From doublebulb@YAHOO.COM Sat Jun 19 14:16:54 2004
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 00:23:09 -0700
From: double bulb 
To: nathistory-india@Princeton.EDU
Subject: Assam's forest cover - how good is it?

As a followup to the previous newsreport I posted
about Assam's increased forest cover, this is an
editorial that appeared today in the Assam Tribune
(www.assamtribune.com). It brings out that these
figures could be misleading as they are not
qualitative in nature.

~Pritam.

==============================================

According to data recently made available by Assam^Òs
Minister for Forest and Environment, the State^Òs
forest cover stands at 35.3 per cent. This is an
improvement from the 30.2 per cent that was recorded
in 1999. Significantly, the figure has also crossed
the 33 per cent forest cover that is deemed essential.
However, the minister^Òs claims do leave scope for
fresh debate and discussion. Many experts and
researchers believe that such a claim should be viewed
in conjunction with the condition of the State^Òs
forests. Among the reasons that prompt such a
response, the most fundamental one is about the
validity of a purely quantitative approach that seeks
to evaluate forests from the perspective of land area.
While the volume of forests may indicate an
approximate idea, it does not take into account
several other important parameters. The density of
forests, the quality of the flora and fauna, and human
interference, are some of the other factors, which
also determine the condition of forests. A singular
concern with space bears the risk of neglecting such
important determinants. What might be equally
pertinent is data from a survey that treats forests
from a more qualitative standpoint, scrutinising
forest resources from a more holistic perspective.

 Satellite imagery on which the claimed figure is
based should also come under the scanner. While the
quality of satellite data is improving in resolution,
it is still difficult to identify a range of details,
which can only be observed from terra firma. The other
important aspect that needs to be recognised is that
the quanta of images captured by satellites has to be
interpreted, and at times inferred, by experts with
reference to certain specific parameters. How sound
the interpretation and inference is would therefore,
depend upon the choice of relevant parameters, and the
expertise of the interpreters. We have to consider
these variables, before embracing the minister^Òs claim
as the last word. May be the minister himself is aware
of the problems that plague forest conservation. He
has after all acknowledged that trees are being felled
with impunity, and there is a need for an increased
people^Òs participation in maintaining forests and the
resources therein. In this context, his department
should also recognise some other occurrences, which
have emerged as problems needing urgent attention. The
fragmentation of several forests in the State has
become a growing concern in recent years. The
degradation of forests near human settlement is
another matter of apprehension, which if left to
fester will damage floral and faunal life beyond
repair. In some parts of the State, human interference
has also devastated, and continues to degrade,
valuable biotic wealth. While encroachment has
affected the state of several forests, poaching
continues to threaten quite a few endangered species.
A holistic approach, perhaps the ideal road map of
forest conservation, should take into consideration
these impediments.

 There are other practical realities of forest
conservation, which also need to be acknowledged by
the forest department, as well as by the common
citizen. Among the measures that would usher in
positive changes for the entire forest resource base
is a need to understand the importance of flora and
fauna for the future prosperity of the State. Being
one of the biodiversity hotspots of our blue planet,
Assam^Òs biodiversity could be a ticket to economic
prosperity. Channelising the rich forest resources for
economic benefit on a strictly sustainable manner
would help the government earn revenue, as well as
open up employment opportunities. To cite a small
example, the forest department could play a role in
farming valuable trees for economic purpose, which
would also put the brakes on the illegal trade of
timber. A better deal for employees of the forest
department would also help boost morale and
productivity among the guardian of our forests. There
is also a need to infuse fresh thinking ^Ö which many a
times occur among the youth ^Ö while taking new steps
and planning policies geared for forest conservation.
Local knowledge gleaned from sources at the grassroots
should also be treated with due seriousness. After
all, from satellite imagery to the information
provided by the humble villager, the wider the base of
information, better is the probability of formulating
effective methods of forest conservation.






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