P. N. Ray

Abstract

The Joint Forest Management programme was initiated in Tripura in December, 1991 and since then there has been reasonable progress in involving the people living around the forests to protect and improve the forests and in their share the benefits therefrom. It was at first initiated in Melaghar, West Tripura District and resulted in turming the barren lands into verdant forests with protection made available by Forest Protection and Regeneration Committees. Upto Dec. 1999, 165 such committees have been formed which protect 18,566 ha of forest land. A few microplans bave been prepared which intend to provide aided natural regeneration. Plantation of bamboo and other species, underplanting of canes, plants of medicinal value etc. have been undertaken Benefits have come as bamboos fuelwood, honey, minor forest produce, leaves etc. although the programme is still in its infancy. The committees formed are vulnerable as they have no force of law. Moreover forest produce is required to be cultivated to increase income of the members of the committees, but there are no such plans so far. The constitution and the byelaws of the committees are yet to be framed. Forest offences in such managed areas are not covered by laws except the Indian Forest Act. Mechanism for the distribution of benefits is still to be worked out and there is the paucity of funds for this programme. Flexibility in taking up works is also needed. Smuggling across the border is cause of concern. Coordination with other agencies is necessary because the benefits from such management are usually lower than benefits available from other agencies programmes. Territorial confusion with administrative unit exists. Law and order problems also handicap free working in the field. Such issues need to be looked into to attain success.The programme should commence from selected areas as Joint Forest Management is still evolving and neither the staff nor the people are ready to take it up everywhere. Positive benefits in selected areas are likely to enthuse all concerned. The staff should be trained in this new concept. Coordination committees should be formed at all levels and ensure participation of differentgovt. departments, professionals, NGOs and eminent persons. A network, if formed, will definitely make JFM an effective tool for forest conservation and rural development. Operational methodology should be worked out satisfactorily e.g. coordination between Panchayats and FRRCs. The Committees should also create own funds for the sustained working of the programme when govt assistance will not be available to them.

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P. N. Ray

Abstract

Achievements during last 50 years of forestry in Tripura have been documented, highlighting notable developments in forest resources base, afforestation, infrastructure, control of shifting cultivation, conservation efforts, enabling mechanisms, capacity building and institutional strengthening. A critical appreciation reveals that gains accrued but disappointments were also many. It evaluates the efficacies ofimplementation of National Forest Polices, management planning process, conservation, social forestry, commercial function, protection, regulation and enforcement works pointing out the issues where forestry orgainsation could not achieve certain cherished goals and why; several institutional shortcomings, external constraints and organisational weakness are identified. Within the general framework of managerial cybernetics, strategic planning of forestry in the State is devised on the basis of a SWOT analysis spelling out the ways and means of capitalising the latent strengths and neutralising the threats in the external environment, and coping up micro environmental complexity. The imperatives of a mission-driven forest management in the State facing the emerging challenges, have been suggested.

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P. N. Ray

Abstract

Education and training curriculum of Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy needed fundamental transformation to meet the growing complexities of job requirement of IFS. Recently such changes have been implemented with a fairly comprehensive sandwich pattern course with phased programme. Within the general imperatives envisaged in New National Forest Policy training needs were identified. Multidisciplinary approach was accepted in contrast to metadisciplinary principle. Deficiencies of inputs on social, economic, ecological and environmental issues, have heen removed. Subjects of less or no relevance to present day context are either assigned less emphasis or deleted. Several new subjects were included. Quantitative approaches received more thrust. Subjects are also reorganized dissolving disciplinary boundaries. The unique blend of education and training orientation in the programme was maintained. The revitalization was made dynamic with inbuilt flexibility providing for incorporating changes. Material improvements in instrudional strategy formed integral part of the programme. The new curriculum is expected to meet the current and future needs of the Service.

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P. N. Ray

Abstract

In view of augmenting precision of tree volume estimation models for forestry inventory, potential of relatively recent statistical aspects have been explored in this study. Tree volume data regarding five eucalypt species were collected from Victoria. Different functions were fitted separately to diameter overbark and tree height and diameter overbark and merchantable height measurements. Error variance was found to be heterogeneous and weighting of selected models were performed by exponential error variance function developed. Grouping of species for volume estimation was studied by using covariance analysis with dummy variables. Smooth-barked species could be successfully grouped and so could the rough-barked ones. Finally two different models were selected which provided greatest gain in terms of precision.

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P. N. Ray

Abstract

Forests of India are under tremendous pressure and large extents of such forests are under various stages of degradation. Their average productivity being quite low, these forests are unable to meet the demand of a steadily increasing population. For sustainable use of forest resources, the strategy adopted is to harness the potential productivity of natural forests, simultaneously maximising net yield from plantations. Efficiency of the forest production system is to be augmented by optimal management decisions which need quality information on basic parameters of forests, such as site, stand structure, growth and yield. Currently such information is scanty, and concern has been expressed about its inadequacy. For better comprehension, the spectacular development in the relevant science have been briefly reviewed, indicating their present status in Indian forest management. Ways to improve existing forest management information, and to devote research efforts towards it, have been suggested.

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P. N. Ray

Abstract

Determination of optimum plot size is crucial in forest inventory design employing fixed area sampling units. The optimum plot is that which provides the greatest precision per unit cost or alternatively the least cost per unit precision. The study provides guidelines about suitability of specific plot sizes in three major forest types of Meghalaya Mate namely, Pine, Sal and Miscellaneous forests. Sample plots of increasing plot sizes were laid out in forest areas of the State and inventory was carrid out. It was found tbat variability and standard error per cent in all the three forest types diminished with increase in plot size. Due to a lesser degree of heterogeneity in Pine and Sal forests, plot size of 0.2 ha is optimum. In miscellaneous forest variability being larger, 0.3 ha stood out as the optimum plot size.

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