Forest Conservation in India

Forest conservation in India is not only environmental but also deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual traditions:

• Vedic Era: Forests were revered as Vandevata or Aranyadevata (forest deities).
• Maurya & Gupta Periods: Early state forest policies existed.
  • Kautilya referred to forests as “state property” in Arthashastra.
• British Period:
  • 1864 – Establishment of Imperial Forest Department.
  • Indian Forest Act, 1878 (later revised in 1927) centralized forest control.
• Post-Independence:
  • Forest conservation was linked with developmental goals.
  • 1976 – 42nd Constitutional Amendment moved “Forests” from State List to Concurrent List, giving both Union and States policymaking authority.

Current Status of Forests in India (ISFR 2023)

Economic and Ecological Importance of Forests

(i) Economic Contribution

• Forests contribute ~1.5% directly to GDP, with much higher indirect contribution.
• Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) like lac, tendu leaves, resin, medicinal plants support the livelihoods of 27.5 million rural people.
• Estimated value of ecosystem services: ~$120 billion/year.

(ii) Ecological Benefits

• Carbon Sink: Indian forests absorb ~24,000 million tons of CO₂.
• Soil conservation, water resource protection, biodiversity support, microclimate regulation.
• Mangroves protect coasts from erosion and storms.

(iii) Social & Cultural Significance

• ~3,000 tribal communities depend on forests for livelihood and culture.
• Sacred Groves in 12 states act as “living museums of biodiversity.”

Key Challenges

1. Deforestation:
   • 3.3% tree cover lost (2001–2022, Global Forest Watch).
   • Driven by mining, urbanization, roads, and dams.
2. Forest Fires:
   • ~36% forest area annually prone to fires.
3. High-risk states: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Manipur.
4. Climate Change:
   • Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts → higher tree mortality.
   • Illegal Logging & Timber Trade.
5. Human-Wildlife Conflict:
   • Expansion of settlements vs conservation of tigers, elephants, leopards.
6. Afforestation vs Natural Forests:
   • Monoculture plantations reduce ecological diversity.

Institutional and Legal Framework

Major Government Initiatives

1. Green India Mission (2014): 10 million hectares reforestation in 10 years.
2. Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA): ₹66,000+ crore allocated to states by 2023.
3. National Afforestation Programme (NAP): Village-level forestry via JFMCs.
4. Eco-Task Forces (ETF): Army-assisted afforestation, water conservation, land rehabilitation.
5. National Bamboo Mission (NBM): Promote bamboo as “green gold.”
6. Digital Forest Mapping: Real-time monitoring with GIS, drones, satellite imagery.

Global Initiatives India is Part Of

Best Practices

Way Forward

1. Link conservation to economic policy:
   • Implement Green GDP & Natural Capital Accounting.
2. Empower local communities:
   • Effective implementation of Forest Rights Act.
3. Climate-smart forestry:
   • Use native species; biodiversity-focused plantations.
4. Enhance community participation:
   • Transparent Joint Forest Management.
5. Forest fire management:
   • AI-based alert systems; firebreak zones.
6. Legal reforms:
   • Align Forest (Conservation) Act with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
7. Education & Awareness:
   • Promote “Green Club” culture in schools and colleges.

Conclusion

• India’s forest conservation efforts are integral to environmental policy, national security, climate responsibility, and social justice.
• India demonstrates that development and environmental protection can complement each other.
• A green and secure future depends on every citizen adopting forest preservation in daily life.