Abstract

The attempt has been to discern the main trends rather than present the chronology of events. Three broad phases in forest management has been identified. They are presented as (i) the rise of forestry, (ii) the period of turbulence and change, and (iii) the ascent of conservation. The major achievements during the period of the rise of forestry are the reservation of forests, the perfecting of teak planting techniques and initiation of systematic management on the basis of carefully prepared working plans. During the period of turbulence and change, efforts at mechanisation of logging and opening up of forests for food crop cultivation affected the continuity of operations according to the working plans. The post Independence Forest Policy (1952) favoured subsidised supply of forest raw materials to industries. Large scale industrial plantations were also raised. Added to these, forest clearance for irrigation and power projects and peasant migration into forests led to phenomenal loss of forestsand destroyed the compactness of the reserved forests. Legislation for Government take over of private forests was enacted during this time and a State Forest Research Institute to support forestry was set up. The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the Forest Conservation Act 1980 are major events in the ascent of conservation. Restriction on clearfelling and stopping of selection felling has arrested the earlier trend of forest degradation. The recommendations of the High Power Expert Committee on Forest Policy in 1986 in Kerala and the conservation oriented New Forest Policy (1988) of the Government of India reflect a sensitivity to global concerns and is a strong indication of change from past records