FOREST MANAGEMENT

Paper - 2 | Section - A

Telegram : https://t.me/forestryopt
YouTube : Forestry Botany for UPSC
 2

SYLLABUS

 FOREST MANAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS : Objective and principles; techniques;

stand structure and dynamics, sustained yield relation; rotation, normal forest, growing stock;
regulation of yield; management of forest plantations, commercial forests, forest cover
monitoring. Approaches viz., (i) site-specific planning, (ii) strategic planning, (iii) Approval,
sanction and expenditure. (iv) Monitoring (v) Reporting and governance.

 FOREST WORKING PLAN : Forest planning, evaluation and monitoring tools and approaches for
integrated planning; multipurpose development of forest resources and forest industries
development; working plans and working schemes, their role in nature conservation, bio-
diversity and other dimensions; preparation and control. Divisional Working Plans, Annual Plan
of Operations.

 JFM : Details of steps involved such as formation of Village Forest Committees, Joint Forest
Participatory Management. Principles, objectives, methodology, scope, benefits and role of
NGOs.

FOR EASINESS OF WORK, WE DIVIDED THIS SYLLABUS INTO 4 SUB PARTS :

 PART - A : CONCEPTUAL PART : To explain various related terminology, concepts & principles.
 PART - B : APPLICATION PART : The YIELD REGULATION or actual implementation of Concept
what we read in Part-A.
 PART - C : WORKING PLAN – a report that helping to manage PART-B.
 PART - D : JFM

MARKS DISTRIBUTION

Subjects Average 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Concept (Part – A) ≈ 60 m 73 61 50 50 98 78 4 35

Yield regulation × 8 × × × 25 8 × 30

Working Plan ≈ 15 m 23 23 10 15 × 16 0 20

JFM ≈ 15 m 15 15 15 × 8 7 10 ×

Total ≈ 90 m 119 99 75 65 131 109 14 82

If you finish this topic that does not mean you can easily write ≈ 90 marks questions, because
many of them coming in different questions sub-set and you need to write only 5 questions.
However, on an average this topic covers ≈ 60 marks.
 3

FOREST MANAGEMENT
PART - A | Conceptual part of Forest management

SN Topic Page No

1. Forest & Forestry

2. FM : Introduction

3. Forest administration

4. Sustainable yield

5. Rotation period

6. Increment

7. Growing stock

8. Age gradation & Age class

9. Normal forest

10. Stand structure & Dynamics

11. Forest cover monitoring

 4

FOREST MANAGEMENT
PART - A | PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

 What is SUSTAINED YIELD ? Mention the positive and negative aspects related to
sustained yield (8m).
 What is GROWING STOCK? How is normal growing stock calculated in clear felling
system based on final MAT? (15 m).
 Define ROTATION. Explain different types of rotation with special reference to
ecological, industrial and economical benefits. (10 m).
 What is INCREMENT ? Discuss different types of increments. Discuss the graphical
relationship between current annual increment and mean annual increment (15 m).
 DEFINE forest management. Give its objectives. How does the attitude of the owner
put impact on the management of forests? (15 m).
2018  How is the rotation of any particular species at any particular locality practically
decided? (10 m).


 Why SITE SPECIFIC PLANNING is essential for forest management ? Explain different
components of site-specific management (8m).
 How a selection forest is managed under the FELLING SERIES? Describe with suitable
examples/diagrams (15 m).
2017  Describe the different formulae used in forest trees for determining INCREMENT
PERCENT in diameter and volume. (15 m).
 Write about the concept of NORMAL FOREST and kind of abnormalities which affect
the normal growing stock (15 m).
 Describe the EFFECT OF THINNING on VOLUME INCREMENT (10 m).
 5

 How the FOREST COVER was measured prior to and post 1980's in India? Define the
various categories of forest cover (8m).

 How are the FORESTS CLASSIFIED in India ? Discuss its significance in Forest
management. (10 m).
 What is NORMAL GROWING STOCK ? explain the determination of NGS in clear
felling system with graphical illustration and numerical examples (10 m).
2016
 How do you visualize the concept of NORMAL FOREST in Indian context ?
describe the effect of silvicultureal system on normality (10 m).
 What is the INCREMENT PERCENT ? discuss the relationship between CAI and MAI
of a forest stand (10m).

 PROGRESSIVE YIELD concept differs from SUSTAINABLE YIELD. Under the present
situation, which would you suggest and why ? (15 m).
 Show by your interpretation, either graphically or theoretically, how the forest
yield depends upon the GROWING STOCK (15 m).
2015
 Discuss how the ROTATION of minimum volume production differ from the
silvicultural rotation (10 m).
 Enumerate the importance ofthe Forest survey of india (FSI) in forest management
system (10 m).

 Define rotation and describe the various types of ROTATION prescribed (8m)
 How enumeration of the GROWING STOCK is done ? describe in brief the various
methods of enumeration for preparing a working plan (15 m).
 With the help of a diagram, discuss the relationship between MAI and CAI. What is
their role in forest measurements ? (10 m).
 Describe the characteristics and structure of an EVEN-AGED stand (10 m).
 What are the PECULIARITIES you have observed in forest management practices ?
2014
Suggest ways to overcome them (10 m).
 Define GROWING STOCK. Explain the estimation of growing stock and density. 10
 Why is a balance between production, social and environmental objectives necessary
in SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT plans ? 20
 What is STAND DENSITY ? How spacing is used to control stand density ? Discuss. 15
 How is site quality important in TIMBER PRODUCTION ? Describe the methods used
to measure the SITE QUALITY (15 m).
 6

 Write about the impact of felling height and felling intensity on the sustainability of
bamboo's clump (10 m).
 Describe the scope and objectives of forest management. What is the impact of
restrictions laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court on green felling in forests? (10 m).
 How would you view the Indian initiatives for sustainable forest management ?
Discuss (8m).
 Define the ROTATION and describe its various types used in Indian forestry (20 m).
 Describe the compound interest and Schneider's formulae for calculation of
2013
INCREMENT PERCENTAGE (10 m).


2012  Differentiate between – CAI and MAI (4m)

 Write short notes on – interrelationship b/w CAI and MAI (5 m).

 Explain the situations under which a FOREST becomes ABNORMAL (10 m).
2011  Define ROTATION & discuss different types of rotations giving suitable examples (20)
 Give LEGAL DEFINITION of forests in lndia. Write about the major groups of forest
types of India.
 7

Topic 1 FOREST

CONTENT :-
1. Forest : Definition
2. Forest : Classification
3. Forest plantations
4. Importance of Forest
5. Exercise

1.1 | FOREST

The term FOREST have their roots In medieval European, where there increasing
population as well as rise of new kingdoms and serfdoms based on heavy exploitation of natural
resources, caused heavy loss of Jungle (Natural vegetation) to feed their increasing demands of
food, fodder, fuel and Timber. Shrinking Jungles creates shortage of Fuel wood and Timber in
their ruling areas, so they start separating some part of land, which is usually unproductive and
located at the boundaries of village territory for rising tree crop that we known as FOREST or
WOOD LAND.

NOTE : FOREST term derived from a LATIN term FORIS which means OUTSIDE OF VILLAGE
BOUNDARY.
 8

DEFINITION

 An AREA SET ASIDE for the production of TIMBER and other forest produce or to get
other INDIRECT BENEFITS from it.

 An UNCULTIVATED LAND occupied by NATURAL VEGETATIONS with closed or

partially CLOSED CANOPY, which provides shelter to the wild life.

 Any land area declared as Forest under any CENTRAL or STATE or LOCAL LAWS (i.e. by
Tribal council).

1.2 | FOREST CLASSIFICATION

FORESTS are classified into various categories for purposes of description,

administration, management and record; On the basis of -

A. Age basis
B. Regeneration basis
C. Composition
D. Ownership
E. Function
F. Legality
G. Growing stock
H. Ecological or Ecosystem based

A | AGE
 9

NOTE : Nature never produced Even aged forest, but man can by plantation i.e. Nilambur
teak plantation (1842). So in short, a true EVEN AGED FOREST MUST BE A MAN
MADE FOREST***.
NOTE : in case of Natural regenerated forest, for management point of view we could
consider them as even-aged forest by allowing upto 25 % of rotation age difference
in such case where forest is not harvested for 100 or more years***.

B | On the basis of REGENERATION

 HIGH FOREST : when regeneration obtain by SEED***.

 COPPICE FOREST : by COPPICE*** and other vegetative parts.

OR OTHER TYPE ?

 NATURAL FOREST : when regeneration obtain by natural means

 Man-MADE FOREST or PLANTATION : by Artificial means.

C | On the basis of COMPOSITION

D | On the basis of OWNERSHIP

 GOVT OWNED FOREST : 96 % forest area

 PRIVATE FOREST : own by industries i.e. BILT paper mill.
 PANCHAYAT or SOCIETY : Lalwan community reserve, Punjab.
 10

E | FUNCTION

 NATIONL FOREST POLICY (1952) : classified forest into 4 part on the basis of their
purpose of management i.e. Protection forest, National forest, Village forest and Tree
land.
 Similarly, NATIONAL COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURE (1976) : also classified forest

Forest Policy - 1952 NCA - 1976

1. PROTECTION Forests.
Protection Production Social
2. NATIONAL Forests. Forest Forest
3. VILLAGE Forests.
4. TREE-lands.

Valuable Mixed Inaccessible

Forest Quality Forest

F | LEGALITY or STATUTORY

An area declared as Forest under either Indian Forest act (IFA) 1927 or any other state /
local community law. Under Indian forest act 1927, forest could be classified as -

 RESERVED FOREST : have complete protection, Under “chapter II” of this act.
 VILLAGE FOREST : Aim to supply of forest produces to a village without disintegrating
their sustainability, under “Chapter III” of IFA.
 PROTECTED FOREST : Forest Area subject to limited degree of protection, exercises
control on felling and transport of timber, and removal of forest produce in whatever
form it may be. Declared under “Chapter IV” of IFA.
 UN-CLASSES FOREST : Forest lands owned by Govt.

NOTE : CONSERVATION RESERVE : Protected areas which typically act as buffer zones or migration
corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved forests.
Such areas are designated as CONSERVATION AREAS if they are uninhabited and completely
owned by the Government but used for subsistence by communities i.e. Ropar Wetland
 11

conservation
onservation Reserve. If part of such area are privately owned then we called it
COMMUNITY RESERVE i.e. Lalwan community reserve, Punjab.

AIM : to extend the protection around the existing or proposed protected areas due to
private ownership of land, and land use.

WL (P) Act, 1972 : Amended in 2002, section 36A for declaring conservation reserve and 36C
for community reserve. (Remember Govt and Public always have 36 ka aankada).

G | GROWING STOCK

H | GEOGRAPHICAL or CLIMATIC / ECOLOGICAL BASIS

 12

TROPICAL forest : Mt. SUBTROPICAL Forests :

Group 1 - Wet evergreen Group 8 - Broad leaved hill

(Tropical Wet evergreen Group 9 - PINE
forest) Group 10 - Dry evergreen
Group 2 - Semi-evergreen
Mt. TEMPERATE Forests :
Group 3 - Moist deciduous
Group 4 - LITTORAL AND SWAMP Group 11 - Wet
Group 5 - Dry deciduous Group 12 - Moist
Group 6 - THORN Group 13 - Dry
Group 7 - Dry evergreen

SUB-ALPINE forests : ALPINE Forests :

Group 14 - Sub alpine forests Group 15- Moist

Group 16- Dry

NOTE : We will study all of them more thoroughly in Subject – SILVICULTURE, Topic Forest
types in India. Previous year questions given in exercise section just for highlighting the
importance of subtopic only.

1.3 | FOREST PLANTATIONS

A forest plantation is an area of land of not less than 1 acres either govt owned or
private, upon which the owner proposes to develop and maintain a forest crop of usually
even aged and single species.

Objectives or Needs of Plantation forestry

 Production purpose : for production of Timber, Fuel wood, fodder, Fibres, pulpwood
etc. to fulfil population demands with depressurised our Forest resources.
 Protection against adverse weather i.e. Wind break, Planting of shade tree in Tea
gardens (Usually, Albizzia spp.), Soil and water conservation in given watershed area.
 Forest enrichment and mixing the species to control epidemics like Sal heartwood
borer attack in 1998 in central India.
 Climate change and global warming forced many species unsuitable to germinate
naturally, or sustain after germination so they required human intervention.
 13

 Our industrial and domestic demands are changing with time in Quality, quantity and
requirement specific, we required introduction of fast growing species as well as new
species.
 To creates employment and investment opportunity.
 Environmental concern & Carbon storage purpose : Compensatory afforestation under
CAMPA, fulfil our INDC obligations under paris agreement by creating additional
carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent till 2030. Our PM recently
announced, “India will restore 26 m hac. of degraded land by 2030” at the 14th CoP of
UNCCD at Greater Noida.

TYPES

 INDUSTRIAL PLANTATION : for production of wood, fibres and other raw material to
dedicated processing industry.
EXAMPLE :
 CHIR PINE plantation in Lower Himalayan region for RESIN production
 NEEM plantation in Gujarat to get seed oil for “Neem coated Urea” production.
 Our famous Nilambur TEAK plantation for Timber
 POPLAR plantation in Tarai region and EUCALYPTUS - BAMBOO plantation in
Central India to meet the demand of Paper and pulp industry.
 SALIX plantation in J & K for Local Cricket bat making industry.

 COMMERCIAL PLANTATION : Main aim of growing tree is to get direct monitory

benefits, and production is not directly linked with industry i.e. Energy plantation.
 NON-COMMERCIAL PLANTATION : which produces fuel wood, fodder and timber for
domestic use + Rehabilitate Westland + Soil and water conservation + creation of extra
carbon sink + Forest enrichment.

Linked TOPICS : Energy plantation, Clonal forestry to fulfil industrial demands and many others. We
will discuss all of them in Silviculture.

SFS-2000
NOTES : COMMUNITY FORESTRY : involvement of PEOPLE’S in TREE PLANTATION,
CONSERVATION, development and HARVESTING of forests for the benefit of the local
communities.
 14

1.4 | IMPORTANCE OF FOREST

Benefits of forest

Tangible benefits Intangible benefits

 Timber  Amelioration of soil

 Fuel wood  CO2 balance
 N.T.F.Ps  Water cycle
 Fodder  Run-off
 Gums  Wind velocity
 Resins  Store house of genetic diversity
 Dyes  Ameliorate soil, water, noise
pollution etc.

1.5 | Exercise

 2017 : Explain the classification of forest types in India by Champion and Seth. Enlist major
forest types and their group (10 m).
 2016 : How are the forests classified in India ? Discuss its significance in Forest management (10)
 2016 : Dry deciduous forests are rich in Non-Timber forest products (NTFPs). Justify the
statement with examples (10 m).
 2012 : Comment critically on – Basis of forest classification and why there is need for such
classification (5m).
 2011 : Describe the TANGIBLE & INTANGIBLE BENEFITS of forest (10m).
 2011 : Give LEGAL DEFINITION of forests in lndia. Write about the major groups of forest types
of India.

Linked QUESTIONS :-

 2018 : Explain the environmental and economic role of COMMUNITY FORESTRY in India (8 m).
 2017 : Explain the scope and aims of URBAN FORESTRY. Discuss the need of urban forestry in
the improvement of city environment (20 m).
 2011 : Management challenges in URBAN FORESTRY are unique as compared to other social
forestry programmes. Discuss (10 m).
 15

Topic 2 Forest management : Introduction

CONTENT :-
1. Definition
2. Scope
3. Goal & Objectives of Forest management
4. Peculiarities or Issues during management
5. Exercise

1.1 | DEFINITIONS

 The PRACTICAL APPLICATION of the SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL and ECONOMIC

PRINCIPLES of forest estate for the achievement of CERTAIN OBJECTIVES.

 Forest Management is the application of BUSINESS METHODS and TECHNICAL

FORESTRY principles to the operation of a forest property.

2.2 | SCOPE

 CONTROLLING THE STRUCTURE & COMPOSITION OF GROWING STOCK - through Site

selective tending operations, Choice of species, Regeneration methods, stand
manipulation and Protection measures etc.
 HARVESTING TO MARKETING OF PRODUCE : by preparing proper Logging Plan, adopting proper
Transportation method, Marketing / Auctioning of produced and Revenue management.
 16

 ADMINISTRATION OF FOREST PROPERTY : Monitoring and control of works, Labour

management and their welfare, Economy efficiency.

2.3 | Goals & Objectives

Primary object of good management is to provide MAXIMUM BENEFITS to the

GREATEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE for ALL TIME.

GENERAL OBJECTS :-

 Maintaining & raising PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY of forest Soil & crops.

 Promoting PROTECTIVE EFFECT of forest by their role in controlling soil erosion,
avalanches, flooding and providing habitat facility to Local flora & fauna.
 REGULATION of Silvicultural & felling operations in such a way to bring the forest to a
condition of as NEAR NORMALITY as possible. ATTAINMENT OF NORMAL FOREST is
one of the principal objects of forest policies.
 Fulfill bonafide requirements of the LOCAL POPULATION.
 Maintain ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY by controlling Pollution, as CO2 sink.

SPECIAL OBJECTIVES :-

 To fulfilment of special INDUSTRIAL DEMAND i.e. Chir-pine forests for resin

industries, Poplar plantation in Tarai area for Paper industry.
 17

 URBAN FORESTRY : Encourage natural SCENIC BEAUTY as well as issue of AIR

POLLUTION in urban areas (i.e. Delhi).
 WASTELAND MANAGEMENT : protection, soil & water conservation and
afforestation practices in BADLY ERODED AREAS (i.e. Chambal ravines), Abandoned
open pit mines, preventing desertification under watershed management.

Our PM recently announced that “India will restore 26 MILLION HECTARES of degraded
land by 2030, instead of our earlier target of 21 m hac.” at the 14th Conference of Parties
to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) at Greater Noida
(September 2019).

 AFFORESTATION WORK : under CAMPA fund after forest land diversion for
developmental projects, or Mangroves plantation work under coastal area
management plant and disaster prevention measures (i.e. Tsunami), or To fulfilment
of our policy target (33% GA under forest cover) + PARIS agreement obligation etc.

INDC UNDER PARIS AGREEMENT : Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion
tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

2.4 | PECULIARITIES OF FOREST MANAGEMENT

 CLIMATIC FACTORS : changing climate with more erratic rainfall pattern and drought
in Central & west India, avalanches & landslides in Himalaya, flooding & heavy soil
erosion in river basin as well as summer Fire incidences type phenomenon’s washout
almost entire past plantation work in affected area. Every year Cyclones creates
heavy damage to coastal mangroves forest in east ghats.
 EDAPHIC FACTORS : Forest soil is Less fertile than the arable soil and often
undulating and rugged topography, resultant low productivity.
 BIOTIC FACTORS : dangerous effect of insects & pest attack i.e. In 1998, Sal
heartwood borer epidemic - about 8 million sal trees damaged alone in Madhya
Pradesh.
 TOPOGRAPHIC FACTORS : often forest area are Remotely located, Large in Size and
often face road connectivity issues create Difficulty in its management.
 TECHNICAL ISSUES : Less research work, didn’t have improve variety than agriculture.
 18

 SILVICULTURAL : issues of delay return due to Long rotation period and Not distinct
annual growing increment.
 SOCIO – ECONOMIC FACTORS : as Trees have Long rotation period means we have
to wait Long time to get our investment back, that makes Forest enterprise as un-
attractive investment destination for private players, resultant 96 % forest owned by
State.
 YIELD REGULATION is more difficult, accuracy not possible even in aged crop or nor
normal.

NOTE : Management of PRIVATE FOREST (MPSC - 2000)

A private owner of a small forest estate always looking for IMMEDIATE & More gain
per unit area by the sales of trees through whenever they required to meet his financial
obligations or when the market rates are high. He can decide for harvesting earlier then
the design time. So

 He is not much concerned with SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION or the INDIRECT

BENEFITS which the forest provided.
 He’s looks on the TANGIBLE BENEFITS (i.e. Timber, Fuel) and NOT CONSIDER
INTANGIBLE (i.e. Protective, Wildlife) benefits.

Objectives Public forest Privet forest

Benefits both Tangible + Intangible Tangible only
Sustainable Yield concern Not much concern
Welfare of whole society + long term benefits Individual + immediate return
Purpose to manage Multipurpose SINGLE market oriented
 19

NOTES :
 State own forest → 96 %.
 42nd Amendment 1976 : brought forests & Wildlife in the CONCURRENT LIST of 7th
schedule.

2.5 | Exercise

 2018 : Define forest management. Give its objectives. How does the attitude of the owner put
impact on the management of forests ? (15 m).
 2014 : what are the PECULIARITIES you have observed in forest management practices ? Suggest
ways to overcome them (10 m).
 2013 : Describe the scope and objectives of forest management. What is the impact of
restrictions laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court on green felling in forests? (10 m).

Linked QUESTIONS :-

 2011 : Management challenges in URBAN FORESTRY are unique as compared to other social
forestry programmes. Discuss (10 m).

Telegram : https://t.me/forestryopt
YouTube : Forestry Botany for UPSC