OTHER DEPARTMENTS

FOREST DEPARTMENT

Organisation: The head of the Forest Department in the State is the Chief Conservator of Forests, with his headquarters at Pune. For administrative purposes the whole state is divided into seven circles.

At the headquarters of each circle is a Conservator of Forests. The Conservators of Forests, have under them Divisional Forest Officers and Sub-Divisional Forest Officers to look after the administration of the divisions and independent sub-divisions, respectively. The Divisional Forest Officer belongs to the Maharashtra Forest Service, Class I, or Indian Forest Service and Sub-Divisional Forest Officers to Maharashtra Forest Service Class II. The divisions or sub-divisions, as the case may be, are divided into small executive units called "ranges" and each range is managed by a Range Forest Officer under the control of Divisional Forest Officer or Sub-Divisional Forest Officer. The Range Forest Officer is a non gazetted subordinate officer who is usually trained in one of the Indian Forest Ranger's Colleges (Dehradun and Coimbtore). The Assistant Conservators of Forests (Sub-Divisional Forest Officers) are also trained at Dehradun after their selection in the competitive examination held by the M. P. S. C. Bombay. Some are promoted from Range Forest Officer's cadre in the State. Each range is sub-divided into rounds and each round is managed by the Round Officers or Range Assistants. Finally, each round is sub-divided into beats and each beat is in charge of a bat guard. The beat is the smallest unit of the forests for the purpose of forest administration.

Akola Forest Division was formerly the part of West Berar division. But in the year 1964 West Berar division was split into Akola Forest division with the divisional headquarters at Akola and Buldhana Forest Division with the divisional headquarters at Buldhana. Akola Forest Division covers the whole forest area of Akola district.

The Akola division comes under the administrative control of Amravati Circle. The Division is under the charge of Divisional Forest Officer, Akola, and is manned by one gazetted assistant. 5 Range Forest Officers, 24 Round Officers and 113 Forest Guards.

The attached officer is the gazetted assistant of the division belonging to the Maharashtra Forest Service Class II. He is supposed to assist the Divisional Forest Officer in general administration of the whole division with his headquarters at Akola.

Following arc the Ranges in this Division:

The details of forest areas of Akola Forest Division are as below:―

The forests in this district are in scattered patches. The percentage of the forests to the total area of the district is 7.8%. Most of the area is confined to the compact blocks of Patur and Karanja ranges lying in the middle and the south-east corner of the district and the rest of the forests are scattered in patches all over the district.

Liaison with other Departments: The Revenue and Forest Departments are closely interconnected in their works in various respects. The general public enjoy certain rights and privileges over forests. The extent of these rights and privileges are, however, assessed from time to time and fixed by the Revenue Department. Thus afforestation and disforestation become practically joint functions of the Revenue and Forest Departments. Working plans for the management and development of forests are prepared solely by the Forest department. But in so far as the prescriptions of working plan affect local needs and rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the district, the approval of the Collector has to be obtained before it is submitted to the Government by the Chief Conservator of Forests for sanction.

Divisional Forest Officer: The Divisional Forest Officer is directly responsible for the exploitation and regeneration of the forests according to the sanctioned working plan and other orders. He conducts sales, enters into contracts, supplies material to the public, realises revenue and controls expenditure under instructions from the Conservator of Forests. In short, he is responsible for forest administration and management in all matters relating to the technical forest operations.

Sub-Divisional Forest Officers: The duties of the Sub-Divisional forest Officers in charge of the independent Subdivisions are exactly same as those of the Divisional Forest Officer while the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer attached to the division assists the Divisional Forest Officer in the proper enforcement of the prescription of the sanctioned working plan and execution of various works connected with it by supervision of various silvicultural works requiring technical knowledge, besides attending to other duties entrusted by the Divisional Forest Officer. The Sub-Divisional Forest Officer deals finally with the forest offence cases, having power to compound the same. There is only one post of attached officer in this division.

Range Forest Officers: The Range Forest Officer is in executive charge of his range. He is responsible for carrying out with the help of range assistants and beat guards, and according to the orders of the Divisional Forest Officer and Sub-Divisional Forest Officer all works in his charge as per the annual plan of operation, such as marking for the main felling, thinning, felling of trees departmentally for various purposes, the transport of timber, fuel, etc., to the sale-depot, all plantation works such as sowing, planting, tending and other silvicultural operations, maintenance of nurseries, construction of roads, buildings and wells according to the sanctioned plans and estimates and their annual repairs. Protection of forests and investigations of forest offences, supervision on removal of forest produce by the purchaser and by the holders of the rights and privileges, supply and issue of forest transit passes and permits and general supervision on the working of the forest labourers co-operative societies and rendering them all help in technical matters are some of his other duties.

Round Officers: The Round Officer's or Forester's duties include the supervision on the silvicultural and conservancy works, protection of forests, detection and investigations of forest offences, issue of forest transit passes and permits, collection of revenue from permits and compensation in offence cases, supervision and control on extraction of produce in contractor's coupes and supervision on works of forests guards. Some Foresters who work as coupe-agents to the forest labourers' co-operative societies have to supervise the coupe-working by such societies, render guidance in technical matters, maintain proper accounts of timber out-turn, logging, preparation of lots in the depots according to the size and quality and all other works in so far as they relate to the working of the coupe.

Beat Guards : The forest guard's functions are to patrol and protect all forests in his beat and to carry out all works pertaining to their proper maintenance, such as repairs and maintenance of forest boundary marks, execution of silvicultural works viz., sowing, planting and climber cutting and detecting forest offences.

Classification of Forests: Under the Indian Forests Act (XVI of 1927), forests of this circle are divided into two categories viz., reserved and protected forests. Before forests are classified, they have to be subjected to regular settlement by a Forest Settlement Officer, who enquires into the existence of all public and private rights In case of reserved forests, the existing rights are either settled, transferred or commuted. In case of protected forests rights are clearly recorded and regulated.

Working Plans : The reserved and protected forests of the divisions are organised and managed under the prescription of the working plan.

The working plan is a document which lays down the details of the scientific management of forests for the prescribed number of years. Before a working plan is drawn-up, a survey is made of growing stock, at times by actual enumerations and an analysis is made of stems of standing trees to determine the rate of grants of the principal species with special reference to the soil and climatic conditions of each locality. On the basis of data thus collected, plans arc drawn up for the lei ling, regeneration, silvicultural treatments, and protection of forests with the provision for the due exercise of the rights and privileges of the people, including grazing of cattle. The preparation of working plan for this division was done by the Assistant Conservator of Forests under the guidance of Divisional Forest Officer, Working Plans. Amravati and Nagpur Circles, Nagpur.

Functions: The main functions of the Forest department are exploitation, regeneration and protection of forests according to the sanctioned working plans and other orders and to conduct sales, enter into contracts and supply of material to the Government departments and public. In addition, number of schemes under the Five-Year Plans are executed by this department. The salient aspects of the functions of the Forest department are described below.

Re-generation and Maintenance.—As the annual area is exploited, it is regenerated afresh. Great care and precautions are taken against damages caused by man, animals, fires, insects and other pests- and against adverse climatic influences and inanimate agencies. Damage by man is caused by lighting, fire, illicit cutting, faulty exploitation methods, and mis-use of forest rights and privileges.

Though occasionally forest fires originate from natural causes, in a vast majority of cases they are due to human agency.

To prevent damages by fire and illicit-cutting, the wholehearted support and co-operation of public is required. The co-operation is secured through the authority and influence of the village headman. Precautionary measures like fire tracing of newly regenerated coupes, clearing of shrubby growth along the roads and paths and early burning to avoid any occurrence of fire or its spreading in the forests area are taken by the department as per fire protection scheme. Fire watchers are also appointed at vulnerable spots during summer to keep watch over the forests with a view to avoid occurrence of fires. Rigid patrolling is enforced through the staff and vigilant watch against unauthorised felling and removal of forest produce by the villagers is maintained. A mobile squad under the Range Forest Officer on special duty is provided to patrol the forest areas and to conduct surprise checking of forest produce in transit in the division.

Continuous unlimited and unregulated grazing in 'C' class forests has badly affected the tree growth thereon. The 'A' class forests under systematic working are already loaded to their full capacity of grazing incidence. Adequate protection, introduction of intensive measures for the conservation and development of these forests are therefore the prime need of the day. Offences in respect of unauthorised grazing and other damages from cattle are. dealt with under the forest Act and other laws.

System of Management: The area under the management of the department in this division is worked under various silvicultural systems, prescribed in the working plan. Regeneration work is carried out in two ways viz., (1) natural means (coppice) and (2) partly artificial means under coppice with reserve system trees allowed to he out at ground level or near it and regeneration taking place naturally by shoots from the stumps under the artificial system. When the trees are felled regeneration is effected by artificial methods, such as sowing, planting of root and shoot cuttings (stumps) with regular spacing.

In the Working Plan of 1966, following systems of management have been prescribed.

Subsidiary cultural operations like, cutting back operations, cleanings, mid-rotation, thinnings, etc., are generally done departmentally while all bamboo fellings in the division are carried-out departmentally.

The general configuration of forest land in this division is undulating. Steep slopes, or deep ravines are rare. Forests are generally well-stocked. In the areas with poor growth afforestation scheme is adopted for soil conservation.

Plantations are generally carried out in suitable areas devoid of natural regeneration. Excluding afforestation scheme work, plantation of general utility timber, bamboo and fuel wood was undertaken from 1965 in an area admeasuring 118 hectares. Plantation of fuel wood is generally undertaken on agri-silvi-method. Under agri-silvi-system encouragement is given to produce food crops along with the plantations of tree species. Though this system is somewhat successful in this division some drawbacks are normally experienced.. For example, plot holders are eager to attend to their agricultural works in the plot but neglect the silvicultural part of the system. This can be avoided by strict and continuous supervision by the staff. Most of the fuel wood plantations in this division are being done by this agri-silvi system only. Under this system whole coupe in Babul-ban felling series is auctioned for the lease period of three years. The purchaser clear-fells the area of extracts for whole fuel-wood. In the next year he sows the seed of agricultural cash-crop like cotton, along with the seed of babul-trees at 18' apart in lines. He is supposed to look after the forest crop along with his agricultural cash-crop during the third year of the lease period. After expiry of lease period, the same coupe may be auctioned to take out "furdadi crop" only if, other conditions are found suitable. While taking out furdadi crop no sowing of agricultural cash-crop is allowed.

In general utility-timber plantation and plantation of teak is undertaken departmentally. Teak seedlings are grown in nursery generally for a period of one year. Root-shoot-cuttings are prepared from the stock. These are used in plantation. Suitable area is selected and it is clear-felled one year in advance. Generally in April-May the whole clear-felled area is well burnt. Immediately after first monsoon showers, root-shoot cuttings of teak are planted at the spacing of 2x2 metres.

Plantation of fast growing species like eucalyptus is also carried out in this division under scheme work while carrying out these plantations. Eucalyptus plants are grown in temporary nurseries in February-March, When they attain 9"-10" height, they are transplanted in polythene-bags. Generally eucalyptus seedlings of 8-9 months are utilised in carrying out plantations. As in case of teak, suitable area is selected and clear-felled one year in advance. In March-April the whole clear-felled area is well-burnt. Pits of the size of 1'x 1'x 1'x are dug by adopting specing of 2x2 metres Immediately alter the first monsoon showers. 8-9 months old eucalyptus plants are planted in these pits.

Bamboo seedlings are also planted in this division, specially in Patur, Washim and Akola ranges.

Exploitation: Forest produce in this division is divided into two categories i. e., major and minor. The chief major forest produce constitutes timber and fuel wood. Good quality timber is consumed locally and also outside the district by the timber markets in Nagpur, Bombay and Marathwada regions while fuel-wood is consumed locally.

Skilled labour is generally very difficult to obtain. Coupes are advertised for sale and are sold by public auction. The coupes are also worked through the labour societies on revised formula basis. There are 7 such societies in this division.

With a view to provide firewood and timber to the local population, departmental working is undertaken in selected coupes in this division. Fire-wood is supplied at concessional rates to the villages and towns situated within a radius of five miles from the coupe. In the year 1967, seven coupes were reserved for timber supply at concessional rates and 40 villages located within 5 miles attached to working-coupes for nistar-supply, got the full advantage. A sum of Rs. 11,465 was realised after selling teak timber at nistar rates, while Rs. 3,060 were obtained by selling 153 cart-loads of carpenters material from nistar-coupes. 534 cart-loads of fire-wood realised Rs. 2,672 as nistar-value.

Besides timber and fire wood, bamboo, sandal-wood, grass, gum, rosha oil, tendu leves also account for a considerable share of forest revenue in this division.

Income and Expenditure : The annual revenue of the- division from the various sources in 1967-68 is given below:—

The total amount realised was thus Rs. 10,93,302. The annual expenditure in the same year was as follows:—

Forest Labourers' Co-operative Societies : At present 6 forest labourers' co-operative societies are working the coupes of this division. The working of these societies in the respective ranges is as follows:—

Six foresters are appointed as the coupe-agents of these forest labourers' co-operative societies during their working season. They supervise the coupe-working by these societies and render guidance in technical matters. They also maintain proper account of timber out-turn, logging and preparation of lots according to size and quality classes in the depot. They also look after all other works relating to working of the coupes.

The following statement shows the working of these societies in the district from the year 1961-62 to 1967-68.

Forest Roads: The principal forest-roads in this division are of a length of 191 miles (307 kms.) of which a length of 90 miles (144.64 kms.) is in Patur range, 40 miles (64.17 kms.) in Akola range. 35 miles (56.33 kms.) in Karanja range and 26 miles (41.86kms.) in Washim range. These are all earth roads and need to be improved to the standard of class roads to facilitate easy movement of the forest produce.

Forest villages: There are ten forest villages in this division, covering 4,063 acres of land. The total population of these villages is 2.986. 307 cultivation plots are cultivated by 261 plot-holders in these villages. The total assessment of these villages conies to about Rs. 941,09.

Each forest village is linked with forest roads The Forest department has constructed wells in practically each forest village. Yet forest villagers sometimes face acute shortage of water. Seven forest villages arc having schools.

Attention is paid towards the welfare of forest villagers with the help of Zilla Parishad and Social Welfare department. In order to improve the housing condition of forest villagers, formation of co-operative housing societies in each forest village has been undertaken, in collaboration with the Zilla Parishad, tin Co-operation department and the: Social Welfare department.

Public Relations: The A' class forests are not burdened with any adverse rights. The Gowains of Tapowan enjoy a special privilege of grazing 125 cows and bullocks free in the 'A' class reserve of Tapowan.

Seven villages in Karanja range are permitted to take possession of half the crop of certain mango trees in the adjoining 'A' or 'C' class reserved forests.

Rights of way have not been recorded, but the Conservator of Forests is empowered to close any road through a forest block so long as suitable alternative road is provided.

Seven coupes are reserved for nistar-supply and 40 villages, within a radius of 5 miles of the working coupes for nistar supply, are getting full benefits from the scheme.

Vana mahotsava: The Government of India started in 1950. an important programme called Vanamahotsava' to be celebrated in the first week of July, every year. However, the week of celebration of Vanamahotsava varies, depending upon the commencement of monsoon. The object of Vanamahotsava is to encourage the planting of as many trees as possible in suitable localities. In choosing the trees, preference is given to quick growing species of economic value such as eucalyptus, bamboo, fruit trees. etc. Seedlings are supplied at nominal price to the public, institutions and other departments for planting during 'Vanamahotsava' For this purpose nurseries are raised in all ranges of the division.

The after-care of young plants is undertaken by the individual or by the public body to whom seedlings are supplied.

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