Ranjana Gupta , Shivendu K. Srivastava , A. K. Mahendra , Ira Pundir , Dinesh Kumar

Abstract

Joint Forest Management or Participatory Forest Management (PFM) got its formal shape in the year 1990. A need has arisen to evaluate the impact of this new management tool. A study was taken up in Kodsi and Talaichittor villages of Dehra Dun District to assess the impact of PFM on the socio-economic development of rural people and to identify the prime ingredients of PFM programme responsible for bringing about the desired changes. It was observed that the household income has considerably increased due to alternative job opportunities, agricultural production has increased, there is reduction in distance travelled and time spent for fuel wood and fodder collection, village women are now financially empowered, and institution building has paved the way for sustainability of the whole process.

Full Text

     

Pradeep Khanna , A. K. Mahendra

Abstract

Several studies have been conducted to study the consumption behaviour of fuelwood in different- areas. Present study has been conducted for Gujarat to corroborate or contradict their findings. Trend of demand and supply have been studied. Factors responsible for quantity of firewood consumption viz. population, forest area and number of cattle in rural areas of have been studied with the help of regression analysis. Distance from forests i.e. easy availability of firewood have significant effect on per capita consumption of fuelwood. Cattle number in the areas having forests have much effect on per capita fuel consumption. Percent contribution of fuel wood is less in urban areas in comparison to rural areas due to use of alternative sources of energy. Development and publicity of alternative sources of energy is essential for the rural areas.

Full Text

     

A. K. Mahendra , M. P. Raj , J. K. Rawat

Abstract

Firewood consumption (total and per capita in each household) have been examined for three regions, according to distance from the forests in the hilly areas. The analysis has clearly shown that distance from forests has significant effect on total and per capita firewood consumption. Easy availability of firewood increases its consumption. Also a bigger household consumes larger quantity of firewood but does it more efficiently. Therefore, firewood saving devices should be thrust in areas near the forests to decrease the firewood consumption.

Full Text

     

Shyam Dhar , A. K. Mahendra , M. Y. Ansari

Abstract

Bidi is a labour intensive rural industry and an article mainly consumed by the rural poor. In this study economics of rural based and employment oriented bidi industry is being examined. Appropriate long term measures to make this industry economically and socially sound for the benefit of rural poor, tribals and other weaker section of society have been suggested. It is necessary that pruning operations should be at proper time and tendu leaves collection should be well organised to enhance the leaves production. Development of tendu bushes in close vicinity of the villages and on the forest margins is more beneficial. Export of bidis in place of bidi wrapper leaves can generate more employment opportunities and can earn additional foreign exchange. On the average 287 mandays required for manufacturing bidis from 1 tonne tendu leaves [107 mandays are required for tendu leaves collection (plucking drying, packing) and 180 mandays for manufacturing of bidis (rolling, threading and packing including labelling]. 0.4 million tonnes potential tendu leaves production has the capability to generate employment for 114.80 million mandays (42.80 million mandays in collection of tendu leaves and 72 million mandays in manufacturing of bidis).

Full Text

     

N. M. Misra , A. K. Mahendra , M. Y. Ansari

Abstract

Pilot survey of fuel consumption in rural areas was conducted by the Forest Economics Branch, FRI in 1974 and again in 1984 in the regions: 1. Region I - Villages surrounded by forests 2. Region II - Villages near the forests 3. Region III - Villages away from the forests. The present study pertains the villages in the hilly areas. In villages of region I and II firewood is the only fuel used in the domestic sector while the position is different in the region III where agricultural waste is also used as fuel. Not even a single family was found using dung cake as fuel. Per capita fuel consumption is the highest in the region I and lowest in the region III according to difficulty in procuring wood. Per capita noncommercial fuel consumption varies with respect to profession, family size and land area available with the family. Shortage of alternative sources is evident.

Full Text

     

N. M. Misra , A. K. Mahendra , M. Y. Ansari

Abstract

The object of this study was to analyse the teak (Tectona grandis) logs prices in Orissa. It is observed that annual growth rate in prices is higher in larger girth classes and there was steep rise in price after 1974. Rise in teak price indices is much higher than the general price indices and after 1974 this gap has widened which may be due to economic causes. More emphasis on teak plantation and utilization pattern substituting secondary species, etc. is necessary for arresting the rapid increase in prices.

Full Text

     

G. P. Maithani , N. M. Misra , A. K. Mahendra

Abstract

An attempt has been made in this study to assess the contribution of socio-economic factors (viz. occupation, family size, annual income, land holding and cattle) in determining domestic fuel consumption in rural areas. Fuel consumption is divided in two categories according to use of alternative sources of energy. To find the significance of socio-economic factors in determining the quantity of fuel consumption, the two characters (i) total fuel consumption and (ii) per capita fuel consumption have been analysed. Satistical results show that relationships between fuel consumption with each factor are significant when alternative sources of energy are used while for the second category without alternative sources of energy only family size shows the significant relationship with fuel consumption. Per capita fuel consumption is low when alternative sources of energy are used. Enhanced use of alternative sources of energy can balance the increasing demand of fuel wood and make use of fuel more economic.

Full Text

     

A. K. Mahendra , G. P. Maithani

Abstract

The main object of this study is to estimate future production and raw material requirement for panel products. Multiple regression equation of the form Y = a + b₁ x₁ + b₂ x₃ where Y is production of the panel product x₁ and x₂ are the explanatory variables viz population and price indices respectively. On the basis of the predicted values of the production, future raw material requirement are estimated. The average annual growth of production for plywood, particle board and fibre board is in decreasing order. The industries have great export potential, but their export decreased after 1976 and became constant after 1979 probably due to cheaper supply from other countries or due to poor quality of our products. So it may be suggested that due consideration should be given to fulfil the raw material requirement at cheaper rates and the technology should be developed to improve the quality of the product.

Full Text

     

A. K. Mahendra , G. P. Maithani

Abstract

Wood production of five top roundwood producing countries of Asia (India, China, Indonesia, Japan and Turkey) during the period 1972 to 1983 has been analysed. Production of roundwood, industrial wood and fuelwood are taken into consideration. Although India is the highest producer of round wood in Asia, proportion of wood used as raw material for different industries is very low. In 1983, while Japan used 98.23% of wood for industrial purposes, India utilised only 8.56%. Most of our removals from forests are utilised as fuel which curbs the accelarated industrial development.

Full Text

     

S. R. Sagar , A. K. Mahendra

Abstract

This study was carried out to find the statistical significance of prices and its trends for sal timber in Orissa It is observed that the role of increase in prices of sal timber is highly significant. Moreover, this rate of increase in higher for the block (1978-82) in comparison to 11973-77). This high rate of increase in prices is attributed to widening gap between demand and supply of sal timber as well as age old technology of utilization. Now time has come to take necessary steps arresting the rapid increase of prices, For this various ways have been suggested in this paper. Future price projections have also been done for the period of 1985-90.

Full Text

     

L. P. Chandola , A. K. Mahendra , M. Y. Ansari

Abstract

Village Karaundi was surveyed for domestic fuel consumption in 1974 and again in 1983. Reduction in dung cake and running for Eucalyptus plantation without any outside Influence are the most useful and significant changes that have come to light in this recent survey. The effective dung cake consumption has been reduced from 37% to near 8% and firewood consumption from 33% to 23 % and increase in agricultural waste from 30% to 605 speaks very high of the rationality of villagers. Perhaps the daily rising costs of chemical fertilisers are responsible for this to some extent. The rational approach adopted by the farmers is confirmed by their outlook towards Eucalyptus. They saw' the growth; liked it and planted Eucalyptus.

Full Text

     

R. S. Mathur , S. R. Sagar , A. K. Mahendra

Abstract

The main object of the study was to find out the statistical significance of price and its trends for firewood in Haryana. It is observed that average prices of firewood are higher in Haryana in comparison to other states and the rate of increase in prices of firewood in Haryana in 1982 over 1981 is not significant. The species Kikkar got the highest prices in the years 1981 and 1982. Suggestion has been made to blend fuel conservation with tree planting for firewood with new technologies as this may only moderate the rising trend of prices.

Full Text