Forests
Forest biodiversity may be the most rich of all terrestrial systems. Together, tropical, temperate and boreal forest offer diverse sets of habitats for plants, animals and micro-organisms, holding the vast majority of the world's terrestrial species.

Forest biodiversity provides a wide array of goods and services, from timber and some non-timber forest resources to playing an important role in mitigating climate change as carbon sinks. At the same time, it provides livelihood and jobs for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Forest biological diversity also has important economic, social and cultural roles in the lives of many indigenous and local communities.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the present area of the world's forest is 3.9 billion hectares. This area is the equivalent to North, Central and South America combined.

Forest biodiversity is being lost due to the rapid deforestation, fragmentation, and degradation of all forest types. According to FAO, there has been an annual net loss of 9.4 million hectares (0.22 per cent annually) since 1990, of which most was natural forest in the tropics. As these figures are calculated by including the rate of reforestation, the true reality in terms of loss of natural forest may be up to 14 million hectares a year, if not more. The most important factors associated with forest and biological diversity decline are human-induced causes: conversion to agricultural land, overgrazing, unmitigated shifting cultivation, unsustainable forest management, introduction of invasive alien plant and animal species, infrastructure development (road building, hydro-electrical development urban sprawl), mining and oil exploitation, forest fires caused by humans, pollution and climate change. Read about how the issue is being addressed under the CBD
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Forest cover decline in the Western Ghats
Very little has been documented recently about the status of the forest cover, except that it seems to have declined between 1972 and 1985 at a rate paralleling that for India as a whole, which implies a loss of over 2.4% annually. If we extrapolate from 1986 to 1989, this means a total loss of almost 34% for 1972 to 1989. According to Myers et al. 2000, only 6.8% of the original extent of vegetation exists today. Still worse is the decline of the primary forest: the amount remaining seems to be no more than 8000 km2. All but isolated pockets of original forest have been opened up by shifting cultivation, allowing a take-over by deciduous species and bamboo among other forms of 'degenerate' vegetation. _________________________________________________________________________

A methodology has been developed for a comprehensive assessment of forest resources inside and outside forest areas at national level by stratifying the country into physiographic zones and to take a sample of 10 percent districts for detailed inventory during a cycle of two years. This information, thus generated, will form a part of the biennial State of Forest Report. These estimates will be further improved in the subsequent reports as another set of 10 percent districts are sampled and surveyed, and so on. Together with forest inventory, assessment of herbs & shrubs (vegetation survey) is being carried out. In addition, assessment of regeneration status, biodiversity indices and soil carbon in forest areas are being carried out.

Methodology

A.   Forest Inventory                                                               (Download manual)
The country is stratified into 14 physiographic zones as depicted in the figure above according to tree species composition and other physiographic and ecological parameters.  In strata, districts are considered first sampling units and grids of size 1 ¼* x 1 ¼* as secondary sampling units.  Ten percent of districts are being inventoried every year.

(i) 1:50,000 scale Survey of India toposheet is divided into 36 grids of 2 ½* x 2 ½*, further each are divided into 4 sub-grids of 1 ¼* x 1 ¼* forming the basic sampling units.  Two of these sub-grids are randomly selected and corresponding sub-grids in all the 2 ½* x 2 ½* grids are selected to form the sample.  The intersection of diagonals of such sub-grids are marked as center of plot on the map.  At the center of selected subgrid a plot of 0.1 ha area is laid out in each such grid and data are collected from the plots falling in forest area only.

(ii) For collecting data on soil, forest floor (humus & litter carbon), sub-plots of 1m x 1m are laid at each corner within the 0.1 ha plot.

(iii) The data regarding herbs and shrubs (including regeneration) are collected from four square plots of 1m x 1m and 3m x 3m respectively.  These plots are laid out at 30 meters from the centre of 0.1 ha plot in all four directions along diagonals in non-hilly area and along trails in hilly areas.

Data is collected from randomly selected sample plots.  The data on checking is entered in the computer and after rectification it is sent to headquarter for processing.  Processing will be carried out for different parameters such as area estimation, stand and stock tables, standard error estimation etc.

B.  TOF (Rural)                                                                            (Download manual)
Extensive tree wealth exists outside continuous forested areas in every country. Termed as “Trees Outside Forests (TOF)”, these are in the form of small woodlots and block plantations, trees along linear features, such as roads, canals bunds, etc. and scattered trees on farmlands, homesteads, community lands and urban areas. Inventory of trees outside forest areas is of great importance in planning as this, together with the forest inventory, provides a complete picture of wood/forest resources. FSI has been carrying out TOF assessments since early 1990s. However, an accurate estimate at the national level at a specific time frame was given for the first time in State of Forest Report 2001.

The study area for this survey is considered as rural areas outside forest areas of the district. For any survey, an investigator requires a sampling frame. Sampling frame for rural areas has been prepared by headquarter with the help of remote sensing technique and Digital Image Processing (DIP).  PAN data for the respective districts taken up for assessment of TOF (Rural) is procured from NRSA, Hyderabad.  Toposheets for the same district are identified and geo-referenced.  These toposheets are then used to rectify panchromatic data.  After rectification, these PAN data are used to rectify the multi-spectral data (LISS).  The panchromatic and multi-spectral data are then fused together and classified into various classes to obtain the three stratum of TOF i.e. block, linear and scattered.

TOF Classified Map
Stratified random sampling is being employed for the survey. The country is stratified into 14 physiographic zones and the physiographic zones are strata and the district is a first stage sampling unit. The district is further stratified into three strata namely, block, linear and scattered. Plots are the sampling units and frame of such blocks, linear and scattered stratum of each district are prepared by the headquarter.  The number of sample plots and size in blocks; linear and scattered stratum to be surveyed in the non hilly district are as follows:

a) 35 square plots of 0.1-hactare sizes in block stratum are randomly selected in the block plantations after classification of fused PAN data for each district and surveyed in the field.

b) 50 rectangular plot of 10m x 125m of sizes in linear stratum are selected from the fused PAN data for each district and surveyed.

c) 50 square plots of 3.0-hactare sizes in scattered stratum are selected from the fused PAN data for each district and surveyed.

The number of sample plots and size in blocks; linear and scattered stratum to be surveyed in the hilly district are as follows:

a) 35 square plots of 0.1-hactare sizes in block stratum are randomly selected in the block plantations after classification of fused PAN data for each district and surveyed in the field.

b) 50 rectangular plot of 10m x 125m of sizes in linear stratum are selected from the fused PAN data for each district and surveyed.

c) 95 square plots of 0.5-hactare sizes in scattered stratum are selected from the fused PAN data for each district and surveyed.

Note: It has been concluded from the study conducted for determination of plot sizes and sample size for all the three strata that 35 plots in blocks and 50 and 50 plots from linear and scattered are to be surveyed for non hilly districts whereas 35, 50 and 95 are to be surveyed in block, linear and scattered stratum respectively for hilly districts. However, some points may not be traceable on the ground or are inaccessible or status of points may not match with the stratum or fall in forest/ urban areas.  To augment this, additional points needs to be surveyed.  Field parties will collect information for these plots indicating status of plot in appropriate column of the form.

The sampling technique, which is being used is stratified random sampling. The district is divided into five categories of town as defined below, as strata. Urban Frame Survey Blocks (UFS Blocks) are the sampling units. Frame of such blocks for each district are obtained from the National Sample Survey Organisation.  The number of sample blocks to be surveyed in the district is to be decided by the following method.

(a) In the district 10 % of total blocks will be selected and proportionately distributed in five class of town when available UFS blocks in the districts are less than 500. Minimum number of blocks should not be less than twenty in a district.

(b) In the district 5 % of total blocks will be selected and proportionately distributed in five class of town when available UFS blocks in the districts are between 500 and 1000.

(c) In the district 2.5 % of total blocks will be selected and proportionately distributed in five class of town when available UFS blocks in the districts are more than 1000. After selecting the UFS blocks, data are collected, entered and processed in the same way as it was done in case of Forest Inventory/TOF Rural.

The methodologies for forest inventory and TOF have already been evolved and a field manual has been prepared and communicated to the field units for carrying out inventory.  The manual of instructions is primarily meant for the guidance of personnel concerned with field inventory like JTA, STA’s, Draftsman, Supervising staff and Data processing officers at HQ’s.  The manual takes into account almost all aspects involved in the inventory right from the start of survey to the stage of final dispatch of data to the Zonal Head Quarters for entry.

Target
As per Tenth Five Year Plan proposal, FSI will be assessing forest and tree cover in 10% of the total districts of the country in a cycle of two years.  Accordingly, 60 districts will be inventoried completely during 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.  During 2004-2005, 32 districts are being inventoried.  The remaining 28 districts will be taken up during 2005-2006. 

Electronic Data Processing    
Preparation of National Forest Inventory Database System (NFIDS) As per the Tenth Five Year Plan approval, FSI is conducting National Forest/Tree Inventory along with vegetation survey. As the objectives of the inventory have been redefined with inclusion of several new parameters, the methodology has also been significantly modified.  As per the revised methodology a National Forest Inventory Database System (NFIDS) based on database software (MS Access) using front end on Visual Basic has been prepared.  The data base system has the following modules:

(i) National Forest Inventory/TOF Data Entry module

(ii) National Forest Inventory/TOF Data Processing module

(iii) National Forest Inventory/TOF Reporting module

(iv) National Forest Inventory/TOF Result database module

(v) GIS interface with forest cover

Work on the first two modules has already been completed and successfully installed in all the zonal offices.  Work on the remaining modules is under progress.

Forest Inventory Unit of this organisation processes the data collected by different zones during the inventory through the above modules.  During the year 2004-2005 a target of data processing for 30 districts of forest and non forest areas has been fixed.

Target
The target for which the data processing will be done during the year 2005-2006 will be for 30 districts.
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Forest Mapping
Forest Survey of India assess the forest cover of the country on a two-year cycle using satellite data. The main objective is presentation of the information on forest resources of the country at state and district level and to prepare forest cover maps on 1:50,000 scale. First assessment of forest cover of the country was made in 1987 and thereafter eight more assessments have been made. Districtwise information on forest cover has been made available from the third assessment (i.e. from 1991) onwards.

Till the fourth assessment interpretation of data for the entire country had been done visually. During fifth and sixth assessment interpretation of data for Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra which comprises 28% forest cover of the country had been done digitally and for rest of the States/UTs, it had been done visually. In seventh assessment interpretation has been done digitally for thirteen states namely; Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Delhi (UT), Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, which comprises 63% of the forest cover of the country. By eighth assessment the entire country was covered by digital assessment.

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Fanning The Forest Fire
How many of those who are reading these lines want to save the forests. If majority replies in positive, a strong case to conserve forest cover builds up. However, how many of those who are reading these lines have actually visited the forests( not parks & gardens) or are willing to reject the practices harmful to flora. If majority replies in negative, which is highly probable, conservation drive remains a sentimental issue & lack the support of society. Nothing else, except national apathy describes the gradual depletion of Indian Forest cover & wild life therein.

Community forestry scheme was initiated by UNDP to provide food, fodder, fuel, fertilizer & fibre closer to place of dwelling. However, lack of community participation & unscientific adoption of tree let it down. Eucalyptus was chosen as the main tree, which proved highly water consuming & depleted water table. To make matter worse, it had little agronomic use compared to variety of other Indian plant species.

National Forest Policy proposes 33% of the total land under forest cover. State of Forest Report(SFR) 1999 assessed total forest area of the country was 63.7 hectare, 19.39% of the total geographical area. 2001 SFR, released by Ministry of Environment & Forests notices increase in forest cover to 20.55%. However, these figures are challenged on ground of change in techniques & parameters of Forest Survey of India. Forest cover is now defined as land more than one hectare in size & with a tree canopy density of more than 10%. Significantly, it is irrespective of land use & ownership. Accordingly, agro forestry, private orchards, tea & coffee estates are also included in forest cover, through sheer manipulation of definition.

At the centre of present controversy lies the Scheduled Tribes( Recognition of Forests Rights)Bill. It seeks to give land rights to tribals occupying the land in protected areas & national parks before 25 Oct 1980.The land allotted is subject to maximum of 2.5 hectares per FDST( Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes). The Bill supported by Ministry of Tribal Welfare is opposed by conservationist & Ministry of Environment & Forests, who fear the adverse impact of human habitation on country's feeble wildlife & forest cover. Significantly, the Bill recognizes land rights even in core areas. Though it's provisional for five years, however if no relocation is undertaken by state during stipulated five years, a family gets permanent rights over the land.

In fact, several issues are involved here. The Bill leaves Forest Dwelling non STs out of its purview. It also reinforces the myth of tribals being an anthropogenic specie, needing special protection( read isolation!). Further, a tribal may well be persuaded by land mafia to sell his land & the consequences are anyone's guess

To understand the issues concerning Indian flora, IndianNGOs.com spoke to Mr PK Sen, foremost forest & wildlife expert in India. Former Dir Project Tiger & World Wild Fund, he presently runs Ranthambore Foundation.

Appearing shortly his incisive opinion on Forest Right Bill in Environment Forum.

Forests : Government Interventions

Report of National Forest Commission

Forests : NGO Interventions

TERI : Development of CDM forestry prospects in Andhra Pradesh (Source)
Sponsor(s): Government of Andhra Pradesh
Start Date: August 2007
TERI is helping the Andhra Pradesh forest department in developing the forestry sector carbon mitigation projects, for trading under both CDM (clean development mechanism) and voluntary markets. The objectives of the project are:
to provide support to the Andhra Pradesh forest department in getting approval from the DNA (designated national authority) and registration of projects;
to develop appropriate institutional mechanisms for implementing the project; and
to concurrently monitor the project during its implementation.

VIKSAT Nehru Foundation for Development : SAKSHAM
(Sangathan Kshamta Manch) Community forestry has gained recognition as an important means of developing social capital. Often, forest user groups and local forest committees come together to form federations, farmers’ groups and other organisations to voice concerns of their constituencies; more effectively, bring relevant thematic issues onto regional and national agendas. Initiation and progress Since 1985, VIKSAT has been facilitating initiation and strengthening of People’s Institutions in the form of Tree Growers’ Co-operative Societies (TGCSs) at the village level. This has been an ongoing process as the TGCSs are promoting the concept of JFM to newer villages.
Over the years, the scope of community management has expanded in terms of spread and quality with 80 PIs (in Bhiloda and Satlasana Talukas) with varying degrees of effectiveness in protecting and managing forestland covering an area of around 12251 hectares as on February 10, 2004. The Bhiloda Sangh and Gadhwada Sangh are active in various natural resource management activities in Bhiloda area of Sabarkantha district and in Mahesana district of Gujarat respectively.
For example, VIKSAT with involvement of these people’s Institutions in the past, have led the transformation of degraded forestland belonging to 50 tribal villages in Bhiloda taluka into well-wooded areas. These People’s Institutions have representatives from almost every household in the village. In 1993-94, the Sangh is registered with the Registrar of Co-operatives under the Co-operative Societies Act 1961 as Bhiloda Taluka Lok Van Kalyan Sahkari Sangh Ltd. (hereafter referred to as the Bhiloda Sangh).
The Bhiloda Sangh, the Gadhwada Sangh (both promoted by VIKSAT) and 10 other federations promoted by NGOs and Forest Department have in due course formed into a state level federation known as SAngathan KSHAmta Manch-SAKSHAM. Over the years SAKSHAM has gained sufficient exposure and expertise to undertake many developmental activities and implementation of projects. As on date, SAKSHAM has representation from 12 taluka level federations across 9 districts in Gujarat, with a total membership 417 JFMCs and 47,510 members; out of which 35,550 are males and 11,960 are females. A total of 53,209.91 hectares is under protection by SAKSHAM members.

Objectives of SAKSHAM
To strengthen and prepare People’s Institutions (PIs) involved in forestry activities for the impending shift from the protection regime to the production management regime through the process of capacity building; To facilitate the people-to-people learning process through mutual exchange of information, knowledge and experience for capacity building; and, To create a people’s forum that will facilitate favorable pro-people policies and programmes and to mobilize enhanced support from the government for People’s Institutions.
VIKSAT as SAKSHAM Secretariat VIKSAT, in its capacity as Secretariat to SAKSHAM and as a Resource Centre, has carried out the following activities. These activities were in tune with the annual action plan prepared by the forestry team.

Viksat - Joint Forest Management (JFM) - as a means of regeneration
JFM is a programme of People’s Participation in forestry, has been gaining ground in the past few years as a mean of regenerating and rehabilitating degraded forest areas. Gujarat is considered a pioneering state in India in the context of JFM. It was among the first states to have implemented the GoI Resolution of June 1990. It was among the first to set up a broad based State Level Working Group with senior forest officers, NGO representative and academicians interested in NRM as members. Starting with three to four villages and a few hectares, JFM in Gujarat today encompasses more than 1460 villages and over 1,68,385 hectares.
As the concept of People’s Institutions for JFM picked up momentum in Gujarat, more and more forest dependent villages evinced interest. Need was therefore felt to provide the necessary support for such institutions in terms of institutional building, conflict resolution, leadership training skills and resource sharing. To fulfil this need, the idea of a federation of PI’s emerged, and The Bhiloda Taluka Lok Van Kalyan Sahkari Sangh Limited was formed in 1993. So far 27 states[1] in India have formally initiated JFM, with their respective state Forest Department issuing orders, in the form of resolution to enable the constitutions of FPCs.
Activities such as fodder management, nursery, plantation, awareness camps, training programmes and exposure visits are organised to increase the resilience of the local people. Correspondingly, these initiatives are also directed to develop linkages and options for enhancing the livelihood strategies of the local people. VIKSAT through its array of programmes and projects, have established the linkage between the enhancement of Natural resources and the quality of people of the vulnerable sections of our society.

Viksat - Forestry Programme
After independence, rapid industrialization led to increased pressure on India’s forests. India is the second most populous country, after china, with a population of more than a billion. But the per capita forestland available is one of the lowest in the world. About 70% of the biomass needs of India are met from the existing forests, common lands, and wastelands.
To improve the per capita availability of forests, and for ecological and socio-economic reasons, it is necessary to regenerate the denuded forest and bring the degraded village commons and wastelands under vegetation. India has a long history of traditional institutions and systems of forests protection and management, which declined over time. Forests areas of Gujarat, spread in 18,868 sq Km comprises only 9.9% of the geographical area of the sate.
Actual forest cover of the state is 12,578 sq km, which constitute 6.4% of its geographical area. Of the forest a under the legal status-Reserve forest constitutes maximum (71%), followed by unclassified forest (24%) and protected forests (5%) VIKSAT has initiated various activities to enhance the productivity of forests and to meet the needs of the local people through various awareness and training programme.

BNHS : Tungareshewar: Saving the forests for water security

Atree : Male Madeshwara Hills (MM Hills) Reserve Forest
The Male Madeshwara Hills (MM Hills) Reserve Forest is located at the eastern border of the state of Karnataka with Tamil Nadu. MM Hills have an area of 173,920 acres comprising mostly of dry deciduous forest. Human settlements account for about 24,142 acres. Soligas and Lingayats who inhabit this area are hunters and gatherers of yesteryears now confined to settlements and lands allotted by the government. Given the continued dependence on NTFPs to boost income from agriculture, communities in MM Hills provide a rich tapestry of interactions with the forest and offer a unique platform to address the issues of sustainable extraction of NTFPs while also enhancing the livelihoods of the people.
ATREE’s activities in the MM Hills have encompassed trainings in agro-forestry techniques for biomass dependence and regeneration of native species, exploring and then actively encouraging active use of Lantana as a substitute for fast disappearing bamboo, and developing women’s Self Help Groups for natural resource based micro-enterprise.
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Atree : Community interventions in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserv
Kalakad -Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in Agasthyamalai hills of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu is known for abundance of rare plants and several endangered animals. KMTR being a tiger reserve enjoys total protection where no collection of any sort is allowed. It comprises the wet forests on higher elevations and dry forests in the foothills.
From these dry forests along the eastern boundary of KMTR, fuelwood and fodder are extracted by people of around 145 villages . While the women of all age and classes collect fuel wood, its the men who herd the cattle here. These villages have varying levels of dependence on the forests based on their Socio-economic structure, farming practices and water availability. Read More

N M Sadguru Foundation
Environment & Forestry
The Forestry sector activities are vital elements in any regional development program. It not only contributes to environmental rehabilitation, but also enhances the net capital assets of the region. SADGURU has promoted forestry in its project areas as a core objective.
Read More

Forests : Corporate Interventions

J K Paper : Social Forestry Programme

JK Paper has a deep commitment to protecting the environment. JK Paper Mills is the first paper mill in India to have been accredited with ISO - 14001, the Environment Management System Standard. In line with its commitment to the environment, JK Paper is running social forestry and farm forestry programmes in 11 districts of Orissa and 3 districts of Andhra Pradesh, covering a total area of over 27,000 hectares. The broad objectives of the forestry programmes are:

• Creation of plantation awareness among the farmers towards utilisation of their otherwise unproductive lands.
• Establishment of plantations that involves people's participation with buy back arrangements.
• Impetus to environmental rehabilitation

The ecological benefits from plantation activities are:

• Eradication of surface run-off, nutrient and soil erosion.
• Improvement of microclimates, such as lowering of soil temperature and reduction in evaporation of moisture through mulching and shading.
• Improvement in soil structure through constant addition of organic matter from decomposed litter.
• Use and restoration of degraded marginal lands.
• Greening of wastelands and increase in the area under tree cover.
• Reduction of pressure on natural forests.

JK Paper has a research and development wing involved in developing high quality seedlings and helping farmers achieve better yields from their plantations. This year already over two lakh such high quality seedlings have been distributed and planted. It has established mist chambers through which it has taken up production of clonal plants. Today the research and development wing boasts of having identified fast growing clones which would be able to produce 150 MT/ha of wood in a period of 7 years as against 60 MT/ha from seed route ones.

J K Paper is highly committed to enhancing the well being of society at large. The Centre for Science and Environment, an independent organisation, has, in an initiative supported by UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Forests in July '99, ranked J K Paper as the No.1 in green rating among Indian paper manufacturers. This distinction has spurred J K Paper towards achieving global standards in environmental protection.

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Kitply : Environmental Commitment
Our ecosystems depend on our natural resources. They demand a flora and fauna in the flush of constant growth, waterbodies that are unpolluted, clean air, and fertile land. At Kitply Industries, we recognize that immediate action must be taken to restore and maintain the balance in our ecology. It is our policy to work in harmony with nature, safeguarding the earth's beauty for the present and future generations. We are fiercely committed to the preservation and improvement of the environment, and are always working on new ways to realize this goal.

• Establishing a responsible care management system that keeps international regulations and trends in mind.
• Reducing environmental and human risk through the responsible harnessing of all chemical products.
• Assuring environmental protection and safety for people in all international activities and transactions involving chemical products.
• Assuring environmental protection and safety for people in all aspects of our business activities.
• Strengthening public trust in our company.

The Agro Forestry Project shall create:-
1. Massive employment opportunities among the rural poor.
2. Reduce pressure on natural forests for fuel, fodder and commercial timber.
3. Prevent top soil erosion, improve water holding capacity of the soil and recharge under ground water and provide clean environment.
4. Also, the utilization of hazardous industrial waste such as fly ash and sewage sludge can be used for development of waste lands.

SELECTION OF LOCATION AND ITS DEVELOPMENT
The above views in mind , the project was slated to go off the ground around Raipur in Madhya Pradesh ( now Chhatisgarh ), where vast tracts of red murrum lateritic soil are available.

This soil is poor in nutrients and other features which are very essentials for agricultural development. The area's rainfall varies from 800mm to 1500mm., and the temperature ranges from 30 degree to 48 degree Celsius.

The first phase of plantation on such red murrum soil started in early 1995 near Khushmi village of the Durg district, on 90 acres plot.

In preparation of the site, special care had been taken for conservation of the moisture and the abetment of the soil. The barrel field was first deep ploughed and left out for pulverization. Then flyash (approx 3 truck loads (30mt) per acre), good soil (5 truck loads per acre (50mt)) and sewage sludge / FYM (2 truck loads per acre) were dumped, spread, ploughed back again and finally leveled off. Pit Digging (2ft x 2` x 2`) and Spacing at 4M x 3M were done. The soil being poor in nutrients, each pit was filled with a mixture of good and local soil, organic and inorganic fertilizers, and manures. Planting was done in pit from nursery stock. All our fields were comprehensively networked with the essential Drip Irrigation System. If a plant needs 10 litre of water per day, it will discharge the same amount of water, no less. .

SPECIES PLANTED
Gmelina arbora is the native fast growing species which is our major planting stock. It is a close relative of the teak , popularly know as 'white teak' that produces of high quality timber.

Appropriate technology, sufficient inputs and effective organization efforts transformed the barren land of red murrum soil into a dense green forest. Eight years old Khamar and the species already attained an average height of 11.5 mtr., with an average GBH of 65 cm.

"Restoration of waste land through waste management"

A project by ICEF (Indian Canada Environment Facility ) represented by Western Ontario University, Canada, in collaboration with Kitply Industries Limited and IIT, Kharagpur. This project started in 1998 in nearly 100 hectares of around Raipur , Chhatisgarh. Industrial waste such as fly-ash, sewage sludge were extensively used in the fields and in the pits along with the methods followed by Kitply for the management of their own plantation sites. The project is just 5 years old, but the tree establishment and growth are encouraging.

At present we have 8.5 lac standing trees planted over 1600 acres of land and providing regular employment to 1200 local people.
We have received the highest national award, the Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Puraskar, for afforesting de-graded waste lands.

ADVANTAGES TO THE LOCAL COMMUNTY
1. Creation of mass employment opportunities in the rural sector.
2. Local people get free - fuel and fodder from our plantation fields.
3. Improvement and stabilization of ground water regime.
4. Micro-climatic condition of the area has improved - Increase in humidity observed.
5. To project the plantation for result and method demonstration to attract people in the area to take up similar programme. The initial response is encouraging.
6. Socio economic development programmes. Our plantation site houses a hospital with qualified doctors, and a school is under construction.

COMMENTS FROM SOME OF THE EMINENT FORESTERS WHO VISITED OUR PROJECT SITES
"Plantation raised by KITPLY over degraded Laterite Soil is an example of dedication, innovation and social economic development of the water scarce backward district of M.P. Kudos for the good work done to bring greenery to barren rocky tract."

Sd. C.P. Oberoi, present IG Forest & Secy. Govt. of India Ministry of Forest & Environment dated 17th August, 1997.

" A very courageous and pioneering effort of raising plantations in a very refractory waste land. A very innovative approach has been adopted including drip irrigation. It needs some modern inputs especially in the area of seed and plant selection, procuring, etc. to get optimum production as well as environmental impact. A lot of local employment and goodwill has been generated, and it has inspired local landowners to take to tree planting. I wish all success to this nodded effort."

Sd. A. K. Mukherji, Former IG Forest secretary, Govt. of India dated 17th August, 1997. I-1625, C. R. Park, New Delhi- 110 019.

"We have seen with interest the plantations that have been established in different site conditions. Investment and good management has shown impressive results."

Sd.Ian Hill, head of Indian Forest Mission, World Bank, Washington D. C. dated 3rd February, 1999.

"I had a chance to visit all plantation areas of KITPLY. I was very impressed with the work done in such a small span of time. I wish Mr.Goenka greater success in the future as I am very sure that he will continue to plant more areas."

Sd. C.L. Bhatia, IFS, Former IG Forests & Spl. Secretary, Govt. of India dated 17th August, 1997.

"I would never think of a dry dreary land to be transformed to such a sylvan setting. SPG needs all the credit for this bold step in creating large scale plantation and encouraging local people and industries to have more and more plantations."

Sd. M. F. Ahmed, Former IG Forest & Spl. Secretary, Govt. of India dated 17th August 1997. N/3-422, Nayapalli, Bhubneshwar, Orissa - 751 015.

"The site is an example of the type of waste land we have in India - extending over 85 million hectares. If even 10 million hectares can be afforested in the manner attended to by KITPLY, it will go a long way towards economic improvement, meeting the needs of industry, production of firewood, improving the hydrology and providing employment.
It is good that one enterprise has come forward to create a model. My compliments to Shri Goenka, Shri Sinharoy and his team of dedicated officials."

Sd. S. Shyam Sunder, IFS (retd.), Chairman Commonwealth Forestry Association, South Asia dated 25th November, 1997.

"Very good effort in greening the waste land through private efforts for everybody's benefit. This effort has provided employment in backward rural areas, besides providing fodder and fuel to local people. Incidentally, it takes care of industrial raw material, it also takes care of ecological restoration of conserving soil and water and has the environmental advantage of acting as a carbon sink. There is scope of improving the productivity through clonal propagation. Overall, it is a great effort and my compliments to all concerned."

Sd. S. Parameswarappa, Former PCCF, Karnatka dated 25th November, 1997. 189, 12th Cross - 3rd Main, RMV II Stage, Banglore - 560 094.