Forests of Assam

In the recent past the importance of environment protection and conservation of natural resources has been given wide attention at state and national level. The State of Assam is enriched with extensive forest area and wealth like valuable forest products and also rich with different species and strains of floras and faunas. People of Assam from time immemorial have also depended upon the forests to meet their daily needs. The forest cover in the State is probably more than what the nation aspires to achieve by the end of 11^th Plan. The National Forest Policies (1952 and 1988) aim at having one third of country’s land area under forest and tree cover. The concept of extension forestry initiated in the early eighties under State Plan has percolated well in terms of extent of forest cover outside the notified area.

As per Forest profile of the State, the Reserved Forest area and Proposed Forest area is 14206 sq km and 19418 sq km respectively in 2009-10. The total Forest area excluding unclassed State Forest is 19418 sq km and 3436 sq km area is under Protected Area as reported by State Forest Department. Thus, the reserved forest area constitutes around 18 per cent and total forest area excluding unclassed forest constitute around 25 per cent of the total geographical area of the State. However, the scenario within the notified area depicts rather gloomy state in terms of degradation during the last 20 years due to various biotic factors and encroachment. As a result, considerable rich bio-diversity has been lost which need to be re-built again.

The thrust areas identified by the State Forest Department are as below:

a) Preservation of the existing biodiversities.

b) Arresting the trend of degradation and reverting the process by reforestation.

c) Preservation and development of the existing Protected Area Network (PAN) and their expansion in suitable areas.

d) Improvement of research and development activities in Forestry and Wildlife.

e) Bridging the gaps in infrastructural & Logistical front.

Forest profile of the State:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Out-Turn of Forest Produce and Revenue:

The forest produces of the State mainly comprises of industrial wood, fuel wood, bamboo, stone, sand and gravel, thatch etc. A good amount of revenue is earned by the State Government from its various forest produces. During 2008-09 and 2009-10 the out-turn of Major and Minor forest products are as follows:

Production of Forest Product of the State:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Revenue earned from the forest product in the State:

(Rupees in lakh)

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Wildlife and National Parks & Sanctuaries:

The Wildlife Act provided for setting up national parks and sanctuaries for Wildlife. The total Wild life Protected Areas in the State of Assam is 3925 Sq. Km. The category wise Wildlife Protected Area is as follows:

Area of the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam, 2007-08:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Wildlife Sanctuaries:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Proposed Wildlife Sanctuaries:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Project Tiger:

The State has a Tiger Project established in the Manas National Park. The objective of the Tiger Project is to preserve Tiger population by providing all round protected measures. The total area of Tiger Reserve is 4211.52 Sq km. and numbers of Tigers in the Reserve is 182 as per ‘Tiger Census’ of 2008. Kaziranga has 32 tigers per 100 sq km which is the highest tiger density in the world. To ensure conservation of Tiger, the State Government has constituted Kaziranga, Manas, and Nameri Tiger Conservation Foundation in August 2009. The Government has further notified the Tiger Conservation Rules, 2010 and Government of India has been requested for direct funding to these Tiger Conservation Foundation.

Much emphasis has been given for conservation of one horned Rhinos, the pride of the state. The Rhino population in the State is increasing which is evident from the census report. The elephant population is also increasing in the State according to Elephant Census 2007.

Population of Rhino and Elephant in the State:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

Development Action and Achievement:

Forestry is a very important sector and has immense contribution towards poverty alleviation of the rural population dwelling in and around the forest track. It only has vital role in safeguarding ecological balance of the region but has a direct bearing in the growth and development of Agricultural & other allies sectors.

It has total manpower of 7202 No. of the personnel at present as per incumbency position.

Considering the importance of Forestry towards Society the Sector has been provided allocation of fund as shown below:

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

The achievements Made during 2010-11 are given below:

A) The Department has targeted for raising of plantation in 18,000 hectare area during 2010-11 under the different Plantation Schemes. Against which till date the following achievement has been made as below:

1. Mukhya Mantrir Assam Bikash Yojana: An amount of Rs.300.00 lakh has been spent for creation of 146.14 hectare Plantation during 2010-11 under this scheme.

2. Rehabilitation Degraded Forest : Raised Plantation in 789.30 hectare area by spending an amount of Rs.200.00 lakh during 2010-11 for rehabilitation of degraded forest area.

3. Regeneration of Silvi Works: Under this scheme an amount of Rs.50.00 lakh is earmarked during 2010-11 for creation of 411.00 hectare of Plantation and that has been achieved during the year.

4. Nursery: For creation of Nurseries an amount of 200.00 lakh is earmarked and Nurseries created in 21.30 hectares of land during the year 2010-11.

5. Rural Fuel Wood Plantation: To provide Fuel Wood for rural household an amount of Rs.30.00 lakh has been spent for creation of 18.00 hectare area under Fuel Wood.

6. Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Garden: An amount of Rs.100.00 lakh is earmarked during 2010-11 under Non- Plan and for which a detail Scheme for development/maintenance of Plantation of Medicinal & Aromatic Plant Garden has already been submitted to government for sanction of the targeted works and that will be expected to complete within March 2011.

7. Bamboo Mission Plantation (CSS): Under the said Scheme 2907 hectare of Bamboo Plantation has been created up to December/2010.

8. Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (AYUSH) CSS: Under the said Schemes 1082 hectare Plantation has already been created up to December/2010.

9. Compensatory Afforestation & Management Programme Authority ( CAMPA): Under the above Scheme, Plantation has been raised in 165.79 hectare up to December/2010.

Under the aforesaid schemes total Plantation and Nurseries created in 5694.39 and 185.44 hectares respectively during 2010-11. In addition to above, the following proposals are under process to create plantation & Nurseries under Social Forestry Scheme.

Source: Economic Survey Assam 2010-11

B. Seedlings Distribution: Out of the total target of 130 lakh seedlings during 2010-11, till date 90 lakh seedlings has been distributed. The balance is expected to be completed by the end of March/2011.

C. Raising of 2^nd Battalion of Assam Forest Protection Force: During 2010-11 an amount of Rs.200.00 lakh is earmarked for development of Infrastructure works under Assam Forest Protection Force Battalion. However, the sanction of Schemes for 2010-11 is yet to be communicated from Govt.’s end and on receipt of same, the Infrastructure Works are expected to be completed within March/2011. The works for raising of 2^nd Battalion of Assam Forest Protection Force at Seconee under Nagaon District is under progress. The process for appointment of 702 nos. of Constables & 20 nos. Cooks out of total sanctioned of 998 nos. posts is almost completed.

D. Construction of Roads & Culvert: An amount of Rs.68.00 lakh is earmarked during 2010-11 for construction of 87 Km. of Forest Roads & 7 nos. of Culvert, under various Forest Divisions of the Department and the works are already completed within December/2010.

E. Water facilities & Other Forest Protection Infrastructure & Amenities to staff: An amount of Rs.165.00 lakh has been earmarked under the Schemes Amenities to Forest Staff & labourers. The fund is utilised for 10 nos. of Tube Well Pump, 40 nos. Ring Well, 30 nos. Common Toilet, 5 nos. Garage, 2000 RM Boundary Wall, 5 nos. Solar Energy System and 13 nos. Electrification of staff quarter up to December/2010.