Pradeep Kumar Mishra , S. Raghavan

Abstract

To fulfil the demands of paper and pulp industry, tropical pines were introduced on a large scale in the 1970s in India. For a certain period it marked a trend in Indian forestry. Under the Government of India Coordinated Tropical Pine Project many research activities were conducted and some large scale plantations were taken up. However, these were stopped after a controversy arose in Bastar where it was taken up after clearfelling a mixed sal forest.But in Orissa, tropical pine plantations were taken up on barren hills and it had positive effects on the environment. The present study shows that it is commercially viable, it does not have any negative effect on soil and it is not a matter of public resentment unlike that occurred in Bastar.

Keywords

Tropical Pines, Plantation, Feasibility, Koraput, Orissa

Full Text

     

S. Raghavan

Abstract

Along the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh there are stretches of low scrub jungle of ever-green and semi-evergreen type. These lands have virtually remained 'idle' since long, serving only as inferior pastures for the rural community. Since 1970, cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is being raised on these soils, with the introduction of improved agronomic practices in an intensive programme of resource development The plantation technique including selection of parent material, selection of site, site preparation, nursery and plantation practice and manuring are described in the paper. The soil and water requirements, with tolerable ranges and toxicity limits are indicated. The mammoth programme of cashew cultivation by the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh. in an effort to introduce commercial cropping is hoped to convert most 'idle lands' into blooming cashew orchards producing "DOLLAR FROM DUST".

Full Text

     

S. Raghavan

Abstract

No abstract

Full Text

     

S. Raghavan

Abstract

The relation between new culm production and the number of old culms was worked out for natural untreated forest of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) and compared with the percentage of new culm production in bamboo forests under regular felling on a four year cycle. It was seen that production of new culms in the treated crop is about double that of the untreated crop. The observation is based on a single year's data and seems to indicate the wide difference in new culm production between a treated bamboo forest and an untreated one.

Full Text

     

S. Raghavan

Abstract

no abstract

Full Text

     

S. Raghavan

Abstract

no abstract

Full Text

     

S. Raghavan

Abstract

no abstract

Full Text

     

S. Raghavan

Abstract

Traditionally wild life has enjoyed an important status in the country and its protection has generally been held sacrosanct. The status of wild life when the British Ru1e came in the 18th Century was one of prosperity and plenty. With the increase in population, large forest tracts were gradually cleared and brought under cultivation, leading to the diminution of the wild life habitat. In the beginning of the century "The main agent of destruction was the European sportsman". The keenness for hunting soon spread to the ruling princes and the leisured gentry in India. The Second World War further accelerated the process of destruction of wild life, because of large armies encamped all over India. Subsequently food production assumed special significance, resulting in the issue of gun licences for crop protection, causing a drain on the wild life population. The initial attempts towards game preservation were directed to the regulation of shooting in Government-owned forests by legislation. The Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1912 introduced the first signs of scientific control by the observance of 'closed season' for certain species. By 1935, legislative action and consequent protection of wild life in Government owned forests achieved a certain amouut of success. The All India Conference for the Preservation of Wild Life held in 1935 commended the comprehensive Punjab Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1934 and recommended it for adoption in other provinces. About this period, management of wild life was becoming more intensive by the introduction of the 'Shooting Block System' which later developed into "Rotational cropping". After the attainment of the Independence, conservation of wild life gained fresh momentum and the "Indian Board for Wild Life" was constituted. The Board took effective measures to rehabilitate the Indian lion, to protect rare species and to develop sanctuaries and National Parks. Simultaneously with the improvement of conservation practices, game protection laws, in general are being hardened and perfected throughout the country. Though the stage of highest, efficiency in game preservation is yet to be reached, the future does not certainly seem bleak.

Full Text