N. D. Uday , K. C. Mathews , K. K. Mohandas , H. N. Jagadish , A. K. Bansal

Abstract

The technology of finger-jointing of plantation grown timbers for producing bigger sizes is gradually gaining momentum in the country. One of the constraints in this process is the high cost of imported finger-jointing machines. Recently, the Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), New Delhi, an inter-ministerial organization of the Government of India has developed finger-jointing machines which were installed at indian plywood Industries Research and Training Institute (lPIRTI), Bangalore for research and training purposes. At IPIRTI a study was carried out to evaluate the strength of finger-jointed timber produced from plantation grown species viz. Gravellia robusta (Silver oak), Eucalyptus tereticornis, (Eucalyptus) and Havea brasiliensis (Rubber wood). it was found that fingerjointed timbers from plantation species have strength in the range of 60-73% of defect free solid timber from- the respective species.

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A. K. Bansal

Abstract

Wood has been and continues to be closely associated with man's survival and development. Despite industrial and technological advancements for development of many new generation materials and products based upon steel, metals, and plastics, wood continues to be indispensable material as these alternate materials are high energy consuming, non bio-degradable, and non-renewable and therefore non-sustainable. Due to renewability, and potential for ameliorating the environment through sequestering atmospheric carbon tree growing is the only rational option for meeting the increasing demand for wood and wood products. In the prevalent situation of growing demand and diminishing/static supply of wood from natural forests in India, use of rapid growth plantation timbers, grown by the government agencies with active people's participation and the farmers is a necessity rather than an option. Giving a comparative analysis ofthe characteristics of plantation grown timbers and ideal timber, the paper emphasizes upon the urgent need for development of appropriate indigenous processing technologies for efficient utilization of plantation timbers, for making value added consumer goods. As a long term and holistic strategy formulation of a national wood policy for coordinated efforts in developing technologies, infrastructure, marketing strategies, etc. for rational utilization of wood in general, and small diameter plantation grown species in particular is suggested. In the interim, short term measures that can be adopted by the wood processing industries, R&D organizations, national standardization body and the Government are proposed.

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A. K. Bansal

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India is one of the major users of wood in the Asia-Pacific region and till recently had the privilege of having abundance quantity of timber from several tropical hardwoods. Despite industrial and technological advancement for development of many new generation materials and products , wood continues to be an indispensable material for several economically vital end use applications. As .the domestic production of timber is not adequate to meet the growing demand imports are permitted under Open General License. This paper presents a trend analysis of timber imports into the country with respect to trade volumes , overall quality of available import data , countries from where imports are taking place and the import routes , and makes some futuristic suggestions.

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K. C. Mathews , K. K. Mohandas , N. D. Uday , D. Sujatha , A. K. Bansal

Abstract

Plywood industry presently utilizes lesser known hardwoods and plantation timbers for the manufacture of plywood. In continuation of the studies of these. species for plywood manufacture, an investigation was undertaken to find out the peeling, drying and gluing characteristics of Paraserienthes odoratissima Benth. and Paraserienthes lebbek Benth. and provide necessary information on optimum processing conditions for plywood manufacture. Studies showed that type B surface veneers could be peeled with suitable modifications in lathe settings. Drying of the veneers was possible without major drying degrades. Gluing characteristics of the species were good with both Urea formaldehyde and Phenol formaldehyde resin adhesives for making MR grade and BWR grade plywood respectively.

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A. K. Bansal , T. R. Narayanaprasad , K. C. Mathews

Abstract

Peeling, drying and gluing characteristics of Populus deltoides have been studied. It has been found that veneers suitable to manufacture plywood can be peeled by making modifications in lathe settings. Drying of the veneers was possible without any major defects. It did not offer any gluing problem with conventional Urea Formaldehyde (UF) and Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) adhesives for the manufacture of plywood. Glue shear strength values of the boards were found to be generally low with predominant wood failure. Tenderizing of the veneers helps in minimizing the warping of the plywood panels made using Poplar species.

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A. K. Bansal , Peter A. Murtha

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Satellite remote sensing is a major technological advance that has revolutionized information gathering about the Earths natural resources. Improved spatial and spectral characteristics of Landsat thematic mapper data seem to have the potential for extending the usefulness of remotely sensed data in detailed assesment of forest resources. Collection of adequate ground truth is a necessary prerequisite for evaluating the informotion content of TM data with regald to stocking status over ruegetating lands This paper discusses the use of medium scale normal colour aerial photographs for obtaining prtcise estimates of forest stocking over clearcut forest lands.

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A. K. Bansal

Abstract

Timely, accurate and reliable information about the extent, location and quality of the renewable resources like forests is very essential for their planned management. Traditionally the classification and inventory data collection of various land uses and vegetation is done through ground surveys. These surveys are very time consuming and tedious. With the advent of Remote Sensing technique, land use and vegetation classification can now be attempted with acceptable accuracy through visual interpretation of False Colour Composites (FCC) from the Landsat data which are both cost and time effective. This technology also has the potential for monitoring the different land uses, specially the vegetation. In this paper the potentialities of the Landsat FCC for preparation of landuse map in general and vegetation map in particular and monitoring the vegetation for national planning are discussed.

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A. K. Bansal , P. R. Choudhury , M. G. Gogate

Abstract

Assisted/Aided Natural Regeneration (ANR) forms the major strategy of treating degraded forest through Joint Forest Management (JFM) approach under the National Afforestation Plan (NAP) and Externally Aided forestry Projects (EAP). It is the dominant plantation model of forest-treatment in India. Field implementation and practices, as the review of experiences in Maharashtra and in Orissa indicates, differs considerably from the prescriptions and provisions outlined for ANR models. ANR prescriptions and practices also do not align with the current forest policy with a thrust on community partiCipation, livelihoods improvement and biodiversity conservation. Policy envisaged that adoption and sustainability of Joint Forest Management (JFM), is incumbent upon a more community-sensitive, silviculturally apt ANR practices. Recognition of these concerns led Orissa Forestry Sector Development Project (OFSDP) to start a journey towards a refined ANR process. Step-by-step process developed follows a 'diagnostic and design' approach with the involvement of the community, the Forest Department and the non-governmental organizations (NGO). The process used GIS maps, local ecological knowledge and working plan prescriptions to analyze 4 ha-grids from eco-livelihoods perspectives and jointly develop grid-wise treatment plans. With formalized involvement of communities and NGOs in forest management, this refined process, JFM+, addresses upfront concerns of livelihoods and biodiversity, while reiterating commitment towards enriching forests and enhancing their productivity through thinning, seeding, under-planting, etc.

Keywords

Joint Forest Management, Biodiversity, Livelihood

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A. K. Bansal , Vinod Kumar , Subhadarshi Mishra

Abstract

Joint Forest Management (JFM) approach has been adopted by the Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project (OFSDP) to achieve twin objectives of restoration of degraded forests as well as improvement of livelihood of the forest dependent population through formation of the Vana Samrakshyana Samitis (VSS) facilitating community participation. The use of Remote Sensing, Differential GPS and GIS techniques helps in identification of degraded forests, generation of thematic data sets, data analysis and presentation of map based forestry information in scientific and contemporary methods. The process facilitates geo-referencing of the data sets to provide accurate map feature reference to the earth coordinates with sub-meter level of accuracy. The geo-database along with the GIS based map information system were utilized by the JFM project for preparation of the micro plan and also tracking/monitoring of the implementation of forestry development programmes and can be a evolved into a MRV system under REDD+. The system also facilitates periodic impact analysis through temporal analysis of the satellite images.

Keywords

Remote Sensing, Differential GPS, GIS Based Forest Land Information System, REDD+, Monitoring and Evaluation of Afforestation Programs

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