Jarnail Singh, IFS, Regional Manager [WFP], FDCM, Nagpur
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Forests are vital for our sustenance as they constitute life support systems on the Earth. Trees as such absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the atmosphere and hence help sequestering carbon and reduce pollution in the environment. They mitigate effects of emission of green house gases [GHGs] in the atmosphere due to rapid industrialization. In view of crucial role of forests in sustenance, Govt. of India has enunciated the national forest policy that prescribes for 1/3 of the geographical area under forest cover for meeting vital national needs and mitigating climatic and physical conditions including maintenance of hydrological nutritional balance. The principal aim of the current policy is to ensure environment stability and maintenance of ecological balance which is vital for sustenance of all life forms, human, animals and plants.
2.0 NATIONAL FORESTRY SCENARIO
As per Survey of India Report 2005, India’s forest cover is 67.70 million ha constituting 20.64% and tree cover on non forest lands is 9.17 million ha that forms 2.80% of its geographical area [328.73 million ha], respectively. The existing forest cover scenario portrays a grim but challenging situation that unfolds 26.60 million ha of culturable wastelands and 28.98 million ha of degraded forests for reclamation and rehabilitation through plantation and afforestation for improving their productivity and ecological value.
In order to achieve the goal of 33% the geographical area under forest cover, it is essential to extend tree cover beyond the traditional forest areas. To this end, Govt. of India has launched National Forestry Action Programme in 1999 that visualizes plantations to the tune of 3.0 million ha per annum for a period of 20 years for afforestation of non forest culturable wastelands and restoration of degraded forests. Programmes and schemes aiming at greening India such as Vanamahotasava, Social Forestry, Farm Forestry, Urban Forestry, Industrial plantations; National Bamboo Mission, Plantation along National Highways, Railways and Canals, Reclamation of wastelands, mining dumps etc would invariably help in achieving the national goal set forth in the policy.
3.0 MAHARASHTRA FORESTRY SCENARIO
The total geographical area of the state extends over to 30.77 million ha forming 9.36 % of the country’s total area. It has a long coastline of 720 km along its western flange. As per Census Report [2001], the population of the state is 96.87 million which constitutes 9.4% of country’s population. The rural population is 57.6 % whereas the urban population is 42.4% that elevates it to the status of a highly industrialized state in the country.
The forest cover of the state is 47,476 km2, which is 15.43% of its geographic area. The very dense forest is 8,191 km2, moderately dense forest is 20,193 km2 and open forest is 19,092 km2. Tree cover of the state is 8,978 km2, which is 2.92% of state’s geographical area. Thus, forest and tree cover of the state is 56,454 km2 constituting 18.35% of its geographic area. However, recorded forest area is 61,939 km2 which is 20.13% of state’s geographic area. As per legal status, 49,226 km2 is reserved forests constituting 79.60%, 8195 km2 is protected forests forming 13.23% and 4518 km2 is unclassed forests forming 7.31% of growing stock.
The natural forests are located predominantly along the boundaries of the state and the central part is primarily devoid of vegetation. The main forest types are Tropical Semi Evergreen, Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous, Tropical Thorn, Subtropical Broadleaved Hill and Littoral and Swamp Forests. The wastelands extend over to 49,275 km2 which constitutes 16% of state’s total geographical area. The statistics elucidated above emphasizes urgent need for undertaking massive afforestation programme.
In Maharashtra, there are primarily three organizations in the forestry sector namely the Forest Department, the Social Forestry Department and the Fores
t Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited having distinct mandate and functions to fulfill.
The forest areas under administrative charge of the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd and other government agencies such as the Forest Department and the Revenue Department are given, as under.
The Forest Development Board was established in 1969 with the main objective to raise plantation of high value species in place of low value miscellaneous forests. Accordingly, large scale teak plantations were undertaken. On the basis of experience gained and recommendations of the National Council on Agriculture [1973], Govt. of Maharashtra established its own company by the name the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited in 1974.
[i] Objectives: The main objectives of the company include, the following;
· Develop lands for forest resources by raising plantations of economically important species like teak, bamboos, khair, semal and such other suitable indigenous species.
· Raise plantations of all kind including forest plants, trees and crops and deal in forest plants, forest produce, trees, natural products etc.
· Maintain, conserve and protect plants, crops and trees raised or naturally grown on lands leased or owned by the Company.
· Maintain, protect and develop existing fauna.
· Carry out business of trees felling, logging, transport, marketing and sale of wood and other forest produce.
· Carry out business as general merchants, agents and proprietors of timber and wood based industries/firms.
· Carry out business as manufactures and dealers in products made from wood or forest produce; · Objects incidental and ancillary to main objects;
o Enter into agreement and contract with government, local authority, bodies, associations, firms, individuals, companies or organizations for technical, financial or any other assistance for carrying out objects of the Company.
[ii] Management of Affairs: As per the Indian Company Act, 1956 the management of the Company is vested in the Board of Directors. As per Articles of Association, power to constitute Board of Directors is conferred on the Governor of Maharashtra, who appoints various directors and the Managing Director for conduct of business of the Company. Board of Directors decides policy and Managing Director has been entrusted with responsibility of its implementation along with management of day-to-day affairs of the Company.
[iii] Administrative Setup & Working Area: Government of Maharashtra has leased out over 4.00 lakh ha of forest lands to the FDCM Ltd. For convenience of administration these forestlands have been organized into 5 Regions, 14 Project Divisions and one Depot Division, at Ballarshah. The staff strength is 1645, which includes 25 officers on deputation from forest and finance departments.
The Company has raised plantation of financially valuable species namely teak, bamboo, shisoo, shivan etc on over 3.00 Lakh ha of forestlands. In addition, plantations of feulwood and fruit bearing species have also been raised for benefit of the people. Recently, bamboo plantations under National Bamboo Mission have been undertaken in bamboo potential areas.
[iv] Financial Status: As per the Articles of Association, the Company has been authorized share capital of 35.00 crores. It is running in profit since 1988-89. The accumulated profit is Rs. 340.30 crores and plantation asset is of Rs. 655.90 crores. The annual outlay is about Rs 100.00 crores, which includes establishment and overhead cost of Rs 48.00 crores. In addition, it annually generates over 34.65 lakh mandays through various forestry activities and operations in the rural and remote areas.
4.0 Functions of the Company
[i] Management of Forest Systems: Management plans of 14 divisions have been prepared and approved for scientific management of forest areas. Forestry activities such as forest management, tree felling and regeneration are being undertaken annually as per approved management plans after seeking approval of Government of India, in accordance with Hon’ble Supreme Court orders. Similarly, thinning operations of old teak plantations and harvesting of bamboo is undertaken as per prescriptions of the management plans.
[ii] Raising of Plantations: Plantations of high value species like teak, bamboo, sissoo, shivan etc have been raised since its formation. Plantations raised by the company under various programs and schemes, since inception is given as follows.
· Period [1970-1987]: Teak plantations by clear felling misc. forests: 1.20 Lakh Ha.
· Period [1988- 1991]: Wasteland Development Programme: 0.30 Lakh Ha.
· Period [1992-2000]: World Bank Aided Maharashtra Forestry Project:1.20 Lakh Ha
· Period [2002- 2009]: Plantation of Teak, Bamboo and Misc. species: 0.30 Lakh Ha
[iii] State of the Art Nursery Facility: The state of the art ‘Nursery Development Unit’ has been
established in 1992-93 under Maharashtra Forestry Project. The main objective of the unit is to produce large scale quality seedlings by using advanced techniques. The unit has 6 root trainer and 4 clonal nurseries with capacity to produce 73.60 lakh root trainer seedlings and 8.00 lakh clonal seedlings. These units have modern facilities like mist chambers, agro-net shed, hardening chambers, root trainers and trained staff to man these facilities. These facilities are located in Thane, Nasik, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gondia and Yeotmal Divisions.[iv] Collection and Supply of Quality Seed: Quality seed is essential ingredient for ensuring quality crop and hence to improve returns and productivity. To this end, a modernized seed processing unit has been established since 1992 under Maharashtra Forestry Project with the objective to supply quality seed for enhancement of productivity of plantations. The unit has been equipped with advanced facilities for collection, treatment, testing, certification and storage of seeds.
FDCM Ltd collects teak seed from identified areas of known superior quality seed and thereafter seeds are tested for germination before supply.
The Identified seed source areas available with FDCM Ltd are, as follows:
1) Seed Stands [SS] : 34 sites, 461 ha
2) Seed Production Areas [SPA]: 85 sites, 1764 ha
3) Teak Seed Orchards [TSO] : 34 sites, 107 ha
FDCM Ltd has also established capacity for production of quality organic manure especially vermi-compost from grass and shedded leaves, since 2000-2001, on commercial basis.
5.0 Turnkey Afforestation Projects
FDCM Ltd has undertaken projects of plantation and landscaping on turnkey basis since 1990 on the lands of Government Departments, Corporations, Autonomous Bodies, Public Institutions, Public Sector Undertaking etc on mutually agreeable terms and conditions. The details of turnkey projects undertaken by the company are given,
as follows.[1] In total, 235 projects costing over Rs. 2652.86 lakhs spreading over Thane, Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Chandrapur and Yeotmal districts have been successfully completed. More than 54.20 lakh seedlings have been planted over an area of 1810 ha under these projects. Apart from enhancing the aesthetic value of urban areas, these projects have helped in reducing pollution of mining and industrial areas.
The Region-wise information on completed and ongoing turnkey projects and plantations undertaken thereon by the company is given in the following table.
[2] There are 16 ongoing projects costing over Rs. 1219.00 lakhs belonging to 5 User Agencies that are being implemented by the Company. The agencies namely the Western Coalfields Limited, Nagpur, Air Force Vayusena Nagar, Nagpur, Indian Oil Corporation, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Mumbai, Bharat Petroleum Chemicals Limited, Mumbai, Municipal Corporation, Bruhan Mumbai, Municipal Corporation, Thane, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai, Konkan Irrigation Corporation, Film City Goregaon, Mumbai and Power Grid Corporation, Borivili, BSES Thermal Power Station, Western Railways, National Highway Authority of India etc have awarded turnkey projects to the Company.
[3] The following types of turnkey projects have been undertaken by the Company:
[i] Stabilization of Mining Dumps: These plantations have been undertaken in Western Coalfields Ltd. areas in Nagpur and Chandrapur districts. The overburden soil in mining areas is dumped on ground forming mounds. These mounds need stabilization and reclamation through
afforestation. Sterile soil and sloppy configuration of these areas have been indeed challenging for the company to tackle with. Plantation of over 25 tree species have been undertaken to clothe these sites with vegetation cover. These plantations have proven successful in reducing air pollution and reclaiming soil resulting in restoration of eco-balance in the area.[ii] Industrial Plantations
Plantations have been undertaken in the areas of Thermal Power plants at Chandrapur, BSES, Mumbai, Panvel, Dahanu etc, ONGC, JNPT, Hindustan Coca-Cola etc. Besides enhancing aesthetic value of these areas, these plantations have helped in mitigating effects of industrial pollution in and around these areas.
[iii] Landscaping and Beautification of Urban Areas
FDCM Ltd has undertaken landscaping and beautification plantation in the campus of the Film City Development Corporation, Goregaon. Landscape plantations have been created in the Film City as per requirement of film shooting locales.
· Avenue Plantation
NHAI, PanvelTree plantations along the National Highways, Railways and city roads have been undertaken by FDCM in Mumbai, Thane, Nasik and Chandrapur region to mitigate effects of air and noise pollution. Besides, mitigating pollution these plantations have helped in beautifying and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of these areas.
iv] Garbage Dump Reclamation
In urban areas garbage is often dumped in open sites which generate foul smell and create unhygienic conditions for residents living in vicinity. Garbage dump reclamation activity has been undertaken in the unban locales of Pune, Nasik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mumbai and Thane Municipal Corporations. Plantation of misc. species of environmental and aesthetic value has been undertaken on these sites to reduce pollution and enhance beauty of these areas.
[v] Mangrove Plantations
Mangroves are found in coastal areas and act as natural barriers against coastal erosion. Because of heavy industrialization and expanding commercial activities in the coastal areas mangroves are being destroyed. As a consequence, coastal areas have been exposed to wide-spread coastal denudation and erosion. The situation had become so alarming that the Hon’ble High Court Bombay had tointerven to impress upon the govt. to undertake coastal protection measures. Over the years, FDCM Ltd has gained expertise in undertaking mangrove plantations and has raised plantations on TMC, JNPT, ONGC areas.
6.0 Services Offered by the Company
In consonance with the Government policies and company’s objectives, the FDCM Ltd has been providing professional services to various user agencies on mutually agreeable terms and conditions on the following areas of specialization.
[i] Supply of quality seeds and planting stock for raising high value plantations.
[ii] Raise plantations around industries for mitigating effect of industrial pollution.
[iii] Reclamation of mining areas and stabilization of mining dumps.
[iv] Reclamation and development of unban garbage dump sites
[v] Landscaping and beautification of unban sites and locales.
[vi] Avenue plantations along National Highways and Railway tracks and city roads for mitigation of air and noise pollution.
[vi] Mangrove plantations for protection of coastal areas.
In addition, the FDCM Ltd offers professional services for raising type specific plantations that have potential to earn profits by accruing environmental benefits to the society.
[i] Eucalyptus Plantations: There is consistent demand for pulpwood in paper industry. Eucalyptus plantations has tremendous scope as it is used for pulpwood manufacture.
[ii] Bio-diesel Plantations: Seeds of karanj, neem, kokam, moha, Jatropha etc produce biodiesel that have potential to replace fossil fuel.
[iii] Bamboo Plantations: Bamboo is a multi-use species. It has consistent demand in construction industry, cottage industry, paper industry etc and hence has great potential.
[iv] Medicinal Plants: Market for plant based medicines and herbal product has grown exponentially and so is demand for medicinal plants.
The FDCM Ltd also offers consultancy on the above and allied areas of plantations & afforestation including;
[i] Project Appraisal
[ii] Project Formulation
[iii] Valuation of Plantations
[iv] Project Implementation.
[v] Landscaping and Beautification.
7.0 FDCM Ltd has core competence in the following areas.
[i] Silvicultural management of forests, harvesting and sale of forest produce.
[ii] Production of quality seeds for raising quality planting stock for plantations.
[iii] Raising plantations of teak and other high value species.
[iv] Reclamation of mangroves, degraded mining lands and garbage dump sites.
[v] Consultancy in avenue plantations and landscape development.
We hereby appeal you to join us in our endeavors and look forward to give us an opportunity to help you in managing your lands and translate your vision of green India into green landscapes of your dreams.
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