Census, 1991; ODM&C, 2000); OCFSC, 2000). For designing agroforestry models, help of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was taken (ICARJD, 2000). The collected data were analysed to assess the socio-economic needs and problems, and biophysical potential and requirements.

The results of analysis were used to prescribe a number of alternative management options, which could be taken up in order to meet the needs of the people and which, at the same time, took care of ecological stability. Out of many alternative management options, few most appropriate were selected to formulate a preliminary microplan. The preliminary microplan was then discussed in a meeting of stakeholders. Suggestions were incorporated into the plan to develop a final microplan. This microplan takes into account the information available at the time of study.

Biophysical features

The total area of the project is 594.50 ha. The land belongs to FD (210.66 ha), Government (9.84 ha) and private households (374 ha). The different land uses are agriculture (275 ha), residential (81.84 ha), roads/path/market/offices (6 ha), lakes/pond (3 ha), forests (210 ha), plantations (8 ha) and wasteland (10 ha). The terrain of the area is undulating with low hillocks traversed by lunga lands and small streamlets. The different categories are table upland (61.10 ha), slope land (134.66 ha), plain lowland (13.90 ha) and streams (1 ha). Soil is mostly loamy sand rich in humus and rootstock of plant species (mainly Sorea robusta).

The forests of the area, categorised earlier as East Himalayan Lower Bhabhar Sal (Champion and Seth, 1968), but presently seven types of vegetation can be distinguished over the area. These are: sal (Shorea robusta) regeneration zone; mixed old forest; stunted/scrub vegetation; bamboo patch; rubber plantation; pineapple orchard; and scattered vegetation. Almost all the plain lowland is under agriculture. There are two cropping seasons: Rabi (November to March) and Kharif (June to September). Some biophysical problems are soil erosion, low moisture retention, decreasing soil fertility and biotic interference.

Socio-economic profile

As per 1991 Census, the total population of the village is 4,750 (Male-2,115, Female-2,635) comprising of 850 households. The different social population categories are scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and general castes. The tribal people from villages surrounding the Reserved Forest areas have the right to collect forest produce during the period of three months from January to the end of March every year, free of royalty, for their bonafide needs. People practice farming and livestock rearing. Majoriy of the households are poor. They live on subsistence economy. Illiteracy is prevalent.

People need a number of products for their survival and other purposes. Some of products are basic and they are to be made available, while others are for socio-cultural or quality improvement purposes. The difference in supply and demand of different products is given in Table 1.

Table 1: Calculation of difference between demand and supply

Results and discussion

On the basis of people's needs, socio-economic problems and biophysical possibilities, priority management options were designed keeping in view the aims of management and different socio-economic and biophysical considerations. The land of the village was divided into nine classes on the basis of topographic, vegetation, soil and land use characteristics. The possible activities (options) which could be taken up on each land class were identified as shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Land classes and most potential management options

Based on the management options as shown in Table 2, a complete set of 39 activities to be taken up under the project along with their quantity was developed. The plan included duties, mutual obligations and responsibilities of different stakeholders. Proper implementation of the microplan is expected to balance the needs of people with the productive capacity of resources in a sustainable manner. The prescriptions under this microplan are expected to provide the following:

• Adequate vegetation cover over the forest and other lands,
• General improvement of environment and ecosystem,
• Enhancement of biodiversity,
• Increase in agricultural output,
  a. Due to awareness, use of high yielding crop varieties, appropriate application of fertilisers, green manuring, mulching, etc., it is expected that productivity of existing crops will increase by 10 to 15%.
  
  b. Adoption of agroforestry models on agricultural lands, particularly the upland areas will lead to diversification in cropping and useful utilisation of uplands. It will help soil and moisture conservation in addition to production of a variety of food grains, fruits, vegetables, pulses, fodder, etc. These are likely to increase productivity by 10 to 20%.
  
  c. Due to moisture conservation and discharge of water retained in upland soil and water bodies, irrigation can be made available throughout the year. Water table is likely to rise. It is estimated that 30 to 40% of un-irrigated agricultural land can be brought under irrigation.
• Increased supply of forest products
  a. Timber: The major forest timber will come from sal and few other species. Though it is difficult to exactly forecast the output of timber due to lack of data in this respect, but an approximate estimate can be made. Site quality for sal is quality II. So the yield can be calculated on the basis of standard yield tables for site quality II. It is further mentioned that in Tripura sal post having diameter 6'' to 8'' (45 cm to 60 cm girth) is also saleable as post and command good price. It is presumed that at least 20% of stem small timber which is between 15 cm to 60 cm girth is having wood in the girth class 45 cm to 60 cm and this is treated as stem timber since for all practical purposes sal in this girth class is timber (post) and is sold as such. Yearly yield comes out to be 7.836 cum per ha per year (4.657 cum stem timber and 3.179 cum for stem small timber) by taking average of 80 years. The total yield per year from forests on F-I land class will be 1309.396 cum (778.185 cum stem timber and 531.211 cum stem small timber). Similarly from F-II land class, some timber and small timber will be available. If we presume that the production is only 1/3^rd of the yield in F-I land class, then we get 70.425 cum of timber (43.713 cum of stem timber and 28.611 cum of stem small timber) from F-II land class. The total average output from forestland is 1379.82 cum (819.998 cum of stem timber and 559.822 cum of stem small timber). The stem timber can either be used in the village itself or sold elsewhere. The yearly demand of timber for the village is only 105 cum (Table 1). Thus the production is much higher than the demand. The surplus timber is 714.998 cum (819.998 cum - 105 cum), which if sold at a price of Rs. 5000 per cum will fetch Rs.35,74,990 or yearly Rs. 44,687.
  
  b. Fuelwood: We get 559.822 cum of fuel wood from F-I and F-II land classes. The demand is 3,829 cum per year. Thus there is a shortfall of about 3,269 cum per year. In fact, a major source of fuel wood is homestead and agricultural lands. The shortfall can be met from these lands. Further, by supplying solar cookers and improved chullahs (impoverished cooking ovens), it is hoped that the demand of fuel wood would decrease approximately by 20%. With the introduction of agroforestry models, it is further expected that the capacity of agricultural land towards production of fuel energy will increase by about 20%. Other non-conventional methods such LPG should be initiated so that a part of energy demand can be met from it. Overall, the fuel energy production will increase after implementation of the microplan.
  
  c. Fodder: Though it is difficult to estimate the production of fodder as a result of microplan interventions but certainly the fodder availability will be higher. The increase in productivity will be contributed by development of silvipasture system on F-II and P-III class lands, agroforestry systems on upland private land and little bit from other sources as well. At the same time, the demand of fodder will expectedly come down with decrease in the livestock number and adoption of stall-feeding practices. Increased availability of fodder per livestock unit will result in high productivity of meat and milk.
  
  d. Thatch: It is difficult to estimate the effect on production of thatch as a result of microplan interventions. Most likely its production will decrease because of use forestlands for other purposes. Shortage of thatch will not have big impact on people. With rise in income level as a result of microplan activities, more people will opt for other constructional materials such as cement reinforced columns and galavanised iron sheets.
  
  e. Bamboo: Creation of about 9 ha bamboo plantation and introduction of bamboo in agroforestry models will increase supply of bamboos. It is estimated that about 400,000 bamboos will be available per year as result of microplan interventions. This is more than the requirement. The surplus bamboo will fetch income to the villagers or can be used as raw material for cottage industry.
• Employment generation: Implementation of microplan is likely to generate 1,12,500 mandays. About 20 persons will get almost regular work. Indirectly, some people find employment in works such as supply of bricks, construction of buildings, roads, teaching, cottage industry, help in marketing, etc.
• Income: The villagers will get income through sale of forest products, sale of agarbati and bamboo crafts, agricultural and horticultural produce, sale of milk and milk products and meat and many other items.
• Miscellaneous benefits: A large number of benefits, which will accrue to people but difficult quantify are: herbal medicines; increased quantity of food items such as milk, meat, fruits, vegetables and grains; reduced burden of livestock grazing in forest areas due to stall feeding and lowering in number of livestock; better educational and health facilities; and increased social interaction.

Acknowledgements: The author wishes to thank the staff of Udaipur Forest Division, Members of Village Panchayats, Conservator of Forests, Southern Circle, Udiapur, Joint Director, ICAR, Lembucherra and many others including citizens of Garjanmura village for their help in various ways to complete this work.

Bibliography

Census, 1991. Census of India, Government of India, New Delhi.

Champion, H.G. and S.K. Seth, 1968. General Silviculture for India. Government of India, Publications Branch, Delhi.

ICARJD, 2000. Joint Director, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Lembucherra, West Tripura District, India.

OCFSC, 2000. Office of the Conservator of Forest Southern Circle, Department of Forests, Tripura, Udaipur, India.

ODM&C, 2000. Office of the District Magistrate and Collector, Government of Tripura, Udaipur, Tripura, India.

Yadav, J.P. 2001. Microplanning - A Guide to Participatory Natural Resource Management. Natraj Publishers, Dehradun, India. 149 pp.

¹ Post-doctoral Fellow, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, Canada.
33 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B3
E-mail: [email protected]; Tel. 905 276 6191

² Raised land area with gentle to moderate slopes.

³ Low land between tillas and/or hillocks.