UT of DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI                                                                                                          

Forest Department

INTRODUCTION

The Forest Department of Dadra and Nagar Haveli looks after the forest with estimated worth of approximately 10000 crore in an area of 201 sq.km. of protected, reserve forests & wildlife sanctuary in this U.T. which constitutes upto 42% of the total geographical area as against the national average of 23%. The predominant population of tribals which constitutes 80% of the total population of the U.T. mainly depends on forests for their requirements of fuel wood, fodder, small timber and employment. The New Forest policy 1988 aims at providing environmental stability, ecological balance through increase in tree cover by afforestation and Social Forestry Programmes both in forest and non forest areas. It also aims at creating awareness of masses and their involvement in conservation efforts to ensure preservation of natural forests with variety of flora and fauna to represent biological diversity and genetic resources.

Forests are natural assets and provide a wide variety of benefits to the economy. However, lack of awareness about its multiple roles and benefits especially its role in drought proofing and prevention of soil and water run off besides direct benefits in form of Timber, fuel wood, fodder etc. are not known to many including the tribals living around the forest.

The main thrust is laid down to rehabilitate the degraded forests and to increase productivity of forest by taking up of massive plantation, by filling of the gap and taking up soil and water conservation measures to improve the forest cover. And it is also proposed to give forest protection by taking up different types of fencing, regular patrolling for the forest protection.

The forestry operations are labour intensive and all operations from sowing of seeds in Nursery till planting of saplings in forests and its aftercare need large unskilled and semiskilled labour force. Forestry operation with distribution of forest areas in all comers of the U.T provider job opportunities at the door steps to the tribals. The forestry sector has been the major provided of employment opportunities through its schemes and proposed to provide 3 lakh mandays during plan period.

The forest settlement was carried out in the U.T. in early sixties. However, there are several areas and large chunk of lands, which are non-forest revenue lands located in the midst of forest. The owners of these areas have difficulty in cultivation and use of these lands as their access is through forest areas. In addition there are more than 700 teram plot holders who were given one year lease to cultivate forest areas before liberation of U.T.  The Ministry of Environment and Forests has desired to relocate these teram plot holders on the fringes of forest areas so that the management of compact forest areas is easier. The scheme is therefore proposed to relocate private holdings and teram plots on fringes and consolidate forest areas under the scheme, wherever possible the private holdings will be acquired for which a target of 10 hect. is proposed for the plan period

ORGANIZATION CHART

 Flora & Fauna

The Forest are classified as Group 3 B C 2, South Indian Tropical Moist (Mixed) Deciduous Forest . The forests are notified as reserved forests in the year 1969. in addition to it, the roadsides, riverbanks and canal banks were declared as protected forest in eighties. To provide sanctum sanctorum to the wildlife the forest area of 92 sq.kms. has been declared as Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1999.

The forest crop comprises of Teak, Terminalia, Khair, Haldu Siwan, Shisham, Kinai, Mahua etc. in top canopy and Tendu, Amla, Bahwa, Bamboo etc. in the middle canopy. The undergrowth consists of Karamda, Nirgudi, Ukshi and several climbers like Odhvel, Bokadvel & Nandanvel.

The forests of the U.T. have provided habitat for several species of wild animal and birds like Panther, Bhekar, Hyeana, Wild Pig, Peacock, Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Wildfowl, Titar, Tailor birds etc. The successful introduction of Chital, Sambhar, Nilgai and few other herbivores in a small area has encourages the department to extend it to other natural habitats. Setting up of Lion Safari to provide an alternate habitat to Asiatic Lion of Gir is one such example.

Management Past and Present

The Forests were managed by the Portuguese rulers only for revenue and before liberation they exploited forest areas in 50 villages under clear felling system with few reserves as seed bearers. No attempts were however made to regenerate the clear felled areas leaving it to nature. The efforts to manage the forests on scientific basis were made only after the liberation and massive plantation programmes undertaken in the plan schemes could restore it back to certain extent. The U.T. has also been a pioneer in putting a banon commercial felling of the trees since the year 1981 to provide a much-needed rest to the heavily exploited forests and it has showed positive results.

Biotic Interference

The quality & condition of natural forests is uniform throughout  the U.T. The natural regeneration is sparse in the areas close to human habitations. The growing industrialization, influx of migrant labourers for employment in industry and reduction of forest cover in adjoining states has been instrumental in causing damage to the forests. The plantations raised over the years exhibit varying degree of success depending on pressure of people from the nearby areas for grazing, fuel wood, small timber and seasonal cultivation. The damage to the young pole crop is most significant which is used for housing by the tribal people.

Rights & Concessions

The Tribals enjoy several rights and concessions like free grazing, collection of firewood for domestic use, leaves for rab buringing etc. they also have been offered rights for free collection of Minor Forest Products under the Gujarat MFP Trade Nationalization Act 1979.

Strategy for Conservation

As a major shift of practicing monoculture or a plantation of single species of economical importance, the department has undertaken enrichment of forest with the tree species like Amla, Jamun, Ramphal, Fanas, Mahua, Khati Amli, Vilayati Amli, Bor, Sitaphal besides Bamboo, Teak and other tree species which are important to tribals.

In order to fulfill the growing demand of trees for fuel wood & fodder more than 5 lakhs seedlings are distributed annually free of costs to the people belonging to Schedule Caste & Tribes for planting on their farms bunds and back yards to reduce the pressure on forests.

The local tribals have been traditionally using variety of plants from forest for medicinal purpose and to increase its area planting of medicinal plant species like Karamda, Ringni, Musali, Murudsing, Gunj etc. as an under story has been taken up in Xth plan. The beautification through forest conservation in form of lakes, gardens, plantations on roadsides, canal banks, river banks and community lands has provided impetus to the tourism industry and now more than 4 lakh tourist visit the U.T. to experience the greenery, tranquility and fresh air.

Survival of mankind is dependent on survival of forests in its nature glory as they provide us fresh air to breathe, water to drink and variety of resources to sustain the life. The forest in the U.T. with the help of local tribal people has proved it beyond doubt.

ACTIVITIES

Plantation & Maintenance

Social forestry

Free distribution of seedling to the farm local tribal with an object to Increase of green cover

Road & canal side plantation

Appropriate measures for water & soil conservation.

Wildlife

Re-Introduction of Wild Animal

Development of Eco-tourism

Development of Science Activity Center

Development of Nature Education Centre

Maintenance of Lion Safari, Satmaliya Deer Enclosure & Luhari Deer Park .

ACHIEVEMENTS

Afforestation Targets & Achievement

IXth PLAN – (1997-2002)

Xth PLAN – (2002-2007)

ONGOING SHEMES

DIRECTION AND ADMINISTRATION

o       Strengthening of Administrative Structure:

o       Forest Protection:

o       Creation of Nodal Officer Cell for monitoring of Forest Conservation Act, 1980

SURVEY & UTILIZATION OF FOREST RESOURCES

o       Survey And Demarcation:

o       Relocation of Teram Plots And Consolidation of Forest Areas: -

COMMUNICATION AND BUILDING

o       Providing chainlink fencing works

o       Construction of Forest Roads

FOREST CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT & REGENERATION (PRODUCTION FORESTRY)

o       Enrichment of Forests and Plantation Area :

o       Planting of Medicinal Plants As Under storey :

o       Soil, Moisture  And Water Conservation:

SOCIAL &  FARM   FORESTRY

o       Rehabilitation of degraded forests by enrichment & gap planting :

o       Roadside Plantation

o       Plantation on Partially Submerged Area of Damanganga River

o       River Bank Plantation

o       Creation of Green Belt In Industrial Area, Govt. premises & City forest around Urban Area

o       Canal Bank Plantation

o       Fuel Wood And Small Timber Plantation

o       Distribution of Seedlings

o       Incentives To Tribal Farmers For Raising Tree Plantation In Small & Marginal Land

o       Maintenance of Old Plantation

FOREST PRODUCE   (MINOR FOREST PRODUCE):

o       Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP)  Farms.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

OTHER EXPENDITURE

FOREST RESERCH AND SILVILCULTURE:

o       Establishment and Maintenance of Research Nurseries:

o       Silvicultural Operation and Timber Depot.

PUBLICITY AND EXTENSION :

o       Publicity Campaigns :

o       Setting up of Prakruti Parichaya Kendra

o       Setting up of Van Chetana Kendra

o       Organizing Vaniki Shibir and tours

CITIZENS CHARTER

ACTS / CIRCULARS / GUIDELINES

            ACTS

o       Environment Protection Act 1986

o       Forest Conservation Act 1980

o       Forest Rules 

o       Preservation of Tree Act

o       Indian Forest Act

o       Wildlife Protection Act

CONTACT PERSON (Phone / email / fax)