Environment and Forests Department

POLICY NOTE -  2002-2003

DEMAND No. 14

INTRODUCTION

1.1. The survival and well being of any nation depends on sustainable social and economic progress, which satisfies the needs of the present generation without compromising the interest of future generations. Spiralling population and increasing industrialisation have posed a serious challenge to the preservation of our terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.  Over exploitation of our resources due to uncontrolled population growth has lead to degradation of forests and denudation of agricultural lands. Rapid urbanisation has resulted in over flowing sewage, mushrooming slums, disappearance of wet-lands and polluted air and water.  Therefore, eco-friendly development is the need of the hour. 

 1.2. Tamil Nadu has a great tradition of preserving forest cover and environmental conservation, which has taught us to respect nature and understand the complex inter relationship between living and non-living things.  The ancient Tamil poets have emphasized the importance of dense forests, clean water and fertile soil in providing ecological security to mankind.  This great tradition of preserving our environmental heritage has been enshrined in the constitution of India under the directive principles of State Policy.  Article 48-A directs that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.  Article 51 A (g) enjoins upon the citizens to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife and to have compassion for all living creatures.

1.3.  Conservation and enhancement of life support systems in order to ensure ecological security forms an integral part of the Chief Minister’s 15 point programme announced before this august house to provide opportunities for a healthy and productive life for all.  The Hon'ble Chief Minister has also emphasised the need for abatement of pollution in rivers and lakes, restoration of degraded forests, wasteland development, recycling of solid and liquid waste and safe disposal of bio medical wastes besides improving air quality by bringing down vehicular emissions. This thrust towards ecological security and environmental upgradation forms the cornerstone of our Forest and Environment policy.

2. FOREST DEPARTMENT

2.1. Forests are nature's renewable resource essential for environmental stability and food security.  Forests help in regeneration of the soil by adding humus, which acts as a porous reservoir to retain water, helping to sustain agriculture in the hinterland.  Forestry, in the true sense, is therefore the foster mother of agriculture. Trees draw water from the soil and release it to the atmosphere, forming an essential link in the water cycle. Forests protect water catchment areas, conserve soil, ameliorate climate and combat global warming and desertification. Efforts to preserve the forest wealth of our State are the joint responsibility of all right thinking people.  Forests need to be managed in a way that ensures their sustainable utilisation, safeguarding the ecological process and genetic diversity essential for the maintenance of the resource base.

2.2. Extent of Forests:

The Forest department is custodian of 22,865 sq. kms. of forest land, which constitute 17.58% of the geographical area as against 33% targetted under the 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 forests outside the Reserve Forest area.  

2.3. Forest Policy:

The forests of Tamil Nadu are governed by National Forest Policy 1988. Yet, by and large, the management of forests has been left to the State Governments.  In Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu State Forest Act 1882, Wild Life Protection Act 1972, Forest Conservation Act 1980 and a host of Rules formulated under these acts are implemented by the Forest Department. Various landmark judgements given by the courts emphasising the importance of preservation of forests has raised expectations in the implementation of the forest policy. The principal aim of the National Forest Policy 1988, and the State Forest Policy is maintenance of environmental stability and restoration of ecological balance through conservation, upgradation and increase in the forest cover. Derivation of direct economic benefits from the forests has been subordinated to this principal aim.

2.4. Objectives:

Forests in Tamil Nadu are being managed with the following main objectives:

1. ·  Increasing substantially the forest/tree cover in the State;
2. ·  Ensuring environmental stability and restoration of ecological balance;
3. ·  Conservation of bio-diversity for the benefit of present and future generations;
4. ·  Mitigating floods and droughts and also retarding siltation of reservoirs by checking soil erosion and denudation in catchment areas of rivers, lakes and reservoirs;
5. ·   Meeting the genuine requirement of fuel, fodder, non-wood forest produce and small timber to the extent possible on a sustainable basis (through Joint Forest management)
6. ·   Extension of improved forest technology to farmers for creating alternative sources of forest produce outside the Reserved Forests;
7. ·   Improving the habitat for all living beings including micro organisms, insects, birds and animals;
8. ·   Making available the traditional forest produce to be used rightfully by the tribal people living inside forests;

2.5. Strategy:

In order to meet the objectives, various strategies are planned as discussed below.

2.5.1. Increasing green cover:

Union Planning Commission has recommended that the forest area in the country should be increased to 25% of the geographical area by 2007 and to 33.3% by 2012(which is mandated by National Forest Policy-1988). The forest/tree cover in Tamil Nadu is 17.58%.    Earnest efforts are being taken to increase the forest cover / tree cover in the State to 25% of the total land area of the State, by encouraging tree cultivation in and outside reserved forest areas.

2.5.2. 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 flow of benefits to the people.  There is about 3,250 square kilometres of degraded forestland to be ecologically rehabilitated in the State.

2.5.3. Special Area Management:

Unique fragile eco-systems of Western Ghats, Nilgiris, coastal mangroves and marine areas are being protected in a holistic manner under specific programmes for managing each category.

2.5.4. Management of Sanctuaries and National Parks:

Tamil Nadu 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, seven wildlife sanctuaries and twelve bird sanctuaries.  Conservation of flora and fauna will continue to be the main objective in the maintenance of sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves. The protected areas in Tamil Nadu are also managed for preserving biodiversity and wilderness to provide nature education, recreation and inspiration for our future generation.  Efforts will 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. 

2.5.5. Catchment Area Management:

  There are 32 river systems, 11 Major reservoirs, 2679 canals and 38863 tanks in Tamil Nadu.  Majority of the catchment areas lie in forest lands. To improve the forests, an Integrated Watershed Development Programme is being implemented with afforestation and soil and water conservation measures in the affected watersheds, which further help 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.

2.5.6. Forest protection:

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 check the destruction of valuable forest products including sandalwood and other scheduled timber, several measures have been taken.  Efforts will continue to be taken up to strengthen the infrastructure for forest protection and to equip the protection staff with facilities like firearms, vehicles, wireless equipments, etc. 

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 fresh encroachments.

2.5.7. Production forestry:

 ‘Timber’ is an important forest produce required by people for household as well as for industrial purposes.  Indiscriminate exploitation of timber in the past and geometrical progression of population increase has led to the situation that the timber from our forests is in short supply.  To meet the requirement of the local people to the extent possible in respect of timber and forest produce, large scale planting of primary and secondary timber species on forest lands, poramboke lands and canal bunds as well as encouraging the planting of timber species by public in private lands, will be taken up.

2.5.8. Forestry for Tribal development:

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.

2.5.9. 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. Extension forestry is mandated to spread knowledge, technology and benefits of profitable practices in tree husbandry to agriculturists throughout the State.  It will also act as a vehicle of rural development through transfer of cost effective, convenient, location specific agro forestry activities to marginal and sub-marginal farmers in patta lands.

2.5.10. Community Forestry:

In order to increase the green cover in the state under this programme it is proposed to plant trees in private and community lands.  Further this programme will be extended to individual/institutional landowners who are having keen interest in growing trees.  Awareness campaign will be conducted in rural and urban areas towards the elimination of unproductive cattle population in the state, which causes heavy damage to afforestation works.

2.6. Thrust Areas:

2.6.1. Forest Research:

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

Experiments are also being conducted by the 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, fuelwood, 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 sandal, casuarina, eucalyptus, tamarind, bamboo, timber, plywood and veneer species as well as oil yielding trees.

Tamil Nadu has its genepool 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 the 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.

2.6.2. 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 2001-2002, training has been imparted to 95 Rangers and 202 Foresters in Southern Forest Rangers College (SFRC) at Coimbatore and to 198 Forest Guards in Tamil Nadu Forestry Training College (TNFTC) at Vaigaidam.

2.6.3. 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.  Dwindling forest resources further make their work very difficult.  Hence, emphasis will be given to ensure that the poorest women with greatest dependence on bio-resources gain equal and secure access to decision-making and control over their livelihood resources.

2.6.4. Employment Generation:

Nearly 75% of the outlay on forestry goes for employment generation.  Efforts are being taken to tap the latent employment potential of villages adjoining forests through the participatory involvement of the rural community.  This will go a long way to strengthen the socio economic fabric of the villages.

2.7. Achievements during 2001-2002:

1. ·     Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project: During 2001-02, Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project was implemented at a cost of Rs.98.28 crores for raising plantation over an area of 75,250 hectares, strip plantation over an area of 300 kilometers and village developmental activities in 200 villages. 200 Village Forest Committees and 351 Self Help Groups were formed. 5085 number of women were benefited and total number of 82.23 lakhs mandays were generated during 2001-2002.
2. ·    Forestry Research Education and Extension Project (FREEP): This World Bank assisted scheme was implemented in this state from 1994-95 to 2000-2001.This scheme was implemented in the villages adjoining the periphery of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tirunelveli district.  Totally a sum of Rs.1084.17 lakhs has been incurred under this scheme till 31.12.2001.
3. ·     To increase revenue from forestry sector, sandalwood auction is being conducted at regular intervals.  A total quantity of 890.000 metric tonnes of sandalwood was sold during 2001-2002.
4. ·     To concentrate on tree growing activities in areas outside forests, especially in wastelands and rain shadow areas, the scheme for creation of green cover plots in wastelands of 20 districts announced by Honourable Chief Minister has been implemented during 2001-2002 and sum of Rs.60.00 lakhs has been incurred for raising plantations over an area of 400 hectares.  The districts covered under this scheme are: Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Dharmapuri, Erode, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Tiruchi, Perambalur, Pudukottai, Dindigul, Karur, Thoothukudi, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudhunagar.
5. ·     The Government have accorded sanction for a sum of Rs.308.70 lakhs for the implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Coastal Shelterbelt Programme in Tamil Nadu.  Under this scheme a sum of Rs.185.64 lakhs has been incurred for afforestation over an area of 1000 hectares till 2001-2002.
6. ·     During this year ganja plants cultivated over an area of 16.30 hectares were destroyed, which are valued at about Rs.2.39 crores.

2.8. Forest revenue and expenditure:

2.8.1. Revenue:

The revenue receipt during 2001-2002 is Rs. 8890.23 lakhs as detailed below.

  The revenue anticipated during 2002-2003 is Rs.11018.56 lakhs.