Environment And Forest Department

Policy Note – 2003 – 2004

Demand  No. 14

INTRODUCTION

1.1.  Forests are the world's air conditioners and the earth's blanket; without them world would be a bleak and inhospitable place.  Forests are renewable resource and nature's gift to mankind.  The forest eco-system of the State consisting of a variety of flora and fauna representing remarkable bio-diversity is essential for environmental stability and food security.  As a life supporting system forests play a vital role in the ecological stability and rural development of our State. Forestry sector forms the second largest landuse after agriculture and the largest in Government sector.

1.2. Tamil Nadu has a great tradition of preserving it's forest wealth and concern for environment, 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. The impacts of loss and degradation of forests are in the form of soil erosion, loss of biological diversity, damage to wildlife habitats, degradation of watershed areas, deterioration of the quality of life and reduction of the options for development. 

1.4. Conservation and development of forests in order to ensure ecological security forms an integral part of the Hon'ble Chief Minister's 15 point programme announced before this august house to provide opportunities for a healthy and productive life for all.  In the fiftieth meeting of the National Development Council held at New Delhi on 21.12.2002, the Hon'ble Chief Minister has emphasized the urgency and need to ensure environmental sustainability and water conservation by adopting watershed approach.  All the forestry programmes have thus been oriented towards this approach.

 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 22,870 sq. kms. of forest land, which constitute 17.584% of the geographical area as against 33.33% 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 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 being implemented by the Forest Department. Various landmark judgements given by the courts emphasizing the importance of preservation of forests have raised people's 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;
• 1. Ensuring environmental stability and restoration of ecological balance;
• 1. Conservation of bio-diversity for the benefit of present and future generations;
• 1. Mitigating floods and droughts and also retarding siltation of reservoirs by checking soil erosion and denudation in catchment areas of rivers, lakes and reservoirs;
• 1. 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)
• 1. Extension of improved forest technology to farmers for creating alternative sources of forest produce outside the Reserved Forests;
• 1. Improving the habitat for all living beings including micro organisms, insects, birds and animals;
• 1. 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 33.33% by 2012(which is mandated by National Forest Policy-1988). The present forest/tree cover in Tamil Nadu is 17.584%.    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.  Evidence of this are already seen in the recent "State of Forests" - report of Forest Survey of India.

2.5.2. Biological upgradation and ecological restoration through Joint Forest Management

Heavy biotic pressure from about 3100 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.  Substantial degraded forestland remains 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, 3134.70 sq. kms or 13.7% of the total forest area is dedicated towards wildlife conservation covering five national parks, eight 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, 2,679 canals and 38,863 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 patta holders 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 centre 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 reduction 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 2002-2003, training has been imparted to 114 Rangers and 205 Foresters in Southern Forest Rangers College (SFRC) at Coimbatore and to 90 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 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 2002-2003

• 1. During 2002-03, Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project was implemented at a cost of Rs.83.16 crores for raising plantation over an area of 34,900 hectares involving developmental activities in 108 villages.  108 Village Forest Committees and 640 Women Self Help Groups were formed and a total number of 83.30 lakhs mandays were generated.  These Self Help Groups have been linked with the schemes of the State Women's Development Corporation and are functioning effectively.  So far this programme has covered about 4,09,954 hectares involving 1107 Village Forest Councils with an expenditure of around Rs.525.00 Crores.  The water harvesting works under this programme has increased water availability in these villages by 5 - 10% despite poor rains.
• 1. A record revenue of Rs.12159.00 lakhs was realised by sale of 1225.550 metric tonnes of sandalwood.
• 1. 54 lakhs quality saplings were produced for comprehensive wasteland development programme.
• 1. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve found its place in UNESCO network.
• 1. Point calimere sanctuary was declared as Ramsar site of internationally important wetland.
• 1. Ganja plants cultivated over an area of 16.13 hectares were destroyed, which are valued at about Rs.  95,15,310/-.
• 1. An extent of 45,777.57 ha. in Kanyakumari district comprising of Vilavancode, Kalkulam, Agastheeswaram and Thovalai Taluks has been declared as sanctuary by the Government to preserve its unique flora and fauna.
• 1. Medicinal Plants Development and Conservation in the State received applause from all and Equator Initiative award instituted under United Nations initiatives. The award money was ploughed back for conducting siddha medical camps in 26 districts in the State.

2.8. Forest revenue and expenditure

2.8.1. Revenue

The revenue receipt during 2002-2003 (Revised Estimate) and proposed Budget Estimate are detailed below.

2.8.2. Expenditure

The plan outlay under forests during 2002-2003 is Rs.97.68 crores.  Details of expenditure during 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 under various schemes are given below:      

                                                                        (Rs. in lakhs)