Lesson 2. FOREST RESOURCES

Module 2. Natural resources

Lesson 2

FOREST RESOURCES

‘A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people’- Franklin D. Roosevelt

2.1 Introduction to Natural Resources

Any material which can be transformed in a way that it becomes more valuable and useful can be termed as resource. In other words, it is possible to obtain valuable items from any resources. Resource, therefore, are the means to attain given ends. The aspect of satisfaction is so important that we consider a thing or substance a resource, as so long it meets our needs. Life on this planet depends upon a large number of things and services provided by the nature, which are known as Natural Resources. Thus water, air, soil, minerals, coal, forests, crops and wild life are all examples of natural resources.

2.1.1 Classification of natural resources

Depending upon availability of natural resources can be divided into two categories such as (1) renewable and (2) Non renewable resources.

1.Renewable resources

Renewable resources are in a way inexhaustible resources. They have the ability to replenish themselves by means such as recycling, reproduction and replacement.Examples of renewable resources are sunlight, animals and plants,soil,water,etc.

2. Non-Renewable Resources

Non renewable resources are the resources that cannot be replenished once used or perished. Examples of non renewable resources are minerals, fossil fuels, etc.

Resources can also be classified as biotic or abiotic.

a)Biotic resources

These are living resources (e.g. forest, agriculture, fish and wild life) that are able to reproduce or replace them and to increase.

b)Abiotic resources

These are non-living resources (e.g. petrol, land, minerals etc.) that are not able to replace themselves or do so at such a slow rate that they are not useful to consider them in terms of the human life times.

2.1.2 Problems associated with natural resources

1. The unequal consumption of natural resources

A major part of natural resources today are consumed in the technologically advanced or ‘developed’ world, usually termed ‘the west’. The ‘developing nations’ of ‘the east’, including India and China, also over use many resources because of their greater human population. However, the consumption of resources per capita (per individual) of the developed countries is up to 50 times greater than in most developing countries. Advanced countries produce over 75% of global industrial waste and greenhouse gases.

2. Planning land use

Land is a major resource, needed for not only for food production and animal husbandry, but also for industry and growing human settlements. These forms of intensive land use are frequently extended at the cost of ‘wild lands’, our remaining forests, grasslands, wetlands and deserts. This demands for a pragmatic policy that analyses the land allocation for different uses.

3. The need for sustainable lifestyles

Human standard of living and the health of the ecosystem are indicators of sustainable use of resources in any country or region. Ironically, both are not in concurrence with each other. Increasing the level of one, usually leads to degradation of other. Development policies should be formulated to strike a balance between the two.

2.2 Forest Resources

Forest is important renewable resources. Forest vary in composition and diversity and can contribute substantially to the economic development of any country .Plants along with trees cover large areas, produce variety of products and provide food for living organisms, and also important to save the environment.
It is estimated that about 30% of world area is covered by forest whereas 26% by pastures. Among all continents, Africa has largest forested area (33%) followed by Latin America (25%), whereas in North America forest cover is only 11%. Asia and former USSR has 14% area under forest. European countries have only 3% area under forest cover. India’s Forest Cover accounts for 20.6% of the total geographical area of the country as of 2005.

Figure

Fig. 2.1 Forest area in percent of land area by country (courtesy : FAO, 2012)


2.2.1 Significance of forests

Forest can provide prosperity of human being and to the nations. Important uses of forest can be classified as under
  • Commercial values
  • Ecological significance
  • Aesthetic values
  • Life and economy of tribal
2.2

Fig. 2.2 Uses of the forest

2.2.1.1 Commercial values
  • Forests are main source of many commercial products such as wood, timber, pulpwood etc. About 1.5 billion people depend upon fuel wood as an energy source. Timber obtained from the forest can used to make plywood, board, doors and windows, furniture, and agriculture implements and sports goods. Timber is also a raw material for preparation of paper, rayon and film.
  • Forest can provide food , fibre, edible oils and drugs.
  • Forest lands are also used for agriculture and grazing.
  • Forest is important source of development of dams, recreation and mining.
2.2.1.2 Life and economy of tribal

Forest provide food, medicine and other products needed for tribal people and play a vital role in the life and economy of tribes living in the forest.

2.2.1.3 Ecological uses

Forests are habitat to all wild animals, plants and support millions of species. They help in reducing global warming caused by green house gases and produces oxygen upon photosynthesis.
Forest can act as pollution purifier by absorbing toxic gases. Forest not only helps in soil conservation but also helps to regulate the hydrological cycle.

2.2.1.4 Aesthetic values

All over the world people appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of the forest because forests have a greatest aesthetic value. Forest provides opportunity for recreation and ecosystem research.

2.2.2 Over exploitation of forests

Forests contribute substantially to the national economy. With increasing population increased demand of fuel wood, expansion of area under urban development and industries has lead to over exploitation of forest .At present international level we are losing forest at the rate of 1.7 crore hectares annually. Overexploitation also occurs due to overgrazing and conversion of forest to pastures for domestic use.

2.2.3 Deforestation
  1. Forest are burned or cut for clearing of land for agriculture ,harvesting for wood and timber , development and expansion of cities .These economic gains are short term where as long term effects of deforestation are irreversible
  2. Deforestation rate is relatively low in temperate countries than in tropics If present rate of deforestation continues we may losses 90% tropical forest in coming six decades
  3. For ecological balance 33% area should be under forest cover but our nation has only 20.6% forest cover.
2.2.3.1 Causes of deforestation

Forest area in some developed area has expanded. However in developing countries area under forest is showing declining trend particularly in tropical region. Main causes of deforestation are

2.3

Fig. 2.3 Causes of deforestation


a) Shifting cultivation or jhum cultivation

This practise is prevalent in tribal areas where forest lands are cleared to grow subsistence crops. It is estimated that principle cause of deforestation in tropics in Africa, Asia and tropical America is estimated to be 70, 50, and 35% respectively. Shifting cultivation which is a practice of slash and burn agriculture are posses to clear more than 5 lakh hectares of land annually. In India, shifting cultivation is prevalent in northeast and to limited extent in M.P, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and is contributing significantly to deforestation.

b) Commercial logging

It is a important deforestation agent. It may not be the primary cause but definitely it acts as secondary cause, because new logging lots permits shifting cultivation and fuel wood gatherers access to new logged areas.

c) Need for fuel wood

Increased population has lead to increasing demand for fuel wood which is also acting as an important deforestation agent, particularly in dry forest.

d) Expansion for agribusiness

With the addition of cash crops such as oil palm, rubber, fruits and ornamental plants, there is stress to expand the area for agribusiness products which results in deforestation.

e) Development projects and growing need for food

The growing demand for electricity, irrigation, construction, mining, etc. has lead to destruction of forest. Increased population needs more food which has compelled for increasing area under agriculture crops compelling for deforestation.

f) Raw materials for industrial use

Forest provides raw material for industry and it has exerted tremendous pressure on forest. Increasing demand for plywood for backing has exerted pressure on cutting of other species such as fir to be used as backing material for apple in J&K and tea in northeast states.

2.2.3.2 Major effects of deforestation

Deforestation adversely and directly affects and damages the environment and living beings .Major causes of deforestation are
  • Soil erosion and loss of soil fertility
  • Decrease of rain fall due to affect of hydrological cycle

Figure

Fig. 2.4 Effects of deforestation (courtesy: tutorvista)
  • Expansion of deserts
  • Climate change and depletion of water table
  • Loss of biodiversity ,flora and fauna
  • Environmental changes and disturbance in forest ecosystems
2.2.4 Case studies

1. Jhum cultivation

Jhum Agriculture or shifting agriculture has destroyed large number of hectare of forest tracts in North-Eastern states and Orissa. Jhum agriculture is subsidence agriculture in which tract of forest land is cleared by cutting trees and it is used for cultivation. After few years, when productivity of the land decreases, cultivators abandon the land and clear next tract. As a result of this practise, combined with increasing population there is rapid deforestation as more and more cultivators clear forest to cultivate land. Also, with increase in population there is cultivators are forced to return to previous tracts of land in relatively shorter durations, not allowing the land to regain its productivity.

2. Chipko movement

The Chipko movement or Chipko Andolan is a social-ecological movement that practised the Gandhian methods of satyagraha and non-violent resistance, through the act of hugging trees to protect them from being felled. The modern Chipko movement started in the early 1970s in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand,with growing awareness towards rapid deforestation. The landmark event in this struggle took place on March 26, 1974, when a group of peasant women in Reni village, Hemwalghati, in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India, acted to prevent the cutting of trees and reclaim their traditional forest rights that were threatened by the contractor system of the state Forest Department. Their actions inspired hundreds of such actions at the grassroots level throughout the region. By the 1980s the movement had spread throughout India and led to formulation of people-sensitive forest policies, which put a stop to the open felling of trees in regions as far reaching as Vindhyas and the Western Ghats.

3. Western himalayan region.

Over the last decade, there has been widespread destruction and degradation of forest resources in Himalayas, especially western Himalayas. This has resulted in various problems such as erosion of top soil, irregular rainfall, changing weather patterns and floods. Construction of roads on hilly slopes, have not only undermined their stability, but also damaged protective vegetation and forest cover. Tribes in these areas are increasingly facing shortage of firewood and timber, due large scale tree cutting. Increased traffic volumes on these roads leads to increased pollution in the area.

2.2.5 Timber extraction

There has been unlimited exploitation of timber for commercial use. Due to increased industrial demand; timber extraction has significant effect on forest and tribal people.

2.2.5.1 Logging
  • Poor logging results in degraded forest and may lead to soil erosion especially on slopes.
  • New logging roads permit shifting cultivators and fuel wood gatherers to gain access to the logging area.
  • Loss of long term forest productivity
  • Species of plants and animals may be eliminated
  • Exploitation of tribal people by contractor.
2.2.6 Mining

Major effects of mining operations on forest and tribal people are:
  • Mining from shallow deposits is done by surface mining while that from deep deposits is done by sub-surface mining. It leads to degradation of lands and loss of top soil. It is estimated that about eighty thousands hectare land is under stress of mining activities in India
  • Mining leads to drying up perennial sources of water sources like spring and streams in mountainous area.
  • Mining and other associated activities remove vegetation along with underlying soil mantle, which results in destruction of topography and landscape in the area. Large scale deforestation has been reported in Mussorie and Dehradun valley due to indiscriminating mining.
  • The forested area has declined at an average rate of 33% and the increase in non-forest area due to mining activities has resulted in relatively unstable zones leading to landslides.
  • Indiscriminate mining in forests of Goa since 1961 has destroyed more than 50000 ha of forest land. Coal mining in Jharia, Raniganj and Singrauli areas has caused extensive deforestation in Jharkhand.
  • Mining of magnetite and soapstone have destroyed 14 ha of forest in hilly slopes of Khirakot, Kosi valley and Almora.
  • Mining of radioactive minerals in Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka are posing similar threats of deforestation.
  • The rich forests of Western Ghats are also facing the same threat due to mining projects for excavation of copper, chromites, bauxite and magnetite.
2.2.7 Effects of dams on forests and tribal people

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru referred dam and valley projects as “Temples of modern India”. These big dams and rivers valley projects have multi-purpose uses. However, these dams are also responsible for the destruction of forests. They are responsible for degradation of catchment areas, loss of flora and fauna, increase of water borne diseases, disturbance in forest ecosystems, rehabilitation and resettlement of tribal peoples.
  • India has more than 1550 large dams, the maximum being in the state of Maharashtra (more than 600), followed by Gujarat (more than 250) and Madhya Pradesh (130).
  • The highest one is Tehri dam, on river Bhagirathi in Uttaranchal and the largest in terms of capacity is Bhakra dam on river Satluj in Himachal Pradesh. Big dams have been in sharp focus of various environmental groups all over the world, which is mainly because of several ecological problems including deforestation and socio-economic problems related to tribal or native people associated with them.
  • The Silent valley hydroelectric project was one of the first such projects situated in the tropical rain forest area of Western Ghats which attracted much concern of the people.
  • The crusade against the ecological damage and deforestation caused due to Tehri dam was led by Shri. Sunder Lal Bahaguna, the leader of Chipko Movement.
  • The cause of Sardar Sarovar Dam related issues have been taken up by the environmental activitist Medha Patkar, joined by Arundhati Ray and Baba Amte. For building big dams, large scale devastation of forests takes place which breaks the natural ecological balance of the region.
  • Floods, droughts and landslides become more prevalent in such areas. Forests are the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in the form of biodiversity and by destroying them (particularly, the tropical rain forests), we are going to lose these species even before knowing them. These species could be having marvellous economic or medicinal value and deforestation results in loss of this storehouse of species which have evolved over millions of years in a single stroke.
2.2.8 Forest conservation and management

Forest is one of the most valuable resources and thus needs to be conserved. To conserve forest, following steps should be taken.
  1. Conservation of forest is a national problem, thus it should be tackled with perfect coordination between concerned government departments.
  2. People should be made aware of importance of forest and involved in forest conservation activities.
  3. The cutting of trees in the forests for timber should be stopped.
  4. A forestation programmes should be launched
  5. Grasslands should be regenerated.
  6. Forest conservation Act should be strictly implemented to check deforestation.
  7. Awards should be instituted for the deserving.
References

http://www.earthwatch.org/rcc_india
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHE1oUFO_-U&feature=related
Last modified: Friday, 5 October 2012, 8:47 AM