Working of Private Forest - Guidelines regarding. Circular Date. 16.06.1981

 

Working of Private Forest - Guidelines regarding. Circular Date. 16.06.1981

Sub: Working of Private Forest - Guidelines regarding.
Sir,
It has come to the notice of this Ministry that there are private forest areas in which permission for felling is required to be granted to remove mature and over mature crop and replace it by a young vigorous crop. Since this operation is not intended to divert forest area for non-forestry purposes it would not attract the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. It is, however, essential to ensure that by grant of such permissions for felling of trees, the forests do not get degraded for want of regeneration. It is, therefore, essential that felling of trees in private forests is granted by stipulating sound conditions of management practices. The following guidelines are, therefore issued with the view to see that the private forest area do not degrade on account of neglect to ensure regeneration.
If the private forest is large, a proper scheme/working plan for its management should be prepared by the Forest Department and the Private forest owne should be permitted to carry out work in accordance with this scheme/ working plan. The marking for felling of trees should be done by the Forest Department in accordance with the scheme/working plan and the Department should watch the implementation of the prescriptions laid down.
If the area of private forest is small the method of working should be stipulated by the Forest Department while granting permission for felling of trees. This working should normally be in accordance with the working of the forest areas in the locality and sufficient safeguards should be laid down to ensure regeneration of the forest.
It is difficult to ensure that the private forest owner will adhere to the stipulated conditions laid down for ensuring the regeneration which requires monetary inputs. It would, therefore, be desirable to take a deposit from the private forest owner of an amount to fully regenerate the area, on conditions, that if he does not follow the stipulated conditions for regenerations, and fully regenerate the, area the Forest Department will carry out the work from the amount of money deposited by the private owner.
No Further permission for felling should be granted unless the stipulated conditions for regenerating the area are fulfilled.
The above guidelines may please be followed scrupulously.