OTHER DEPARTMENTS

FOREST DEPARTMENT

Organisation.

Forest department is headed by Chief Conservator of Forests with his headquarters at Poona. For administrative purposes, the State is divided into seven circles as shown below:-

At the headquarters of each circle is the Conservator of Forests who has under him Divisional Forest Officers and Sub-Divisional Forest Officers to look after the administration and management of Divisions and Sub-Divisions respectively. The divisions are divided into sub-divisions which are further divided into Ranges, each placed in charge of Range Forest Officer. Ranges are further subdivided into Rounds and Rounds into Beats managed by Round Officers and Beat Guards respectively.

Dhulia district comprises two forest divisions, viz. (1) North Dhulia Division and (2) West Dhulia Division, which fall within the territorial jurisdiction of Nasik Circle.

Area under Forests.

The total extent of reserved and private forests in the district is as under-

The Revenue department has an area of 318.77 Km² (123.08 Sq. miles) of reserved forests under its charge.

Working Plans.

A working plan is a document which lays down the details of scientific management of forests for a prescribed period. Before the working plan of the area is drawn up, a detailed survey of the growing stock is conducted. On the basis of the data collected, plans are drawn up for felling, regeneration, silvicultural treatment and protection of forests with provision for due exercise of rights and privileges of people including grazing of cattle. The working plans which are in force are as under:-

Regeneration and Maintenance.

The areas coming under exploitation every year arc indicated in the working plan. Such areas after exploitation are either regenerated artificially or naturally depending on the prescription of the working plan. Great care, however, is necessary to prevent damage and injury to the crop through the agency of man, animal, insects, pests and adverse climatic and biotic influences. They are to be guarded against damage from fires, thefts, encroachments on forest lands, misuse of rights and privileges etc. For productive functions the department envisages management of forests in such a manner so as to provide for certain needs indispensable to the people and a variety of products of commercial importance.

The area under the management of the Forest department in the district is worked under various silvicultural systems prescribed in the working plans. The forests of this tract are of the formation, tropical dry deciduous forests. Various sub-types of forests, which are chiefly due to climatic and edaphic variations, are met with in the formation. The broad description of the forests met with in the district, is given in Chapter I.

Exploitation.

The forest areas are exploited mainly through the agency of Forest Labourers' Co-operative Societies. The major forest produce obtained from the exploitation of forests in the district is mainly consumed locally. A part of the produce e.g., timber, rosha oil, kadhai gum, etc., is exported to Bombay and Gujarat State. There are in all 45 Forest Labourers' Co-operative Societies in the district and 96 coupes were worked in the year 1963-64. The major forest produce is timber and firewood.

The total income from major forest produce in both the forest divisions of the district in the year 1964-65 was Rs. 16,49,414 from timber and Rs. 554,450 from firewood. The income from the minor forest produce in the same year was Rs. 301,397.

The net revenue and expenditure of both the divisions for three years from 1962-63 to 1964-65 is given below:-

Forest Settlements.

With a view to facilitate procurement of labour for various forest works such as raising of plantation, marking and felling of coupes construction of roads the department has established 79 settlement comprising an area of 25,210 acres. The inhabitants of these settlements are given land for cultivation and are also granted tagai advances for purchase of seeds, bullocks, etc. These inhabitants are also employed on various forestry operations.

Forest Roads.

The total length of forest roads in the district is 423.85 km. (263.3 miles).

Relations with the Public.

Under the provisions of Bombay Forest Manual III, people are granted rights and privileges to graze cattle in open forests, to remove small timber of miscellaneous species and firewood from the balance material of felled coupes for domestic use, to remove fallen leaves and dead material for burning rab and right of way to temples, water springs, etc. These privileges have also been extended to 71 non-forest villages of Akrani mahal and 14 non-forest villages of Shirpur taluka.

Vana-Mahotsava.

To promote a healthy attitude in the public for creation and protection of trees and forests, Vana-Mahotsava is annually organised by the department with the national tree planting programme. Vana-Mahotsava is usually celebrated at the onset of the monsoon and seedlings of useful tree species are supplied free of cost by the Forest department to various Government departments and institutions, schools and colleges.

Wild Life Preservation.

One of the important aspects of the forest management is Wild Life Preservation. The preservation and management of wild life in the State is made under the Bombay Wild Animals and Wild Birds Protection Act. 1951, and the rules made thereunder. Every year Wild Life Week is observed throughout the district by holding meetings and giving lectures to the villagers impressing upon them the necessity and importance of Wild Life Preservation.

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