GENERAL

FORESTS

The forests in this district lie well distributed except in the northern portions. The forests, however, are confined to blocks of various sizes. The two blocks viz., Kinwat block in the West Yeotmal Division (185.00 sq. miles) and Tipeshwar block in the East Yeotmal Division (62.00 sq. miles) are fairly extensive while the others vary from less than a square mile to about a 30.00 sq. miles.

The type of vegetation is mainly governed by soil formation, configuration of the ground, drainage and the influence exerted by human agency. The variations of rainfall are very little, the average rainfall in the district being about 35" to 40" received from the south-westerly monsoons. About 90% of the rainfall is received during the monsoon months followed by a long dry spell.. The type of the forests that is met with belongs to the 'South Indian Tropical Dry' (mixed deciduous) type. The forests are, however, very variable and change within short distances depending on the soil and drainage as said above. The following broad local types are distinguished.

Good quality teak forests.

This type of forests is mainly confined to the Kinwat block and it is found along the banks of Penganga river near the alluvium deposits. The stretch of forests is, however, very narrow. The quality is M. P. III (65' to 70' high). The principal associates are ain (Terminalia tomentosa), karam (Stephegyne parvifolia), bel (Aegle Marmelos), tiwas (Ougenia dalbergioides), lendia (Lagerstroemia parviflora), dhawada (Anogeissus latifolia), tendu (Diospyros Melanoxylon and semal (Salmalia malbarica).

Poor quality teak forests.

(a) General type.-This type occurs over major portions, the average quality being IVb to IVa (30' to 50' high). Teak has a tendency to form almost a pure crop. The percentage invariably found is 50 to 60. Better quality patches of Teak III (65' to 70') are met with interspersed in Kharoni Reserve of Pandharkaoda Range where the soil deposits are fairly deep. The density is invariably 0.7 to 0.8.

(b) Poor and openly stocked teak type.-This type is more or fess similar to the S. No. 1 described above, the difference being in the condition and the composition of the crop. The crop is poor in density and quality due to it's occurrence on shallow poor soils and the variations caused by frequent and severe fires. The crop is generally M. P. IVb (30' to 40' high). Teak occurs almost pure with a heavy undergrowth of rank grasses.

Mixed forests.

This type of forest occurs in small blocks in the eastern portion of East Yeotmal Division. The soil is derived from shale and sand-stones of the Gondwana series. The quality is poor IVb and consists of ain, lendia, dhawada, tendu, garari (Cleistanthus collinus), char, bija, (Pterocarpus marcipium), bahera (Terminalia balerica) and karam. Pithondi (Bridelia hasmiltonia), bharat (Gymnosporia montana), chilati (Mimosa rubicaulis), Khair and ber are found in the understorey.

Understocked and blank areas.

Such areas are common and comprise about 50 per cent of the forest areas and lie interspersed all over. This occurrence is particularly due to the shallow soil with out-crop of rocks.

(5) Bamboos.-Bamboos do not occur as a separate type but are found along the nallah banks valleys and easy slopes of the hills. The area under bamboos is, however, sparse and occurs in some of the blocks of Wani and Pandharkaoda Ranges of East Yeotmal Division and in Kinwat block of the West Yeotmal Division. The bamboo crop, due to its usefulness and demand from the cultivators, has been planted successfully in the Umarda Reserved Forests of East Yeotmal Division.

Classification of Forests.

Under the Indian Forest 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 the 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 details of the reserved forests and protected forests are shown below:-

* A class for the production of timber and fuel.

*C class for grazing.

Working plan.

The reserved and the protected forests of the two Divisions are organised and managed under the prescriptions of the working plan.

Before a working plan is drawn up a survey is made of the growing stock, at times by actual enumerations 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, regeneration, silvicultural treatments 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 current working plans for these Divisions was done by the Divisional Forest Officer, Working Plans, Nagpur and Amravati Circle who is under the Conservator of Forests, Working Plans, Pune.

Regeneration and maintenance.

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

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

To prevent damage by fire and illicit cutting, the wholehearted 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 of newly regenerated coupes, clearing of shrubby growth along roads and paths and early burning to avert any occurrence of fire or its spreading in the forest are taken by the department as per the fire protection scheme and as per prescriptions of the working plan. Fire watchers are also appointed at vulnerable spots during summer to keep watch over the forests with a view to avoiding 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 and a Police constable is provided to patrol the vulnerable spots and for surprise checking of forest produce in transit in the two Divisions.

Continuous and unlimited 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 conservation and development of these forests are therefore the prime needs. Offences in respect of unauthorised grazing and other damage from cattle are dealt with under the Forest Act and other laws.

System of management.

The area under the management is worked under various sillvicultural systems, prescribed in the current working plan. Regeneration work is carried out in two ways viz., (i) mainly by natural means (coppice) and (ii) partly 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 stumps. Under the artificial system, when trees are felled, regeneration is effected by artificial methods such as sowing, planting of root and shoot cuttings (called stumps) with a regular spacing.

In the current Working Plan, the following systems of management have been prescribed:-

Clearing, thinning and other cultural operations are also undertaken by the Forest department mainly in C.W.R.W.C. at the tree growth between 10 and 20 years and in the plantation working circle, at the tree growth of S. 10 and 20 years.

The general configuration of forest land in these divisions is undulating and as such steep slopes or deep ravines are not noticeable. The forests are also fairly well stocked and hence no afforestation schemes as such are being undertaken. However, afforestation on small scale is being undertaken in Wani Range of East Yeotmal and Pusad Range of West Yeotmal Division.

Plantations are being carried in areas bearing mainly miscellaneous stock, or in the areas devoid of natural reproduction to restock these areas naturally by agri-silvi method. On an average 500 to 1,000 acres in each division are being taken for plantation each year from 1965. Under the agri-silvi system the villagers are encouraged to produce cotton crops along with plantations of tree species. Most of the plantations in these divisions are done under this system in which plots normally of 5 acres each duly cleared of tree growth and with debris burnt in them are handed over to the allottees in the beginning of May. The allottees plough the plots and prepare them for cultivation. Staking for purposes of planting forest species is done at 6' x 6'.

In the first year only cotton is allowed to be sown. Sowing is done in 3 lines one foot apart, leaving 2' wide strips on either side of the plant lines. The plants of teak and other forest species thus get a clear 4' wide strip (2' on either side) for its growth. Planting of forest species is done departmentally. After the planting is over, weeding operations are done by the allottees.

In the second year the cultivators are allowed to cultivate cotton as before. Casualties of tree species are replaced depart-mentally and the remaining tending operations are done by the allottees.

In the third year, agri-silvi operations are terminated and the tending operations in the plantation are done departmentally. Extensive plantations under this system have been raised in the two divisions. Tiwsala in the East Yeotmal and Kinwat in the West Yeotmal need a special mention, where a compact block covering an area of 2,300 acres has been planted.

Exploitation

Forest products occurring in these divisions are divided into two main classes i.e., major and minor. The chief major forest products are timber and firewood. Almost all goods quality timber is consumed by the timber markets at Nagpur and Bombay. The firewood is consumed locally in Yeotmal and also exported to cities like Nagpur, etc. Due to inadequate means of communications, however, complete exploitation of all the forest produce is rendered impossible.

There are no forest based industries in these divisions. Present logging methods are very wasteful. The availability of labour is insufficient and thus mechanical working only can help to work these forests intensively. Timber and firewood are derived out of the coupes due for working. These coupes are advertised for sale and are sold by public auction. The coupes are also worked through the forest labourers co-operative societies on the revised formula basis.

With a view to providing timber to fire and flood sufferers and to the local populace living near the forest areas, about 10 to 15 per cent of the annual coupes are worked departmentally and timber is kept ready to meet any immediate demand for the above purposes.

The minor forest products are mainly, Temburni leaves, Rosha oil and gum. They are sold by public auctions. Some minor forest products like grass are sold on rated passes.

The revenue and expenditure of the two divisions for the year 1964-65 was as below:-

Forest Roads.

The length of the principal forest roads in the two divisions is 278 miles for East Yeotmal and 259 for West Yeotmal making a total of 537 miles. These are mainly fair weather roads.

Relations with people.

There are adverse rights or concessions in regard to the A class reserved forests. The village of Panhala in Pusad Range of West Yeotmal Division has a special concession to graze free 250 cattle in Marwadi reserved forests. Rights of way have nor been recorded. The Conservator of Forests is empowered to close any road through a block of forest so long as a reasonable convenient alternative path is provided.

The numerous concessions in regard to the 'C' class forests are laid down in the Madhya Pradesh Forest Manual.

Private forests taken over by the Forest department, are not burdened with rights but in some of them nistar and grazing are to be provided on payment.

Vanamahotsava.

The Government of India inaugurated in 1950 an important programme called vanamahotsava to be celebrated in the first week of July every year. However, the time of celebration of the vanamahotsava week 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, bamboos, fruit trees etc. Free supply of seedlings is made to public institutions and to other departments for planting during vanamahotsava and nurseries for this purpose are raised in all the ranges in both the Divisions.

The after care of the young plants is undertaken by the individuals or by the public bodies to whom seedlings are supplied by the Forest department.

WILD ANIMALS AND BIRDS.

The forests of Yeotmal district extend over the tahsils of Yeotmal, Pandharkaoda, Darwha and Pusad. They are scattered in small blocks. Where the forests extend to sizeable areas, some wild animals and birds of different categories are found. Their brief description is given below. In most of the areas hardly any game is noticed except rabbit or fox.

Big Game.

Tiger - Wagh (Panthera tigris): Tigers are usually confined to remote hilly areas and dense forests. In the summer they take refuge in cool and sheltered places remote from human interference. The habitat favoured by tigers is Kinwat Reserve along the river Penganga and Kharad, Gondwakdi, Tipeshwar and Kharoni Blocks. They are generally of medium size.

Panther-Bibalya Wagh (Panthera pardus). Panthers have a wider habitat than the tigers and are frequently met across in forests and the neighbourhood of habitation. They are greater in number than the tigers. Cattle lifting by them is of fairly common occurrence.

Sloth bear -Asval (Melursus ursinus): It is rare in the district and confined to cool and sheltered valleys and to Sirmal forests of Bittergaon Range.

Blue Bull-Nilgai (Boselaphus lragocamelusi: It is common all over the district and is found generally in the open forests.

Sambar-Sambar (Cervus unicolor): Sambars are found in small numbers in the denser forests of the district in the Tipeshwar and Kharbi Blocks. They generally damage young forest plantation and also the agricultural crops abutting the forests.

Indian Gazelle-Chinkara (Gazella benneth): It is common in the scrub forests.

Spotted Deer-Chital (Axis axis): It occurs all over the district, particularly in Tipeshwar, Kharoni, Gondwakdi, Bittergaon and Kharbi Blocks.

Wild boar - Randukkar - (Sus scrofa): It is ubiquitous and does a lot of damage to the cultivation adjoining the forests.

Small Game.

Hare are commonly noticed throughout the district. Other small game of fairly common occurrence consists of the following birds:-

Peafowl-Mor-(Pavo cristatus).

Blue Rock Pigeon-Kabutar-(Cloumba livia Gamelin) [Common Birds by Salim AH and L. Fatehally, New Delhi, 1967.].

Grey Partridge-Titar-(Frandolinus pondicerianus Gamelin).

Indian Yellow Legged Button Quail-(Turnix Tanki Blyth).

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