National Forest Policy & Sustainable Forest Management

Transcription

1 National Forest Policy & Sustainable Forest Management by Arun K. Bansal, Former Addl. DG Forests, MOEF, GOI MCT for IFS Officers IV Phase 20 th June

2 forest - a unique resource Natural, Renewable, Global, National, Local importance Indian Context: Large dependence of people for sustenance fuel, fodder, NWFP, medicinal plants Long gestation period Three main functions: Ecological Social, Commercial 2

3 Climate change Forests are both sinks (80% of carbon stored in land vegetation & 40% of carbon in soils) and sources (25% of GHG released are from deforestation). Deforestation has important implications for CC. But deforestation figures do not reflect degradation which causes loss of bio-diversity, soil erosion, and decline in biomass. Reduction of Deforestation and degradation and increase in forest cover are important for mitigation & adaptation. MCT for IFS officers - IGNFA - TERI - June

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5 Sustainable Forest Management SFM - the term can be traced to the UN Conference on Environment and Development June 1992 main outcome Inclusion of Social and Environmental dimensions besides economic aspects Major trend in Forest Policy development focus from wood production to much broader environmental and social, economic and cultural issues. NLBI - Forest Principles and Chapter 11 of Agenda 21 (programme of action for sustainable development) refers to Forests 5

6 Forest Principles The guiding objective of Forest Principles is to contribute to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to provide for their multiple and complimentary functions and uses. Principle 2b specifically states Forest resources and forest lands should be substantially managed to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations. 6

7 Global objectives on Forests agreed at sixth session of UNFF 2006 sustainable forest management (SFM) as the overarching principle for forest policy at both the national and international levels, and outlined future priorities in the form of the four Global Objectives on Forest (GOFs): Global objective 1 ; Reverse the loss of forest cover worldwide through sustainable forest management, including protection, restoration, afforestation and reforestation, and increase efforts to prevent forest degradation; Global objective 2 : Enhance forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits, including by improving the livelihoods of forest dependent people; Global Objective 3 : Increase significantly the area of protected forests worldwide and other areas of sustainably managed forests, as well as the proportion of forest products derived from sustainably managed forests; Global objective 4 : Reverse the decline in official development assistance for sustainable forest management and mobilize significantly increased, new and additional financial resources from all sources for the implementation of sustainable forest management. 7

8 Forest Instrument - NLBI The adoption of the forest instrument by the UN General Assembly in September 2007 reinforced the global commitment & described SFM as a dynamic and evolving concept intended to Maintain and enhance the economic, social and environmental value of all types of forests for the benefit of present and future generations. The seven thematic elements are: Extent area of forest resources Forest Biological diversity structure Forest health and vitality Production functions of forest resources Protective function of forest resources Socio-Economic functions of forests Legal Policy and Institutional Framework 8

9 REDD Plus Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Degradation, and Afforestation, conservation, SMF. The term used is Sustainable Management of Forests referring to forest management that maintains carbon stock at least at constant levels on average over time, in particular in the context of production forests. 9

10 SFM Global situation FRA 2010 Globally the situation of forests - SFM has remained stable over last 20 years- Largest negatives decrease in primary forests, wood removals, human resources in public forests, Significant positives - increase in area designated for biological diversity PAs, area of planted forest, number of forestry graduates, 10

11 Important global forest facts (FRA 2010) 31% of total land area about 4 billion ha. 0.6 ha per capita ( forest rich countries - Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, USA, and China ~ 53% of TGFA ) Primary forest around 36% of the forest area planted forest is increasing now around 7% of TFA (264 MHa) planted forest increased about 5 MHa per annum between , Legally established PAs is about 13% of TGFA good for conservation of biological diversity- protection of soil and water resources, conservation of cultural heritage (sacred groves) Rate of deforestation declining but still alarmingly high 16 million ha. annually in 1990s & 13 million ha. annually in 2000s - mainly conversion to agriculture, Plantations are significantly reducing the net loss of forest Forest store carbon FRA billion tonnes carbon (~163 tonnes per ha. India about 106 tonnes per ha.) About 1.6 billion ha. Forest are under management plans important for SFM! 11

12 Indicators of sustainability C&I supported by FAO ITTO First set of guidelines for SM of Natural Tropical Forests in 1990, along with Criteria in 1991 They aim to contribute to SFM through the definition of Attributes (Criteria) and the measurement of progress (Indicators) 12

13 Bhopal India Process Bhopal India Process by IIFM under ITTO project 8 Criteria and 43 Indicators Increase in extent of Forest & Tree Cover; Maintenance, conservation and Enhancement of Bio-Diversity; Maintenance and Enhancement of Ecosystem Function and vitality; Conservation and Maintenance of Soil and water resources; Maintenance and Enhancement of Forest Resources and Productivity; Optimization and Forest Resource Utilization Maintenance and Enhancement of Social, Cultural, and Spiritual Benefits; Adequacy of Policy, Legal, and Institutional Framework Exercise to test the C&I at national level through 16 forest divisions, 6 states revision of 14 working plans as per the C&I framework incorporation of C&I in WP code deferred as per the directions of MoEF in a meeting held in February

14 Forest Certification Certification is a third party process (linked to international trade in forest products). that forest management has reached the level required by a given standard - combined with a chain-of-custody certificate, certification allows products from a particular certified forest area to carry an eco label. FSC (a voluntary non-profit organization -launched in 1993 or under PEFC Endorsement (membership-based global umbrella organization that provides a mutual recognition framework for national forest certification systems developed in a multi-stakeholder process)- Indian Forest certification Council?? FSC Forest Management Certificate in India issued to a private rubber plantation in the State of Tamil Nadu on 676 ha area Bhamragarh Division in Maharashtra certified by FSC effective from 12 Dec as Well-Managed Forest {FSC s Principles & Criteria - FCP Final Interim Standard for Forest Management Certificate in India} for D. strictus ( Bamboo) T. grandis (Teak), T. arjuna( Arjun), Bombax ceiba (Semal), Pterocarpus marsupium ( Bija), D. sissoo ( Sheesham) Round wood and Fuel wood. Certificate covers 3.78 lakh ha. - commercial bamboos lakh ha. 14

15 SFM key word - 1 Forest the resource unique, natural, renewable; different functions ecological, economic, socio-cultural; under severe pressure due to requirement of land for other purposes agriculture, development projects, local area needs biotic pressure grazing, wood energy, food, fire natural degradation slopes landslides forest fires; Components area under forest, forest cover - structure bio-diversity (forest type)- 15

16 SFM key word - 2 Management Area under working/management plans, management strategy national working plan code - Supreme Court Orders result of management. Formerly, the predominant emphasis of forest management was on timber production and the policies/actions were timber centric, main focus was also on sustained yield of timber. In recent decades, management objectives encompass a much broader scope of forest goods (primacy to NTFP with timber being secondary) and ecosystem services, and also (with other lands having been occupied/encroached..) pressure on forest lands for other uses have also increased. Management with community participation Joint Forest Management 16

17 SFM key word - 3 Sustainable? parameter of sustainability Area Canopy Cover - density Stand Structure - bio-diversity Production Ecological/Ecosystem services Others!!! 17

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19 NATIONAL FOREST POLICY The Game Changer Environmental Stability & Ecological Balance Claims of Agriculture higher Forest lands to be relinquished for agriculture Functional classification of forests - 4 RESERVATION OF FOREST AREAS BEGINNING OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT Balance & complimentary land use Forest lands not to be encroached for agriculture Claims of Neighbouring Communities Tree lands, and increase in tree lands agr., railway, roads etc. ZAMINDARI ABOLITION, EXTENSION OF AGRICULTURE SUSTAINED YIELD - TIMBER CENTRIC - REVENUE Diversion of forest lands after careful examination Massive people s movement for afforestation Wood Substitution, Industries raising plantations with farmers COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORESTS FOR ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGICAL STALIBILY 19

20 NFP Salient features Environmental stability preservation and restoration of ecological balance. Conservation of natural heritage by preserving remaining natural forests and protecting vast genetic resources. Meeting basic needs of the people fuel wood, fodder, small timber. Maintaining intrinsic relationship of forests and tribal & other people living in and around forests. aims to achieve nature conservation and ecological balance while meeting essential requirements of the people 20

21 NFP, 1988 important provisions... Area under forests or tree cover ~ minimum one third (2/3 rd in hills & mountainous regions to prevent soil erosion and land degradation and ensure stability of fragile ecosystems) Massive and need based/time bound programme of afforestation and tree planting No forest working without government approved working plans. No clear felling of natural forest for plantations Wood substitution railway sleepers, construction industry, furniture etc. Substitution of fuel wood with biogas, LPG, solar energy etc. & Fuel efficient Chulhas. Diversion of Forests for non forest purposes subject to most careful examination by specialists; Wild life corridors linking protected areas to maintain genetic continuity. Forest Based Industries to raise their raw material requirements preferably through direct relationship with individuals. No concessional supply of forest produce to industry. Scientific- complete survey of forest resources. Investment on substantial scale in forest sector forest not to be looked upon as a source of revenue 21

22 Proactive Judiciary SC order - definition of forest SC direction 1996 green felling only with approved management plans approved by GoI SC order de-reservation of forests/nps / sanctuaries only with SC approval SC No permission under WLPA, 197 (sec 29) without approval of Standing Committee of NBWL SC order dated NPV in addition to CA, CAT,.. to be charged before II stage (final) approval. CAMPA orders use of funds for regeneration of forests 22

23 Social - Rights of the People Reservation village forests or tree lands for people s needs used for extension of Agr. encroached; Settlement of encroachments Pre 1980 eligible iff Govt. has evolved eligibility criteria and has taken a decision to regularize before but not implemented; Ineligible encroachments to be treated at par with post 1980 encroachments; Disputed claims over forests arsing out of forest settlements: after proper identification, enquiry, and decision for restoration- then obtain prior approval 23 under FCA

24 Social - Rights of the People Conversion of forest villages > revenue villages (guidelines approved by the Union Cabinet in 1990)- after de-notifying requisite land as forest with prior approval of GoI (FCA -with map delineating external boundaries of land wherein pattas have been issued - the rights to be heritable but inalienable, and these and other enclosed villages be preferably administered by SFD Regularization the rights of tribals on forest lands Feb (traditional rights) following prior approval under FCA 1980 in a fixed time within one year. FRA 2006 primacy of Gram Sabha ~ JFMCs 3.64 lakh ha. Encroachment regularized 11 states 0.41 lakh ha. Conversion of 466 forest villages 4 states 24

25 Social- Joint Forest Management JFM - starting formally in 1990 (in the background of community initiatives/involvement in several states Uttrakhand, West Bengal, Odisha etc.). Social Equity - more than Forest conservation & Supply of forest products. JFM now extends to all states with about 1.20 lakh JFM Committees involving about 145 lakh families (of which around 50% are SC & ST families) managing MHa. of forest land ~ 25% of TFA 25

26 Common features of State JFMs Mostly under resolution except Uttara Khand, Karnataka, Rajasthan Basic unit is hamlet, village or group of villages. All willing families are entitled to join. Committee formed - called by different nomenclatures, JFMC, VFPC, VSS Executive Committee is elected body to take care of day to day activities Forest official is ex-officio Member Secretary (except Odisha) Representation from Local Government in EC and GB Except for certain Nationalized NTFPs, JFMCs are allowed free collection of NTFPs. Forest Department and JFMCs jointly prepare Micro Plan for forest area through PRA. The JFMCs are either registered with FD or in many states are registered as Societies under Charitable Societies Act. Members can collect fuel wood, fodder, Medicinal Plants and food as per the provisions of micro plans. In 15 states in respect of JFMCs, benefit per JFMC in term of fuel wood, fodder, NTFP etc. works out to Rs lakh per annum (ICFRE 2011) 26

27 Evolution of JFM to JFM+ With the experience of last 20 years and recent lessons learnt through JICA forestry projects, JFM approach is now set to graduate to JFM+ by involving livelihood issues in addition to protection, conservation, and management. 12 th FY Plan Steering Committee..JFM also needs to be evolved into a higher platform JFM Plus where the livelihood promotion of the communities, especially women Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed for such activities, gets increased importance in the conservation and development of forests. To achieve this, JFMCs are required to be adequately and strategically revitalized and empowered. 27

28 Forest Management National Working Plan Code, under revision - draft prepared by FRI key inputs use of GIS technology, assessments of Growing Stock, Carbon, Biodiversity, Estimation of NWFP including MAPs, despite provisions etc. What is the actual status? % forest area covered by WPs? Implementation status? Special focus 13 th Finance Commission Grant after two years linked with progress of approved WPs 80% (of what divisions or forest area) 28

29 Production from Forests Conservation oriented forest management '000 cum Wood MM 3 (Forest), (0.07% of GS MM MM 3 (ToF) - Consumption 48 MM 3 Fuel Wood 1.23 MM 3 (Forest), MM 3 (ToF) - consumption (Forests) MM Wood Imports Year 29

30 A r e a diverted in Ha. 160,000 Diversion of Forest lands 140, ,000 Avg. Annual diversion before FCA 100,000 80,000 60,000 DIVERSIONS AFTER FCA Average 40,000 20, Y e a r 30

31 WIND POWER, 4,012, 1% VILL. ELEC, 178, 0% DISPENSARY/HOSPITAL, 115, 0% DRINKING WATER, 2,445, 0% TRANSMISSION LINE, 36,112, 6% DEFENCE, 46,088, 7% THERMAL, 6,602, 1% SCHOOL, 2,709, 0% HYDEL, 117,629, 19% ROAD, 47,487, 8% REHABILITATION, 18,464, 3% RAILWAY, 8,511, 1% IRRIGATION, 126,969, 20% OTHERS, 60,312, 10% FORETST LAND DIVERTED FCA for developmental activities Excluding diversion under General Approvals MINING, 148,623, 24% MCT for IFS officers - IGNFA - TERI - June

32 Afforestation Agro/Farm Forestry & Forest Regeneration State Plans National Afforestation Program SFDA - FDAs National Bamboo Mission Externally Aided Projects CAMPA GIM 32

33 Forestry Research & Education ICFRE an autonomous organization for forestry research and education with Institute and centres across the country IIFM, IPIRTI, State FRIs FRI - deemed university 1991 Number of universities - graduate/post graduate course in forestry Training the foresters IGNFA CASFOS Forest Range Officers Frontline staff CB programme funding from JICA MCT for IFS officers - IGNFA - TERI - June

34 NFP 1988 embodies all elements of SFM: Ecological, Social, and Economic Indian Forestry is having largely social oriented approach of SFM while prime objective is environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance, which is vital for sustenance of all life forms. Economic/ commercial aspect is on low side. NFP a national public policy is the enunciation of guiding principles in managing a national resource though not justiciable The field officers need to always keep these points in their mind while implementing various plans and schemes. 34

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36 Forest Cover - M Ha Population Million year Forest Cover Population 36

37 Forest Cover change Matrix 37

38 Life Cycle Analysis