R. S. Mathur

Abstract

A brief description on recent researcb activities, problems and prospects and future programmes of forestry research is given in this paper. The past and present research techniques adopted in the State are also given in detail.

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R. S. Mathur , S. R. Sagar , M. Y. Ansari

Abstract

Large scale plantation of Eucalyptus were started in 1962 in the tarai region of U.P. in mixed poor stocked forests or grassy blanks within or c1osor to the forests. The total area upto 1978-79 under Eucalyptus plantations in different forest circle of U.P. was 82,132 hectare while the total area under all other broad leaved species was 5,39,180 ha. At present Eucalyptus is raised in large scale plantation programme by the Forest Department as well as by the individuals all over the country. The present study is concerned with 116 hectare Eucalyptus plantations which were established in 13 different plots during 1971 and 1973, in the Bijnor Plantation Division. Main crop of these plantation was exloited during 1981-82, and produced 4895 & 951S m³ (Q G) logs and firewood for which royalty received this study reveals that Eucalyptus plantations are economically feasible.

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R. S. Mathur , K. K. Sharma , M. Y. Ansari

Abstract

Increasing attention is being paid to raising large leale plentations of Eucalyptus spp under Agro-Forestry throughout India to meet the demand for fore firewood, small timber, poles, beams, pape, pulp etc. A shift in the cropping pattern from agriculture to farm forestry has been experienced in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Eucalyptus has been planted by the formers on field bunds, along field boundaries, in roilS along water channels and in compact blocks in agriculture fields with variable spacings. The present paper presents the results in respect of economic reasibility or Eucalyptus raised with or without agrlculture on fields bunds and in blocks at varying spacings viz. 2.5 m×2.5 m, 3.0 m×1.5 m, 4.0 m×2.0 m and 6.0 m × 1.0 m on farm lands. Cultivation of Eucalyptus at wider spacing in combination with agriculture crops at 8 years rotation ensures high economic returns.

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R. S. Mathur , M. G. Gogate , R. C. Mittal

Abstract

With a view to study a possible correlation between occurrence and extent of fire and weather conditions, a case study was taken up in the forests or West Dehra Dun Forest Divison. Occurrence and extent of fire over a period of a decade (1968-1977) and weather conditions obtaining at the time of occurrence of forest fires, were critically examined. Mean temperature, average maximum temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, wind velocity etc. were the important weather parameters considered for analysis. The study indicates that a certain corelationship does exist between weather conditions and occurrance of fires. Based on the empirical knowledge, a Fire Danger Rating Index for the study area has been evolved.

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R. S. Mathur , K. K. Sharma , M. M. S. Rawat

Abstract

A study based on 18 treatments comprising 12 provenauces of A. nilotica var. jaquemontii, three provenance. or var. cupressiformis and three provenances of var. vediana was conducted during January-Febrnary, 1984 at Seed Testing Laboratory, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. The morphological variations and physiological differences and their effect on germination behaviour of seeds of different varieties/provenances of A. nilotica have been recorded and requirement or pretreatment to hasten the germination have been prescribed. Hard seed coat of A. nilotica retards germination and treatment with hot water gives the best results. The results of the study Indicate that out of the various provenances of A. nilotica var jaquemontii, Fazllka, Paatwara, Rohtak and Kurukshetra provenances have proved to be the best.

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R. S. Mathur , M. M. Kimothi , K. Gurumurti

Abstract

During the last ten years there is increasing awareness about the role of forest biomass to alleviate the fuelwood crisis particularly in developing countries in view of their predominant dependence on traditional fuels. Among the various non-conventional energy sources namely photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, microhydal, oceanthermal and biomass, biomass has an edge over others from the point of production, availability and conversion. Biomass has the verstality to be converted into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels which further can be transformed into four principle usable energy forms namely, steam, mechanical power, electricity and heat. It is shown that on global basis there is abundant availability of wood, however, on regional basis there is shortage, particularly in developing countries. In India the fuelwood shortage is of the order of 170 million cubic meters, threatening to become more than an energy issue. In this context the need for implementing the energy plantation concept for improving the per hectare yield is stressed. The advantages as well as disadvantages of implementing energy plantation practices is presented. It is shown that advantages far out-weigh the disadvantages. Evidences are amassed to show that fuels from biomass can be profitably produced in all parts of the world. This review details the conventional investigations on forest biomass and analyses the growth and yield under energy plantation practices in addition to discussing the energy conversion efficiency of the forest plants with emphasis on energy plantation practices. The need for extensive understanding of nutrient distribution and cycling in the context of biomass production systems is also presented. It is concluded that there exists considerable scope to bridge the gap between potential productivity and actual productivity using energy plantation practices even in thickly populated tropics The role of energy plantations to mitigate the fuelwood crisis is presented with particular reference to Indian conditions. This review has 131 references and 6 Tables.

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

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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.

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R. S. Mathur , K. K. Sharma

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In the context of raising large scale plaotationo of suitable quick growing species to meet the increasing demands for wood and conservation of environment,various clones of Poplars both indigenous and exotic, have assumed a special significance because of their fast rate of growth in our regulur plantation programmes. Poplars have been found eminently suitable under agro-forestry. The paper presents the results of trials with various clones of Populus species and hybrids conducted in India. Growth and yield estimates of poplars have also been described and tbe expenditure aud expected returns from tbe plantalion. Raised as pure and io combination with agriculture crops have been given. Cultivation of poplars wilh agricultural crops at 8 years rotations ensures high economic returns.

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R. S. Mathur , K. K. Sharma , S. R. Joshi

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Nine size. of shoot cuttings (viz. 10×0.5, 10×1.0, l0×1.5, 20×0.5, 20×1.0, 20×15, 30×0.5, 30×10, 30×l.5 cm) of Populus × euramuicana '72/58' were tried in a randomized block design with eight replications in the research nursery of the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, to find out tbe optimum size cutting. for vegetative propagation of poplars under Debra Dun conditions Based on the overall performance and development of the plants in respect of sprouting, height and diameter growth and survival per cent etc., it is concluded that for raising plants in one growing season, the length of cuttings should not be less than 20 cm and the thickness should preferably be around 1.5 cm.

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R. S. Mathur , K. K. Sharma , D. P. Sood

Abstract

Seeds of P. deltoides comprising 10 stands were imported from U.S.A. as part of introduction programme, Different germination medium, type of containers and conditions were tried to obtain higher survivals. The germination medium i.e. two parts soil and one part river sand duly sterilized proved most effective and gave the higher survivals and best shoot development. Enamel trays proved the best container for sowing, poplar seeds. For the first time a break through in raising seedlings of exotic Populus species from seed has been achieved. Individual plants within stands and between stands of P. deltoides showed a wide variation in shoot development indicating a hope for selection of superior individuals for afforestation programmes.

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K. M. Tiwari , R. S. Mathur

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In the context of raising large scale plantations of Euocalyptus species to meet the increasing demands of the society for firewood, timber. Poles, pulpwood and oil etc, there is a general belief that Eucalyptus tree consumes more water and soil nutrients. In the present paper information on water and nutrient relation. Of Eucalyptus species has been highlighted. It is seen that the present fallacy that Eucalyptus lowers the underground water table of the soil is not borne out by scientific investigation.

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R. S. Mathur , M. G. Gogate

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Based on Bombay High naptha available from Mathura refinery, the Govt. of India is setting up a Petro-chemical complex at Salempur on Mathura-Barellly Highway, District Aligarh, U.P. Unless timely action is taken during the design of construction and operation to contain the same, such complexes have the possibi1ity of thermal and chemical pollution of environment. The project planning authorities mooted the idea of creating a green belt around the proposed complex to be developed by the U. P. Forest Department in consultalion with F. R. I. Trees play an important role in the maintenance and amelioration of environment; they not only improve the atmosphere through absorption of carbon-dioxide and other obnoxious gases and release oxygen, but also help in trapping dust particles and etfuluents in water discharges. Evapo-transpirational processes also moderate temperature to some extent. While doing so, trees also provide aesthetic beauty. In view of the above, it was decided to conduct an indepth study on extent and quality of green belt and the manner in which the same could be achieved most elfeelively. Keeping in view the constraints imposed by locality factors, such as alkaline soil, water logging etc. as also the impact of proposed petrochemical complex, a strategy for establishing of green belt is being evolved. This paper describes the considerations of the choice of species, planting techniques and manner in which the green belt need be maintained. Such an approach will ensure development with the least ecological disturbance i.e. development with out destruction and will provide much needed data base for integrating tree planting while planning major industrial complexes.

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R. S. Mathur

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The trends in the production of industrial wood, fuel wood and total wood during the years 1949-50 to 1971-72 from the forests of India have been analysed, along with those for total wood production per ha of forest area and per capita of population and for the total annual revenue, expenditure and revenue surplus of the forest departments in the country. A 4 year production cycle in total wood production has been isolated. Some short term forecasts have also been attempted on the basis of regression analyses.

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R. S. Mathur

Abstract

The trcpical moist forests in India, occupying roughly 30 million ha or 40% of the total forest area in the country and lying in a densely populated, region, are subjected to many interventions by man. Most of these like grazing, fire, shifting cultivation are destructive. There is also a gradual reduction in the forest area due to clearfellings for various purposes. Forest management, wild life management and recreation forestry, as deliberate modes of intervention, are creating a better environment and a sound resource base leading to the concept of multiple forest use. Soil differences also play a vital role in the type of use to which a forest area is put, particularly on account of its vulnerability to erosion, laterization, weterlogging and drought.In this paper, the above problems are discussed and a land capability classification for a possible planned use of these forest areas bas been suggested. The proposed four land use classes are Protective forests, Productive forests, Social forests and Aesthetic forests, each with its own assigned role and functions, more or less in water tight compartments.

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R. S. Mathur

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Dendrocalamus strictus is the main bamboo species in Uttar Pradesh, occupying a gross forest area of about 9 lac acres in Sub-Himalayan and Vindhyan tracts. In view of its present and potential importance as a major long fibre raw material for paper and pulp industry, a regular survey of entire bamboo resources has been carried out in U.P. during the last two years. The results of this survey in Kalagarh Forest Division are discussed in detail, along with a description of the tract and the forest, method of planning and organisation of the survey by sampling and estimates of present and future productivity and potential.

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R. S. Mathur

Abstract

Some trends in the consumption of wood needed for a variety of uses like
railway sleepers, construtional timber, fuelwood, industrial wood, etc. are discussed
in this paper.

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