OTHER DEPARTMENTS

THE FOREST DEPARTMENT

Organisation.

THE HEAD OF THE FOREST DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE is the Chief Conservator of Forests, whose headquarters are at Poona. For administrative purposes, the whole State is divided into six circles as shown below:—

At the Headquarters of each Circle is a Conservator of Forests.

The Conservators 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 Officers belong to Maharashtra Forest Service, Class I and the Sub-Divisional Forest Officers to Maharashtra Forest Service, Class II. The Divisions in some cases are divided into Sub-Divisions, which are in charge of Sub-Divisional Forest Officers. The Divisions or Sub-Divisions as the case may be, are divided into small executive parts called " Ranges" and each Range is managed by a Range Forest Officer, under the control of the Divisional Forest Officer or Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, as the case may be. The Range Forest Officer is a non-gazetted subordinate officer (Class III) who is usually trained at one of the forest colleges of India, i.e., those at Dehradun and Coimbatore. Each Range is sub-divided into "Rounds" and each "Round" is managed by a Round Officer or a Forester who is usually trained at one of the Forest Classes in the State. Finally each Round is sub-divided into "Beats" and each Beat is in-charge of a "Beat Guard".

The Satara Forest Division, falling under the Poona Circle, is held by the Divisional Forest Officer, Satara. Under him there are five Range Forest Officers and three independent Round Officers (under the direct control of the Divisional Forest Officer), one Range Forest Officer for Malshiras Afforestation Scheme, twenty Round Officers and 105 Beat Guards. Of these five Range Forest Officers, seventeen Round Forest Officers and seventy-seven Beat Guards are stationed in the Satara district. The following are the ranges and independent rounds in the district.

Forest Zones.

The Satara Forest Division spreads over the three districts of Satara, Sangli and Sholapur. The details of the forest areas from the Satara district are given below:—

Most of the forests in the district lie in a belt along the main range of the Sahyadris, and the rest are spread in patches throughout the district. Most of the forests are State owned and the rest are possessed by malkidars and inamdars.

The type of vegetation is mainly governed by the amount of rainfall in a particular locality. The rainfall varies considerably as the Division is spread over three districts, viz., Satara, Sangli and Sholapur. Akkalkot taluka in Sholapur district receives an average rainfall of 30" during a year whereas Phaltan and Aundh in Satara district receive 17" rainfall on an average during a year. The rest of the Division is broadly divided into three zones, viz., (1) Eastern Zone-In this zone the average rainfall during a year is 23.33", (2) Central Zone—This zone receives an average annual rainfall of 96.20" and (3) Western Zone—In this zone the average rainfall during a year is very high, generally over 250". Thus it is seen that the rainfall gradually increases as we go to the West. Similarly, there are four very distinct types of forests met with on going from West to East. On the Sahyadri Ghats and their slopes, which are subjected to heavy precipitation, the evergreen forests are met with. This evergreen zone perceptibly merges into a zone of wet mixed deciduous forests where teak is entirely absent but somewhat evergreen species, e.g. Terminalia tomentosa, Dalbergia latifolia are in marked predominance. This zone in its turn merges into the dry mixed deciduous type where teak is plentiful and grows in association with other typically deciduous species like Anogeissus latifolia, Odina wodier, Schleichera trijuga. This type finally merges into a ' Savannah' type where the tree-growth is almost entirely absent due to deficient rainfall, poor soil and general deterioration caused by heavy incidence of grazing and ruthless cutting practised by the villagers before forest conservancy put a check to it

(A) Evergreen Forests (Western Zone).—The evergreen forests are confined to the Sahyadrian Range where rainfall is excessive (72" to 252") and the soil is lateritic. The common stunted type of evergreen forests consist of Syzygium cumini, Actinodaphne-hookeri, Glochidion lanceokarium, Memecylon edule, Terminalia-chebula, Couthium-didymum, etc. A taller type of forest which is definitely a further advance towards the climax contains much of Memecylon edule, Sidroxylon-tomentosum, Symplocos-beddomei, Olea-dioica with other evergreen species. A still better type of forest approaching nearly climax contains much of Litsea-stocksii and zeylanica, but Actinodaphne-hookeri predominates. Almost climax type of thick evergreen forests contain the important species of Saccopetalum-tomentosum. Sterculia-guttata. Machilus-glaucescens. Olea-dioica Actinodaphne-hookeri and Syzygium cumini.

(B) Dry mixed deciduous forests (Eastern and Central Zones).— The forests vary in quality from straight and well grown teak forming a high forest of fair quality to a retrograde scrub forest which is fairly common in the eastern talukas particularly in Khandala peta. The latter is not a scrub climax due to climax limitations but a very debased form of dry mixed deciduous forest. In inferior areas teak is found where there is greater depth of soil and where land is more fertile. The other species consist of Boswellia-serrata, Anogeissus-latifolia, Odina-wodier, Schleichera-trijuga, Gymnosporia-montana, Osyris-arborea. In poorer quality areas sandalwood comes under the cover of bushes. In good quality areas one finds well grown teak in association with Anogeissus-latifolia, Terminalia-tomentosa, Butea-frondosa, Schleichera-trijuga, Grewia-tiliafolia, Cassia-fistula, Eloeo-dendron-glaucum, Albizzia-lebbek, Zizyphus-xylopyra.

(C) Wet mixed deciduous forests.—Throughout the Division there is a very clearly marked line between the evergreen forests in the zone of excessive rainfall generally above 100", and the dry mixed deciduous forests in the Eastern Zone with a rainfall generally below 60". The wet mixed deciduous forests are, therefore, generally met with on the slopes of Sahyadri Hills where rainfall is more than 60". At first on the lower slopes there is a change in some species, the conspicuous being the disappearance of teak. Adina cordifolia and Dalbergia latifolia increase while Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia-belerica, Diospyros embryopteris and Garuga pinnata assume a rather more evergreen appearance. The other species commonly met with are Flacourtia-Sepiaria, Pterocarpus-marsupium, Ficus, spp. and Bridelia retusa. The shrubs met with are Carissa carandas, Zizyphus rugona, Woodfordia Floribunda, Vitex negundo etc.

The Revenue and Forest departments are closely interconnected in their work at a number of points. Afforestation and disafforestation are practically joint functions of the Revenue and Forest departments, since public rights in the land proposed for afforestation have to be settled by the Revenue department. Working Plans (described later) for the management and development of forests axe prepared solely by the Forest department, but in so far as the prescriptions of Working Plan affect local supply and the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the district, the approval of the Collector concerned has to be obtained before it is submitted to the Government by the Chief Conservator of Forests, for sanction.

Divisional Forest Officers.

The Divisional Forest Officer is directly responsible for the exploitation and regeneration of the forests according to sanctioned Working Plans and other orders. He conducts sales, enters into contracts, supplies material to departments and the public, realises revenue and controls expenditure under instructions from the Conservator of Forests. He deals finally with forest offence cases, having power to compound the same. In short, he is responsible for forest administration and management in all matters relating to technical forest operations.

Sub-Divisional Forest Officer.

The duties of the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer in charge of an independent Sub-Division are exactly the same as those of the Divisional Forest Officer, while the Assistant Conservator or Sub-Divisional Forest Officer attached to a Division assists the Divisional Forest Officer in the work of inspection and supervision of various kinds of silvicultural works requiring technical knowledge, besides attending to other duties entrusted by the Divisional Forest Officer. At present there is no Sub-Divisional Forest Officer under the Divisional Forest Officer, Satara.

Range Forest Officer.

The Range Forest Officer is in executive charge of his Range, He is responsible for carrying out, with the help of the Round Officers and Beat Guards, and according to the orders of the Divisional Forest Officer or the Assistant Conservator of Forests or Sub-Divisional Forest Officer, all the work in his charge, such as the marking, reservation, girdling and felling of trees, the transport of timber, fuel etc. to the sale depots, sowing, planting, tending and other silvicultural operations, construction of roads, buildings and wells according to sanctioned plans and estimates, protection of forests and investigation of forest offences, supervision on removal of forest produce by purchasers and by holders of rights and privileges and issue of forest transit passes and permits.

The Forester's duties include protection of forests, detection and investigation of forest offences, issue of forest transit passes and permits, collection of revenue from permits and compensation in offences, preservation of standards (i-e. the number and kind of trees prescribed for preservation and the manner of cutting etc.) in coupes given out to contractors for cutting, inspection and protection of forests, and guidance and supervision of forest guards.

The Forest Guard's functions are to patrol and protect all forests in his Beat, repair and maintain forest boundary marks, execute silvicultural works, viz. sowing, planting and creeper-cutting and detect forest offences.

Classification of Forests.

Under the Indian Forest Act (XVI of 1927), forests 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 the case of protected forests, the rights are clearly recorded and regulated. The reserved forests of the Satara district coming under the Satara Forest Division measure 425.83 sq. miles and these are in charge of the Forest department. Further, 108.19 sq. miles are in charge of the Revenue department. The protected forests in the district under the Forest department are 21.75 sq. miles.

Working Plans.

In addition to the above there are two different kinds of leased forests in this Division, viz. (a) Forests entrusted by the owner to the care of the Forest department for such period and on such terms as are mutually agreed upon, and (b) Such forests as Government have acquired either on perpetual tenureship or for such period as Government may be pleased to retain them on certain specific terms under agreement. The total leased forests in the Division are 24.86 sq. miles of which 24.30 sq. miles are in Satara district. All reserved forests and leased forests in charge of the Forest department arc organised and managed according to the prescription of the Working Plans. A Working Plan is a document which lays down the details of scientific management of a forest for a prescribed number of years. Before a Working Plan is drawn up a survey is made of the growing stock, at times by actual enumeration and an analysis is made of the stems of standing trees to determine the rate of growth of the principal species with special reference to the soil and the climatic conditions of each locality. On the basis of the data thus collected, plans are drawn up for felling, regenerating, silvicultural treatment and protection of forests with provision for the due exercise of the rights and privileges of the people, including grazing of cattle. The preparation of the Working Plans for this Division is done by the Divisional Forest Officer, Working Plans, Poona and Amravati Circles, Poona, who is under the Conservator of Forests, Poona Circle, Poona.

Functions of the Department.

The main functions of the Forest department are exploitation, regeneration, and protection of forests according to the sanctioned Working Plans and other orders and the conduct of sales, entering into contracts and supply of material to Government departments and the public. In addition a number of schemes under the Second Five Year Plan are executed by this department in this Division. The salient aspects of the functions are described below:—

(1) Regeneration and maintenance.—As the area is cut and tree growth removed, it is regenerated with fresh crop. Great care and precaution are taken against damages by man, animals, insects and other pests and against adverse climatic influences, and other inanimate agencies. Damage by man is caused by (1) lighting of fires, (2) encroachments, (3) faulty exploitation methods, including illicit cuttings, and (4) misuse of forest rights and privileges. Though occasionally forest fires may originate from natural causes, in the vast majority of cases they are due to human action, either within or without the forests. To prevent damage by fire, the whole-hearted support and co-operation of the public is required. This co-operation is secured through the authority and influence of the village headman. Precautionary measures like fire-tracing and early burning are also taken by the department in good time. Clearing of shrubby growth along roads and paths is also done to avert any fire spreading in the forest. Rigid patrolling and vigilant watch against unauthorised felling and removal of forest produce by the villagers is resorted to. Offenders in respect of unauthorised grazing and other damage from cattle are dealt with under the Forest Act and other laws.

(2) System of management.—The area under the management of the department in the district is worked under various silvicultural systems, prescribed in the current Working Plan. Regeneration work is carried out in two ways, viz. (1) mainly by natural means (coppice) and (2) mainly by artificial means. Under the coppice system, trees are allowed to be cut at ground level or near it, and regeneration takes place naturally by shoots from the stump. Under the artificial system, when trees are felled, regeneration is effected by artificial methods, such as sowing, transplanting of root and shoot cuttings called stumps, in regularly spaced lines. Cleaning, thinning and other cultural operations are also undertaken by the department in the coupes as detailed below:—

With a view to demonstrate to the public how the barren areas could be successfully reclothed with tree species, afforestation schemes are also undertaken.

Grants of bare or exploited areas in reserved forests are made on ' Agri-silvi' basis on temporary tenure- Under this system villagers are encouraged to produce food crops along with plantation of tree species. In this district this system of grant of forest land has proved to be unsuccessful because the lessee does not observe the silvi part of the operation. Agri-silvi cultivation and pure cultivation in forest lands is not much encouraged now-a-days, as such cultivation leads to disafforestation of lands, and consequently, the total forest area is reduced. Old grants are however, continued.

(3) Exploitation.—Forest products of this Division are divided into two main classes, i.e. major and minor. The chief major forest products are timber, firewood, and charcoal. Almost all the major forest produce is consumed in the Satara Forest Division only and practically no major forest produce is exported. The chief minor forest products are grass, Hirda, Shikekai, and Apta and Tembhurni leaves.

The major forest produce is derived out of the coupes due for working. These are advertised for sale and are sold by tenders or by public auction.

With a view to providing firewood and charcoal to the residents of the hill stations at Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani at reasonable prices, two firewood and charcoal depots at these two hill stations are run by this department. The average consumption of charcoal and firewood at these two depots is as under:—

Coupes in these felling series of the Fuel Working which have been set apart for the supply of charcoal and firewood to the depots are worked departmentally.

The minor forest products are sold by tenders or auction. Some minor forest produce is also sold on permits.

In 1958-59, the total income of the Forest Division accruing from all sources was Rs. 1,97,769 and the total expenditure was Rs. 4,82,229. The expenditure was more than income as the total expenditure was inclusive of the expenditure on various development schemes under Second Five Year Plan.

Forest Roads.

Forest Roads.—The total length of forest roads in the Division is two miles and seven furlongs. There are only two forest roads in the Division and both of them are non-metal roads.

Relations with People.

Relations with people.—The recognised forest rights, privileges and concessions given to the people in Satara district are embodied in the Bombay Forest Manual, Vol. III. In the district the people enjoy the special privileges of removal of karvi for agricultural purposes, and removal of Mhowra fruits for their use, in addition to the general privileges of taking water from the forest, way to water in forest, free grazing in open forests, removal of stones and earth from approved places for domestic and agricultural use, etc. In the application of forest rights and privileges and in the work of forest protection and exploitation the officials of the Forest department come into direct contact with the people.

Vana Mahotsava.

Vana Mahotsava.—The Government of India inaugurated in 1950 an important programme called 'Vana Mahotsava' to be celebrated in the first week of July every year. However, week of celebration of Vana Mahotsava is different for each district and is fixed after taking into consideration the probable period of starting of the rains. The object of Vana Mahotsava 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 babul, bamboo, fruit trees, shade trees, ornamental trees and fodder trees. Free supply of seedlings is made to the public and to other departments for planting during annual Vana Mahotsava and nurseries for the purpose are raised at Godoli in Satara Range, Varade in Karad Range, Gureghar in Mahabaleshwar Range, Bhosgaon in Dhebewadi Range and Vihe in Patan Range and other suitable places in the district. The supply of seedlings to public is made, through the District Development Board which distributes seedlings to the people of various talukas. The after-care of the young plants is undertaken by the individuals or by the public bodies to whom seedlings are supplied. Cultivators desirous of planting trees in the Forest department area or on road-side areas belonging to the Public Works department are given sanads enabling them to take the fruits of the trees planted by them. Government waste lands and forest lands are made available whenever possible for planting mango groves, to be owned commonly by the villagers and financial assistance at the rate of Re. 1 per tree per year for a period of five years is given in cases of groves consisting of 100 or more mango trees.

Second Five Year Plan Schemes.

(1) Scheme for improvement of denuded areas in Satara Range.— The scheme aims at afforestation in an area of 851 acres and 16 gunthas and improvement of the already afforested area of 351 acres and 34 gunthas at an estimated cost of Rs. 61,243. Plantation works in an area of 558 acres and 16 gunthas were carried out during the first three years of the Second Five Year Plan period. The expenditure incurred so far is Rs, 30,556.87. During the period 1959-61 an area of 720 acres will be afforested at an estimated cost of Rs. 35,792 in addition to the maintenance of already afforested areas. The scheme is progressing satisfactorily.

(2) Kaju Plantation Scheme.—Kaju is a dollar earning commodity. It is also a very hardy species, not requiring exacting conditions for its growth. Therefore, this scheme is introduced with a view to clothe the inferior land with species of economic value. The scheme aims at plantation of cashewnut in an area of 550 acres at an estimated cost of Rs. 48,448.64. During the year 1958-59 some pre-monsoon works were carried out in an area of about 153 acres at a cost of Rs. 3,609.89. In the year 1959-60, all 550 acres were proposed to be planted after completing the pre-monsoon works in the remaining area at a cost of Rs. 32,443. The plantation raised will be maintained in 1960-61 at an estimated cost of Rs. 9,153.75.

(3) Scheme for raising of live-hedge of agave.—The scheme is introduced with a view to provide an effective fence to demarcate forest boundaries, to check up the encroachments over the forest areas and to protect the plantations from stray cattle. The scheme aims at raising of agave hedge along the periphery of 62½ miles. So far, the number of miles fenced is 32½ at a cost of Rs. 5,022.94. It was proposed to fence a length of 15 miles in 1959-60 at a cost of Rs. 3,000 and another 15 miles at the same cost in 1960-61.

(4) Establishment of wet nurseries.—The scheme is introduced with a view to supply seedlings and stumps for the annual Vana Mahotsava. Five nurseries have therefore been started in the Second Five Year Plan period to achieve the aim. Till 1959, an expenditure of Rs. 17,736.39 has been incurred. During the period 1959-61 all these nurseries will be maintained at an estimated cost of Rs. 9,637.92.

(5) Scheme for raising of special teak plantation.—The scheme is introduced with a view to increase the area under teak especially in Patan taluka. The scheme aims at plantation of teak over 50 acres at an estimated cost of Rs. 6,198. Plantation work in an area of 10 acres has so far been carried out at a cost of Rs. 1,254.41. The remaining area of 40 acres will be planted during 1959-61 at an estimated cost of Rs. 5,158.

(6) Scheme for afforestation and rehabilitation of pasture lands.—The scheme is introduced with a view to wire fence the selected kurans in order to protect them from continuous grazing. With the protection afforded, it is expected that the kurans will be improved to a considerable extent. Till 1959 the expenditure incurred on the scheme was Rs. 10,805.03. An expenditure of Rs. 11,343 is estimated during 1959-60.

(7) Scheme for establishment of a park at Mahabaleshwar.— Mahabaleshwar is one of the most fascinating hill stations of the Maharashtra State and is visited by a large number of tourists and distinguished persons from all over the country. It also attracts school children and college students during their academic and pleasure excursions. Since the local flora is limited to a few kinds of trees like Jamun, Hirda, Pisa, Anjani, etc. there has been a long-felt need to introduce various suitable ornamental, economic and exotic species both to break the monotony of the indigenous vegetation and also to increase the economic potential of these forests. This needed research to find out the most suitable species for the characteristic shallow and lateritic soil and the high rainfall of the plateau. Consequently, experimental plantation of various non-indigenous species were undertaken by the Forest Department since 1945. In order to combine this aesthetic and economic development affording the enjoyment and education of the public, the idea to establish a Forest Park at Mahabaleshwar was first conceived in 1955. Accordingly, a scheme costing Rs. 45,060 and spread over a period of five years was drawn up in June, 1956 under the Second Five Year Plan, and the Pratapsinh Park was opened in March, 1957. The park has become an object of popular attraction. The park has a number of interesting items, the children's corner being one of them. Till 1959, the expenditure incurred on the Park was Rs. 72,869.76. During the period 1959-61 the expected expenditure was Rs. 1,05,942 bringing the plan expenditure to Rs. 1,78,811.76. The Scheme for the establishment of the Park has become a great success and a visit to the Park is a pleasure for the visitors to this beautiful hill station.

(8) Construction of Herbarium-cum-Reading Room, in Park at Mahabaleshwar.—This Scheme is introduced to increase the utility of the Park so that the adults and children could be further induced to know more about the forests, the trees, shrubs and vegetation in general by a visit to the herbarium which is intended to be furnished with specimens of all important forest trees, shrubs and herbs found in Maharashtra State. The expenditure so far incurred on the construction of the herbarium hall and providing literature is Rs. 26,834.94. During the period 1959-61 an expenditure of Rs. 34,000 will be incurred on furnishing the herbarium with interesting items.

(9) Village Forest Panchayat Scheme.—Owing to the deterioration of forests and their maldistribution the villagers are finding it difficult to get the facilities of grazing, fodder and fuel etc. It is, therefore, proposed to get the deteriorated treeless tracts improved by the efforts of the villagers. Villagers are being advised very often and more so at the time of the annual Vana Mahotsava to' abstain from burning cow-dung as fuel which is to be used for manuring agricultural fields. They are also asked to take more care about their cattle wealth which is the backbone of the agricultural industry in India. To achieve this, Maharashtra Government have included the improvement of grazing land and development of woodlands in the list of the local development works and the schemes relating to the improvement of grazing lands and wood lands are included under the Community Development programme.

The scheme has been introduced to meet the vital necessity of the villagers in respect of grazing, fodder and fuel as far as possible. The scheme is called 'Creation of wood lands and improvement of grass lands'. In Satara district the following villages have taken up this work on a very modest scale:—

The works were carried out entirely by the villagers themselves under the technical advice and guidance of the Forest department. Special staff was appointed by the department for this purpose.

Koyna Project.

Koyna Project—The Forest Department is intimately connected with the Koyna Project in respect of the following: —

(1) Clearance of tree-growth from the submergible area,

(2) Grant of forest land for rehabilitation to the affected people.

Clearance of tree growth of the submergible area is done by the Forest Department with the help of the available supply of labour. Since the submergible tree growth is difficult of access and not valuable, it is not possible to work the area at a profit. The project authorities have agreed to bear the loss involved in the clearance.

As regards the rehabilitation, the affected people choose a particular land for resettlement. The Rehabilitation Officer, Koyna, after consultation with Land Utilisation Officer regarding its suitability for cultivation refers the case to the Forest department which obtains Government sanction for disafforestation of the forest land and the land is cleared thereafter.

TOP