Abstract

The tropical mixed forests of India form an important natural resource providing a variety of goods and services. Depending upon the vegetation characteristics and the prevailing socio-economic conditions these forests are managed under different silvicultural systems. An analysis of various systems in vogue indicate considerable divergences between theory and practice. What is actually followed seldom resemble what is described in silvicultural text books. Selection, shelterwood and coppice systemsrely entirely on natural regeneration. Although overtime clearfelling followed by artificial regeneration is increasing in importance, as such natural forests supply most of the wood requirements. A detailed study of the management practices indicates the limitations of present approaches. In most cases regeneration has been neglected, seriously undermining sustainable production of goods and services. Fire, grazing and other biotic factors have further complicated the situation accelerating the degradation process. The low growing stock and poor increment in Indian forests are attributable to this. Developments in biological and technical sciences have not significantly influenced the management of natural forests. Institutional changes in forest administration have been marginal and policing of forest property continues to be the main function. Establishment of forest development corporations have not improved natural management as they have mostly concentrated on clearfelling and artificial regeneration with profitability as the main objective. Given the low growing stock, uncertainty of natural regeneration and severe biotic pressures, natural management has serious limitations in fulfilling the various social needs. Intensively managed plantations raised on the extensive barren and degraded land alone can reduce the pressure on natural forests, and thus facilitating their sustainable management