J. Wilson

Abstract

The State of Tamil Nadu stands in the fore front in the establishment of community forests in the country. The revenue obtained from the sale proceeds of these forests are being shared with the village panchayats. The panchayats in turn have utilised these revenues for various aspects of rural development. Studies made have, however, revealed that although the community has been greatly benefited by payment of 50 per cent share of the sale proceeds, most of the fuelwood generated in these forests finds its way to urban channels mainly because there is no real fuel scarcity in rural Tamil Nadu. In order to channelise the assets generated in the community forests to meet the rural requirements of the people, a reorientation of the management practices presently followed is necessary. The present rotation of 10 years designed mainly for the production of fuelwood needs to be given up for a longer rotation in order to produce small timber and increased grazing facilites over a longer period for the rural community. Several experimental models have been implemented during the last two years in order to standardise harvesting of these plantations with the involvement and participation of the rural people. Pruning of lower branches are carried out In all three Village tank years Social bed plantat ions over of age through the Forestry Committees and the pruned material is distributed to the villagers for use as fuel. The need for organising sheep co-operatives to enable th'e weaker sections in the village to take advantage of the improved grazing facilities and the 'pods produced in abundance is under serious consideration. Likewise, the collection of other produce generated in these community plantations such as gum Arabic and green leaf manure also needs to be organised by formation of village co-operatives.

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J. Wilson

Abstract

Afforestation of Government lands outside the Reserved Forests under the Farm Forestry Programme was taken up in the State of Tamil Nadu from 1960 onwards. The areas chosen are mainly foreshores of the large number of tanks in the state. Some planting has been done on barren hillocks as well. The scheme has been sucessful and extensive areas have been planted. The revenue obtained by the sale of the plantations raised is shared by the Government and the panchayats concerned on a fifty-fifty basis. Apart from increasing revenues, the scheme has brought in a number of direct and indirect benefits to the people. The Farm Forestry scheme is now part of the larger Social Forestry Programme, which has been introduced pursuant to the recommendations of the National Commission on Agriculture. Three new forest divisions have been constituted exclusively for Social Forestry, thereby facilitating a larger coverage of areas. Other aspects of Social Forestry such as planting of road side avenues and sale of seedlings to the public for planting on private lands have also been taken up. There is immense scope for these items of work and the benefits that are likely to accrue to the community are great. It is hoped that a separate forest division for Social Forestry could be established in each of the 13 districts of the state, so that the people may derive the full benefits of this laudable programme.

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J. Wilson

Abstract

A brief description of the fuel forests in the Madras State is presented. In addition to the natural forests, the State has fuel plantations of Blue-gum, Wattle, Casuarina and other miscellaneous species. The objects of management of the fuel forests are listed. The development of working of the natural fuel forests as well as the plantations, the various si1vicultural systems adopted in the past and current practices are described with reference to regulating the yield. Other factors like assessment of out-turn and sale-value, considerations of market and utilisation are briefly described. The present scarcity of fuel in the State is great and is still increasing on account of the rise in population and the progressive reduction in yield in successive rotations in the dry fuel forests owing to mortality of stools and lack of natural regeneration. The measures proposed to make good the deficiency are briefly indicated.

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K. Andiappan , J. Wilson

Abstract

The past working of the bamboo forests of Madras State is briefly discussed, stressing the need for artificial regeneration to restock areas depleted of their bamboo content. The age-old planting methods successfully adopted in rural areas of Thanjavur district are examined; and, suggested for adoption in the forest planting schemes and projects. Despite the higher initial costs of planting (as compared with the usual methods of using one year old nursery stock from seed), the practice of using sturdy 2 to 3 year old nursery stock commends itself in view of the very promising results obtained so far, in the pilot scale plantations raised by the Madras Forest Department.

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J. Wilson

Abstract

The paper reviews the various forms of erosion prevalent in the Rameswaram island and their causes. Soil conservation methods to combat them are suggested with emphasis on the planting of Casuarina wherever the soil and water conditions permit its propagation, in view of its great economic importance in the region having acute fuel shortage, apart from its soil binding properties. Introduction of other species combined with other soil conservation methods arc suggested for areas not presently suitable for Casuarina. These include the use of modern petroleum emulsions for fixing shifting sand, draining of water from inland depressions where water stagnates, etc., combined with afforestation by species suitable for each type of soil and terrain with the ultimate object of arresting the erosion menace.

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J. Wilson

Abstract

The paper outlines a brief description of the montane temperate lands of South India. Blue Gum and Black Wattle were introduced into these regions as early as in 1843. Due to their quick growth and industrial possibilities, extensive plantations have been raised during the recent past. Details of the industries established for the utilisation of the wood and bark exploited from these plantations are furnished. A survey is made of the requirements of each industry and the expansion programmes they have on hand with reference to market needs. The writer highlights the glaring gap between the demand and the availability of raw materials. The position is rather difficult in the context of few areas available for future extension of plantations of Blue Gum and Wattle in the South and the impossibility of growing them in the North. Suggestions are therefore made for a rational utilisation of the limited land available. While this would include attempts at increasing the area under plantation wherever possible, intensification of the practices now followed is emphasised in order to make these man made forests more productive.

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