B. P. Maleta , K. O. Sood

Abstract

Logging works in forestry have always been regarded as heavy labour. The logging workers engaged in felling, cross-cutting and handling of heavy logs by manual methods are subjected to very heavy physical workload. Mechanisation is a means to reduce undue manual efforts and improve efficient performance for higher production. The socio-economic situation in the developing nations does not permit complete mechanisation of logging methods. Improvements in manual methods, tools and equipments need higher priority to reduce the workload on forest workers and increase efficiency in productIon. Human performance at work is a combined result of man's capacity to work, skill and motivation for the Job. The logging workers are rather a neglected lot, their wages are low which are not related to body requirements for proper food and nutrition for beavy works. In this study, attempts bave been made to determine the maximum physical work capacity of logging workers in North Bengal area, in terms of maximal oxygen uptake in litres per minute and energy output in kilocalories per minute. The energy cost of tree felling and cross-cutting bave also been estimated and compared for various working tools as axe, peg-tooth saw, raker saw and power chain saws. Raker saw bas been found more efficient with less energy cost in logging operations. This stuiy was confined to the logging operations in subtropical broad leaved hill forests of the Eastern Himalayas. It is also proposed to conduct in future, such work physiological studies of forestry works in high level conifers, tropical hard-wood and tropical rain forest of South India.

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B. P. Maleta , K. G. Sood

Abstract

no abstract

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B. P. Maleta , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Forestry is a production activity which cannot be managed wltbout workers Forest management must have responsibility not only to provide favourable growing conditions and good silvieulture to tree crops, but to ensure proper working condition to the men workers in the woods. Human implication in forest management have been quite ignored. Our logging methods are manual. Age-old axe and saws are being used for felling and Cross cutting. The workers are subjected to very high physiological work-load while working with primitive tools which are often ill-maintained and ergonomically poorly designed. Work performance is a combined result of workers copacity to energy out-put, his muscle power, skill, tool and technique. Therefore, an appropriate technology has to be developed to improve efficiency of work output and reduce manual work-load. The present study has been carried out in tropical rain forests of the West-Coast in Karnataka State to find the aerobic capacity of forest workers and physiologlcal work stresses on tree felling and cross-cutting operations with traditional tools and also with improved manual tools such as raker-saw and how-saw. The results of the study are quite revealing The work capacity of workers in West-Coast forests has been found better as compared to workers in Central IndIan forests The energy costs of work can be reduced appreciably if the workers use improved hand saws than the traditional local axe and saw. It is of paramount importance that the use of improved saws should be propagated and workers much be trained in improved logging metbods.

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B. P. Maleta , K. G. Sood

Abstract

Terrain transport of logs from stump to feeder roads is a strenuous job. In the tropical forests of Central India such movement of timber loads is done by manual carriage and dragging by pair of bullocks. A study has been carried out in Betul Forest in M. P. on cost and production of manual and animal methods of timber transport from Stump to feeder roads. The lead for off-road transportation of logs and poles over undulating and bouldary terrains was upto 100 metres to tbe feeder roads. The regressions for time over load volume and lead distance have been derived. The log volume in each single load influences the production efficiency to greater extent than the transport lead. Engagement of pair of bullocks for skidding timber loads over distances 20 m to 100 m is more economical than manual carriage and can further be improved by improvisation suggested in this paper.

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B. P. Maleta

Abstract

Scientific forestry In India is now 120 years old. Silvicultural principles have always been emphasised In our forest management plans while logging was a subject of little Interest to the professional foresters in the Forest Departments, as timber harvesting was the sole responsibility of private contractors. Good silviculture is necessary for regeneration and growth of the forests, but not sufficient condition for forestry sector to make an optimum contribution to national economy. Economical extraction and proper utilisation of timber resources is equally important in production forestry. Contractors' working is being gradually replaced by Forest Corporations in all the states. There is general awakening about the wastage of timber resources due to backward logging methods. Logging operations can be bettcr organised in Government sector and there is better scope for larger and panned investment for economical returns and faster development in logging practices in the country. There are problems. Forestry operation including logging, are in the hands of unskilled, un-organised and casual labour force, Conventional methods and primitive tools have been traditionally used in felling, convension and transport of timber which are western), time consuming, unsafe and hard for the workers. The forest worker has low productivity due to bad design of tools, poor maintenance and lack of training. Annual felling coupes are small and scattered. Logging planning based on proper data and marked intelligence is lacking. In absence of rational and personnel policy there is generally shortage of trained. organisational structure of departments and corporations is bureaucratic, less flexible and powers are centralised. Indigenous development of logging tools and equipments have saffered for want of co-ordination and inter-action between research bodies, users and manufactnrNs. The problems are not without possibilities of solution. Logging can be bettrr coordinated with silvicultural needs of the forests. Labour force can be organised, their efficiency can be improved by regular training, improving the methods and tools and by providing beller safety provisions. Some definite action programme to accelerate logging development process have been identified and discussed in this paper.

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