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Forest

Introduction:

    The Tumkur Forest division has a long and cherished history for pragmatic and conservation oriented management of Forests.  The forest Department has got onerous responsibilities of managing and protecting the Forest Land spread over 1292.76 Sq. Kms.

    Tumkur Territorial Forestry Division came in to existence during 1955.  It is under the Administration Control of State Government of Karnataka and under the Technical Control of Chief Conservator of Forests, Hassan Circle, Hassan.  This Division has Three Sub Divisions and Ten Range Offices.

DCF: Deputy Conservator of Forests

ACF: Assistant Conservator of Forests RFO: Range Forest Officer

Objectives :

The main responsibilities of the Department are:

To protect the existing Forests (Flora & Fauna) including protection against Smuggling, Poaching, Fire Accidents etc.

To increase the forest area by planting in C & D class of lands, community lands and other Government waste lands.

To increase the productivity of the degraded forests.

To harvest the forest produce systematically on the principles of sustained yield in perpetuity in order to cater to the needs of the people.

Protection and management of forests as well as raising of plantations through joint forest planning by involving local communities through village forest communities and bio-diversity conservation and its management especially in degraded forest area.

Wild life preservation and its management.

Maintenance of ecological balance.

To provide employment to the unemployed rural people by engaging them in the forestry works.

Major Regulatory Functions:

Regulating the exploitation of Forests for removal of timber, firewood and other minor forest produce as laid down in the principles of the working plans.

Regulating the movements of forest produce, control of sawing contraventions, wood-distillations.

Regulating tree felling in private lands.

Control of diversion of Forest Lands for non-forestry purposes.

 Above regulatory functions and responsibilities are governed by the following statutes and manuals.

  • Karnataka Forest Act, 1963.
  • Karnataka Preservation of Trees Act, 1976 and Rules.
  • Protection of Wildlife Act, 1972 and Rules.
  • Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Rules.
  • Karnataka Forest Rules, 1969.
  • Karnataka Forest Code.
  • Karnataka Forest Account Code.
  • Karnataka Forest Manual.
  • Karnataka Land Grant Rules.
  • Environmental Protection Act.

System of Management:

Karnataka forests are managed according to the frame work prescribed in the National Forest Policy of India 1988.  The main themes of forest management are:

Sustainable development and management of forests meeting needs of the local people shall be the first priority of forest management.

Protection and management of degraded forests through Joint Forest Planning and Management by involving local community through village forest committees.

Bio-diversity conservation and eco-tourism.

Working plans have been prepared for all territorial forest division.  The working of forest is now strictly as per approved working plans.  The forest department is no longer adopting the earlier Silvicultural practices of “conversion to uniform” or “clear felling and planting” systems

Programmes & Schemes:

State Sector Plan Schemes Implementing in the District:

  1. Development of Degraded Forests: Under this scheme degraded forests are rejuvenated through afforestation and various other measures like protection from grazing, protection from fire, regeneration, soil and water conservation.
  2. Greening of Urban Areas : The main object of the scheme is to prevent pollution caused due to high population, vehicles and industries in urban areas by planting flowering and fruit bearing trees.  Tree parks, wood lots and avenue plantations will be established in the towns and cities of the district is not only to prevent the pollution but also for increasing beautification of urban areas.
  3. Raising of Seedlings for Public Distribution Scheme: To promote tree planting by public and farmers, the seedlings are being supplied by the department at subsidized rates to plant individual lands.  For the purpose, suitable local species will be selected and 4”x6”, 5”x8” and 8”x12” sized seedlings are being raised every year by the department.
  1. Eco-Tourism (Plan) :

 To provide infrastructure facilities like construction of paragola, drinking water facility, watch tower, tented and cottage accommodation to the tourists visiting to the eco-tourism spots in forest areas.

  1. Development of Bio-fuel plantations:

 In order to meet the increasing demand for fuel and to reduce the effects of global warming due to fossil, fuel and also to increase the usage of bio-fuel as alternative source.

  1. Cultivation of Sandalwood plantations:

Under this scheme protection and maintenance of sandalwood trees is taken up viz., erection of chain link mesh, watch and ward, soil working, cultural operation and protective measures.

  1. Special Component Plan:

The main object of the scheme is to uplift the S.C. S.T. families by planting the fruit yielding seedlings in their land and also in localities of SC-ST.  In addition to this, other benefits like distribution of Solar lamps, Sarala Ole and L.P.G Gas stoves to the beneficiaries is also being taken place.

  1. Krishi Aranya Protsaha Yojane:

As per the National Forest Policy, 33% of the Geographical area must be tree cover.  To achieve the goal the Department is implementing various afforestation programmes.  Since the target of afforestation is very high, greening must be done through a revolution.  This can be achieved successfully by voluntarily of farmers, public and NGOs.  

To enlist the cooperation of farmers and general public in the noble task of increasing tree cover, the Government of Karnataka has launched “KRISHI ARANYA PROTSAHA YOJANE” from the year 2011.  As per the guidelines of the programme, the farmers, public and NGOs may obtain the seedlings at subsidized rates at nearest nurseries of the department.

  1. A sapling for each child & A vana for each school:

To create awareness regarding ecology and environment among school children and to encourage them to plant, the scheme has been started during 2011-12.  Under this scheme, protected area available around educational institution will be identified.  Seedlings of Fruit yielding, flowering and shade trees are provided to school authorities for raising plantation.  Schools from Primary, College and up to Universities are involved.  Seedlings distributed to school children for planting in their households or field on voluntary basis.

The financial target was fixed under Maguvigondu mara scheme and Shalegondu vana scheme to meet the expenditure to raise the seedlings to supply to school children to raise plantations in the school premises.

  1. Roadside Plantation:  

Under this scheme various afforestation programmes about 15000 Kms of Roadside planting has been taken by Karnataka Forest Department.   Local species like Bevu, Ala, Arali, Goni, Tapasi, Hunse, Nerale, Mahogani, Sissu, etc seedlings will be planted.   To protect the Road side plants by grazing, fencing will be done, application of farms yard manure, watering in summer season will be done for early growth of plants.

  1. Roadside Plantation: Special Component Plan. 

Under this scheme, seedlings will be planted along the roads adjoining the SC/ST colonies. 

  1. Roadside Plantation:  Tribal Sub Plan.

Under this scheme, seedlings will be planted along the roads adjoining the Tribal colonies. 

Central Plan Schemes:

   

  1. National Afforestation Programme through Forest Development Agency   

     (NAP-FDA)  

The scheme titled National Afforestation programme has been formulated by merger of all Afforestation Schemes of the MoEF, which were in operation during 9th plan by Government of India,  The scheme is implemented in a three-tier setup;  namely State Forest Development Agencies (FDAs) and the Village Forest Committees (VFCs).  The FDA is constituted in the territorial forest division level and is a registered body under the Societies Registration Act.  The objective of this approach is to enable people’s participation at the grass root level and empower them in the decision making process.  Presently the scheme is under implementation in this Division.

  1. National Bamboo Mission: 

This scheme is implemented in the district since 2007-08 to regenerate and develop Bamboo plantations.

  1. Mahathma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS)

This scheme is implemented at Grampanchayath level.

  1. Activities of 13th Finance Commission:

        13th Finance Commission Grants for Preservation of Forest Wealth.  Main activities taken out of this assistance are Maintenance of Plantations, Raising of Plantations, Raising of Mansoon Plantation under Karavali Hasiru Kavacha project, Raising of Highway Plantations, Raising of Mangrove Plantations, Raising of Plantations of in Encroachment Evicted Areas, Development of Centralized Nursery, Survey and Demarcation works, Consolidation of boundaries, Working Plan activities, Maintenance of older Research Plantations, Sandal and Medicinal Plan Estate, Establishment of Forest Protection Camps. Purchase of Jeeps and Two Wheeler Vehicles, Training activities, Repair and maintenance of Quarters and Building, Purchase of Desktop and Purchase of Laptops.

  1. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

       CAMPA has been constituted by the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India through an order dated 23-04-2004 in pursuance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order dated 30-10-2002 in IA No. 566, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 202 of 1995.  CAMPA has been constituted for the purpose of management of money collected recoverable in pursuance of Hon’ble Supreme Courts order in this regard.  The MOEF, Government of India has issued the guidelines for operating the funds under State CAMPA on 2-7-2009.  The Government of India’s order prescribes that the money received towards NPV shall be used for conservation, protection, regeneration and management of existing natural forests and wildlife, environmental services such as provision of wood, NTFP, fuel, fodder, tourism, Climate regulation, recreations & educational services, research & training and other allied activities.

The main works to be taken up under State CAMPA are:-

  1. Project Specific Activities:-

            Compensatory Afforestation Works in degraded Forest Areas and Non-Forest Areas in lieu of Forest land diverted for Non-Forestry Works are to be taken up, which also includes fencing of safety zones, reclamation, supply of energy saving devices to the people living in fringe villages.

  1. Activities for Utilisation of NPV:-

Under this activity consolidation protection, Regeneration in Natural Forests, Wildlife Protection and Management, Infrastructure Development Works are taken up.

Externally Aided Project:       

  1. JICA assisted Karnataka Sustainable Forest Management & Bio-diversity Conservation (KSFMBC) Project :  

Japan International Co-operation Agency assisted Karnataka Sustainable Forest Management & Bio-diversity Conservation (KSFMBC) Project is being implemented in the District since 2005-06.  The district coming under project-B based on the rainfall received.

The main activities of the project are:  Afforestation, Soil & Moisture Conservation Measures, Protected Area Management and Bio-diversity Conservation, Income Generation Activities for poverty Alleviation (JFPM).

Facilities & Services provided by the Department & Procedure to get Facilities & Services:

  1. Payment of Ex-gratia for loss of human life and for crop, cattle damages by wildlife havoc:

        The ex-gratia for crop loss, cattle/human life loss, permanent disability, injury etc., is being paid as per Government Order No. FEE 143 FWL 2010 dated: 30-04-2011.  The payment of ex-gratia for the death of human beings caused due to Wildlife is increased from Rs. 3.50 lakhs to Rs. 5.00 lakhs vide Government Order No. FEE 143 FWL 2010 dated: 03-08-2011 with effect from June-2011.

  1. Bamboo:

    Bamboo is sold to medars and other artisans at price fixed by the Corporation based on production cost.

Tumkur Head Office Address:

The Deputy Conservator of Forests

Tumkur Division,

Ramakrishna Nagar,

Tumkur-05.