In a degraded forest, the soil profile of an ecosystem also deteriorates and no new soil is formed to retain the vitality of the soil profile to achieve the genealogical succession. So, the degraded forests should be given rest first for restoration of vitality. The enrichment of tree plantations within a degraded forest land can be done where there is absence of forest growths, forest resources andalso the soil has lost its fertility.
Now, large amounts of funds from various sources, including the State and Central budgets and aid from international agencies, are coming for restoration of existing ecological systems and formation of strong carbon sinks to tackle the climate change challenges. The State Forest Department is spending huge funds in tree planting operations. But mostly the plantation works take place without proper planning and silvicultural outlooks for revival of lost ecological process of the degraded lands.
The species having biological importance and the need of the eco-systems should be given priority which can support the ecological process of a given endangered biosphere. The trees which have multifarious utility, not only to supplement the ecological process of the zone, but also to support the ongoing food chains of the land, should be promoted. The various faunas, avifauna and even various indigenous floras are benefitted through this kind of trees. The economy of forest dwellers and forest tribes, who settle in the forest lands, can also be benefitted through this kind of planning.
Generally, the forest resources like fruits, flowers, herbs, roots, etc.’ can be made available to these forest dwellers by proper choice of tree planting operations. Through this kind of operations, the economy of forest dwellers can be strengthened and their sustainability can be assured.
For true sense, the wildlife management can be assured through this process. Especially, the herbivorous animals which primarily strengthen the ecological system and create fields for carnivorous creatures as well as for the scavengers to sustain can be grown.
The cottage industries of the State can be promoted, which are exclusively forest based and the forest dwellers can be helped a lot for sustainable existence. Soil conservation measure and flood control device are most important. Especially, the rehabilitation of degraded forests or the ecosystems can be fruitfully assured in every catchment area of our rivers systems. The catchment areas as well as the banks of the rivers can be well protected from soil erosions and loss of soil fertilities. Over and above, flood can be well tackled though rehabilitation of degraded forest lands and forest resources.
At present, all the rivers of Odisha are in spate and houses of people directly or indirectly are severely affected. The duties and responsibilities of the State Forest Departments become more vital for carrying out the conservation of all ecosystems, particularly in catchment as well as in lands, to save the lives and properties of the people of the riverine lands. The State Forest Department should be well monitored on matters of protection and conservation of ecological systems. There should be perfect planning and execution for conservation of biological process of the nature in vulnerable lands of sources of rivers.
Now, it is observed that the State Forest Department is having huge pending money in the plantation programme. Without proper management, planning and foresight, seedlings and the saplings are raised unscrupulously and unscientifically in the degraded forest lands just to spend the funds. The samplings are planted under the trees and the bushes without any silvicultural considerations; which have no future at all. Every plant requires sunlight for carrying out its photosynthesis for its existence. The carrying out of photosynthesis by the plant kingdom is a biological process which cannot be forbidden under any circumstances. The forest people know this perfectly, but excessive greed spoils the public interests. Every year, thousands of crores of rupees are spent in tree planting operations to save the poisoning of atmosphere, but in vain.
Again, the PC payment comes as a stumbling block. The Forest Department and plantation agencies are hand in glove and it is the unscrupulous employees who make the most. The tree planting operations are now very profitable assignments. The State Vigilance Department should have beactive on this front. Wildlife management has become a very alluring job where huge money is floating for expenditure for habitat management. These operations are going on without proper planning of working schemes as evident from sources. The private parties, who have no basic backgrounds on wild life management, are preparing the schemes and are engaged in the working out of the schemes. So, this is leading to failure of the plantation works.
July 29 is observed as the Tiger Day for raising public opinion for conservation of tigers. Worldwide as the species is dwindling fast, there are many programmes to save it. It is opined that if rightful actions are not taken now, the days of tigers are counted. Due to loss habitats, there are regular fights and confrontations between wild animals and men for which the latter are solely responsible. Recent ceaseless cattle lifting in Niali and Jagatsinghpur and elephant menace in various parts of the State are only for loss of habitats of wild creatures. Public awareness is most important and the youngsters should be involved in the conservationdrive. The loss of habitat prevents the multiplication of tiger populations and we should depend on artificial breeding of the same in zoos and ecological parks like Nandankanan.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)