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| Conservation of Forests |
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| The Forest Conservation Act. 1980 has come into existence, after mans realisation of the importance of forests and the need for their conservation. India's forest policy requires that there should be 60% forest cover in the hills and 20% in the plains. |
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| Steps to conserve forests |
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| 1) Indiscriminate deforestation should be prohibited. |
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| 2) Wastage of timber and fuel wood to be avoided. |
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| 3) Alternative sources of energy, such as biogas should be used to supplement fuel wood. |
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| 4) Forest fires should be prevented. |
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| 5) Pests and diseases of the forest trees should be controlled chemically and biologically. |
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| 6) Grazing of cattle in forests should be discouraged. |
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| 7) In discriminate cutting of trees should be prohibited. |
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| 8) Reforestation of the deforested areas should be undertaken. |
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| 9) Large afforestation should be done in areas unfit for agriculture. |
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| 10) Operations called improved cutting and selective cutting should be adopted in forest management. |
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| Forest management |
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| Forests should be properly managed and looked after. |
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| Improvement cutting |
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| Old dying trees, non commercial trees, diseased trees and damaged trees are removed. |
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| Selective cutting |
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| Mature trees cut for timber. Less vigorous trees are cut for timber. |
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| A well managed forest will provide mature trees for cutting regularly and will be a source of constant revenue. |
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| 1) Social Forestry Programme (1976) |
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| Trees are grown on public and common land for the benefit of the rural community. Trees are raised for fuel wood, fodder and fruits. The programme is aimed at reducing the demand on exciting forests. |
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| 2) Agroforestry programme |
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| It is aimed at reviving the ancient practice of using the same land for farming, forestry and animal husbandry. |
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| 3) Urban Forestry Programme |
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| The aim of this project is to grow fruit trees and ornamental plants in urban areas, in private compounds and in common parks. |
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| 4) Production Plantation |
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| It involves growing trees needed for industries in specific areas. |
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| 5) Reserve Forests |
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| These are grown in ecologically fragile areas. Felling of trees and grazing of cattle are prohibited in these forests. |
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| 6) A special function of tree plantation, Van Mahotsava, is held each year in February and July since 1950 to propagate the idea of forest conservation. |
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| 7) Many International agencies like World Bank, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Canadian International Development authority (CIDA) and Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) give support for promoting afforestation Programmes. |
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| 8) Central Arid Zone Research Institute at Jodhpur is engaged in checking the spread of Rajasthan desert. |
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