FOREST PLANNING–FOREST POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT

Course Title:
Forest Economics and Marketing
BAS-313 (2+1)

Course Teacher: Dr Ranjan Kumar Kar

Assistant Professor

C OLLEGE OF FORESTRY, O.U.A.T., Bhubaneswar

Indian Forest - A glimpse
India the 8th largest country sharing 2.5% of the world's geographic area and 4% of
water resources of world hosts more than 16% human (about 1.3 billion people) and
18% of the domestic animal population of the planet and 63.73 million ha of forest
area (2% of the world). The Forest Policy requirement recommended for 33% forest
area which is far above present coverage 21.71% (tree cover 24.62%) (State Forest
Report 2021)
Indian forests at a pressure from growing demands of timber, fuel, fodder, and non-
wood forest products, coupled with poor productivity leading to exploitation below
carrying capacity causing forest degradation.
The first Forest Policy at British Colonial Government in 1894 aimed at production
oriented to the post-independence Forest Policy of 1952 was both production and
protection oriented (33% in plain and 66% in hill).
The people involvement in protection was felt and introduced in the resolution passed
by the Central Board of Forestry in 1987. In 1988, latest Forest Policy emphasized on
both production, protection of environmental and ecological stability with integration of
research, education and people’s participation.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) issued guidelines in 1990 for
people's involvement in forest conservation, management, sharing of usufructs and
sale proceeds.
A supporting circular in 2002 provided for strengthening the Joint Forest Management
(JFM) approach by providing legal status to JFM committees and women's
involvement.
In 2001 MOEF launched a scheme of afforestation and eco-development
under Forest Development Agencies that gradually covered 0.175 million
forest fringe villages.
India has 4 of 34 hotspots of world, 91200 species of animals (140 species of
birds, 156 species of reptiles, 110 species of amphibians, 223 fishes, etc.) and
45500 species of plants in its 10 biogeographic regions of the country. One of
the 8 Vavilovian centre of origin of crop plants with 300 wild crop ancestors is
India.
It has wide range of ecosystems and habitats, forests, grasslands, wetlands,
deserts, coastal (vast coastline of 7717 km) and marine eco-systems. IUCN
red list version gave 94 species of mammals, 66 species of amphibians, 30
species of reptiles, 122 species of fishes, 113 species of invertebrates apart
from 225 endangered plants which are hosted in forests and provide
ecosystem services for support of life and learning. 758 animals and plants
are globally threatened in India enlisted by IUCN.
Forest are home to 300 million people around the world. Forest
based activities whether undertaken on a small or an industrial
scale, are an integral part of the economic health and employment
of forest nation. The global forest resource assessment (2020)
showed total employment in the forest sector estimated 12.5 million
people (full time equivalent) in 2015 out of which India alone
provided 6.23 million employment. FAO (2011) fact sheet says
over 1.6 billion people livelihood depend on forests. This argues for
increasing attention and investments in forest based industry to
ensure the long term viability of the world’s forests.
Forests provide raw materials for number of industries of
wood and non-wood like sawmill, matchwood, paper,
plywood, pencil, sports good, fibre board, particle board,
kendu leaf, sal leaf, lac, silk worm, broom grass, landscape,
carbon trade, ecotourism, etc. There is need of proper
planning and policy for a sustainability of forests and
existence of life endowed by it.
 Policy and Planning

Why Policy in forests

The phases of evolutions, earth (4.8 BYA), life (3.5BYA), forests (380 MYA) and humans
(3.5MYA) with their intrinsic relationship has become the key to frame forest legislation. Its
dynamic change over time must be valued in order to preserve their sustainable and
symbiotic bondage.

From the time immemorial, forests has been occupying a valued position; yet man has
travelled a journey between its exploitation and conservation within the policy frame.
Forests was considered as an inexhaustble to excuisite natural resources during various
rulers of India; nevertheless its 1st organisational set up was framed at 300 BC under the rule
of Chandragupta Maurya when forests classified to 1. Religious, 2. Reserved, 3. Grazing, 4.
Hunting gound with protection of animals. Surprisingly, forest’s shape deteriorated owing to
exploitation between Muslim and British rulers, however latter took efforts of late to frame
policies to safeguard the intrest of forests.
In india the forestry administration and organization has developed both at the state and central
levels over a period spanning more than 125 year. Forest organization MOEF, IGF, NAEB
(National afforestation and eco-development board) ,ICFRE (Indian council of forest research
and education), IIFM (Indian institute of forest management ) FSI (Forest survey of india),
IGNFA, Forest administrator ( PCCF ,CCF,RF) and Forest cooperation (OFDC, KFDC) etc.
are the link connect humans to the legislation.
First step towards development was conservation policy an order issued by Bengal
Bombay commission appointed to inquire of the teak felling of girth less than 21
inches in Malabar. But till 1805 nothing happened until a dispach from directors
about shortage of oak in England. Captain Watson appointed as the first conservator
of forest in 1806 who established the monopoly and extinguish the privet rights. In
1838 collector suggested the intervention of revenue officer in teak cutting at
Malabar forest. Conolly 1842 formed state forest dept and Nilambur teak plantation
worked out. Gibson and Cleghorn in 1847 formulate the conservation measure and
eradicate shifting cultivation. But in 1852 annexation of Pegu which exports teak
from Rangoon give rise to beginning of scientific forestry in India . The year 1864
regarded as the beginning of forest administration in India ,as in that year Brandis
was appointed as the Inspector general of forests who formulated forest dept in
different provinces. Charter of Indian forestry 1855 sighted statesmanship and
marked the first concrete step towards conservation .
First Forest Policy adopted by British Colonial Government in 1894
aimed at a custodial and timber-oriented management. The post-
independence Forest Policy of 1952 recommended that 33% of the
area of the country be brought under forest cover. The first policy
decision for people's involvement in forest protection and
management was taken in the resolution passed by the Central Board
of Forestry in 1987. In 1988, a new Forest Policy was adopted, which
aimed at maintenance of environmental and ecological stability and
the motivation of the people to increase and protect forests.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) issued guidelines
in 1990 for people's involvement in forest conservation,
management, sharing of usufructs and sale proceeds. A supporting
circular in 2002 provided for strengthening the Joint Forest
Management (JFM) approach by providing legal status to JFM
committees and women's involvement. In 2001 MOEF initiated a
central scheme of afforestation and eco-development under Forest
Development Agencies.
All policy reforms since 1987 are towards gradually ensuring full
financial and administrative empowerment of the local JFM committees
for managing their own natural resources in ways that allow for a
holistic trade off between ecological and economical benefits from
forests. The participatory forest management approach now offers new
hope for communities dependent upon forests for their multiple needs.
Exciting beginnings have been made and there is need for consolidation
and progress.
Odisha Forests at A glance
The forests in Odisha belong to four Forest Type Groups which are further divided
into 19 Forest Types. In realizing the need for community participation in forest
protection, the Government of Odisha is one of the pioneer State in implementing
Joint Forest Management Programme. Recorded Forest Area (RFA) in the State is
61,204 sq km of which 36,049 sq km is Reserved Forest, 25,133sq km is Protected
Forest and 22 sq km is Unclassed Forests
Odisha Forests Legislation
According to Odisha biodiversity board (2022) Odisha is the second largest nontimber forest producing state in india and 37% of its population depend
on NTFPs for their day to day requirement and upto 40% of the income of the rural people comes from the selling of forest products . The Forest
Department in Odisha came into existence during pre-independence period since 1883-84, when Odisha was a part of Bengal. A solitary division was there
namely, Odisha Division amongst 10 Divisions comprising the whole of Bengal, Bihar & Odisha under the charge of one Conservator of Forests with
headquarters at Darjeeling. Sometime in past, certain forest blocks of Angul were declared as Reserved Forests under section 19 of Indian Forest Act,
1882. Odisha Forest Division was bifurcated into two divisions - Angul and Puri in the year 1912. Later on Sambalpur division was created. This three
division had a total area of 741 sq. miles of Reserved Forests and 1069 sq. miles of protected forests.
 The Orissa Forest Act, 1972
 The forest conservation rules,2003
 Orissa Forest (Detection, Enquiry and Disposal of Forest Offence) Rules, 1980
 Orissa Forest (Fire Protection) Rules, 1979
 Orissa Forest (Grazing of Cattle) Rules, 1980
 Orissa Forest (Management of Coastal Shelter Belt Plantation Raised on Private Lands) Rules, 1980
 Orissa Forest Saw Pits and Saw Mills (Control) Rules, 1980
 Orissa Forest Shooting Rules, 1973
 Orissa Rewards for Detection of Forest Offences Rules, 2004
 Orissa Timber and Other Forest Produce Transit Rules, 1980
 Orissa Village Forests Rules, 1985
 Schedule of Rate for Forest Produce in Orissa Rules, 1977
 Supply of Bamboos to Artisans Including Co-operative Societies (Orissa) Rules, 1980
 The wildlife (protection)(orissa)amendment rules ,2005
 Odisha kendu leaves control trade act ,1961
 Odisha communal forest and privet land
 The odisha forest produce control of trade act 1981
Forest and forestry have come to attention of policy makers because the concern like
global warming ,climate change , biodiversity protection ,the alarming rate of
disappearance of native or virgin forests and the plight of indigenous forest people .Excess
withdrawal of the forest produce beyond carrying capacity make the forest no more
sustainable. Governments at national and regional level who are concerned about water
conservation see forest as a critical element in watershed and river protection Proper
reclamation of mined areas requires the different kinds of forest laws and recognize the
forest areas and giving them a proper safer environment .
 Forests at various five year Plans
Ever since the launching of Five Year Plans regular provisions have been
made for forestry de­velopment and forest based programmes.

1st five year plan

In first five year plan a sum of Rs. 9.5 crore was spent on forestry
programmers in which emphasis was laid on afforestation, forest transport
and communication, forest administration and small scale plantation by
state governments. Similarly the central govern­ment gave priority to
forest research, forestry educa­tion and wild life conservation.

Second Five Year Plan

In Second Five Year Plan 193 million rupees was allocated for forestry
development programmes. Here main focus was towards afforestation,
devel­opment of plant species of commercial and indus­trial importance,
increase production of timber and important minor forest products, wild
life conserva­tion, improvement in the living conditions of forest personnel,
forestry research, extension of new tech­nological facilities and widening
the scope of co­operation with the Central Government. Due to these
efforts value of major forest products increased from 190 million rupees to
Eighth Five year plan
The programmes included forest conservation, social forestry, fuel wood, for­est labour, forest survey, forest research and peo­ple’s participation in forest development. The
new thrusts included ‘tree for every child programme’, eco-development force, eco-development camps and agro-forestry programmes. During this period affoestation was
made over 21.5 lakh ha. Of area. The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 restricted the transfer of forest land to other uses.
During Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90) a sum of Rs. 1859.10 crore was allocated for forestry development. It fixed up target for planting trees on 50 lakh ha. of area with
main programmes like (i) conservation of important flora and fauna for eco­system, (ii) increasing forest area through afforesta­tion programmes like social forestry, agro
forestry etc, (iii) fulfilling the needs of fuel wood, fodder, timber and minor forest products, (iv) maintaining balance between forestry programmes and welfare of tribal’s
dependent on forests, (v) laying emphasis on forestry research, forestry education, and forestry training, and (vi) seeking people’s participation for forestry development under
JFM (Joint Forest Man­agement) Scheme.
Nineth five year plan
Ninth Five Year Plan Performance Objectives The
Ninth Plan was formulated with the following
objectives: (1) To maintain the environ mental
stability and ecological balance (2) To conserve
the flora and fauna (3) To conserve the moisture
and soil in the catchment areas (4) To increase
the tree cover (5) To create massive peoples
movement in forestry through Joint Forest
Management and (6) To increase the forest
or tree cover in the State to 20% of total
land area
The Way Ahead
5.1 There is an urgent need for propagating these new and major
shifts from the timber oriented and custodial forestry practices to a
more socially, environmentally as well as local people friendly process
of micro planning and management of forests through a JFM
approach. It also calls for a holistic trade off between ecological and
economical benefits from forests. This requires a rapid attitudinal
change on part of both forest personnel and local villagers to work as
member of a team and as partners with the common goal of
conserving and enhancing the forest resources for its sustainable use
by the society in general and local people in particular.
5.2 For ensuring that these major policy changes are properly
implemented in the field, some of the focal issues deserving
immediate attention are as under:-
Large scale grass-root level training have to be organized for field level
forest staff, local village leaders and NGOs about capacity building and
for assuming the added responsibility in adoption of participatory
approach.
Developments of proper guidelines, for
resources and need assessment for preparation
of need based micro plans along with
implementation schedule, possible silvicultural
options for multi-product management.
NWFPs are the main stay for the sustenance
and quick economic returns for rural people,
special attention is needed for NWFP
development, sustainable harvesting and
marketing.
NGOs will have to deal with more complex intermediary roles as trainers, researchers
and policy advisors and facilitators.
Decision-making and management will have to shift to new institutional forums, at
different levels. Forest protection committee meetings, divisional and state level
working group meetings will become the laboratories for an evolving process.
The local and district level elected bodies, the "Panchayats" and "Jilaparishads"
respectively have to provide necessary political to support JFM process. This will
provide stability and give the JFM committees the institutional look and social
acceptability.
While new policies and programs represent a historic opportunity to shift from
management practices of the 19 century to newly adapted systems that may better
th

respond to the social and environmental needs of the 21 century, many challenges
st

remain. India's social cultural and ecological diversity requires that emerging local
forest management be tailored to respond to prevailing problems and opportunities.
This requires an understanding of vegetative conditions, local leadership and
institutions and the importance of forest to the local and regional economy. Viable
management partnerships need to be based on a solid understanding of forest use
dependencies, balancing economic and ecological objectives to benefit participating
village communities, the state and the nation.
The maintenance of records of technical operation, yield of NWFPS, fuel wood
and timber etc. and its distribution should become an essential part of JFM
activities.
It is necessary to develop skills of local leaders and staff to ensure equity in
distribution of benefits amongst local people and conflict resolution.
After the training and human resource development adequate administrative and
financial power along with necessary funds should be given to the JFM
committees for ensuring smooth working.
Proper institutional set up and standards will have to be developed for monitoring
and evaluation of work of JFM units.
There is need to develop special approach for joint management in and around
National Parks and Sanctuaries where usufruct sharing may not be possible.
6.0 Conclusion
Joint Forest Management: A New Hope For Sustainable Forestry
Participatory forest management (also referred to as JFM), offers new hope for
communities most directly dependent upon forest for their multiple needs. Exciting
beginnings have been made in a number of states. Local forest protection committees
are proliferating; some spontaneously others with the encouragement and assistance
of forest department field staff and NGOs.
Forest Departments now have a challenge to reorient their perspectives, to shift from
being forest managers to community facilitators. They will need to develop and
effectively adopt more flexible planning processes which are truly participatory and at
the same time completely integrated into the overall working plan objectives.
Innovative silvicultural systems to maximize benefits from multiple uses will need to be
evolved with the inputs of traditional and technical knowledge and increased
understanding of the ecological and economic role of NWFPs.
Special emphasis will need to be given to ensure that women and disadvantaged
communities have an equitable role in management and decision making. Village
institutions will have to apportion responsibilities, develop internal rules and practices,
distribute benefits, manage funds and savings, organize marketing and processing
enterprises.