1.2. We have a great tradition of environmental conservation which taught us to respect nature and to take cognizance of the fact that all forms of life - human, animal and plant - are closely interlinked and that disturbance in one gives rise to an imbalance in other’s. Even in modern times, as is evident in our constitutional provisions and environmental legislation and planning objectives, conscious efforts have been made for maintaining environmental security along with developmental advances. The Indian Constitution in the Section on Directive Principles of State Policy assigns duties for the State and all citizens through Article 48 A and Article 51 A(g) which state that the "State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife in the country" and "to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes and rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for the living creatures".

1.3. Tamil Nadu has a great tradition of preserving its 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.

2.1. Forests are renewable natural resource and nature's gift to mankind. Forests play a vital role in the ecological stability and rural development of our State. Ensuring ecological security of the people of the State is an important mandate of the 15 point programme being implemented by this Government.

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.

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.

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

Increasing substantially the forest/tree cover in the State;

Ensuring environmental stability and restoration of ecological balance;

Conservation of bio-diversity for the benefit of present and future generations;

Mitigating floods and droughts and also retarding siltation of reservoirs by checking soil erosion and denudation in catchment areas of rivers, lakes and reservoirs;

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)

Extension of improved forest technology to farmers for creating alternative sources of forest produce outside the Reserved Forests;

Improving the habitat for all living beings including micro organisms, insects, birds and animals;

Making available the traditional forest produce to be used rightfully by the tribal people living inside forests;

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

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, by encouraging tree cultivation in and outside reserved forest areas. Evidence of this is already seen in the recent State of Forests’ report, 2001 of Forest Survey of India compared to 1999 assessment by Forest Survey of India, Dehradun the total area under forest cover in our State has shown an increase of 4,404 sq. kms. (From 17,078 sq. kms. to 21,482 sq. kms.). This increase is mainly in respect of dense forest cover only. Derivation of direct economic benefits from the forests has been subordinated to this principal aim. The total percentage of area under Forest / Tree cover is reported as 21.17 % of the total geographical area.

Heavy biotic pressure from 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.

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 as the proposals for declaration of Sathy Wildlife Sanctuary, Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary and Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary are under consideration and enlarging the extent of already proposed protected wildlife sanctuaries. Many medicinal plants and plants of genetic importance will also be conserved in these areas.

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. The agrarian economy will be benefited by augmentation of the water availability.

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.

‘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.

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.

Forest Extension activities are undertaken in all districts of Tamil Nadu through Forest Extension Centres. These extension centres are disseminating tree growing knowledge to the farmers with a concept of "forests to farm lands".

Expansion of our tree resources outside the natural forest resources outside the natural forest area is imperative to meet the ever increasing demand of the forest produce. In Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project (TAP) much emphasis has been laid on Forestry Extension to attain the above objective. Forestry Extension Centres are mandated to transfer the improved technology of tree husbandry to farmland, motivate the people to take up tree planting and provide platform for eco-education and encourage discussion among youth and children. There are 15 Forestry Extension Centres and 4 Vana Vigyan Kendras in Tamil Nadu spread all over the State.

These centres have established facilities of training halls, interpretation centres and demonstration area for bio-fertilizer and bio-nutrient production. Various agro-forestry model plots, Timberatum plots, Medicinal Plants, etc., have also been laid out in these centres.

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 activities.

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.

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 2003-2004, training has been imparted to 23 Rangers and 154 Foresters in Southern Forest Rangers College (SFRC) at Coimbatore and to 120 Forest Guards in Tamil Nadu Forestry Training College (TNFTC) at Vaigaidam.

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. To ensure this, many women Self Help Groups are being formed under Joint Forest Management.

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.

1. During 2003-04, Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project was implemented at a cost of Rs.85.78 crores for raising plantation over an area of 47,500 hectares involving developmental activities in 150 villages. 150 Village Forest Committees and 489 Women Self Help Groups were formed and a total number of 52.14 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.

2. So far (from 1997-98 to 2003-04), this programme has covered about 457454 hectares involving 1257 Village Forest Councils with an expenditure of around Rs.623.57 crores. The water harvesting works under this programme has increased water availability in these villages by 5 to 10% despite poor rainfall.

3. As against the target of 22 lakhs seedlings for planting in 3100 ha., 27 lakhs of quality seedlings other than karuvel such as neem, vagai, sisu, tamarind, pungan, eucalyptus, subabul, casuarina, etc. raised under Waste Land Development Programme were planted on tank foreshores over an area of 3508 ha. at a cost of Rs.305.72 lakhs.

4. Rejuvenation camp (Special Health camp) has been conducted for the elephants in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary for 30 days from 16.11.2003. In all, 100 elephants belonging to Forest Department, various temples, mutts and individuals participated in the Rejuvenation camp. An amount of Rs.3.14 lakhs was sanctioned towards feeding, infrastructure and Ayurvedic medicines. All the elephants have been transported to their original place safely after completion of the rejuvenation camp.

5. Under Hon’ble Chief Minister’s calamity relief fund, a project with an outlay of Rs.76.10 lakhs was undertaken during 2003-2004 to augment the water resources for the benefit of elephants in six forest divisions viz., Hosur, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Erode and Sathyamangalam.

6. Revenue of Rs.3864.17 lakhs was realised by sale of 276.00 metric tonnes of sandalwood.

7. Under the comprehensive wasteland development programme 8 lakhs quality saplings were produced for planting in 13 districts by the Agriculture Department. (See para 2.9.11)

8. 38,902 Ganja plants over an area of 47.0747 ha. worth of about Rs.119.34 lakhs were destroyed upto 31.03.2004.

The revenue receipt during 2003-2004 (Revised Estimate) and proposed Budget Estimate for 2004-2005 are detailed below.

The plan outlay under forests during 2003-2004 has been Rs.113.45 crores. Details of expenditure during 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 under various schemes are given below:

(Rs. in lakhs)

Arignar Anna Zoological Park is one of the biggest and most scientifically managed zoos in India. Special emphasis will be given for ex-situ conservation of endangered species, habitat improvement and public amenities in the zoo.

During 2003-2004, these schemes have been implemented at a cost of Rs.361.38 lakhs. During, 2004-2005, the outlay is Rs.611.06 lakhs.

This scheme is being implemented for eco-restoration in Nilgiris. The objective of the scheme is to enlarge the permanent green cover and to regulate biotic interference in the forest so as 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, scraping and maintenance of fire lines to prevent forest fire are being executed under this scheme.

During the year 2003-2004 this scheme has been implemented at a cost of Rs.327.59 lakhs and the above scheme is proposed to be implemented with a financial outlay of Rs.300.00 lakhs during 2004-2005.

The Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu comprise of 5,596 square kilometers of forests, out of the total forest area of 22,870 square kilometers. To avoid the degradation of forest eco-system and to improve the existing status of forests with the 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 has been implemented at a cost of Rs.399.33 lakhs during 2003-2004 and the above scheme is proposed to be implemented with financial outlay of Rs.300.00 lakhs during 2004-2005. During 2003-2004, an amount of Rs.35.00 lakhs has been sanctioned and spent towards conservation and development of medicinal plants in priority watersheds of Western Ghats region. It has been decided to continue this scheme at a cost of Rs.28.60 lakhs for 2004-2005 after approval of the Union Planning Commission, Government of India.

During 2003-2004, this scheme has been implemented at a cost of Rs.146.66 lakhs and it is proposed to implement this scheme during 2004-2005 at an outlay of Rs.400.00 lakhs.

The main focus and thrust of forest research in Tamil Nadu is in the fields of bio-diversity conservation and bio-productivity enhancement. The above scheme has been implemented at a cost of Rs.185.00 lakhs during 2003-2004. It is proposed to continue the scheme during 2004-2005 at a cost of Rs.203.00 lakhs.

A project proposal on "Conservation and sustainable use of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserves Coastal Bio-diversity" has been approved for assistance from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). The objective of the project is to conserve coastal bio-diversity and to reduce the pressure on the marine sea resources caused by overexploitation and shift it to land based activities through employment generation. The project with an outlay of Rs.123.94 crores will be implemented by this department through a trust, which has been constituted by the Government. This project was launched by the Hon'ble Chief Minister on 18.07.2002.

During 2003-2004, an amount of Rs.50.00 lakhs was received from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) as initial assistance. An amount of Rs.47.60 lakhs has been spent upto 31.03.2004. During 2004-2005 the scheme is proposed to be implemented with an outlay of Rs.2.00 crores.