Forest Management Needs More Funds

Kulbhushan Upmanyu

(The writer is an environmentalist heading Himalaya Niti Abhiyan)

Forests play a multidimensional and important role in the economy of Himachal whose about 67% area is forests. Out of it 23% to 27% area is actual forests.  They are playing important role in maintaining natural balance, natural landscape,  climate control, water conservation, checking soil erosion. Ironically, management of this wealth is done in commercial perspective instead of above mentioned factors from the British times. Singular plantation of commercial varieties was encouraged and for that natural forests were ruined in the name of forest enrichment. This process continued uninterrupted from 1850 to 1981. However a change in the viewpoint was witnessed later because of global consciousness and social revolutions like ‘chipko andolan’. Forests could become a regular source of income and employment if plantation and enrichment of fruits, fodder, fuel and medicinal plants is done. It will be better for all if both the the government and society understand this basic fact soon.

Forests have multidimensional environmental benefits extending from hill states to plain areas. But ironically we still cannot come out of the mentality of seeing them as a source of wood only which is the dead produce of a tree. According to Dr. Tarakmohan Das, as per price standards of 1980, a 50 tonne tree in its 50 years life period provides Rs. 15.7 lakh worth services such as cleaning air, climate control, water conservation, shade etc. However we don’t have the system as per the needs to protect and conserve this unique and invaluable wealth. A lack of coordination between community and government is the biggest hurdle. Besides this, many practical decisions could not be taken because of centralisation. The forest department was established on the lines of police force during the British rule. Therefore even today its mentality is to remain disconnected with the society. The department instead of serving as an assistant to save forests serves as an owner of forests. And the society instead of playing the role of skilled assistant is least concerned about forest wealth and its future. We need to come out of both these mentalities.

Article 28 of chapter three of Forest Act 1927 sets a system of making forest villages. The power to do such also lies with state government. The Forest Rights Act, 2006 provides more stringent provisions in article three of chapter two, as it is a special article, whose provisions are supreme over other prevailing laws. It was framed to recover from the mistakes made during the British rule. Important thing is whether we want to make positive use of legal framework or want to save ourselves from its ambit. These two articles provide ample opportunities if we want to make its positive use. The qualitative change in approach and relations of forest department and communities is possible if some portion of every village is turned to forest village and managed by constituting permanent forest management committees. This work should begun by allocating proper amount at state level in the coming budget, as employment opportunities are directly or indirectly linked to this initiative. Big and beneficial changes in terms of environment and employment oriented can be made if centre also contributes to this cause by providing green bonus to hill states.

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