ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS DEPARTMENT

POLICY NOTE ON FOREST DEPARTMENT  2001-2002

DEMAND  NO. 44 -  FORESTS 

AND  

DEMAND NO.58 -  CAPITAL OUTLAY ON  FORESTS

INTRODUCTION:

1. Forests are gifts of nature to the mankind.  They are our important renewable natural resource essential for environmental stability and food security.  They form the second largest landuse after agriculture and perhaps the largest in Government sector.  One-third population of rural area depend on forests for their livelihood.    Forests protect catchments of water, conserve soils, ameliorate climate and combat global warming and desertification.  Both wood and non-wood products from forests are valuable so are environmental services and rare species of flora and fauna.

 2. The Forest department is custodian of 22,845 sq. kms. of forest land, which constitute 17.56% of the geographical area as against 33% required under National Forest Policy, 1988.  Nearly half of the forest area is subjected to heavy degradation on account of biotic pressure.  Various schemes and programmes of Government are aimed at restoring the degraded forest and expanding it outside.

3. The forests of Tamil Nadu are governed by the Tamil Nadu State Forest Act 1882, Wild Life Protection Act 1972, Forest Conservation Act 1980 and a host of Rules formulated under the rule enabling powers of the Act. The forest legislation contains provisions for the implementation of the forest policy. The Principal aim of the National Forest Policy, 1988 is maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and restoration of ecological balance of the degraded forest. Derivation of direct economic benefit has been subordinated to this principal aim.

2. OBJECTIVES:

    The forests in Tamilnadu are being managed with following objectives in view:

1. -   Maintenance of ecological stability and conservation of biodiversity;
2. -   Increasing substantially the forest/tree cover in the state;
3. -   Checking the soil erosion and denudation in the catchments of rivers, reservoirs and lakes;
4. -   Meeting the requirement of fuelwood, fodder, non-wood forest produces and small timber of rural and tribal people;
5. -   Improving forest technology and extending this technology to rural population;
6.  

3. STRATEGY:

3.1. Increasing green cover:

The forest/tree cover in Tamilnadu is below the minimum 33% mandated by National Forest Policy.  Earnest efforts are being taken to increase the forest cover / tree cover in the State to one third of the total land area of the State by encouraging tree cultivation in and outside reserved forest areas.

3.2 Conservation of Bio-diversity:

Tamilnadu is endowed with a rich bio-diversity.  Of the total recorded forest area in the State, 2917 sq.kms or 12.8% of the total forest area is dedicated towards Wildlife Conservation covering five national parks, six wildlife sanctuaries and twelve bird sanctuaries.  Conservation of flora and fauna will continue to be the main objective in creation of sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves.  Efforts will also be made to increase the extent of protected areas under wildlife management to 25% of the total forest area of the State.  Many medicinal plants and plants of genetic importance will also be conserved in these areas. 

 3.3. Water augmentation:

There are 32 river systems, 11 Major reservoirs, 2679 canals and 38863 tanks in Tamilnadu.  Majority of the catchments lie in forest areas. To improve the forest, an integrated Watershed development programme is being implemented with afforestation and soil and water conservation measures in the affected watersheds, to increase the ground water level, regulate water-flow in streams, rivers etc and improve fertility of the land below.  The agrarian economy will be benefited by augmentation of the water availability.

3.4. Extension Forestry:

In order to reduce pressure on forest for fuel, fodder and other requirements of the rural people and to enhance the overall green cover, extension forestry works will be undertaken.

3.5. Biological upgradation and Ecological Restoration

       through Joint Forest Management:

Heavy biotic pressure from about 3072 abutting villages is the main cause of degradation of forests.  Biological upgradation and ecological restoration of these degraded forestlands is being attempted through “Joint Forest Management” for sustained benefit flow to the people.  There is 3,250 square kilometer of degraded forestland to be ecologically rehabilitated in the State.

3.6.Tribals and Forests:

Tribals are at the center of the forest eco-system.  Their economy is dependent upon the forest resources.  It is proposed to create tree / vegetation-based assets in tribal and forestlands that would generate sustained benefits to tribals.  Employment generation, improving the infrastructure facilities in tribal villages and education will be given adequate impetus in tribal development programme.

3.7. Forest Protection:

To check the destruction of valuable forest products including sandalwood and other scheduled timber several measures have been taken.  Efforts to strengthen the infrastructure for protection and equipping the protection staff with facilities like firearms, vehicles, wireless equipments etc., will continue. The forest wealth of the State is vulnerable to damage and destruction by illicit felling of trees, ganja cultivation, fire, encroachment and poachers of wildlife.  To protect the forest, it is proposed to strengthen the forest infrastructure.

Valuable forest products including sandalwood and other Scheduled Timber are illicitly removed by anti-social elements.  Details of such offences detected during 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 are, as follows:

Encroachment of Forestlands by adjoining pattaholders and estate owners is a serious problem to the forest administration.  Action is being taken by Forest department to evict such encroachments in co-operation with Revenue and police officials.  Efforts are also being taken to strengthen the infrastructure enabling the department to curtail the fresh encroachments.

3.8. Forest Research:

The main focus and thrust of the Forest Research in Tamil Nadu is on Bio-diversity Conservation, and Bio-productivity enhancement.  For conserving various forest bio-diversity elements of Tamil Nadu, studies on population dynamics of different forest types are being carried out.

Experiments are also being conducted by Research wing on Genetic combing which helps in identifying the plus trees of each species yielding higher utilizable bio-mass viz., fruits, stem, wood for veneer, plywood, fuel wood, wood for construction etc.  Such useful varieties have been assembled in the germplasm bank of all Forest Research Stations.  Outstanding contributions through research for productivity enhancement have been made in the following species viz., sandal, casuarinas, eucalyptus, tamarind, bamboo, timber, plywood and veneer species and oil yielding trees.

Tamilnadu has its Gene pool garden in the Western Ghats with 4000 tree species, mostly endemic and endangered, out of which 1000 species are targeted for ex-situ conservation during this year by research wing of Forest Department.  Further, the research wing of Forest Department is developing Post Harvest technology for utilizing the under exploited timber species for furniture and house hold timber.

3.9. Coastal Forestry:

To protect the coastal areas of Tamilnadu from the impact of heavy winds and cyclones by planting trees, scheme for Coastal Shelter belt plantations is being implemented in the State.  Tamilnadu has a coastal length of about 1000 kilometers, which supports the fragile eco-system and needs to be protected.

3.10. Human Resources Development:

Forest department is one of the oldest departments in the state.  Over the years it has made significant contribution in conservation and development of forests of the State through its skilled human resources.  This will be further enhanced through appropriate training and skill development measures.  During the year 2000-2001 in Southern Forest Rangers College (SFRC) at Coimbatore training has been imparted to 100 Rangers and 168 Foresters and for 50 Foresters and 292 Forest Guards in Tamilnadu Forest College (TNFC) at Vaigaidam.

3.11. Women’s Participation:

In order to ensure household food security, millions of rural women are burdened with the duties of collection of firewood, fodder and water etc.  Dwindling forest resources further make their work very difficult.  Hence, emphasis will be given that the poorest women with greatest dependence on bio-resources gain equal and secure access to decision-making and control over their livelihood resources.

3.12. Employment Generation:

Nearly 75% of outlay on forest goes for employment generation.  Efforts are being taken to tap the latent employment potential of villages adjoining forests for the benefit of rural community with their participatory involvement to strengthen the socio economic fabric of the villages.

4. ACHIEVEMENTS DURING 2000-2001:

1. ·     During 2000-01, Tamilnadu Afforestation Programme was implemented at a cost of Rs.106.01 crores for raising plantation over an area of 75400 hectares and village developmental activities in 200 villages.
2. ·     Under part II schemes during 2000-2001, Rs.87.03 lakhs were sanctioned for the works viz., preventing timber smuggling and poaching of wild animals in Theni division; Strengthening of checkposts by constructing permanent buildings for 10 important check posts; Raising of tall seedlings/saplings for public sale in Chennai city; Development of Arignar Anna Zoological Park; Development of Guindy National Park; Prevention of destruction of natural forests by establishing 3 firewood  depots  in  Kodaikanal division; Improving the

existing infrastructure for better management of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.  Totally a sum of Rs.55.03 lakhs has been incurred for implementation of these schemes during 2000-01

1. ·     The Government have also accorded sanction for a sum of Rs.265.62 lakhs towards implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme Coastal Shelterbelt Programme in Tamilnadu for the year 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 over an area of 1000 hectares.  Under this scheme a sum of Rs.9.58 lakhs has been incurred for carrying out preparatory works.
2. ·     To increase revenue from forestry sector, sandalwood auction is being conducted at regular intervals.  A total quantity of 1477.130 metric tonnes of sandalwood worth about Rs.79.67 crores was sold during 2000-01.  Further, during 2000-01 a total quantity of 621 metric tones of sapwood worth of about Rs.1.68 crores has been sold.
3. ·     During this year ganja plants cultivated over an area of 21.58 hectares were destroyed, which is valued about Rs.4.15 crores.
4. ·     During this year, a sum of Rs. 455.70 Lakhs has been sanctioned for implementation of the scheme "Green Belt for abatement of Pollution and Environmental improvement scheme" to control pollution in five Municipal Corporation areas of Tamilnadu, Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai and Tirunelveli by planting 2,94,000 saplings. Totally a sum of Rs.329.35 lakhs has been incurred for planting 2,39,000 saplings.
5. ·     As a human resource development measure, steps were taken to promote 29 Officers and 61 staffs to higher posts.

5. FOREST REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE:

5.1. Revenue:

       The revenue receipt during 2000-2001 is Rs.13061.77 lakhs as detailed below.

The revenue anticipated during 2001-2002 is Rs.11672.84 lakhs.

5.2. Expenditure:

  The plan expenditure under forests during 2000-2001 is Rs.14156.26 lakhs.  The expenditure under non-plan during 2000-2001 is Rs.6024.53 lakhs. The proposed Budget Estimate for 2001-2002 is Rs.15829.35   lakhs.

6. PLAN SCHEMES:

6.1 Details of expenditure during 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and the proposed expenditure for 2001-2002 under various schemes are given below:   (Rs. in lakhs)

6.2. The following Schemes are proposed to be implemented during 2001-2002 under plan schemes.

7. MAJOR PLAN SCHEMES FOR 2001-2002:

7.1. Tamilnadu Afforestation Project  (Joint Forest Management):

During 1994-95 our Government have conceived a unique afforestation programme called "Tamilnadu Afforestation Project" which is being implemented for a period   of five years from 1997-98 by getting financial assistance in the form of soft loan from Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Japan with an outlay of Rs.499.20 crores.  The project is being implemented through Joint Forest Management involving people living in villages adjacent to degraded forests in planning, planting, protection and sharing benefits etc.  TAP aims at meeting the requirements of the local people for wood, non-wood forest produce and to bring about balanced ecological upgradation employment to tribal folk, creating awareness by motivating people to massive tree planting activities in community/ Government owned/patta lands/degraded forests etc.  Following important works are taken up under this project.

                1. Local Bio-diversity Conservation through Joint Forest management.

                2. Tribal life support.

                3. Extension Forestry.

                4. Shelterbelt plantation activities.

Every year 200 villages are being selected for execution of the approved programme.  In the last four years of the above project, the overall financial achievement is Rs.342.04 crores for raising plantations over an area of 3,00,369 hectares and village developmental activities in 800 villages.

 During 2001-2002 that is the fifth year of the project, proposed financial target is Rs.100.08 crores for planting over 75250 hectares and village developmental activities in 200 villages.

The main strategy of the scheme is to ensure the participation of the local people in planning, execution, benefit-sharing and monitoring and evaluation through Joint Forest Management.  An important component of this project is the buffer-zone activity, where, the needs of the target villages are fulfilled.  It   is  proposed   to  integrate  the  activities  of  the line

departments in providing incentives and infrastructure facilities to the villagers, with the co-ordination of the District Administration.

7.2. Hill Area Development Programme:

  This scheme is being implemented for the upgradation of ecological condition exclusively in Nilgiris.  The objective of the scheme is to enlarge the permanent green cover and regulating man’s interference with nature, especially the forest so as to ensure to preserve, protect and develop the ecological condition through afforestation and soil conservation and other developmental activities.  Activities like tree planting in degraded forest areas, erection of chainlink fence around shola forests, enriching degraded sholas through soil and water conservation measures, scrapping and maintenance of fire lines to prevent forest fire are being executed under this scheme.  The scheme is proposed to be implemented with the financial outlay of Rs.354.18 lakhs during 2001-02.

7.3. Western Ghat Development Programme:

Western Ghats in Tamilnadu comprise of 5,596 square kilometers of forests, out of the total forest area of 22,845 square kilometers.    To arrest   the degradation   process   of   forest eco-

system and to improve the existing status of forests with enriched fauna and flora of Western Ghats, gap planting, construction of water harvesting structures in micro watersheds, planting with minor forest produce species and habitat amelioration and manipulation for Wildlife will be taken up.  All schemes under this programme will be implemented by involving people through Joint Forest Management and on integrated watershed basis.  The scheme is proposed to be implemented with financial outlay of Rs.327.87 lakhs during 2001-02.

7.4. FREEP (Forest Research, Education & Extension Programme)

This World Bank assisted scheme is being implemented in this State since 1994-95. This scheme is being implemented in the villages adjoining the periphery of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tirunelveli district.  Apart from sanctuary management, the forest dependent villagers are uplifted economically in order to stop their exploitation of forests, which are the wildlife habitats. 113 Village Forest Committees are actively involved in implementing this innovative, Eco-Development Scheme.  Alternative income generation activities are undertaken in a big way in order to wean away the forest dependent   villagers.    The World Bank team, which   visited the above area, recently has very much appreciated the implementation of the scheme in Tamilnadu.  The proposed outlay for this scheme for 2001-02 is Rs.147.30 lakhs.

8. PART-II SCHEMES - 2001 - 2002

Creation of Green cover plots in wastelands of 20 districts.

Out of the 1,30,057 Sq. kms., of geographical area of Tamilnadu, forest area covers 22,845 sq. kms., which works out to 17.56 % of total area of Tamilnadu.  To meet the prime objective of maintaining stability and ecological balance, the solution lies in the remaining area with tree planting in areas outside the forests especially in wastelands of rain shadow areas of Tamilnadu.  These plots will enthuse people to raise trees in their vacant land to augment their income.                 

In 20 dry districts of the State which have average rainfall of less than 800 mm. and large extent of wastelands located near national and state highways; hardy, evergreen, drought resistant species over an area of 20 ha. in each will be planted. Rs.15,000/- will be incurred per ha.  The tree plots will encourage the farmers and others to grow in their lands.  It is therefore proposed to create green cover plots in 20 districts at a  rate of Rs.3 lakhs for a sum of Rs.60 lakhs as Part-II scheme in 2001-2002.

In addition to the above and in order to strengthen the infrastructure facilities enabling the forest department to protect the natural flora and fauna, the following new schemes are proposed to be implemented at a total cost of  Rs.139.00 lakhs.

9.  WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES:

During 1999, the Government have issued orders for the constitution of “Vaduvoor Birds Sanctuary” in Thiruvarur district.  Constitution of new wildlife sanctuaries at Kodaikanal, Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Bhavanisagar, Kanyakumari,  Pitchavaram and Point calimere are also under consideration of this Govt. in consultation with Government of India.

10. TAMILNADU FOREST PLANTATION CORPORATION LTD.:

The main objectives of the Corporation are to raise, maintain and harvest pulpwood and cashew to meet the needs of industries and to supply firewood to meet the fuelwood needs of the public.  The Government of Tamilnadu has paid the entire share capital of the Corporation.  The Corporation is having under its control an area of 71,013 hectares of Reserve Forest leased out by the Forest Department.  This Corporation has an authorised share capital of Rs.10.00 crores and a paid up share capital of Rs.3.00 crores.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The details of the plantations raised and maintained during 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 are furnished below:

                                                                                (in hectares)

PULPWOOD SUPPLY

During the year 2000-2001, the Corporation harvested about 1,50,000 metric tonnes of pulpwood.  Out of the total harvest 49,000 metric tones was allotted to M/s Tamilnadu News print and papers Limited and 12,000 metric tonnes to M/s Seshasayee Papers and Board Limited.  For the balance available quantity, the Corporation is taking action for disposal.

SANDALWOOD OIL FACTORY:

In the sandalwood products factory, the corporation has produced a quantity of sandalwood oil of 7698.225 kilograms during the year 1999-2000 and also produced other by products.  The corporation has sold a quantity of 7975.865 kilograms of sandalwood oil and also sold other by products.  The Corporation by taking strenuous efforts has established the brand name of the sandalwood products in the local and international markets.

PROPOSALS FOR 2001-2002

For the year 2001-2002, the Corporation has proposed to raise high yielding pulpwood plantations over an area of 1500 hectares, cashew plantations over an area of 1500 hectares.  It is also proposed to raise 100 hectares of Casuarina plantations using grafted technology.

Income and Expenditure details for 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 (actuals) and budgeted figures for 2001-2002 are furnished hereunder:

                                                                                                                                (Rs. in lakhs)

11. TAMILNADU TEA PLANTATION CORPORATION LIMITED, COONOOR.

share capital of Rs.10.00 crores.  The paid up Capital is Rs.5.96 crores. 

YIELD OF GREEN TEA LEAVES

 (lakhs kilograms)

MADE TEA PRODUCTION

(lakhs kilograms)

LABOUR WELFARE

                This Corporation has so far rehabilitated 2445 families and has provided permanent employment to 7100 people and equal number of casual labourers.  As a labour welfare measure basic amenities such as housing, electricity, protected drinking water supply, laboratories and leave salary. Maternity and financial benefits like loans, labour welfare funds have been provided to the labourers.  Further, medical dispensaries are functioning in plantation areas.  Two hospitals are also functioning.  Apart from this as a labour welfare measure Corporation is running a separate school.

 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DETAILS

                                                                                (Rs. in lakhs)

The Corporation is running loss due to drastic fall in prices of Tea; higher cost involved in the production of Tea and liberalisation in the import policy of Tea. 

12. ARASU RUBBER CORPORATION LIMITED, NAGERCOIL:

Arasu Rubber Corporation Limited has rubber plantations in 4279.78 hectares of forestland in Kanyakumari district taken on lease from Tamilnadu Forest department.  Arasu Rubber Corporation was registered on 20.08.1984 under the Companies Act 1956. The authorised capital of the Corporation is Rs.4 crores.  The paid up capital is Rs.2 crores.  In Tamilnadu,

Kanyakumari is the only district with soil, climate and topography suitable for the growth of rubber trees.

PRODUCTION AND SALES

REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE

                                                                                            (Rs. in lakhs)

Arasu Rubber Corporation is running in loss due to downward trend in the market price for rubber in the last few years; availability of imported rubber at cheaper rate and higher cost involved in production of rubber.

CONCLUSION:

Forestry operations are mostly labour oriented.  Every extra investment leads to larger employment opportunities, particularly to the poor people in rural and hilly areas.  All necessary steps will be taken to continue to generate remunerative employment for the weaker sections of people, particularly to tribals.  On the whole, this Government is wedded to the cause of social and economic upliftment of those living below the poverty line.

S.S.THIRUNAVUKKARASU

MINISTER FOR INFORMATION,

PUBLICITY, FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT