Q. 3. Describe the role of government agencies in forest conservation.

Ans. British Government made forest policy in 1894 in India. It established forest department in every state for the protection and development of forests. There were two main objectives of this policy-Revenue collection and conservation of forests.

(1) In 1950, after independence, Central Forest Board was established. New forest policy was made. Its four main points were 1. Forest area should be increased to 33-3 percent, 2. Forestation, 3. Protection of forests, 4. Forestry research.

(2) The policy was revised on 7th December 1988. The main aim of the forest policy of 1988 is protection, conservation and development of forests.

(3) In 1990, a 20-year National Forestry Action programme was launched to make National Forest Policy of 1988 functional. For the development of the forests, the following activities are taking place :

(1) Establishment of Central Forest Commission : In 1965, Central Government has established a Central Forest Commission. Its functions were to collect information and data, to broadcast technical information, market study and to coordinate the institutions engaged in forest development programmes.

(2) Indian Forest Survey Organisation : This organisation was established in 1971 to know about the forest products.

(3) Council of Forestry Research and Education : It was established at Dehradun. Forestry Research Institutes and centres under the council are responsible for undertaking research in their respective eco-climatic zone. Its four regional centres are at Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Jabalpur and Burnihat.

(4) Establishment of Wood Craft Training Center : State Government has established wood craft training center in 1965 in Dehradun to train the employees of forest department and forest officers.

(5) Forest Conservation Act : In 1980, Central Government has passed Forest Conservation Act according to which forest land cannot be converted into agricultural land without the permission of the government. Government has classified forests into four categories- 1. Protected forests, 2. National forests, 3. Village forests, 4. Tree groups. From the management point of view forests are categorised into three groups (i) Reserved forests, (52 percent), (ii) Protected forests (32 percent), (iii) Unclassified forests (16 percent).

(6) Van Mahotsava : In 1950, K. M. Munshi, the then agriculture minister, had started Van Mahotsava. "Plant more trees" movement was started to increase the forest area and to motivate people for plantation. Van Mahotsava is celebrated from 1st to 7th July every year in our country.