Forest Functions Management V.N. Pandey Conservator of Forests January 6, 2003 Disaster Management Institute

Importance of forests Biodiversity Two-thirds of earth’s terrestrial species Building blocks for selection and breeding Only a fraction tapped Under threat (10% of the world’s tree species threatened)

Percentage of species threatend

Importance of forests Landscapes and water Slow erosionSlow erosion Reduce sedimentationReduce sedimentation Protecting rivers, coastlines and fisheriesProtecting rivers, coastlines and fisheries Chemistry of water (Ground water, streams, lakes)Chemistry of water (Ground water, streams, lakes) Prevent desertification and natural disasters caused by flooding and landslidesPrevent desertification and natural disasters caused by flooding and landslides Central role in nutrient cycleCentral role in nutrient cycle Regulate water supply and hydrological cycle.Regulate water supply and hydrological cycle.

Importance of forests Climate –Carbon sequestration –Cause precipitation – equable climate Commercial Wood products Non-wood products (Desire to use natural materials) (Desire to use natural materials) -Recreational services -Recreational services

Importance of forests Rural Livelihoods Subsistence needs Subsistence needs Small scale trading Small scale trading Food security Food security Small-scale agriculture production Small-scale agriculture production Employment Employment

Importance of forests Energy Security –Biomass 15% of the world’s energy consumption –Developing countries fuel wood accounts for more than 70% of all energy use –Potential renewable source Women and Children –Collection –Small scale forest based enterprises Cultural and recreational value

Ecosystem Management Ecologically viable Socially desirable Economically feasible Sustainable management

Forest economic values (US$) Type of value Tropical forests Temperate forests (UK only) Non-Timber extractive value Non-extractive value recreation – 45 (uplands) 75 – 630 (lowlands) Ecological30 Not estimated Carbon 600 – – 375 Non-use values Not estimated

India in respect of World 2% of land area 1.8% of forest land 16% of human population 18% of livestock population 7% of biodiversity (species diversity)

Land use Agricultural land- Agro/Farm forestry Forest land- Natural forests - Plantations Other land- Environmental forestry

FORESTPURPOSEACTIVITIES Protection Water /Soil conservation Soil moisture conservation works Protected Area Biodiversity conservation Habitat improvement Production Timber production Selective felling

PROBLEMSOPPORTUNITIES Rising demand of forest products Awareness, better appreciation Degradation/depletion of natural forests m ha unproductive land Loss of biodiversity Store house of biodiversity - medicinal plants Forest fires Better returns from NWFP Soil erosion Eco-tourism Water loss Community participation Environmental/Ecological problem Agro/Farm forestry International conventions FCCC, CBD, CCD

Need Sustainable production Reduce pressure on natural forests Land conservation Reduce deforestation Creation of employment Intensive plantation Promote Agro/Farm forestry

Forest capital index First-order indicators –Surface area –Standing biomass –Net primary productivity –Species richness –Species diversity Second-order indicators –Age class of trees –Leaf area index –Soil fertility –Soil organic matter –Health of forest stand appropriate weightage (one dimensionless number) appropriate weightage (one dimensionless number)

Joint Forest Management in Madhya Pradesh

Background National Forest Policy, 1988 envisaged people’s participation in management of forests GoI, MoEF Resolution 1990 GoMP Resolution 1991 (Degraded forests& also Well stocked forests) Three more resolutions 1995, 2000, 2001

Population m Population m Villages (total)- 51,806 Villages (total)- 51,806 Forest fringe villages- 21,797 Forest fringe villages- 21,797 Tribal population- 15.4% Tribal population- 15.4% Livestock population- 31m Livestock population- 31m Migratory livestock - 2 m Migratory livestock - 2 m StatisticalProfile Statistical Profile

Forest Area mha 31% of Geographical Area 31% of Geographical Area 12% of India's total forest area 12% of India's total forest area Ecologically sensitive Ecologically sensitive Protected Areas mha Protected Areas mha (9 National Parks & 25 WLS) (9 National Parks & 25 WLS) Country's 17% Tiger population Country's 17% Tiger population

Strategy of Forest Management Z1-Protected Areas (National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries) Z2-Closed Forests outside the P.A.(Density >0.4) Z3-Open Forests (Density < 0.4) Z4-Private and Community Land RDH-Rehabilitation of Degraded Habitat RDF-Rehabilitation of Degraded Forests VFC-Village Forest Committee FPC-Forest Protection Committee VRDP-Village Forest Development Programme EDP-Eco Development Programme

Z1- RDH- Biodiversity Conservation through Rehabilitation of Degraded Habitat & Eco Development Programme. Z2- ANR- Assisted Natural Regeneration with participation of FPC Z3- RDF- Rehabilitation of Degraded Forests & Village Resource Development Programme with participation of Village Forest Committee Z4- Pvt.Extension & Research Centers & ILU

IMPACT IMPACT on on FORESTS and PEOPLE FORESTS and PEOPLE

IMPACT - Forest Conservation Increase in Natural Regeneration Increase in Natural Regeneration Reduction in fire incidence Reduction in fire incidence Control of grazing & illicit felling Control of grazing & illicit felling Rehabilitation of degraded forest Rehabilitation of degraded forest

SOCIO-ECONOMIC Changes Attitudinal change Migration Reduced Increase in Agriculture Production Food Security - Grain Bank Emancipation from the money lenders Emancipation from the money lenders Education & Health Care Education & Health Care Income Generation Opportunities Income Generation Opportunities Empowerment of people, especially women Empowerment of people, especially women Women Self Help Groups formed Women Self Help Groups formed Kulhad Bandi in Jhabua

JFMCs -Current status - After reorganization about 6,000 new committees formed -Currently 12,658 Committees 7,928 VFCs 4,055 FPCs 675 EDCs -Area coverage 5.2 m ha (54% forests) -Families involved 1.6 m -SHGs 3,803 -Grain Banks 3,085 -Bank deposits Rs. 510 m (March2002)

Salient features of resolution All the villager voters as members -A women as Chairperson or Vice-chairperson -Executive Committee *33% women members *Landless and disadvantaged represented -JFMC members, while discharging forest protection duties, have the same protection as available to public servants - A Joint Secretary from among the villagers, may take over as Secretary later -Better share in usufructs

Thanks