Forests of Manipur

For a hilly State like Manipur, forest products are the most important natural resources for environmental protection and maintaining ecological balance. According to Forest Report, 2003 by Forest Survey of India (FSI), Dehradun, the forest cover of Manipur is 17,219 sq. kms. as against 16,926 sq. kms. in 2001. The distribution of forest cover according to the FSI is shown in the table which is given below.

District wise Forest Area in Manipur:

(Area in sq. km.)

Source: Forest Survey of India 2005

Forest plays threefold roles i.e., protective, productive and aesthetic, each being equally important. Based on the legal status, the forest can be categorised as reserved, protected and unclassed forests. Reserved Forest is one which is permanently dedicated either to the production of timber or to other forest produces and in which right of grazing and cultivation is seldom allowed. In protected forests, these rights are allowed subject to a few mild restrictions. Unclassed Forest consists largely of inaccessible forest or unoccupied waste. During 2007-08, the percentage distribution of reserved forests, protected forests and unclassed forests are 8.42, 23.95 and 67.63 respectively.

Area under Forests by legal status:

(Area in sq. km.)

Source: Economic Survey Manipur, 2008-09

Classification of Forests:

Area under forest includes all lands classed as forests under any legal enactment dealing with forests or administered as forests whether state owned or private and whether wooded or maintained as potential forest land. The area of crops raised in the forests and grazing lands or area open for grazing within the forests are generally included under the forests area.

Division of Forests:

In spite of its smallness in size, the state’s vegetation is rich and varied in character. This is because of the different climatic conditions found in the state and its peculiar physiography. The forest area of the state falls into four distinct zones viz. (i) Burma Border Forests (ii) Ukhrul Pine Forests (iii) Forest overlooking the valley and (iv) Barak Drainage Forests. The Burma Border Forests lie along the Indo-Burma Border. The Kabaw Valley marks the eastern boundary of these forests. The Ukhrul pine forests are scattered almost all over the hills surrounding the valley area. The Barak Drainage forests area situated in the hills of the west of valley area along the cost of the Barak river and its tributaries viz. Jiri, Tuivai, Leimatak and Makru.

The main timber species available in Manipur are Teak, Uningthou, Khasi-pine, Dipterecarpes species (Yangou and Khangra), Michelia Champa (Leihao), Terminalia species (Tolhao), Cedrela Toona (Tairen), Schima Walliechii (Usoi) etc. The quality of timber available in Manipur is very suitable for furniture and construction purposes.

Forest Products:

With a view to maintaining ecological balance, the Government has restricted the felling of trees in the forest areas. As a result, the felling of trees is done on limited scale. The estimated production of timber in 2005-2006 (about 8.8 thousand cubic metres which valued at Rs. 60.76 lakhs) is more than the production of 3.2 thousand cubic metres in 2004-2005 valued at Rs. 8.43 lakhs. The estimated production of firewood in 2005-2006 is 23.96 thousand tonnes (valued at 13.65 lakhs) as compared with 16.62 thousand tonnes produced in 2004-2005 (valued at Rs.12.99 lakhs). The value of forest products in 2005-2006 is estimated at Rs145.28 lakhs as compared with Rs.62.33 lakhs in 2004-2005. Bamboo is accounted for Rs. 4.31 lakhs in the value of minor forest products in 2005-2006. The revenue collected from various forest product can be seen from the table given below:

The year wise revenue collected from various forest product in Manipur 2001-02 to 2007-08:

Source: Economic Survey Manipur, 2008-09

Economic and Commercial Plantation:

One of the most important activities of forestry sector is raising of suitable plantation and their subsequent maintenance. In addition to the plantation by the Forest Department, the plantation schemes that are being implemented in the State are artificial plantation, afforestation creation of plantation crop, social forestry and recreation forests. Besides, plants that are naturally regenerated are also added over large areas every year to facilitate sustained growth. And also final plantation/restocking over 540 Ha. was taken up during the year 2007-08. A scheme for Rubber Plantation was also taken up to produce rubber as well as uplift the economy of the local people by providing employment to the backward families and to rehabilitate the wastelands. In spite of its vast forest resources, its share in the state income is very negligible and the expenditure is much greater than its revenue. The revenue and expenditure under forestry and wild life are given below.

Revenue Receipts and Expenditure on Forestry and Wild life, Manipur:

(Rs. In lakhs)

RE=Revised Estimates           BE=Budget Estimates

Source: Economic Survey Manipur, 2008-09

Social Forestry:

Social Forestry scheme is constituted by three major components viz., (i) Farm Forestry Extension ( Distribution of Seedlings ), (ii) Fuelwood and Fodder Plantation and (iii) Roadside Plantation.

Under the Farm Forestry Extension scheme the people are encouraged to take up plantation activities in their own fields not only to meet their daily requirements of firewood but also to supplement their income by selling the firewood and fodder from these plantations. During 2007-08, 7.70 lakhs seedings were distributed as against 6.03 lakhs in 2006-07.

Inorder to maintain ecological balance, the Fuelwood and Fodder Plantation scheme was taken up. Under the scheme the Forest Department taken up plantation on community and Panchayat land to develop woods and maintain it upto the third year of plantation. Thereafter, the plantation are hand over to the villagers. During 2006-07, plantations of over 350 ha. and advance work including creation of nursery over 250 ha. were carried out. During 2007-08, final plantations over 450 Ha. And distribution of 7,70,000 seedlings were carried out.

Roadside plantation refers to the plantation of ornamental species in single or double rows along the National/State highways with the objectives of improving the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings and also provide protection to the roadside.