16.2 Forests and Wild Life

Introduction: 16.
2 FORESTS AND WILD LIFE
 we embark on an exploration of the intricacies surrounding the

management of forests, delving into the complex interplay of diverse
stakeholders with varying interests and needs in the utilization and
conservation of forest resources. From the symbiotic relationship
between local communities and their forest environments to the
industrial demand for raw materials, each participant in this multifaceted
narrative brings a unique perspective, shedding light on the historical
evolution and contemporary challenges that define our approach to
forests.
 The narrative unfurls its historical tapestry, casting a reflective gaze back
to a time when traditional practices of sustainable resource utilization
harmonized seamlessly with the natural rhythms of the forest. However,
the arrival of colonial powers, particularly the British, ushered in an era
of exploitative forestry practices, severing the age-old bonds between
local communities and their ancestral forest landscapes. The echoes of
this historical disruption resonate in the present, shaping the discourse
on sustainable forest management and conservation.
Body:
 The intricate tapestry of stakeholders unfolds with a nuanced portrayal
of local communities, whose lives intricately intertwine with the forests.
These individuals, residing in or around forested areas, find themselves
dependent on forest produce for various aspects of their daily lives.
From firewood and small timber for essential needs to bamboo for
constructing shelters and crafting essential tools, their relationship with
the forest is multifaceted. However, the narrative doesn't shy away from
probing the complexities inherent in this relationship. It raises a poignant
question: can such utilization, if left unchecked, lead to the exhaustion of
these invaluable resources?
 As the spotlight shifts, the Forest Department emerges as a significant

player, tasked with owning and controlling forest resources. The
historical trajectory unfolds, revealing the ruthless exploitation by
colonial powers and post-independence administrations that, despite
changes in leadership, continued to neglect local knowledge in forest
management. The consequence: vast tracts of forests transformed into
monocultures of commercially valuable species, sacrificing biodiversity
and impeding the diverse needs of local populations.
 Industrialists now step onto the stage, viewing forests through a

utilitarian lens, as sources of raw material for their factories. Their reach
extends far beyond the confines of local communities, often exploiting
resources at rates significantly below market value, contributing to the
unsustainable extraction of forest products. This industrial overture,
driven by profit motives, raises fundamental questions about the long-
term sustainability goals essential for the health and equilibrium of
forest ecosystems.
 The narrative then turns its gaze to wildlife and nature enthusiasts,
seemingly distant spectators in this grand drama. However, the chapter
challenges this perception, urging a broader understanding that
incorporates the intricate relationship between local communities and
conservation efforts. The Bishnoi community in Rajasthan emerges as a
poignant example, where religious tenets intertwine with the
preservation of forests and wildlife. This perspective challenges the
conventional narrative of conservationists fixating solely on charismatic
megafauna, advocating instead for a holistic approach that recognizes
people as integral components of the forest ecosystem.
 The discourse then seamlessly transitions into the exploration of

sustainable forest management, emphasizing the divergent goals of
stakeholders. Forest resources often find their way to industrial use at
rates far below market value, while the same resources are denied to
local communities. The Chipko Andolan, a grassroots movement that
translates to the 'Hug the Trees Movement,' emerges as a powerful
testament to the people's commitment to end their alienation from the
forests. This movement, born from a dispute in the remote village of
Reni in the Himalayas during the early 1970s, saw women clasping tree
trunks to prevent a logging contractor from felling trees. This act of
resistance became a symbol of the inherent conservation embedded in
local communities' competition for control over replenishable resources.
 Inherent in the competition for control over natural resources is the
conservation of replenishable resources. The contrasting methods of
utilization come into sharp focus: the logging contractor's approach, one
that would lead to the permanent destruction of trees, versus the
traditional community practice of lopping branches and plucking leaves,
allowing the resource to replenish over time. The Chipko movement,
spreading across communities and media, compelled the government to
reassess its priorities in forest resource utilization. Experience became a
stern teacher, revealing that the destruction of forests affected not only
the availability of forest products but also the quality of soil and sources
of water.
 The narrative then unveils a remarkable example of people's

participation in the efficient management of forests through the Arabari
forest range in West Bengal. Acknowledging failures in reviving degraded
Sal forests, the West Bengal Forest Department underwent a
transformative shift in strategy. In the Arabari forest range, local villagers
were actively involved in the protection of 1,272 hectares of badly
degraded sal forest. In return for their assistance in protection, villagers
were not only provided employment in silviculture and harvesting
operations but also offered 25% of the final harvest. This collaborative
approach allowed fuelwood and fodder collection, albeit on payment of
a nominal fee. The results were nothing short of astonishing: the sal
forests of Arabari, once deemed worthless, underwent a remarkable
recovery, valued at Rs 12.5 crores by 1983.
 The exploration deepens as the narrative unravels the complexities of

people's participation in forest management, acknowledging the failures
of traditional surveillance and policing methods that led to alienation
and conflicts. The case study from 1972 highlights the West Bengal
Forest Department's recognition of its failures in reviving the degraded
Sal forests in the southwestern districts of the state. Traditional methods
of surveillance and policing had led to the 'complete alienation of the
people from the administration,' resulting in frequent clashes between
forest officials and villagers. Forest and land-related conflicts in the
region fueled militant peasant movements led by the Naxalites.
 The Forest Department responded by altering its strategy, marking the
beginning in the Arabari forest range. Under the guidance of a far-
sighted forest officer, A.K. Banerjee, villagers were actively involved in
the protection of 1,272 hectares of severely degraded sal forest. In
exchange for their help, the local community was offered employment in
both silviculture and harvesting operations, 25% of the final harvest, and
permission for fuelwood and fodder collection with payment of a
nominal fee. The active and willing participation of the local community
catalyzed a remarkable recovery of the Arabari sal forests. By 1983, a
forest once considered worthless had amassed a valuation of Rs 12.5
crores.
 Industries would consider the forest as merely a source of raw material

for its factories. And huge interest-groups lobby the government for
access to these raw materials at artificially low rates. Since these
industries have a greater reach than the local people, they are not
interested in the sustainability of the forest in one particular area. For
example, after cutting down all the teak trees in one area, they will get
their teak from a forest farther away. They do not have any stake in
ensuring that one particular area should yield an optimal amount of
some produce for all generations to come. What do you think will stop
the local people in behaving in a similar manner?
 Lastly, we come to the nature and wildlife enthusiasts who are in no way
dependent on the forests but who may have considerable say in their
management. The conservationists were initially taken up with large
animals like lions, tigers, elephants, and rhinoceros. They now recognize
the need to preserve biodiversity as a whole. But shouldn’t we recognize
people as forming part of the forest system? There have been enough
instances of local people working traditionally for the conservation of
forests. For example, the case of the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan, for
whom conservation of forest and wildlife has been a religious tenet. The
Government of India has recently instituted an ‘Amrita Devi Bishnoi
National Award for Wildlife Conservation’ in the memory of Amrita Devi
Bishnoi, who in 1731 sacrificed her life along with 363 others for the
protection of ‘khejri’ trees in Khejrali village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
Studies have shown that the prejudice against the traditional use of
forest areas has no basis. Here is an example – the great Himalayan
National Park contains, within its reserved area, alpine meadows that
were grazed by sheep in summer. Nomadic shepherds drove their flock
up from the valleys every summer. When this national park was formed,
this practice was put to an end. Now, it is seen that without the regular
grazing by sheep, the grass first grows very tall, and then falls over
preventing fresh growth.
 The management of protected areas, by keeping the local people out, by
using force cannot possibly be successful in the long run. In any case, the
damage caused to forests cannot be attributed to only the local people –
one cannot turn a blind eye to the deforestation caused by industrial
needs or development projects like building roads or dams. The damage
caused in these reserves by tourists or the arrangements made for their
convenience is also to be considered.
 We need to accept that human intervention has been very much a part
of the forest landscape. What has to be managed is the nature and
extent of this intervention. Forest resources ought to be used in a
manner that is both environmentally and developmentally sound – in
other words, while the environment is preserved, the benefits of
controlled exploitation go to the local people, a process in which
decentralized economic growth and ecological conservation go hand in
hand. The kind of economic and social development we want will
ultimately determine whether the environment will be conserved or
further destroyed. The environment must not be regarded as a pristine
collection of plants and animals. It is a vast and complex entity that
offers a range of natural resources for our use. We need to use these
resources with due caution for our economic and social growth and to
meet our material aspirations.
Conclusion:
 As the final act unfolds, the narrative circles back to the central theme of
sustainable forest management, urging a harmonious coexistence
between diverse stakeholders. The echoes of the Chipko Andolan and
the Arabari forest range resonate, emphasizing the transformative power
of community participation in the efficient and sustainable management
of forests. The chapter concludes by advocating for a holistic
understanding of stakeholders' goals, where the benefits of controlled
exploitation are equitably distributed among local communities.
 In this grand theatre of forest management, the narrative transcends the

binary of human intervention and pristine wilderness, proposing a vision
where forests are viewed not merely as collections of plants and animals
but as complex entities offering a spectrum of resources. The call to
action resonates, urging societies to tread a path where economic
growth and ecological conservation walk hand in hand. The delicate
balance of nature is respected, and the benefits of controlled
exploitation are distributed equitably among local communities. As
humanity charts its course into the future, the fundamental question
lingers: Will our choices lead to the conservation of our environment or
its further degradation? The answer lies in the nexus between our
economic and social development and our collective responsibility
toward the environment. The stage is set, the actors are in place, and the
forest awaits its role in this grand drama of coexistence and
sustainability.

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Introduction: 16.

2 FORESTS AND WILD LIFE

 we embark on an exploration of the intricacies surrounding the

 As the spotlight shifts, the Forest Department emerges as a significant

 Industrialists now step onto the stage, viewing forests through a

 The discourse then seamlessly transitions into the exploration of

 The narrative then unveils a remarkable example of people's

 The exploration deepens as the narrative unravels the complexities of

 Industries would consider the forest as merely a source of raw material

 In this grand theatre of forest management, the narrative transcends the

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