MEV 017: Unit 09 – Forest

-

 UNIT 9: FOREST

9.1 Introduction

Forests are vital components of the Earth’s ecological balance, providing a wide range of ecological services such as maintaining biodiversity, regulating the climate, purifying air and water, and preventing soil erosion. They are also crucial for the livelihoods of millions of people, especially indigenous communities who rely on them for food, fuel, shelter, and spiritual needs.

India has a long history of forest conservation, but over the years, population pressure, industrial development, and unsustainable resource exploitation have led to extensive deforestation and degradation. In response, the Indian government has implemented several policies and laws to protect, manage, and regenerate forest ecosystems while balancing ecological and socio-economic needs.

9.2 Objectives

After completing this unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand the evolution of forest policies in India.
  • Describe the major provisions of the National Forest Policies of 1952 and 1988.
  • Explain the importance and objectives of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
  • Understand the rights and responsibilities of tribal and traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
  • Recognize the environmental, social, and economic significance of forests.

9.3 The National Forest Policy, 1952

The National Forest Policy of 1952 was India’s first formal forest policy after independence. It laid down the foundations for forest management in a newly developing nation.

Key Features:

  • Classified forests into four categories: protection forests, national forests, village forests, and tree lands.
  • Stated that one-third (33%) of India's land area should be under forest cover.
  • Focused on commercial exploitation of forests to meet national needs such as timber and fuelwood.
  • Gave high priority to forests in hill regions for maintaining soil and water conservation.
  • Emphasized the role of forests in defense and local needs.

Limitations:

  • Prioritized economic development over ecological sustainability.
  • Lacked provisions for community participation in forest management.
  • Did not adequately address the rights of indigenous people and forest dwellers.

9.4 The National Forest Policy, 1988

This policy marked a significant paradigm shift in forest governance. It emphasized ecological balance over commercial use and introduced participatory forest management.

Salient Features:

  • The primary goal was environmental stability and ecological balance.
  • Prioritized conservation of biodiversity, soil, and water over industrial needs.
  • Promoted afforestation and social forestry to increase green cover, particularly on degraded lands.
  • Emphasized the rights and responsibilities of forest-dependent communities.
  • Advocated for Joint Forest Management (JFM), encouraging local communities to participate in forest protection and regeneration.
  • Stressed the need for forest-based tribal development through non-destructive activities.

Importance:

  • It laid the groundwork for the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
  • Provided a framework for integrating people-centric approaches into forest conservation.
  • Influenced national programs such as the Green India Mission and Compensatory Afforestation.

9.5 The Forest Conservation Act, 1980

The Forest Conservation Act (FCA) was enacted to curb deforestation and ensure that forest lands are not diverted for non-forest purposes without proper scrutiny.

Objectives:

  • Regulate the use of forest land for non-forest purposes.
  • Conserve biodiversity by protecting natural forests from commercial exploitation.
  • Control the indiscriminate cutting of trees by both public and private entities.

Key Provisions:

  • Central Government approval is mandatory for the diversion of forest land.
  • Encourages compensatory afforestation in case of diversion.
  • Establishes penalties for unauthorized deforestation or encroachments.
  • Covers all types of forests, including reserved, protected, and unclassified forests.

Impact:

  • Helped reduce the rate of deforestation.
  • Brought accountability in the use of forest land for industrial or infrastructural purposes.
  • Strengthened the legal framework for forest conservation.

9.6 The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006

Also known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, this legislation aimed to correct historical injustices faced by tribal and traditional forest-dwelling communities.

Objectives:

  • Recognize and vest forest rights to Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) who have been living in forests for generations.
  • Ensure their livelihood and food security by granting legal rights over land, forest produce, and resources.
  • Empower communities to protect, regenerate, and manage forests sustainably.

Types of Rights under FRA:

  1. Individual Forest Rights (IFR): For cultivation and habitation on forest land.
  2. Community Forest Rights (CFR): For managing and conserving community forest resources.
  3. Right to collect Minor Forest Produce (MFP): Like honey, bamboo, tendu leaves, etc.
  4. Right to protect and conserve: Communities can protect biodiversity and wildlife.

Implementation Challenges:

  • Delays in recognition of rights due to bureaucratic hurdles.
  • Conflicts between conservation authorities and forest dwellers.
  • Lack of awareness and proper documentation among beneficiaries.

Significance:

  • Empowers marginalized communities and integrates them into forest governance.
  • Balances ecological conservation with social justice.
  • Recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable forest management.

9.7 Let Us Sum Up

Forests are invaluable ecosystems that must be protected not just for environmental reasons but also for the well-being of millions of people. The evolution of forest policy in India—from the commercial focus of 1952 to the ecological and community-centric policy of 1988—shows a progressive shift in forest governance.

The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 brought legal restrictions on deforestation, while the Forest Rights Act, 2006 empowered traditional forest dwellers by recognizing their legal rights. Together, these laws form a robust framework for achieving the twin goals of forest conservation and community welfare.

However, the success of forest conservation depends not only on laws and policies but also on effective implementation, community participation, and integration of traditional knowledge systems into modern forest management.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Jcert Class 8 Daffodil Chapter 1a: The Naive Friends Solutions

-
Chapter 1a : The Naive Friends Answer the following questions: 1. Which questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg? Ans.         How did the chick come out? How big would the eggs? How many? What colours would they? What did they eat? Such types of questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg. 2. What three things did the children do to protect the eggs? Ans.         The children done three things are: (i)          Adjustment of food. (ii)        Adjustment of water. (iii)      Adjustment of roof. 3. Why did Keshav think of making a cushion for the eggs? Ans.         When Keshav saw the egg on direct sun light, he thaught making a cushion for the eggs. 4. What excuse did Keshav give for not showing the eggs to Shyama? Ans.     ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 3 मित्रता Solutions

-
अध्याय - 3 : मित्रता 1. आप किस प्रकार कह सकते हैं कि मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है? उ. मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है क्योंकि संगति का गुप्त प्रभाव हमारे आचरण पर पड़ता है और यदि हमें अच्छी संगति, अच्छे मित्र मिलते हैं तो वे हमें सफलता की ओर ले जाते हैं जबकि बुरी संगति हमारे जीवन को खाक में मिला देती है।  2. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है।' आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए। उ. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है'- ऐसा इसलिए कहा गया है कि यदि हमें विश्वासी मित्र मिल गया तो हम अपने जीवन में चाहे जैसा भी कदम उठाएँ, उस कदम की आलोचना करके वह हमें सही दिशा की ओर उन्मुख करेगा। हम अपनी गलती रूपी बीमारी को उसकी आलोचना रूपी औषधि से दूर कर सकेंगे।  3. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए? उ. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए हमारे अच्छे विचारों (संकल्पों) को दृढ़ करने वाला हो। हमें दोषों और त्रुटियों से बचाए। हमारे सत्य, पवित्रता ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 8 अमरूद का पेड Solutions

-
अध्याय - 8 : अमरूद का पेड 1. लेखक को क्यों लगता है कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा। उ. अमरूद के पेड़ को देखकर सबसे पहले बाबू कन्हैयालाल की बूढ़ी पत्नी ने एक दिन टोका कि पश्चिम की तरफ अगर मकान का मुखड़ा हो और सामने ही अमरूद का पेड़ तो 'राम-राम बड़ा अशुभ होता है और माँ के चेहरे पर थोड़ा-सा भय दिखा पर लेखक को विश्वास था कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा क्योंकि उसके घर के लोग आधुनिक विचारधारा के थे उसकी माँ सत्याग्रह के दिनों में अजमेर में लम्बा जेल कर चुकी है। पिताजी खुद राजनैतिक सामाजिक उदारता वाले आदमी थे। बुआ ने विवाह नहीं किया था, पढ़ने-लिखने में ही अपनी सम्पूर्ण जिन्दगी लगा दी और समाज कोई चुनौती देने का साहस नहीं कर सका। साथ ही परिवार के सभी लोगों में पिछड़ेपन के प्रति भर्त्सना का भाव था। 2. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया किस प्रकार लेखक को उनके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है ? उ. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया लेखक को उसके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है। वे सभी अमरूद की छाया में बेंत की कुर्सियों पर बैठ चर्चाएँ करते थे जिससे उनके बीच...
Read more