Forest Conservation

Forests in India cover about 24.62.62% of the country’s land area ( including tree cover) and are some of the most biodiverse forests in the world.
They provide a range of important ecosystem services, such as protecting against soil erosion, regulating the water cycle, and serving as a home for a wide variety of plant and animal species.

The following techniques could be use for forest conservation, which could eventually improve forested areas and make the available resources sustainable:

Afforestation
- It is the planting of trees for commercial purposes
- Instead of taking resources from existing natural forests, afforestation is a process used to plant trees and use them as resources instead of naturally existing forests.
- It also creates habitat for wildlife, recreational areas, and commercial use while not causing harm to natural forests
- Van Mahotsava was launched in 1950 to make people aware of the importance of planting trees
Selective logging
- It is a method used to meet the needs of both the forests and humans seeking economical resources
- Selective logging is the removal of trees within a stand based on size limitations
- This technique allows for forest regeneration to occur between and after the selective harvest cycles
Controlling forest fires
- Forest fires are the most common and deadly cause of loss of forests
- They can start due to natural causes or can be accidents caused by man
- Hence, Precautions must be taken for such incidents. Making fire lanes, spreading chemicals to control fire, clearing out dry leaves and trees etc.
Better farming practices
- Slash and burn farming, overgrazing by cattle, shifting agriculture are all farming practices that are harmful to the environment and particularly to forests. Hence, these practices must be kept under control.
Checking forest clearances for urbanisation
- In the era of rapid urbanization and industrialization, clearing of forests either by encroachment or actual grant of permission is often done
- Hence, strict policies should be in place, so as to avert forest land from urban encroachment.

Forest Conservation Rules 2022 – Committees and Functions

Objectives of the screening committee:

It prescribes a time frame for the review of different kinds of projects. The review process for all non-mining projects must complete within 60 days, while the review process for all mining projects must complete within 75 days.
In the case of projects involving a larger area, the committee gets some more time;120 days for non-mining projects involving more than 100 hectares and 150 days for mining projects.
A nodal officer will head the project screening committee, and the district collector and conservator of forests will provide advice on projects and conduct the initial screening to save time.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife

Protected areas such as wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and biosphere reserves actively conserve and preserve forests and wild animals.

Biosphere Reserve

⮚ Mainly protects and conserves land for wildlife, plants, and the traditional lifestyle of the tribal living in that area

⮚ Generally, maintains the biodiversity and culture of that area

⮚ Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists of one protected area of the national park i.e., Satpura, and two wildlife sanctuaries- Bori and Pachmarhi.

Wildlife Sanctuary

⮚ Protect and provide suitable conditions to living wild animals

⮚ Certain activities are permissible like grazing, collection of medicinal plants, firewood, etc

⮚ This area protects and provides conservation for threatened animals such as blackbuck, white-eyed buck, elephant, golden cat, pink-headed duck, gharial, marsh crocodile, python, rhinoceros, and others.

National Park

⮚ Consists of large and diverse areas that protect whole sets of ecosystems.

⮚ Preserves flora, fauna, landscape, and historic objects of that area. Habitats and natural resources are freely utilize by wildlife residing in the National Park.

⮚ Human activities like grazing, poaching, hunting, animals or collecting firewood, medicinal plants, etc. are not allow.

⮚ The number of National Parks in India is more than one hundred.

⮚ The first reserve forest of India is Satpura National Park.

Government Initiatives for Forest Conservation

Indian Forest Policy, 1952
Forest Conservation Act, 1980
National Forest Policy, 1988
National Afforestation Programme
Forest Conservation Rules 2022
- Objectives of the screening committee:
- It prescribes a time frame for the review of different kinds of projects. All non-mining projects must be review within a period of 60 days, and all such mining projects must be review within 75 days.
- In the case of projects involving a larger area, the committee gets some more time;120 days for non-mining projects involving more than 100 hectares and 150 days for mining projects.
- A nodal officer will head the project screening committee, and the district collector and conservator of forests will advise on projects and carry out the initial screening to save time.