Jwmwa
Jwmwa
Jwmwa
WORKING PLAN
FOR
VOLUME - I
FOREWORD
The Working plan for Ahmednagar forest division and Sangamner forest sub-
division of the Ahmednagar district in the Nashik Territorial circle, authored by Sh.G.Sai
Prakash, IFS replaces the previous plan of S/Sh.Nimbalkar, IFS and A.K.Mishra,IFS., which
was in operation between 1994-95 to 2003-04.
The present plan incorporates all the suggestions given by the State Level
Committee on 27th February 2009, and the guidance given by Dr.S.K.Khetarpal, IFS, the
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of forests (Production & Management), Maharashtra
state, Nagpur, on 2nd December 2009. The Plan prescribes operations under the guidelines
laid down by the Working Plan Code, 2004 for an area of 125903.92 hectares.
The plan has been prepared after detailed deliberation and joint excercises by
the field staff of Ahmednagar division and the Working plan division, Aurangabad. The plan
has appreciably used the utility of GIS Software-Geomedia, in area reconciliation and
preparation of maps. The plan caters to both the Ahmednagar forest division and the newly
created Sangamner forest sub-division.
(Shirish AshtanaIFS)
Pune Chief Conservator of forests
th
25 January 2010. Working Plans Circle, Pune.
PREFACE
The present plan encompasses the prescriptions towards managing the Forests of
Ahmednagar district, currently under Ahmednagar division, and foreseen to have two
divisions, viz., Ahmednagar division and Sangamner forest sub-division.
The earlier plan of Sh.Nimbalkar and A.K.Mishra expired in 2004-05, necessitating
revision as per the new provisions of the National Working Plan Code, 2004, and accordingly
needed a fresh outlook in finalising the prescriptions for the areas.
Preparation for revision of the Working plan were started in the month of December
2006, followed by transfer of all records from the office of Conservator of forests, Working
plans division, Nashik; stock-mapping of the areas in the following period with active co-
operation of the territorial staff of Ahmednagar division. Discussion with the officers of the
Ahmednagar division, and interactions with the Working plan staff of Nashik and Dhule
assisted in speedy completion of the work.
The plan covers an area of 65668.47 hectares in Ahmednagar forest division and
60235.45 hectares in Sangamner forest sub-division of Ahmednagar district totalling to
125903.92 hectares of land. It is pertinent to note that against the two working circles of
earlier plan viz., The Afforestation and the Silvi-Pasture Management Working circles, the
current plan could examine the areas in greater detail, and after discussion with the field
officers and in tune with the provisions of the Working plan code, 2004, and the
deliberations/discussions with the State Level Committee which discussed the PWPR II in
February 2009, prescribes management of the area.
Detailed joint excercises with the Survey staff of the territorial division and the
Working plan division warrant co-ordination between Forest and Revenue authority in
regularising land records. The areas needing further detailed examination in tune with the
Law of the Land have been specifically identified and prescription suitably prescribed.
Keeping in view the results of earlier afforestation, which were found successful in patches,
and as per the recommendations of the State Level Committee which deliberated the PWPR
II on 27th February 2009, the forest area is prescribed to be managed under working circles
titled Forest Enrichment and Soil Moisture Conservation Working circle (32.28% of area),
Afforestation and Soil Moisture Conservation Working circle (56.0% of area). Successful
plantations of Bamboo over the years have led to prescriptions under Bamboo Management
Working circle (0.68%) and the importance of channelising Fodder Resources in the district,
lead to prescriptions under the Silvi-Pasture management working circle (10.40 %of area).
The note-worthy participatory initiatives of villagers of Hivre Bazar, Ralegaon Shinde
and Dorje have inspired in prescribing participatory approaches and taking initiatives for
spread of the NTFP, the potential of raising Medicinal plants and steps to enrich Humus by
organic farming which find place in the prescriptions of the plan.
The inspiring guidance and review by the Additional Principal Chief Conservators of
forests (Production & Management), initially by Sh. A.K.Joshi, IFS, in the preparation and
presentation of PWPR II, and later by Dr.S.K.Khetarpal,IFS., in implementation of the
suggestions of the State Level Committee and in devising planning of the implementation
process of the plan are acknowledged. The guidance and leeway given by the Chief
Conservators of forests Sh.A.D.Shejale,IFS., Sh.Shirish Asthana, IFS and Sh.V.K.Mohan,
IFS., have enabled the author to think objectively for arriving at presriptions of the plan. Mid-
term review of the progress and discussion with the then PCCF Sh.Jwala Prasad,IFS., fine
tuned the efforts.
The plan could not have seen the light of the day without inspiring efforts of
TSK.Reddy, IFS, the then Conservator of Forests, Working plans division, Dhule and his
staff who had trained the staff of Aurangabad working plans division in GIS; the DCFs of
Ahmednagar division Sh.M.S.Reddy, IFS and Dilip Gujela, IFS, the ACFs and RFOs along
with the field staff of the Ahmednagar division, co-operated with the Working plan staff of
Aurangabad division in furnishing information and actively participated in discussions.
The efforts of the Survey section of the Working Plan division office, and in
particular the efforts of Sh.Vilas Bhavsar and Sh.Abhijeet Bhise, Surveyors is invaluable and
placed on record. The Range Forest Officers of the Working plan division, sh. Prakash
Jagat in the initial period, Sanjay Dharmadhikari, Jagannath Shekade and P.Shelke are
noteworthy, without the efforts of whom the task of preparation of the working plan could not
have materialised. Similarily the contribution of Jeep Driver Sh.Vasant Joshi, and the office
staff of Aurangabad working plans division is acknowledged. Interactions with Professional
Wildlifers working in area, Dr.Aniruddh Belsare and Ms.Vidya Athreya, assisted in fine-tuning
the chapter on wildlife management.
It is expected that the said plan would meet the expectations of the people of the
Ahmednagar district, and those of the forests too.
Map, Management A map prepared, normally as part of a working plan, to show the
division of the forest area into management units, the layout of
roads, etc.
Nursery An area where plants are raised for eventual planting out; has
ordinarily both seeding and transplant beds. Nurseries are either
permanent or temporary.
Predator An animal that preys externally on other. A predator usually
destroys several hosts; an animal parasite usually lives in or on
a single host.
Quality, Site A measure of the relative productive capacity of a site for a
particular species. The top height as it varies with age is
generally the basis of classification.
Rotation The planned number of years between formation or regen
eration of a crop and its final felling. In the case of a selection
forest the average age at which a tree is considered mature for
felling.
Royalty A prescribed fee forest produce payable to the owner of the
forest
Sample, stratified A sample from a stratified population consisting of a random
Random selection of sampling units from each stratum.
Sampling unit The ultimate unit of assessment or measurement in a sample. In
a sample. It may be the individual, any given number of
individuals, a given area of ground
Sanctuary An area constituted by competent authority in which killing and
capturing of any from of wild life is prohibited except with
permission and the boundaries and character of which area
sacrosanct.
Silviculture The art and science of cultivating forest crops
Silvicultural A method of silviculatural procedure worked out in accordance
System with accepted sets of silvicultural principles, by which crops
constituting forest area tended, harvested and replaced by new
crops of distinctive forms.
Silvicultural A general term for all operations carried out immediately after
Operations, the main felling; besides cultural operations proper, this might
Subsidiary include other specific operations.
Slope The gradient of the surface of the ground, given either as the
angle the surface makes with the horizontal or as the ratio
expressed as a fraction or percentage, between the vertical rise
or fall and the horizontal distance in which the rise or fall has
occurred.
Tending Generally, an operation carried out for the benefit of a forest
crop, at any stage of its life; essentially covers operations on the
crop itself and an competing vegetation e.g. weeding cleaning,
thinning and even improvement fellings; also pruning, climber
cutting and girding of unwanted growth, but not regeneration
fellings nor ground operations like soil working drainage,
irrigation and controlled burning.
Watershed Strictly a water Parting, the dividing line between catchment
areas, The use of this term as a synonym for catchment or
drainage area is deprecated.
Watershed Strictly a water Parting, the dividing line between catchment
area, the use of the term as a synonym for catchment or
drainage area is deprecated.
Working circle A forest area organized with a particular object, and under one
silvicultural system and one set of working plan prescriptions. In
certain circumstances working circles may over lap.
Working Plan A Written scheme of management aiming at continuity of policy
and action and controlling the treatment of a forest .
PART – I
10. The different land forms in a region constitute its physical setup. If we consider the
physical setup of Ahmednagar district, there are three physical divisions
a. Western Hilly region: comprising of Akole taluka and Sangamner taluka, with
the hilly ranges of Adula, Baleshwar and Harishchandragad. Kalsubai with
height of 5427 feet, is the highest peak in the Sahyadris, and lies in this
region.
b. Central Plateau region: comprising of Parner and Ahmednagar talukas and
parts of Sangamner, Shrigonde and Karjat talukas.
c. The region of Northern and Southern Plains: comprising of Northern
Kopargaon, Rahata, Shrirampur, Rahuri, Newasa, Shevgaon and Pathardi
talukas. This is the region of Godavari and Pravara river basins. Parts of the
Southern talukas of Shrigonda, Karjat, Jamkhed are also included in this
physical division, the region of which covers basins of the Ghod, Bhima and
the Sina rivers.
11. The district is drained by two chief rivers, the Godavari and the Bhima a tributary of the
Krishna. The watershed line is the great spur of the Sahyadris which branches off at
Harishchandragad and stretches completely across the district from West to East.
The important rivers flowing through the district are Pravara, Mula, Sina and Dhora.
Pravara is the tributary of the river Godavari. Waters of the river Pravara fall from a
great height, creating the Randha falls.
12. The Godavari, Bhima and Sina are the major rivers forming three important basins in
the district. The River Godavari enters the district at village Chas in Kopargaon tahsil
and flows about 138 Kilometers along the North eastern boundary of the district
through tahsils of Rahata, Shrirampur, Newasa and Shevgaon, leaving the district at
village Mungi.
13. The River Pravara, a tributary of Godavari, originates in Akole tahsil between Kulang
and Ratangad, and joins Godavari in Newasa tahsil, the dam Bhandardara is
constructed across the river at Bhandardara, near by are the Randha falls. The
Rivers Mula, Adhula and Mahalungi are important tributaries draining into Pravara.
The Adhula rises in the north of Akole on the slopes of Patta and Mahakali, flows for
fifteen miles in an easterly direction between two ranges of hills which encloses the
Samsherpur valley; joins Pravara three miles west of the town of Sangamner. The
Mahalungi rises on the southern and eastern slopes of Patta and Aundha, passes
into Nashik district and reenters Ahmednagar district.
14. The Mula rises on the eastern slopes of the Sahyadris between Ratangad and
Harischandragad crosses through Sangamner, Parner. The Mula Dam is constructed
across the river at Baragaon Nandur in Rahuri. The Dhora rises on the slopes of the
hills east of the town of Ahmednagar, drains Shevgaon and part of Newasa.
15. The southern portion of the district, comprising of Parner, Ahmednagar, Pathardi,
Shrigonda and Karjat tahsils comprise the Bhima basin with River Kukadi and Ghod
forming the tributaries of the Bhima. The River Bhima enters the district at village
sangwi of Shrigonda Tahsil, flows about 56 kilometers along the boundaries of Pune
and Ahmednagar districts and leaves the district at village Babulgaon.
16. The River Sina, a major tributary of Bhima forms the Sina sub-basin. It originates in
village Pimpalgaon Ujjani of Ahmednagar tahsil and leaves the district at village
Khadaki of Jamkhed Taluka, after flowing along a course of about 120 kilometers
through Ahmednagar, Karjat and Jamkhed tehsils.
The following table indicates the details of various rivers of the district.
Sr. No. Name of the river Perennial or Length in the Tahsils through which flows
Seasonal district in Kms.
1. Pravara Perennial 200 Akola, Sangamner, Rahata, Rahuri,
Newasa and Shrirampur
2. Adhala Seasonal 48 Sangamner & Akola
3. Mahalungi Seasonal 13 Sangamner
4. Kahu Seasonal 35 Parner
5. Kopri Seasonal 35 Parner And Ahmednagar
6. Sina Seasonal 120 Ahmednagar, Karjat Jamkhed
7. Hanga Seasonal 65 Parner & Shrigonda
8. Mehekar Seasonal 32 Ahmednagar
9. Ghod Seasonal 70 Shrigonda
10. Kukadi Seasonal 28 Parner
11. Khanapuri Seasonal 22 Karjat
12. Dhor Seasonal 70 Shevgaon
13. Simphana Seasonal 23 Shevgaon
14. Deo Seasonal 46 Shrigonda and Rahuri
15. Rodi Seasonal 17 Shevgaon
16. Kas Seasonal 23 Sangamner
17. Bhima Perennial 36 Shrigonda & Karjat
18. Godavari Perennial 156 Rahata, Kopargaon, Newasa,
Shrirampur, and Shevgaon ( Border)
19. Mula Perennial 150 Akola, Sangamner, Parner & Rahuri
Dams have been constructed on Pravara, Sina, Kukadi, Godavari, Mula Adhala, Ghod and
Mahalungi rivers. Majority of these rivers are not perennial The physiographic features and
drainage courses have given rise to slightly undulating terrain and plains.
The projects classified as Major and Minor existing in the district are tabulated as under:
17. The entire Ahmednagar district forms the Deccan plateau basalt province, which
covers about 82 percent of the total area of state. Because of their tendency to form
flat topped plateau like features and their dominantly basaltic composition, such lavas
are called “Plateau Basalt” The flows are called “ Traps”, on account of the step like
or terraced appearance of their outcrops. The Deccan trap basalt, being volcanic
rocks, contains cavities formed due to escape of gases from the lava. On the basis of
these gas cavities, the basalt can be divided into three types
18. Prismatic disposition is observed more markedly and perfectly in the basalt strata than
in the amygdaloids. Perfect columns are generally small, of four, five, or six sides,
but the prismatic structure sometimes manifests itself in basaltic and amygdaloidal
columns many feet in diameter, in the face of the hill at Kothul, a small village in
Shrigonda twenty four miles south of Ahmednagar, there is thick stratum of close
grained gray homogenous basalt which is crowned by temple of Khandoba. In the
watercourses near Kadus in Parner are columns of basalt of bluish gray colour,
compact texture, vitreous hue, and sharp fracture. At Harishchandra there is sheet of
rock which has the appearance of a pavement of pentangular slabs which are
doubtless the terminal planes of basaltic columns. Round or oval masses of compact
basalt, with concentric layers like the coasts of an onion, known as nodular basalt are
widely diffused and form another characteristic of Deccan trap formation. The basaltic
dykes are all vertical and do not occasion any disturbance or dislocation in the strata
through which they pass. The most remarkable example is the dyke which runs
vertically from east to west through the hill fort of Harischandragad. Another
distinctive feature is the occurance of strata of red ochreous rock underlining thick
strata of basalt or amygdaloid. At Baragaon-Nandur in the Rahuri taluka it is found
thick as a porphyritic stratum with embedded crystals of lime and is used as a
building stone. Another distinctive feature of the Deccan trap formation is the
occurrence of immense quantities of loose basalt stones of all sizes which look as if
they had been showered on the land; also of rock piled into heaps as if by labour of
the man.
19. The traps weather with characteristic spheroid exfoliation, which given rise to large
rounded boulders on the outcrops. The rocks give rise to either deep brown to rich
rad soil or to regur (black cotton soil). Close to the ground surface the basalt displays
a greater degree of shattering. At places the lava flows are overlain by older alluvial
deposits, consisting of gravel, conglomerate, sand and hard silt. Overlying the older
alluvium is the recent alluvium, consisting of unconsolidated strata of sand, silts and
soil deposited on the banks of many streams and rivulets. Alluvial deposits of varying
thickness are also recorded; they are located along major river courses like Godavari,
Pravara and Mula in Sangamner, Kopargaon, Shrirampur Newasa and Rahuri
Tahsils, while the alluviums are also observed along the Sina and Bhima rivers in
Ahmednagar, Karjat, Jamkhed and shrigonda tahsil. The alluvial deposits of Pravara
basin are more clayey in nature as compared to those of Mula basin.
20. Pot holes in the Rocky River beds are of frequent occurrence. Those above the falls
of the Pravara, at village of Rauda in the Akole tahsil, and at Kund-Mahuli in the
Kukadi River a short distance from the village Nighoj in the Parner tehsil, are specially
noteworthy on account of their number and size.
SOIL :
Soil constitutes the physical basis of all forestry works involving afforestation
practices. The capacity of soil to retain and transmit moisture depends upon its structure and
texture. Three major nutrients namely Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium account for soil
fertility. Based on the Physical characteristics of the soil, the soils, of Ahmednagar district
can be divided into the following five major categories viz. (I) Black cotton soil, (ii) Red soil,
(iii) Lateritic soil, (iv) coarse shallow soil or Barad and (v) White soil, locally known as
Pandhari.
21. In Rahuri tahsil, the soil is mostly deep, black and rich coupled with perennial water
system in the hilly areas of Akola tahsil, red lateritic soil is deeper on slopes than on
the levels. In the plain lands of Akola and Sangamner tahsils, the soil along the banks
of Pravara is extremely rich and gradually becomes poor, as one approach the hills.
Kopargaon and Shrirampur plains have in general, a good depth of soil near the
Godavari and Pravara rivers. The Southern portion of the district, comprising the
tahsils of Ahmednagar, Parner, Shrigaonda and Karjat with cross ranges of hills has
deep table lands. Most of the plain land in this region, however, is covered by poor
and shallow soil. In the South-east the soil in Jamkhed tahsil is generally light. Low
levels of reddish land mixed with patches of poor soils are common in Jamkhed
areas. Soils of Newasa and Shevgaon tahsils are rich and very fertile.
22. Table given below indicates the distribution of different types of soil in Ahmednagar
district (Rahata tehsil is included in Rahuri and Shrirampur tehsils).
Sr. No. Tahsil Type of soil ( In Sq.Kms.) Total
Sq.Kms)
Reddish brown Coarse Medium Deep black
soil along hill shallow soil soil
slopes soil
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1. Kopargaon - - 847.43 197.37 1044.80
2. Akola 1457.48 15.36 - 15.36 1488.20
3. Sangamner - 1090.29 393.21 196.60 1680.10
4. Shrirampur - - 795.50 296.60 1092.10
5. Rahuri - 163.84 550.16 327.68 1041.70
6. Newasa - - 1013.94 229.76 1243.70
7. Shevgaon - 294.91 572.65 365.14 1129.70
8. Parner - 1672.92 - 114.68 1784.60
9. Ahmednagar - 1417.41 65.33 32.76 1515.70
10. Pathardi - 229.37 872.43 - 1101.80
11. Shrigonda - 491.52 845.94 262.14 1599.60
12. Karjat - 229.37 991.96 229.37 1450.70
13. Jamkhed - 445.29 360.48 65.53 872.30
Total 1457.48 6051.28 7309.25 2229.99 17048.00
23. The rainfall is the main source of soil moisture. The same quantity of rainfall will effect
soil moisture differently under different conditions of soil depths, slopes, location of
sites in watersheds etc. which ultimately results in opportune time for intake of rain
water. The soil can also be put into the following four categories on the basis of soil
depth.
Sr.No. Type of Soil Depth in Cms. Available Soil
moisture in mm. At
saturation
i) Very shallow soils Upto 10 16
ii) Shallow soil Above 10 & Upto 22.5 37
iii) Medium deep soils Above 22.5 & Upto 60 65 to 67
iv) Deep Soils Above 60 140
24. The above classification of soil types is broad based and there are bound to be
intricate local variations in the physical and chemical characteristics depending upon
number of variable factors. It is, therefore, extremely necessary to get the soils tested
well in advance while taking up afforestation and plantation works and to decide the
doses of manures and the base elements needed for proper growth of seedlings.
25. The National Bureau of Soil survey and Land Use Planning in co-operation with the
Department of Agriculture, Maharashtra evolved soil resource maps for the state of
Maharashtra and has also published soil-maps at 1:500,000 scale. Ahmednagar
Forest Division, has the following soil categories as per NBSS&LUP classification, the
polygon numbers and description of which is given below. The soil map of
Ahmednagar division is prepared on this basis. The polygon numbers of
Ahmednagar division are-
75,83,89,95,106,107,110,111,113,115,122,125,126,136,138,141,143,150,
163,164,165,175,176,178,187,193,209,211,212,231,241,243,244,254,258, 259 and
283.
75 Soils of dissected hills with escarpments with narrow valleys-very shallow, excessively
drained, loamy soils on moderately steeply sloping highly dissected escarpments of the
Northern Sahyadri with severe erosion ; associated with shallow, well-drained loamy soils
with moderate erosion.
83 Soils of dissected hills with escarpments with narrow valleys-shallow,, well drained, clayey
soils on moderately sloping highly dissected hill ranges on Northern Sahyadri with moderate
erosion; associated with slightly deep, moderately well drained, clayey soils with moderate
erosion.
89 Soils of Upper Maharashtra (Deccan) Plateau-very shallow, somewhat excessively drained,
loamy soils on moderately sloping summits/spurs with severe erosion and strong stoniness;
associated with rock outcrops.
95 Soils of Upper Maharashtra (Deccan) Plateau-very shallow, well drained, loamy soils, on
very gently sloping summits/spurs of upper plateau with moderate erosion; associated with
shallow, moderately well drained, loamy soils with moderate erosion.
106 Soils of Upper Maharashtra (Deccan) Plateau- Shallow, well drained, clayey soils on gently
sloping summits/spurs with moderate erosion associated with extremely shallow well
drained, clayey soils with moderate erosion and moderate stoniness.
107 Soils of Upper Maharashtra (Deccan) Plateau-Shallow, well drained, clayey calcareous soils
on gently sloping summits/spurs with moderate erosion; associated with slightly deep, well
drained, fine, calcareous soils with moderate erosion.
110 Soils of undulating lands-very shallow, somewhat excessively drained, loamy, calcareous
soils on gently sloping undulating lands with severe erosion; associated with very shallow,
somewhat excessively drained, loamy, calcareous soils with severe erosion.
111 Soils of undulating lands-very shallow, somewhat excessively drained, loamy, calcareous
soils on gently sloping undulating lands with severe erosion and moderate stoniness;
associated with shallow, well drained, clayey soils with moderate erosion.
113 Soils of undulating lands-extremely shallow, well drained, loamy soils on gently sloping
lands with severe erosion; associated with slightly deep, moderately well drained, fine,
calcareous soils with moderate erosion.
115 Soils of undulating lands-very shallow, well drained, loamy calcareous, soils on gently
sloping undulating lands with moderate erosion; associated with very shallow well drained,
loamy, calcareous soils with severe erosion and moderate stoniness.
122 Soils of undulating lands-shallow, well drained, loamy soils on gently sloping undulating
lands with moderate erosion; associated with moderately deep, moderately well drained,
loamy soils with moderate erosion.
125 Soils of undulating lands-very shallow, well drained, clayey soils on moderately sloping
undulating lands with moderate erosion and moderate stoniness; associated with very
shallow, well drained, clayey soils with moderate erosion.
126 Soils of undulating lands-slightly deep, somewhat excessively drained, loamy soils on gently
sloping and undulating lands with severe erosion; associated with slightly deep, well
drained, fine, calcareous soils with moderate erosion.
136 Soils of undulating lands-deep, well drained, fine soils on gently sloping lands with moderate
erosion; associated with moderately deep, well drained, fine, soils on gently sloping lands
with moderate erosion.
138 Soils of plains-deep, well drained, loamy, calcareous soils on very gently sloping plain with
moderate erosion; associated with moderately deep, well drained, fine, calcareous soils with
moderate erosion.
141 Soils of plains-shallow, well drained, loamy soils on moderately sloping lands with very
severe erosion and slight stoniness; moderately deep, well drained, clayey soils with
moderate erosion and slight stoniness.
143 Soils of plains-shallow, well drained, loamy, calcareous soils on very gently sloping plain
with moderate erosion; associated with very shallow, well drained, loamy, calcareous soils
with moderate erosion.
150 Soils of plains-deep, well drained, loamy, calcareous soils on very gently sloping plain with
slight erosion; associated with slightly deep, loamy, well drained, calcareous soils with
moderate erosion.
163 Soils of undulating lands with Mesas and Buttes-very shallow, excessively drained, loamy
soils on moderately sloping undulating lands, with mesas and buttes with severe erosion
and strong stoniness; associated with very shallow, excessively drained, clayey soils with
severe erosion.
164 Soils of undulating lands with Mesas and Buttes-extremely shallow, somewhat excessively
drained, clayey soils on moderately sloping undulating lands with mesas and buttes with
severe erosion and strong stoniness; associated with rock outcrops.
165 Soils of undulating lands with Mesas and Buttes-very shallow, well drained, clayey soils on
moderately sloping undulating lands with mesas and buttes with severe erosion; associated
with very shallow, well drained, clayey soils with severe erosion.
175 Soils of undulating lands with Mesas and Buttes-very shallow, somewhat excessively
drained, loamy, calcareous soils on gently sloping undulating lands with mesas and buttes
with severe erosion; associated with very shallow excessively drained, loamy soils with very
severe erosion and moderate stoniness.
176 Soils of undulating lands with Mesas and Buttes-slightly deep, well drained, fine, calcareous
soils on very gently sloping lands with mesas and buttes with moderate erosion; associated
with slightly deep, well drained, fine, calcareous foils with moderate erosion.
178 Soils of undulating lands with Mesas and Buttes-very shallow, well drained clayey soils on
gently sloping lands with mesas and buttes with moderate erosion; associated moderately
deep, moderately well drained, fine soils with moderate erosion.
187 Soils of Lower Maharashtra (Deccan) Plateau-soils of summits and spurs-very shallow, well
drained, loamy calcareous soils on gently sloping summits/spurs with severe erosion;
associated with very shallow well drained loamy soils with severe erosion.
193 Soils of Lower Maharashtra (Deccan) Plateau-soils of summits and spurs-shallow, well
drained, clayey, calcareous soils on gently sloping summits and spurs with moderate
erosion; associated with very shallow, well drained, clayey soils with moderate erosion.
209 Soils of undulating lands-slightly deep, moderately well drained, moderately calcareous, fine
soils, on very gently sloping lands with moderate erosion; associated with very shallow, well
drained clayey, moderately calcareous, soils with moderate erosion.
211 Soils of undulating lands-slightly deep, well drained,fine, moderately calcareous soils, on
very gently sloping lands with moderate erosion; associated with slightly deep, well drained,
fine soils with moderate erosions.
212 Soils of undulating lands-Slightly deep, well drained, fine, moderately calcareous soils on
gently sloping lands with moderate erosion; associated with slightly deep, well drained
clayey moderately calcareous soils with moderate erosion.
231 Soils of plains and valleys-very shallow, well drained, loamy soils on gently sloping lands
with severe erosion and moderate stoniness; associated with very shallow, well drained,
clayey soils with moderate erosion.
241 Soils of plains and valleys-Deep, well drained, fine soils on gently sloping plains and valleys
with slight erosion; associated with shallow, somewhat excessively drained, clayey soils with
moderate erosion.
243 Soils of plains and valleys-Moderately deep, moderately well drained, clayey soils on very
gently sloping plains and valleys with moderate erosion and slight salinity; associated with
deep, moderately well drained, clayey soils with moderate erosion.
244 Soils of plains and valleys-Slightly deep, moderately well drained, fine soils on very gently
sloping plains and valleys with moderate salinity; associated with moderately deep, well
drained clayey calcareous soils with moderate erosion.
254 Soils of plains and valleys-Deep, Moderately well drained, fine, calcareous soils on very
gently sloping plains and valleys with moderate erosion; associated with shallow, well
drained, clayey soils with moderate erosion.
258 Soils of plains and valleys-Very deep, moderately well drained fined, calcareous soils on
very gently sloping plains and valleys with moderate erosion; associated with shallow, well
drained, clayey soils with moderate erosion.
259 Soils of plains and valleys-Deep, moderately well drained, fine, calcareous soils on very
gently sloping plains with moderate erosion; associated with moderately deep, moderately
well drained, fine, calcareous soils with moderate erosion.
283 Soils of rolling lands with mesas and buttes-Very shallow, well drained, loamy soils on
gently sloping rolling lands with mesas and buttes with severe erosion and moderate
stoniness; associated with very shallow, well drained, clayey soils with moderate erosion.
26. The different types of soils-polygons found in each of the tehsils are depicted as
under:
s.no Tehsil Polygon numbers of soil types as per NBSS & LUP classification.
1 Akole 75,163,258,176,175,83.
2 Sangamner 126,176,138,107,143,150,211.
3 Shrirampur 211,258,243.
4 Rahata 211,258,243.
5 Kopargaon 212,211,258,126.
6 Rahuri 111,187,258,126,150,283,176,110.
7 Newasa 258,283,263.
8 Shevgaon 283,258,259,209.
9 Pathardi 283,259,89,209,164.
10 Parner 176,150,110,107,216,126,241,115,165.
11 Shrigonda 165,216,241,115,244,236.
12 Karjat 236,115,165,113,217,241,193,259,216,106.
13 Jamkhed 231,259,217,164,29,193,128,108.
14 Nagar 76,110,176,211,258,216,259,165,236.
27. The district receives rainfall mainly from the South – West monsoon, which normally
sets in during middle of June and ends by October. The distribution of the rainfall is
uneven and erratic in all the areas excepting Akola tahsil. The normal rainfall of the
area ranges between 5000 and 700 mm. Based on mean average annual rainfall the
district can be broadly divided into following three major zones.
a. ZONE I : This is the zone of heavy rainfall. Rainfall in this area is quite heavy
and ranges from 2000-4000 mm. Such area is confined to the western most
part in Akola tahsil
b. Zone II: This is the zone of medium rainfall. This is confined to Akola tahsil in
the west. The rainfall varies from 1000-2000 mm.
c. Zone III: this is the zone of low rainfall, spread over majority of the district
area. Areas in tehsils of Parner, Ahmednagar, Shrigonda parts of
Sangamner etc., predominantly have such areas.
28. The rainfall is most erratic and uncertainty prevails over normalcy. Moisture deficiency
during the major period of the year prevails all over the area. It is apparent that a
suitable choice of species would have to be made while carrying out plantation
programs, based upon the rainfall variation pattern. The fact finding committee of
Government of Maharashtra has reported that the rainfall is not dependable in the
following areas and those area likely to be affected by scarcity conditions:
Area Grade Estimated frequency of scarcity
Shrigonda tahsil and Rashin circle of Karjat A Once in 3 Years
tahsil
Parner, Ahmednagar & Karjat ( excluding B Once in 6 Years
Rashin Circle )
Sangamner, Pathardi and Jamkhed tahsils C Once in 10 Years
29. Thus only 6 tahsils out of 14 are free from scarcity conditions. They are Akola in the
west, and Kopargaon, Rahata, Shrirampur, Newasa, Rahuri and Shevgaon in the
northern part of the district. Out of these only Akola and Sangamner tahsils area
having substantial areas to be managed by the Forest Department
Figures compiled by the District Collectorate of the rainfall received in each of the
talukas between 1991 to 2003 during the months of June to October in each year,
depict the situation (Appendix no:II of Volume II).
30. The abstract of figures for rainfall for ease of appreciation of the situation are as under:
s.no Taluka Average rainfall (cms)
1 Akole 50.89
2 Sangamner 41.70
3 Shrirampur 46.40
4 Kopargaon 44.00
5 Rahuri 45.50
6 Newasa 53.10
7 Shevgaon 58.50
8 Pathardi 58.00
9 Parner 48.70
10 Srigonda 44.90
11 Karjat 49.30
12 Jamkhed 58.30
13 Nagar 53.10
14 Rahata 44.10
31. The incidence of total rainfall received in the district over the years is represented as
under:
Year Rainfall (cms) Year Rainfall Year Rainfall
(cms) (cms)
1990 906.8 1995 611.7 2000 686.8
1991 609.5 1996 862.8 2001 521.9
1992 566.6 1997 484.6 2002 576.6
1993 759.1 1998 1009.4 2003 424.2
1994 651.6 1999 532.7 2004 824.9
CLIMATE :
32. The climate of the district is extremely congenial. In winter season, which lasts from
November of February, the air is dry, cool and invigorating; a hot dry wind from North-
East gradually sets in blowing with varying force till middle of May. This is usually
succeeded by oppressive sultry weather, lasting, unless tempered by the showers,
which frequently precede the regular burst of south west monsoons, till middle of
June, when rains set in. The climate at once becomes temperate and pleasant. The
South-West monsoon lasts till the early part of October. During January-February,
light showers are not unusual, but thereafter till May the sky is always cloudless
33. There are very little variations as regards temperature in different parts of the district.
The following table gives the variations in temperatures in Centigrade in Ahmednagar
district.
Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mean 12.5 38.9 40.6 43.1 43.7 43.3 37.2 36.7 36.7 37.6 35.6 33.3
Min
temp
Mean 29.5 32 35.6 38 39.1 33.7 29.5 29.4 29.9 31.2 29.7 28.9
Max
temp
34. The water table is generally low and its depth varies from 5-15 m. from the ground
level. Rivers Godavari and Bhima area the principal rivers of the district. Pravara is
the main tributary of Godavari and it drains the water of Mula, Adhala and Mahalaungi
into Godavari. Sina, Kukadi and Ghod flow through the southern part a Perennial flow
of the district and join Bhima. Godavari, Bhima, Pravara, Mula, and Ghodhave a
perennial flow of water, while Adhala, Mahalungi, Kukadi and Sina are seasonal in
nature. Amongst all these rivers, the Pravara, Mula Ghod and Godavari have proved
to be a boon to the district. The irrigation network from these rives, has transformed
the economy of Shrirampur, Rahata, Kopargaon, Newasa, Rahuri and Shrigonda
tahsils from one of subsistence to that of prosperity and plenty. Since the last
scarcity, large numbers of percolation tanks have been constructed in other tahsils of
the district.
35. The forest area is very much unevenly distributed in this district. Major portion of
the forest area lies in Akola, Sangamner, Parner and Shrigonda tahsils. Newasa,
Kopargaon, Shevgaon and Shrirampur tahsils have negligible forest areas, while
Ahmednagar, Jamkhed, Pathardi, Karjat and Rahuri tahsils area having small
scattered areas under forest. The total area in- Charge of the territorial forest
department is 1375.94 Sq. km, which forms about 8.04% of the total geographical
area of the district. The distribution of the forest area in-charge of the Territorial forest
Department based on information furnished by the division is as under:
Sr Name of Name of Forest Area in ha. Geograp % of No of
No Taluka Range hical Fore Forest
Area in st Village
ha. Area s
Note: Total Geographical area of the district is 1704800 ha, of which an area of 8% is
forests. The break-up of area received for Compensatory Afforestation/in lieu of areas
diverted for Non-forest use under provisions of Forest Conservation Act, 1980 could not be
provided by the division, and in view of the situation explained above, the minor discrepancy
in area are expected to be smoothened out after due enquiry as suggested in the plan.
Details of the areas provided in the form of Beat-wise, Village wise areas by the Division
totalled up to 116483.14 hectares, which have been taken as the basis for further
computations.
36. The position of the Ahmednagar district vis-à-vis the reorganization orders issued for
creation of separate Independent Sub-division of Sangamner with 2 tehsils, would
then place the situation of area as Forest for revision of the working plan (as per
information given by the Division) as under :
37. The administrative set up for management of the forest areas with territorial divisions
in Ahmednagar division is as under:
SANGAMNER 6 13 35
AHMEDNAGAR 8 16 45
Total Ahmednagar 14 29 80
district (exl wildlife)
38. Area of the earlier plan was to the tune of 104753.640 hectares, for the plan period
1994-95 to 2003-04.With the acquisition of forest land from the Revenue department
over the years, other than the fresh lands acquired under the Compensatory
Afforestation, and areas which are part of the Wildlife sanctuaries handed over or in
the process of being handing over to the Wildlife Wing, there are changes in the area,
which are addressed to in this plan.
39. In order to appreciate the exact area under possession of the territorial division units, a
reconciliation excercise was jointly carried out by the Working plan division office with
the Division office, which led to identification of areas which were forests, but were
not shown as forests partly/completely, due to either non-possesion as they were
under non-forest use, apparently, as distributed status by the Revenue Department.
Such areas which were partly distributed were taken into account, and in order to
facilitate due enquiry followed by proper assignment of status, and the areas
accounted for. Further the district maps obtained from MRSAC, Nagpur, examined
using GIS interface-GEOMEDIA, supplemented by identification of forest lands with
help of data so compiled and in the presence of the Survey staff of both the offices,
led to identification of such areas as forests, and data so generated is further utilised
to draw coupes under various working circles as prescribed. Care has been taken to
take up afforestation works in such areas at a later stage of the plan period, by which
it is expected that the land status is settled after following the due process of law. The
details of the area so arrived at are reproduced below: (in hectares)
40. The Volume II of the plan shows in detail the information pertaining to the forest land of
the district along with the administrative units, under Annexures III, and V; the details
of Identified Forest Area under Annexure VI and those forest areas still under
Revenue under Annexure VII.
41. The information pertaining to the land of the District can be summarised as under
42. With the presence of diversion of forest area for various purposes not exactly depicted
in the record books with needful details such as nature and purpose of non-forest
use, orders permitting such use etc., and further not demarcated on the ground the
exact area with the Forest department is to be ascertained precisely.
43. Though some Forest Areas with the Revenue Department had been handed over back
to the Forest Department over the years, yet sizeable area lies still in custody of the
Revenue Department. The Forest Department is in the process of corresponding
with the Collector to take custody of such lands, and this needs to be completed at an
early stage. With the information during stock-mapping that some lands with the
Revenue had been distributed amongst persons for different purposes it is all the
more important to regularize this distribution and update the land records of the
Forest Department. Incidentally, rough records available with the Forest Department
Survey section speak of exact area in custody on paper, for a survey number, but fail
to pinpoint the exact location of the area distributed or not in our custody, and the
authority of such distribution not present in many cases. Hence it is all the more
important to treat all such areas as Forests, till their status is finalized and decide the
extent of Forest area actually in custody after settling and regularizing the Land
Records of the division. This work shall obviously be of the topmost priority for the
Territorial Division Staff.
44. There is a dire need to update the Form Number 1 of the Division in the proforma
prescribed by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Maharashtra
state, Nagpur. Perusal revealed that the register had not been updated in the last
two decades. However the Division has computerized most of the land records
information, barring details of diversion wherever made, which needs to be updated
and entered into a register format, with details of diversion/disforestation suitably
recorded and endorsed, and the true statistics of area in custody of the territorial
department finalized.
45. Reconciliation exercise conducted by the staff of the division and the working plan
staff led to identification of additional areas of forest which hitherto were not intimated
to the working plans, but were stockmapped by the staff, leading to an increase in the
area with the forest department. The details of the reconciliation exercise duly
ascertained find mention in the Vol II of the current plan and in the maps supplied to
the division and the details of such lands which merit immediate investigation and due
process as laid down by law are listed at Annexure LII of the Volume II of the plan.
46. The state of boundaries is unsatisfactory Actual demarcation has not been carried out
in many block and the boundaries which have undergone changes are not shown on
the maps. Consequently, there is considerable confusion about their position in the
past and were badly neglected as regards protection, they suffered extensively at the
hands of the growing population, which was interested in extending cultivation. This
was done at cost of forest which was further supplemented by the allotment of
extensive areas of reserved forest, for cultivation by the Revenue Department.
Excepting for the areas of Akola and part of Sangamner tahsils, survey sheets of any
scale area not available. Village maps of 8:1 mile scales are misleading to a greater
extent so far as the forest areas are concerned. This is due to the fact that each of
these villages was surveyed by triangulation method, which has given rise to cases
wherein the areas of adjoining villages either overlap or leave a gap. Consequently
their position in the field cannot be fixed.
47. The working plan of Nimbalkar and Mishra seized of this peculiar situation outlined a
special plan to undertake demarcation of forest lands in the district, the demarcation
programme which was to be completed in 10 years period. However progress in
implementation is far from satisfactory.
48. During the Nimbalkar & Mishra’s plan period and subsequently some progress has
been made in terms of erection of cement cairns/pillars as per the guidelines laid
down by the Government, however much is left to be desired. This coupled with
areas which have been apparently handed over apparently due to Revenue
Department orders in the intervening period, are yet to be demarcated on the ground
as well leading to a situation of confusion. Further in the absence of the process of
regularization of the eligible encroachments, or other orders pertaining to
allotment/diversion of forest lands for non-forest purposes, land statistics necessitate
reassessment and demarcation on ground as well on maps. The total number of
cement pillars erected along forest boundary is as under-
Year Large pillar Small pillar
2002-03 0 0
2005-06 280 90
5181 5448
49. In most cases, the physical definition of boundary is very difficult as lines are often not
clear and cairns are either missing, or are in a bad shape. The work of delineating
and fixing forest boundaries was to be taken up immediately even by appointing
special survey staff with a definite program as per earlier prescriptions, which
however could not pick up for reasons not clear. In fact, this work should have been
carried out immediately after creation of the division and taking over the area from the
Revenue Department. For want of these details on the ground, the working plan
regarding areas with certain unavoidable limitation as to the accuracy. The offices of
the Collector has been requested to furnish the details of the area diverted for
different purposes over the years, and such patches wherein discrepancy was
observed in the course of conducting stock mapping operation specifically identified
for further due course of action.
50. The forest areas have been identified to be subject to pressures of already distributed
land classified as ‘vatap lands’, use for non-forest purposes, under occupation yet to
be noted in the Divisional Forest Area Registers viz., the Form 1, thereby presented a
confusing picture on to the correctness of the area in custody with the Forest
Department. Stock-mapping by the Working Plan staff enabled in identifying such
problematic areas. Tripartite study involving Survey teams of the Working plan and
the Territorial division along with the Range Forest Officers who had done the
stockmapping, helped in identifying the forest areas using Geo-Media system and
maps generated using data obtained from MRSAC. Further detailed prescriptions
regarding such protective issues involving Land, in the plan period would definitely
assist in identifying, regularising and demarcating the forest lands.
51. Survey and demarcation programme of 10 years was prepared and shown in Appendix
in the earlier plan whose implementation too leaves much to be desired. Receipt of
insufficient grants in the initial periods coupled with receipt of grants in the later phase
after the plan period resulted in unsatisfactory implementation of the said programme.
With the acquisition and taking over of forest areas from Revenue Department in the
intervening period, there is a need for preparation of a new 5-year demarcation
programme for the entire district.
52. Fairly large areas were acquired by the British Government for forest conservancy,
before the Forest Act 1978. These areas were subsequently declared as Reserved
Forests under section 34 of the act. From time to time various settlements were
carried out and more areas brought under Forest Department for management.
However, a persistent demand for more land for cultivation and for extended grazing
facilities continued. This demand further urged that the Forest Department was not
managing these lands to the best advantage. As result, in 1903 and in subsequent
years, all the forest areas of the district excepting those of Akola and Sangamner
tahsils were transferred to the Revenue Department. Since the reconstitution of
Ahmednagar Sub- Division in 1955 and Ahmednagar Forest Division in 1962,
Portions of such areas are being transferred back to the Forest Department for
implementing various developmental schemes.
53. Reserved Forest area of 34024.300 hectares is still with the Revenue Department,
correspondence for handing over the area back to the Forest Department is still in
progress. Similarily an area of 1661.690 hectares, is with the Defence department,
Government of India. The details of the forest area with the Revenue Department are
appended separately in Annexure of the Vol II of the plan, the range-wise data
represented hereunder:
3 Rajur 16.87
4 Sangamner I 1680.05
5 Sangamner II 1570.00
8 Rahuri T 2200.00
10 Ahmednagar 7504.92
11 Parner 108.00
12 Takli-Dhokeswar 100.38
13 Pathardi 4074.00
14 Tisgaon 1345.61
15 Shrigonda I 2320.18
16 Shrigonda II 1235.00
17 Karjat 3739.00
18 Mirajgaon 2208.14
54. The only general rights with which these forests are burdened with are rights of way
and of access to and use of temples, wells, tanks and watering places. There area
rights of way and access to all temples situated within the forest area and holding of
worship and annual fairs at them is also admitted. The general privileges granted as
per article 132 of Bombay Forest Manual Vol. III are applicable to this area. Special
privileges sanctioned for Ahmednagar district area as per article 145 of Bombay
forest Manual Volume III
55. The protected forest are heavily burdened with concession as per revised rules 52 and
63 mentioned in part II- A of the Bombay Forest Manual Vol. II These concessions
are enjoyed by the Villagers of Kumshet, Shirpunj Khurd Ambit, Pachnai, Panjara,
Udadawne, Ghatghar, Samrad and Laawali- Kotul Enjoyment of few concessions viz.
Cultivation, burning of lime or charcoal collection of forest produce etc. granted to the
above mentioned villages have been prohibited as indicated in statutory order No.
above mentioned villages have been prohibited as indicated in statutory order No. 8
(a) and 9 (a) under Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Bombay Forest Rules, 1942( Part
II- A of Bombay Forest Manual Vol.II) However, under these statutory orders, the
villagers, who are permanently residing in the above villages are permitted to :
c. quarry or gather and remove stone for their own use for agriculture or domestic
purpose.All mango, Jamun, Hirda trees and Bamboos have been declared to be
reserved in protected forests.
56. NISTAR : In addition to the concessions above, the villagers enjoy ‘Nistar’ facilities
similar to those in vogue in vidarbha region. These have been extended to this area
as per order passed by the Government Resolution in Revenue and Forest
department No. FZT/ 1564/2239 dated 15 the January, 1968. Under these facilities
small timber below 60 cms. In girth, firewood and khod timber are sold to the villagers
in limited quantities at the concessional rates. This material can be used for their
bonafide agricultural and domestic purposes and not for sale or barter
*****************
CHAPTER – II
IIa - FLORA
1. The forests in Ahmednagar district are almost entirely limited in area to those lands,
which are found to be unsuitable for cultivation owing to their physical nature and this
remnant amounts to only about 8 to 9 percent of the total area of the district. The land is
scattered in strips and patches throughout the district. The pressure on the forest too
has played a role in limiting the area and has affected the composition and condition of
the vegetation to such an extent that no where it has remained in its natural form,
except those in extreme west which incidentally have received protection by constitution
of protected area ,almost barren and without any tree cover. This interference occurred
in the west mainly through repeated clear felling and burning for cultivation and in the
remaining area through excessive grazing by cattle and removal of tree growth either
for fuel or timber such actions have continued with varying intensity for a long period
prior to the handing over of these areas to the Forest Department for adopting
conservancy measures and systematic management.
2. The following three main types of forests are represented in this Division
3. With the increase in rainfall towards the West, the growth becomes somewhat better
than that in the Eastern part of the district. The deciduous species being more useful to
the Man have been constantly removed and this removal coupled with excessive
grazing has resulted in reduction of humus, heavy erosion and general impoverishment
of the soil. This has led to increased xerophytic conditions with preponderance of thorny
species in areas of the central zone, where originally Mixed Deciduous Forests should
have existed. The areas are mostly supporting shrub species with varied presence of
species like Salai (Boswellia serrata), Dhavada (Anogeissus latifolia), Moin (Lannea
coromandelica), Aola (Emblica officinalis), Ain (Terminalia tomentosa), Beheda
(Terminalia bellerica), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Maharukh (Ailanthus excelsa),
Bondara (Lagerstroemia parviflora) and teak (Tectona grandis). Good growth in teak is
noticed in well protected privately owned areas with Karvand (Carissa congesta),
Dhayaty (Woodfordia fruticousa), Tambat (Flacourtia latifolia), Sabar (Euphorbia spp),
Nirgudi (Vitex negundo ) and Lantana (Lantana camara) etc., are noticed as an
undergrowth. Due to excessive grazing, growth of palatable grasses is scanty, growth of
Kusali, phuli and rosha grasses are noticed.
4. Towards the west as the rainfall increases, evergreen species are seen inter-mixed with
the deciduous species with patches of purely evergreen patches. Excessive grazing
coupled with increased anthropogenic activity in the past has resulted in a considerable
extension of the deciduous belt towards the west and hence it is difficult to say whether
the rainfall has become a limiting factor for the evergreen forests. For having better
growth and comparatively higher yield of grass, ruthless cutting of tree species has
destroyed the vegetative cover leaving majority of hill slopes barren. In the areas
covered with tree growth, Mango, Jamun, Hida and Aola occur in the top storey. Anjani
( Memcylon edule), pisa ( Actinodaphne hookeri), Pangara (Erythrina variegata),
Lokhandi ( lxora parviflora), Bhoma ( Glochidion lanceolarium) and Gel ( Catunargeum
spinosa) are noticed in the undrestorey. Very few bamboo clumps are noticed along
water courses. Karvand (Carissa congesta), pandhari (Murraya paniculata) rameta
(Laxiosiphon eriocephalus), Karva (Strobilanthes ixiocephalus), Karvi (Strobilanthes
callosus), occur as under growth. Lantana is invading the transition belt between the
deciduous and semi-evergreen forest. Chilar (Caesalpinia sepiaria), Ukasi (Calycopteris
floribunda), Gunj (Abrus Precatorius), and Kuhila – (Mucuna pruriens) are main
climbers. Phuli, Pawanya and Kusli are the main grasses. Karvand and Karvi appear
invading the open patches having more than 2500 mm. Rainfall, in almost gregarious
propotions. The natural regeneration of Anjani, Pisa, Mango, Jamun, Pangara and
Lokhandi is noticed in sheltered protected patches. Coppice growth of Aola. Jamun and
Pisa is noticed in areas prone to illicit cuttings. Due to excessive grazing prevailing in
the area, bamboo regeneration is not noticed anywhere through it is reported by the
local people that gregarious flowing had taken place in the forest areas around
Bhandardara, the details of which are not available.
5. The important agencies causing damage to the forest growth are Anthropogenic in
nature-Illicit cutting, Fires and Grazing being the principal ones. Other injuries due to
agencies like Wild Animals, Climbers and weeds, Pests and Diseases, Parasites etc.,
play a minor role.
6. Forest growth in this region has already suffered an irreparable damage by human
agency mainly through encroachments, illicit cuttings and setting of fires. This has led to
destruction of forest leaving majority of the areas without any tree cover, there by
exposing them to further deterioration through atmospheric agencies. In the heavy
rainfall zone, where large forest areas were left unorganized, the role of protection was
neglected to its utmost, the subordinates at times reluctant to reside at their
headquarters located within the area. Naturally, the local villagers took advantage of the
situation and have encroached over extensive forest areas clearing the growth on
moderate slopes and sometimes even on steep slopes resulting in loss of forest cover,
leading to heavy soil erosion. Honey combing of the forest area as a result of orders of
the Collector, Ahmednagar district to people coupled with poor demarcation on ground
exacerbated the situation. The single factor that all the areas were with Revenue
Department earlier in the early 1900, and that were handed over to the Forest
Department gradually, with still some area remaining with the Revenue Department,
played a major role in ensuring that the forest areas were bereft of ideal tree growth
since inception over a major area in the District.
7. ILLICIT CUTTING : The forest vegetation in the medium rainfall areas have been
described as mixed deciduous forest with teak as the principal species in Garland`s
plan. However, the present position of teak is far from satisfactory. Not a single timber
yielding teak tree is noticed in this tract. Even the coppice of the teak, as soon as it
attains sapling stage, is illicitly cut and removed. Due to demand for fuel wood even the
standing miscellaneous growth has been removed illicitly. In the low rainfall area, even
shrubs and weeds are not allowed to grow and are removed the nearby population for
use as fuel. Lopping of trees for ‘Tahal’ is a common agricultural practice in high rainfall
zone areas. Tahal is used for burning rabs in paddy fields, before the monsoon sets in.
In addition to Tahal cuttings, the villagers collect all fallen leaves too and thus
impoverish the soil by denying incorporation of hums material.
8. The loss to the forests of Ahmednagar through various types of offences booked over
the past in the form of number of cases drawn from the division Annual Adminstration
Reports is documented in the table as under:
Year Fire Illicit felling Grazing encroachment others Total including Number at
previous years closer
9. FIRE : Considerable damage has been caused to the forest growth, even in the high
rainfall areas by fires. Fires are mostly intentional and set in the forest by human
agency for various reasons such as illegal hunting, collection of gum, honey, fruits of
hirda, fruits and flowers of mohwa. Apart from this, to obtain better and luxuriant growth
of grass during early stage of monsoon the forest are set on fire by innumerable
graziers grazing their cattle, sheep and goats in this area. Such repeated annual fires
kill all the regeneration and shrubs and bushes by direct physical effect. They alter the
nature of soil by burning humus and other ingredients. This ultimately results in
reduction in the moisture absorption and retention capacity of the soil. Reduction of soil
cover exposes the soil to the adverse influences of the atmospheric agencies like heat,
wind, rainfall etc. and results in initiation of soil erosion. The cumulative effect is seen in
the form of extensive denuded and barren areas incapable of producing even inferior
grasses. The facts and figures do not reflect the exact nature of damage, and many a
times the incidences of fire find no mention in the forest records.
10. DOMESTIC ANIMALS: The forests are subjected to heavy pressure of grazing by large
herds of economic and uneconomic cattle population from the surrounding villages. The
following table represents that Cows & Bulls in association with Goats are the major
constituents posing pressure on the lands in the district. The tehsil wise breakup of the
cattle/livestock population drawn from the District Socio-Economic Survey report for the
year 2006-07, based on figures recorded in 2003 reflects the situation as under:
Tehsil Cows & Buffaloe Sheep Goats Other Total Forest area % to geo
bullocks s livstck ’ha’ area
13. WILDLIFE :
Wildlife in the tract is localized and consequently the damage on this account too
localized. However, damage to plantations by rats, monkeys, porcupines, rabbits and pigs
is noticed. Black bucks, wherever they exist, have damaged Subabool seedlings in the
plantations. Crop raiding in the private farm lands in the area adjoining the forests,
incidences of loss of human life and attack on human beings is confined to pockets and is
on the rise.
14. PLANTS :
Damage due to plants such as climbers, shrubs and weeds is not noticed in medium and
low rainfall areas. However, in the western part of high rainfall zone, damage by climbers
is noticed in some wooded patches. Where formerly shifting cultivation or ruthless
exploitation have removed the tree canopy, Karva and Karvi show a strong tendency to
become so dominant as to resist regeneration of tree species.
a) HEAVY RAINFALL:
The western most portion of this division is occupied by the hill ranges of Sahaydri.
The hills are having steep and precipitous slopes with exposed rock surfaces. Rainfall in this
tract is quite heavy and exceeds 3000 mm. It comes in the form of torrential downpour in the
monsoon i.e. from June to September. The slopes being very steep and of exposed rock
surfaces, absorption of rainwater is minimal. Water rushes to the gullies, nalas and rivers
with high velocity, causing heavy damage to the surface soil, washing down boulders as well
as uprooting tree growth on the upper banks of nalas and rivers.
b) WIND : Slight damage due to high velocity winds is noticed in western fringes. In
rest of the areas it is negligible. Pockets of reasonable wind velocity do exist in the district
which are being tapped by concerned agencies to generate Electricity from Wind energy by
way of installing Wind Mills.
1. The tract dealt with was fairly rich in the number and variety of Wild life.
Ahmednagar district by virtue of having a large geographical area spreading from
the Western Ghats to the drier drought affected areas, by virtue of the diversity in
climate and vegetation supports varied wildlife. Areas supporting wildlife have
been identified over the years, notified as ‘Protected Areas’, management plans
prepared for conservation of the wildlife therein, placed under administration of
Wildlife Wing for the purpose. Ecological changes coupled with greater protection
to the fauna with the implementation of the Wildlife Protection (Conservation) Act
1992, has led to an increase in Man-Animal conflict in specific areas of the division,
necessitating measures to manage Wildlife.
2. The Protected Areas though have legally defined boundaries, have no clearly
established Ecological boundaries, with the faunal populations including reptiles,
mammals, avifauna venturing outside the legal limits into adjoining areas for
foraging and breeding, thereby establishing the importance and need to evolve a
proper approach in their management. The Protected Area network in the
Ahmednagar district is represented as under:
Name of Protected Area Notified Talukas Forest Managed By
Area Area
Jaikwadi bird sanctuary 34105 ha Newasa, Nil DCF wl Aurangabad
Shevgaon
Kalsubai-Harishchandragad 29909 ha Akole, 18249 CF wl Nashik
wildlife sanctuary. Rajura
Rehekuri Blackbuck wildlife 217.31 ha Karjat 217.31 CF wl Pune
sanctuary
Great Indian Bustard Wildlife 337976 ha Newasa 23110.51 DCF Ahmednagar (for
sanctuary (over both Karjat (1897.19 area in nagar)
Ahmednagar & Solapur Shrigonda ha with
districts) revenue
5. The Great Indian Bustard Wildlife Sanctuary, notified over 8496 sq.kms of the
districts of Solapur and Ahmednagar, on 27th September 1979, is found in the
tehsils of Shrigonda, Karjat and Newasa of Ahmednagar district. Grassland fauna
are found in abundance in the area, with the Great Indian Bustard the key species
of the area. The Management plan of the protected area is prepared by the Wildlife
wing at Pune, yet the areas in Ahmednagar are with the territorial offices of
Ahmednagar for conservation and management. Final process of notification of the
area is in progress.
7. Ahmednagar district blessed with variable climatic conditions supports varied fauna
which have settled in the area. Accordingly it has been observed that the Panthers
are confined more in the Western part of the district, the Black Buck to the Eastern
part and a few localized in pockets of the district, thereby necessitating special
strategy in their management. The division had reported presence of wild animals
including panther (80), Jackal (227), wolf (235), hare (491), common fox (147,
peacock (379),hyena (50), black buck (1718), common langur (128), porcupine
(66), chinkara (378), mongoose (178), wild boar (12), wild cat (34), rhesus
macaque (125), common palm civet (17) in the year 2005 after conducting a
detailed census of wildlife in the division. The census extracts of the district
excluding the Protected Areas as has been vetted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of
Maharashtra as “The Wildlife Population Estimation-2005” wherein barring the
Panther population, the other animals being that of Waterhole count, is reproduced
as under:
S.No Wild Animal No of Animals
1 Panther Male Female Cubs undecided Total
34 35 11 0 80
2 Fox (kokhad) 147
3 Jackal (Kolha) 227
4 Indian Wolf (landga) 235
5 Wild Boar (randukkar) 12
6 Rhesus Macaque 125
7 Common Langur 128
8 Chinkara 0
9 Black Buck (kalvit) 1718
9. Forest fires, which occur often, not recorded truthfully, destroy the natural habitat of
the Forest Fauna, coupled with the scarcity of water forces the animals to migrate.
Poaching is also a threat to the very existence of the animals. The number of
wildlife offences registered in recent years is given in the following table:
Year Offences registered Year Offences registered
1998-99 4 2004-05 1
1999-00 5 2005-06 2
2000-01 1 2006-07 2
2001-02 1 2007-08 2
2002-03 2 2008-09 3
2003-04 2
Compensations have been given as per the norms provided in the Govt. Resolution.
SECTION 4: LEGAL POSITION.
The Wild Life Protection Act 1972 is applicable and being implemented for protection
and preservation of the Wild Life.
************
CHAPTER – III
1. Ahmednagar district, the largest district in the state of Maharashtra spreads over an
area 17048 sq.kms, and the population is primarily dependant on Agriculture. The vital
statistics of the district are as under: (source District Socio-Economic Survey, 2006-07)
4. Cities 18 18 378
5. CROP PATTERN : Kharif, Rabi and Summer are the three seasons during which
different crops are taken in the district. During Kharif season the crops usually taken
include-Paddy, Bajra, Jowar, Rai, Nachani, amongst cereals; with pulses amongst
Redgram, Mung, math, Ground nut; and Sunflower (oil seeds). During the Rabi season
the crops seen are Jowar, Wheat, Gram, Jawas; with Summer seeing few crops where
irrigation potential is there amongst Ground nut, Maize, Sunflower crops and
vegetables.
6. MAJOR, MEDIUM AND MINOR IRRIGATION PROJECTS :There are two major
irrigation projects, seven medium irrigation projects and 107 minor irrigation projects in
the district. Mula and Bhandardara are the two major irrigation projects in the district.
Irrigation is also available from Gangapur, Ghod and Kukadi major irrigation projects
which are in the adjoining district. The irrigation potential of the above projects is 92
thousand hectares. Visapur, Adnala, Pargaonghatsheel, Mandohol, Takilban and
Mahesangvi are the medium Irrigation Projects with 66 thousand hectares potential.
There area 107 minor irrigation projects with the irrigation potential of 53 thousand
hectares. Well irrigation covers about 253,000 Hectares.
7. In order to arrive at the approximate demand arrived at of the forest produce in the
Ahmednagar district based on assumptions of the average need of a family in the
district an estimate was computed based on daily consumption. The earlier plan has
placed the demand of timber as 17,835 cubic metres ( average @ 0.03 cumt per family
per year) and firewood as 12,84,141 metric tones ( average @ 2.16 MT per family per
year). With 10% of the Livestock located in Ahmednagar district, as against the
condition at the time of preparation of earlier plan in the late 1980’s when it was 6.52%
of the state population of livestock, the demand for fodder is very high and on the rise.
Much of the need is met from the agricultural waste; and in practice it is common to find
cattle loitering around grazing with gay abandon in the forests of the district, and is one
of the principal causes for failure in afforestation exercise of the department. However
of late with increase proportion of rearing Hybrid Milch cattle stall feeding has picked up.
Nevertheless there is a shortage for fodder in the district.
8. With the total number of families placed at 7.76 lakhs, with 6.20 lakhs located in rural
areas (as per 2006-07 socio-economic survey), with the total number of wooden
ploughs placed at 20,000 and bullock carts at 53,000, an attempt to arrive at a nominal
demand based on the yardsticks used in earlier plan arrive at a demand of timber at
23,280 cubic metres and firewood for rural persons at 13,39,200 metric tones.
9. There were 15 bidi manufactures with 184 branches, employing about 20,000
labourers earlier, with their requirement of tendu leaf being drawn from the neighbouring
areas bearing tendu. However of late there has been a decline in the industry especially
in Nagar district, with many of them closing down, and of the registered tobacco based
7 firms only 5 are in operation with just 1040 labour on their rolls, the few present import
their requirement from other productive areas.
10. Of the 168 registered wood based industry (other than plywood) the socio-economic
survey mentions that 153 are in operation762 labourers; and the 3 plywood based
industry employ 31 labour on their rolls.
11. Except for a small area in the extreme west, the rest of the forest area of this division is
almost barren and devoid of any tree growth. Timber and firewood is imported from
other districts such as Thana, Nashik, Chandrapur, Amrawati etc. Ahmednagar
Kopargaon, Shrirampur, Jamkhed and Karjat are main marketing centres.
12. Practically no forest produce, excepting small quantities of ‘Hirda’ fruits, tendu leaves
and Apta leaves can be extracted from the forest. The availability of important forest
produce in the division is as under : -
1. Timber: Teak, which is the principal timber species, is not available in most
parts of the division. Secondary species like Dhawada, Ain, Salai, Bija etc.
are also not available. Because of paucity of any timber, the local population
has turned to ‘Neem’ and ‘Babhul’ as their principal substitute for teak. This
explains the large scale illicit cutting of these two species from road sides and
an almost total absence of them from private lands, whereas formerly people
specially preserved these trees for leaf fodder. Though the area in charge of
the forest department in this division amounts to about 8 to 9 percent of the
total geographical area of the district, majority of the entire area is
unproductive and barren. Due to excessive maltreatment, overgrazing and
annual fires in the past, the forest area of the district, almost lost their
productive capacity Major portion of the area is beyond repairs and no tree
species can easily be raised in it. However with special efforts by adopting
soil and moisture conservation measures, some areas have been brought
under the tree cover in the recent past, yet it is too early to predict scientific
basis of systematic exploitation of the forests to meet partial demands of the
population.
2. Fuel: As stated above almost the entire forest area is unproductive and
barren. The availability of fuel from other than forest area had been computed
in the earlier plan, whose figures have been after due examination revised
with an increase ranging from 5 to 10 % accounting for the changes in the
district in the last decade; and depicted as under:
(a) Cowdung 3,88,830 M. Tonnes.
(b) Agricultural waste 1,78,200 M. Tonnes.
(c) Saw Mills 15,000 M. Tonnes.
(d) Private lands 1,25,400 M. Tonnes.
(e) Cooking gas 47,851 M. Tonnes.
Total 7,55,281 M. Tonnes.
This leaves a gap of about 5.90 lakh Metric Tonnes. It is on this count that it is
a common slight to see people indulging in illicit cutting of roadside trees or
resorting to cutting plantations, removing even bushy growth from forest
areas. Virtually any thing which can burn is used as fuel. The forest area is so
degraded that it is very difficult to meet shortage of fuel.
1 Fuelwood 205
3 Dry dung 35
2 Nonforested rural 65
3 Urban areas 17
5 Cottage industry 22
6 Rituals 4
7 Restaurants etc 14
TOTAL 205
3. The study by IIM Ahmedabad reveals the picture regarding consumption of
Biomass used for different purposes in India represented as :
5. Tendu Leaves : There is little availability of Tendu leaf in the division, the
single Tendu Unit with the capacity of 500 standard bags, is often unsold in
the auction conducted by the State Forest Department.
7. Agave Leaves: Many old plantations are having agave fencing. Agave leaves
used to be collected and used for manufacture of fibres and ropes. However
over the years with increase in mechanization and change in life styles, there
has been a visual decline in the practice of preparation of ropes from Agave
fibres.
8. Other miscellany forest produce like Sitaphal fruits too are obtained from the
forests, the yields of the produce over the last decade are represented below
for perusal.
Year Tendu (standard Grass Hirda (quintals) Sitaphal
bags) (tonnes) (kilograms)
2001-02 - - 446.17 -
2003-04 - - 406.12 -
2004-05 - - 406.12 -
2005-06 - - 177.93 -
2006-07 - - 151.37 -
13. The broad-gauge single line Manmad –Daund Railway enters the district at lsgaon in
the North and emerges out in South at Daund thus, traversing the distance of 197 K.Ms.
14. The National Highway connecting Pune and Nashik passes through the District, and is
the lifeline connecting to the major highway from Mumbai to Agra. Other important
roads traversing across the district include Pune-Nagpur, Daund-Nagar-Rahuri-Nashik,
Ahmednagar-Jamkhed-Beed roads.
The information regarding roads is as under. The figures in parenthesis are those
mentioned in the earlier plan.
Sr.No. Category Incharge of P.W.D Incharge of Z.P. Total K.Ms.
K.Ms. K.Ms.
1 National Highway 202 (61) 0 (0) 202 (61)
2 Major state Highways 19.37 (78) 0 (18) 19.37 (96)
3 State Highways 1641 (1635) 0 1641 (1635)
4 Major District Roads 2693 (1015) 0 (1555) 2693 (2570)
5 Other District Roads O (21) 3345 (3221) 3345 (3242)
6 Village Roads 0 (0) 4527 (4311) 4527 (4311)
Total 4555.37 (2810) 7872 12427.37 (11915)
(9105)
In all 1476 villages of the total 1579 inhabited villages (93.50%) are connected by all weather
roads. It is an observation that there is a visual increase in the road network of the district,
and with the poorly demarcated forest lands which at many places are barren lands; with
exposed stony outcrops, are creating hassles.
15. No harvesting of timber or firewood was done during the last plan period. The Forest
Labour Co-operative societies are absent in the district.
16. In the absence of regular exploitation of forests, no such information on the past and
current prices is furnished separately. Ahmednagar is mainly having forests on
degraded land, and is under the process of undergoing greening, over the years, and is
yet to yield commercially.
Chapter IV
ACTIVITIES OF FOREST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN
HARVESTING AND MARKETING OF FOREST PRODUCE
1. As the total forest area in the tract dealt with is to the tune of 22% of total geographical
area and with the best natural forests given higher degree of protection-conservation by
constitution into Protected Areas as Wildlife Sanctuary, leaving roughly 18% of the
Geographical area with the Territorial division, which is borne on poor soil strata and
supports poor quality of growth despite repeated afforestation, leaves plenty of scope for
allied wings of the Forest Sector viz., the Social Forestry department to make its
presence felt. As a matter of fact the activity of the Social Forestry Department and the
extension activities of the Forest department could positively foster the cause of
Environment consciousness, leading to emergence of personalities like Sh.Annasaheb
Hazare of Ralegaon Shindi, Sh.Popatrao Powar of Hivre Bazar amongst individuals and
organizations such as WOTR, who have pioneered in the field of Water Conservation and
Forestry.
2. First working plans were introduced between 1894 and 1908 and they were written for
different regions. Prior to these plans fellings were carried out in unsystematic manner
and fellings were done by government agencies, privilege holders and felling for firewood
by non-privilege population on a permit system. In general the fellings were confined to
teak and blackwood. The exploitation was confined to large and sound trees leaving
crooked and diseased trees. The permit system also led to malpractices and had
deleterious effect on the forests, thereby affecting regeneration.
3. The Working plans for the Ahmednagar district, were principally for the areas in tehsils
Akola and Sangamner, till they were part of Nashik division, along with the working plan
for Nashik, and later upon annexation with Pune division, along with areas of Shrigonda
continued to be treated with plans for Pune division. Earlier plans by R.S.F.Fagan in
1900, Dodgson in 1905, and Thomson.D.A later which continued till 1932-33 were the
plans under which forest areas in Nagar district were worked. Later working plan
prepared by Garland in 1932-33 was in operation for greater period of time.
4. Post Independence saw transfer of areas admeasuring about 3200hectares in Rahuri and
Shrigonda talukas for afforestation, which gave good results, encouraged by which
Ahmednagar forest division was independently created in the year 1962.
FIRST FIVE-YEAR PLAN (1951 to 1956):
5. The first Indian Prime Minister, Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru presented the first five-year plan to
the Parliament of India on December 8, 1951. The total plan budget was allocated to
seven broad areas: irrigation and energy (27.2 percent), agriculture and community
development (17.4 percent), transport and communications (24 percent), industry (8.4
percent), social services (16.64 percent), land rehabilitation (4.1 percent), and other (2.5
percent). The plan promoting the idea of a self reliant closed economy was developed by
Prof. P. C. Mahalanobis of Indian Statistical Institute and borrowed the ideas from
USSR's five year plans developed by Domer. The plan is often referred to as the Domer-
Mahalanobis Model. The target growth rate was 2.1 percent annual gross domestic
product (GDP) growth; the achieved growth rate was 3.6 percent. During the first five-
year plan the net domestic product went up by 15 percent. The monsoons were good and
there were relatively high crop yields, boosting exchange reserves and per capita income,
which went up 8 percent. Lower increase of per capita income as compared to national
income was due to rapid population growth. Many irrigation projects were initiated during
this period, including the Bhakra Dam and Hirakud Dam. The World Health Organization,
with the Indian government, addressed children's health and reduced infant mortality,
contributing to population growth.
6. Working plans of Garland were in implementation during this period in Ahmednagar
district. Ahmednagar district forest areas principally of Akole and Sangamner along with
parts of Shrigonda were treated along with Pune district plans and the emphasis was on
afforestation activity only. The species tried out included Neem on a large scale. Large
scale transfers of forest area from Revenue to Forest department took initiative with more
than 3200 hectares in Rahuri and Srigonda transferred to Forest for afforestation.
Emphasis was on felling of trees in forested patches, coupled with Pasture development
measures.
7. The second five-year plan focused on industry, especially heavy industry. Domestic
production of industrial products was encouraged, particularly in the development of the
public sector. The plan followed the Mahalanobis model, an economic development
model developed by the Indian statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in 1953. The
plan attempted to determine the optimal allocation of investment between productive
sectors in order to maximise long-run economic growth . It used the prevalent state of art
techniques of operations research and optimization as well as the novel applications of
statistical models developed at the Indian Statiatical Institute.
8. The working plan prescriptions of Garland continued to be implemented, and the good
forests of Western Ghats continued to be exploited.
9. The third plan stressed on agriculture and improving production of rice, but the brief Sino-
Indian War in 1962 exposed weaknesses in the economy and shifted the focus towards
defense. In 1965-1966, the Green Revolution in India advanced agriculture. The war led
to inflation and the priority was shifted to price stabilization. The construction of dams
continued. Many cement and fertilizer plants were also built. Punjab began producing an
abundance of wheat. Many primary schools were started in rural areas. In an effort to
bring democracy to the grassroot level, Panchayat elections were started and the states
were given more development responsibilities.
10. Ahmednagar forest division was independantly created in 1962, with greater areas
handed over from Revenue to Forests. Emphasis in this plan period was on
Afforestation, and involved raising of plantations involving mixture of species over 2500
hectares in the period, planting of Bamboo over 1100 hectares in Akole tehsil alone, and
massive plantations of Agave all over the district starting from 1965. There was no
special plan prepared as such, with Garland’s plan being the guideline.
11. The period saw large emphasis on raising plantations involving Mixture of species
including Nilgiris, Neem, Babul along with pure plantations of Agave species on hardy
rocky areas. This period also saw efforts to improve the fodder situation and special
efforts to raise plantations involving fodder species aimed at fodder and pasture
development initiated.
12. At this time Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. The Indira Gandhi government
nationalized 19 major Indian banks. In addition, the situation in East Pakistan (now
independent Bangladesh) was becoming dire as the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and
Bangladesh Liberation War took place.
13. Funds earmarked for the industrial development had to be used for the war effort.
India also performed the Smiling Buddha underground nuclear test in 1974, partially in
response to the United States deployment of the Seventh Fleet in the Bay of Bengal to
warn India against attacking West Pakistan and widening the war.
14. The prescriptions of the Garland plan continued to be a guidestone; in the year 1972-
73 a special plan for development of Mutha Catchment development was developed
which envisaged catchment treatment in tehsils of Rahuri, Akole, Sangamner till 1973-74,
however could never see the light of the day. Areas in Nagar forest division continued to
be afforested with emphasis on Soil & Moisture Conservation under different schemes.
Drought Prone Area Development Programmes took off on a great way, with forest
department actively covering afforestation programmes coupled with Soil and Moisture
conservation measures in the area.
15. Stress was laid on employment, poverty alleviation, and justice. The plan also
focused on self-reliance in agricultural production and defense. In 1978 the newly elected
Morarji Desai government rejected the plan. Electricity Supply Act was enacted in 1975,
which enabled the Central Government to enter into power generation and transmission
16. Maharashtra pioneered in the Country, by bringing an Employment Guarantee
Scheme (EGS scheme), and promulgated an Act in the direction, ensuring guarantee of
employment, within 8 kilometres of radius of radius for any able bodies and willing
workperson, at nominal rates decided by the Government. This programme was a rural
oriented programme.
17. Progress in DPAP led to formation of a separate division under IDA fund, which
continued work till 1981-82, after which it merged with the division. The period saw
intensive afforestation programme in tehsils of Pathardi, Jamkhed, Parner, Shrigonda,
Karjat, and Ahmednagar under different schemes and the Employment Guarantee
Scheme made a big impact on the forest sector in Ahmednagar.
ANNUAL PLAN (1979 – 1980) AND SIXTH FIVE-YEAR PLAN (1980 – 85):
18. Called the Janata government plan, the sixth plan marked a reversal of the
Nehruvian model. When Rajiv Gandhi was elected as the prime minister, the young prime
minister aimed for rapid industrial development, especially in the area of information
technology. Progress was slow, however, partly because of caution on the part of labor
and communist leaders. The Indian national highway system was introduced for the first
time and many roads were widened to accommodate the increasing traffic. Tourism also
expanded.
19. The sixth plan also marked the beginning of economic liberalization. Price controls
were eliminated and ration shops were closed. This led to an increase in food prices and
an increased cost of living.
20. During this period, the decision was taken to regularize the encroachments upon
forestland for the encroachers of the period from 1/9/1972 to 31/3/1978, close on the
heels of the decision on forests of the Ahmednagar district leased on Eksali basis to be
handed over to the cultivators in 1969 by the State Government.
21. The period saw increased activity of Afforestation activity, with Forest Development
Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd., also entering the fray in areas of Sangamner tehsil.
22. The Seventh Plan marked the comeback of the Congress Party to power. The plan
lay stress on improving the productivity level of industries by up-gradation of technology.
23. Ahmednagar division continued to be afforested over large areas. Biotic pressures
coupled with poor soil conditions prevented establishment and conversion of the crop.
This period saw afforestation under EGS and Massive afforestation schemes at the rate
of 1000 hectares a year by FDCM alone and by the department on 2500 hectares on an
average.
24. this period also saw some experiments grounded in refractory areas of the division,
and involved steps like blasting rocky gravelly soils, to plant saplings, taking deeper
WATs along contour, and sow Prosopis seed in the bottom of the trench, which
established as a bio-mass and absorption trench for surface run-off over select areas in
Sangamner tehsil.
25. Steps to prepare revised working plan for the areas in Ahmednagar got underway,
with the SOFR unit conducting systematic floristic studies in Akole tehsil, the working
plans preparation work was given to the Working plans division Nashik.
26. 1989-91 was a period of political instability in India and hence no five year plan was
implemented. Between 1990 and 1992, there were only Annual Plans. In 1991, India
faced a crisis in Foreign Exchange (Forex) reserves, left with reserves of only about $1
billion (US). Thus, under pressure, the country took the risk of reforming the socialist
economy. P.V. Narasimha Rao)(28 June 1921 – 23 December 2004) also called Father of
Indian Economic Reforms was the twelfth Prime Minister of the Republic of India and
head of Congress Party, and led one of the most important administrations in India's
modern history overseeing a major economic transformation and several incidents
affecting national security. At that time Dr. Manmohan Singh (currently, Prime Minister of
India) launched India's free market reforms that brought the nearly bankrupt nation back
from the edge. It was the beginning of privatization and liberalization in India.
27. the period saw inspired leadership in the form of Sh. Annasaheb Hazare, from
Ralegaon Shinde, which revolutionised the approach to Rural Development. All the
departments involved in rural development integrated their schemes for development of a
village, and preparation of micro-plans for the purpose aimed at soil and water
conservation became the pioneering efforts not only in the district but also in the State
and Country as well.
28. Modernization of industries was a major highlight of the Eighth Plan. Under this plan,
the gradual opening of the Indian economy was undertaken to correct the burgeoning
deficit and foreign debt. Meanwhile India became a member of the World Trade
Organization on 1 January 1995.This plan can be termed as Rao and Manmohan model
of Economic development. The major objectives included, containing population growth,
poverty reduction, employment generation, strengthening the infrastructure, Institutional
building, Human Resource development, Involvement of Panchayat raj,
Nagarapalikas,N.G.Os and Decentralisation and peoples participation. Energy was given
prority with 26.6% of the outlay. An average annual growth rate of 6.7%against the target
5.6% was achieved.
29. Various developmental agencies involved themselves in Rural development works.
In addition to Ralegaon Shinde’s success under the able leadership of Sh. Annasaheb
Hazare, other agencies like WOTR under the Indo-German Watershed Programme took
initiative and led the involvement of people in soil and water conservation works. A land
mark decision in forestry was taken by Government of Maharashtra on 16th of March to
involve the people by Joint Forest Management(JFM) for degraded forests.
30. the period saw increased afforestation activity under different schemes and
Ahmednagar division on an average each year afforested about 4000 hectares of land.
Intensive soil and water conservation practices in the form of CCTs, and Refilled contour
CCTs started taking shape, which became the focus of all forest officers in the State.
31. Maharashtra Forestry Project under the aegeis of the World Bank, took shape,
leading to implementation of scientific development of the areas, special focus on wildlife
areas, leading to creation of new posts and handing over of the wildlife areas to
personnel created for the purpose, and increased emphasis on Nursery Technology and
people’s participation.
32. The First Working Plan in Independent India for Ahmednagar division took shape in
the hands of Nimbalkar and Mishra for the period from 1994-95 to 2003-04, which broadly
recommended treatment of the major area in the division as Afforestation Working circle,
with emphasis on other working circles like Silvi-pasture management working circle, and
an overlapping NTFP working circle. The plan gave compartment numbers for the first
time to the fragmented areas of the division, which was a Herculean task by any means.
33. During the Ninth Plan period, the growth rate was 5.35 per cent, a percentage point
lower than the target GDP growth of 6.5 per cent.
34. Prescription of existing plan continued. State government had started various
schemes in consonance with central government schemes. Forest Department was one
of the implementing agencies. World Bank aided Forestry Project was implemented and
the main focus of this project was on Joint Forest Management. This project succeeded in
certain areas where the staff took special personal interest; Villages Dolasne, Darewadi,
Ralegaon Shinde were the pioneers, with people of Hivre Bazaar actively involved in
participatory management of the forests in the vicinity
35. Refilled Continuous Contour Trenching (CCT), became the instrument for achieving
soil and moisture conservation objectives coupled with afforestation initiatives in almost
all the forest areas of the district. The impact led to taking up of CCTs on areas outside
the forests too by the District Adminstration, and this initiative has greatly given an
impetus in improving the ground water table of the area it is felt. It is no exaggeration to
realize that a length of more than 25,000kilometres was excavated in the progress by the
forest division in this endeavour. Areas ranging from 4000 to 4500 hectares continued to
be afforested in the division in these periods each year.
36. Advent of new scheme from the Government of India entitled Samanvit Gram Vikas
advocating formation of a Forest Development Agency (FDA) on the lines of DRDA, with
the Zilla Parishad, to effectively monitor the participatory processes in Forest
development in the village, brought fresh initiatives in formulation of the project, and
seeking funds from the GOI.
38. The period saw continued afforestation measures with 2500 to 3000 hectares tackled
on an average every year, with emphasis on participatory management, with new
initiatives in the field of medicinal plants, tree borne Oil seed initiatives, efforts to
popularise humus building and organic farming, Deep CCTs, vantalis and vanbandharas
in the division.
39. Steps to improve Tourism facility, create Nature Interpretation centres were in
progress. Emphasis on adoption of forest based villages, developing concepts for
increased emphasis on focussed approach became the back-bone of the working of the
division.
40. The PWPR I presented by the territorial Chief Conservator of Forests, Nashik, under
the guidelines of the new Working Plan Code 2004, gave a new direction for increased
emphasis on planting and utility of NTFP, soil and water conservation, efforts to develop
specific plants like Sandal, which aim to approach the management of the division in a
different angle.
41. The work of PWPR II was handed over to the Conservator of forests, Working Plans
division, Aurangabad, stationed at Aurangabad, the work of which has been started since
December 2006.
43. The new Working plan for Ahmednagar division has incorporated all the directions of
the Committee and has in addition to enrichment of the areas, afforestation over suitable
ares laid specific emphasis on land regularisation, demarcation of the forest boundary,
and advocates special methods to handle specific areas in addition to regular works.
*****************************
CHAPTER VI
STAFF AND LABOUR SUPPLY
SECTION 1 :- STAFF :
1. Staff position of Ahmednagar division (including Sangamner sub-division) as on 1st
April 2007 is as under:
Category Payscale Grade Number of posts
s.no (VI pay com) pay permanent temporary total
Class I
1 Deputy 15600-39100 5400- 1 - 1
Conservator 7600
2 Assistant 9300-34800 5000 - 4 4
conservator
Class II
3 Range forest 9300-34800 4400 14 7 21
officer
Class III
4 Round Forest 5200-20200 2400 41 20 61
officer
5 Beat Guard 5200-20200 1800 120 51 171
6 Surveyor 5200-20200 2400 3 - 3
7 Head 9300-34800 4300 1 - 1
Accountant
8 Steno-typist 5200-20200 2400 1 - 1
9 Accountant 5200-20200 2800 8 5 13
10 Clerk 5200-20200 1900 11 4 15
11 Jeep driver 5200-20200 1900 2 - 2
12 Armed 5200-20200 1900 1 - 1
constable
Class IV
13 Naik 4440-7440 1600 1 - 1
14 Peon 4440-7440 1300 2 - 2
15 Mali 4440-7440 1300 2 - 2
16 Watchman 4440-7440 1300 2 - 2
17 Cook 4440-7440 1600 1 - 1
18 Van major 4440-7440 1300 452 452
TOTAL 211 543 754
2. Notification from the Government of Maharashtra dated 3rd December 2008, creating
a separate Independent Sub-division Sangamner with Headquarters at Sangamner,
would entail in re-organisation within the existing staff of Ahmednagar division by the
Chief Conservator of forests, Nashik (territorial), without incurring any additional
costs on the establishment.
3. With computerization having entered in a large way, this would give an opportunity to
reorganize after due appraisal of the work-load in the different sections of the office,
and streamline the working of the Department, setting an example for other divisions
as well.
SECTION : 2 LABOUR SUPPLY
Year 94-95 95-96 96-97 97- 98- 99- 2000 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8
19 98 99 00 -01
Man 19.4 19.2 16.9 17.1 12.4 1.7 1.0 11.8 9.6 10.8 7.8 0.8 2.3 1.8
days
6. The raise in cost of living has led to concurrent hike in the rate of the daily wages
meted out to the daily labourers on work in the forestry operations. The trend of the
rise in the daily wage rates inclusive of the Dearness Allowance based on the Pricing
Indices as sanctioned by the competent authority is represented as under:
*********************
CHAPTER – VII
1. From the old records, it appears that the erstwhile rulers in this area always asserted
their feudal right over teak and blackwood. These were considered royal trees, the
property of the Government, in whatever land they grew except in case of areas specially
granted as ‘ sanads’ to various temples. They had also set apart and preserved areas as
‘kurans’ which were excluded from the areas available for cultivation and reserved for
production of timber, fuel and grass.
2. During the period of consolidation of their new acquisition by the British, the above
facts appear to have been entirely overlooked. As a result, much of the land formerly
reserved by the ex-rulers was surreptitiously acquired by private individuals and
harvesting of tree growth was carried out with the only consideration of profits. This
ruined the forests almost to an irreparable stage. In 1840, the British Government
appointed Dr. Gibson, the superintendent of Botanical Gardens to inspect the forest areas
of the Deccan region to assess the quantity and quality of timber that could be made
available from these forests to supplement the depleted teak supplies to the dock-yards
of Kanara and Malbar. His report indicated that teak in this part of the Deccan region was
of little account for external commercial purpose.
4. Matters continued as such till 1878, when the Forest Act was passed and definite
areas declared as ‘Forests’ in March 1879. Scientific management was then introduced.
As forest settlements were still in progress, years were spent in preparation of various
registers for records. Even after the settlements, persistent demands for more land and
for extended grazing facilities continued. As a result, in 1903 and in subsequent years,
large areas which have been gazetted as reserved forest were taken over by the
Revenue Department of management. The whole for the forest areas in Ahmednagar
district except those of Akola and Sangamner talukas were transferred to the Revenue
Department.
6. As far back as 1864, felling was made in the forest of Akola tahsil and from then,
annual fellings were made up to 1880. In 1879-80, Height prepared the first working plan
for the teak forest of Akola and Sangamner tahsils. The harvesting was based on yield.
All teak trees considered fit for harvesting were counted and measured. The total volume
thus arrived at was then divided by the volume which it was considered possible to
harvest annually and thus the rotation was fixed. This plan is unavailable and apparently
has not worked well, as from 1884 on wards it was modified to a system of harvesting by
area on a 40 year rotation under Coppice with Standard system. A working Plan for fuel
and fodder resources of Ahmednagar division was prepared by R.S.F. Fagan in 1900.
According to this plan the thorn and babhul forest were to be worked by clear felling on 40
years rotation, with artificial regeneration by ploughing and sowing.
7. The first working plan for the mixed deciduous forest for Ahmednagar was drawn by
J.Dodgson in 1905. Under this plan the teak forest were to be worked under coppice with
standard system with a rotation of 40 years. The coppice regeneration was to be
supplemented by artificial regeneration by pit planting of teak seed and by transplants.
Ten standards of sound and well grown teak trees were to be retained in coupe due for
felling. As almost all areas in charge of the Forest Department excepting those of Akola
and Sangamner talukas stood transferred to the Revenue Department in 1903 and later,
the plan prescriptions prescribed by Dodgson could not be brought under implementation.
8. Later on, the general revision of the working of all types of forest of Pune Division
(including areas of Akola and Sangamner talukas) was undertaken by D.A.Thomson. Due
to certain difficulties and transfer of Thomson, this working plan could not be approved,
though the field work and mapping etc. were completed. Five working circles viz. Teak,
Babhul, Raival, Grass and Unworkable were indicated on maps. Coupes and felling
series were laid out. Work according to this distribution was actually introduced in
anticipation of the sanction of the plan and continued till 1932-33. The teak was worked
under coppice with standards system as in the previous plan and babhul under clear
felling system. The working was probably intended to be a light improvement felling on a
30 years cycle, but the harvesting was probably carried out on the same lines as ‘Coppice
with standards’ which caused serious damage to the existing forest growth. Most of
these forests are located on steep slopes with shallow soils, like all evergreens, they
appear to live largely alone on products of their down decay. Their existence alone
ensures adequate conditions of soil moisture; while their dense canopy creates sufficient
depth of humus to enable them to flourish. Their artificial removal immediately results in
conditions hostile to replacement by any, but the less desirable species. Marked
retrogression occurs which results permanent blanks. Such extensive blanks are noticed
distributed all over the area, wherever harvesting of these forests has taken place.
9. The prescription of the unapproved plan of Thomson continued to be applied till 1932-
33. Garland, who undertook the revision of working plan for Poona division, provided a
comprehensive plan for the forest of Akola and Rajur ranges of Ahmednagar district too,
as they then formed part of Poona Forest Division. Part of Srigonda range was also
covered under the plan.
10. Four working circles were created by Garland, the working and results of which are
briefly summarised below :
a. Main Working Circle- This mainly covered the deciduous forest areas and
was directed to be worked under clear felling system in patches where
coppice regeneration supplemented by artificial regeneration could be
established. The felling cycle prescribed was 40 years. The system was later
changed to ‘coppice with reserve’ with prescription to reserve 25 teak and
valuable injali trees. This reservation was to be supplemented by ‘rab’
regeneration of teak and valuable injali species. A reservation of 25 trees
could not be done in most of the places owing to scanty growth. The working
as a whole had an appearance of simple coppice. The artificial ’rab’
regeneration in patches and in strips has on the whole a very patchy
appearance. Many of the coupes could not be worked at all due to poor and
scattered growth. Moreover, the incidence of illicit cutting and hacking of
shoots due to extreme paucity of fuel was so heavy in this region that
plantation raised or coppice growth that had come up as a result of clear
felling the standing growth did not put on any desired growth and
subsequently vanished.
b. Pasture working Circle. This primarily included mainly grass producing areas
which were constituted into blocks with prescriptions for harvesting stunted
tree growth and shrubbery under a ten year cycle through ten sub-block in
each block. No definite improvement measures were suggested, nor was any
extent of closure applied at any time except that of subjective prescription
aiming at general improvement of land and pasturage inviting goodwill of the
people. The results were disastrous and have resulted in drop in the soil
fertility and denudation resulting from loss of soil cover and rapid erosion
coming in its wake. As the cattle population in this area far exceeded the
carrying capacity of the forest, the areas were heavily grazed. While drafting
the prescriptions, public cooperation was envisaged for successful
implementation of the scheme. The local people never extended such co-
operaton. Moreover, the special staff required for the effective implementation
of the prescription was not provided. As a result, these pastures were
continuously subjected to uncontrolled and excessive grazing.
c. Fuel Working Circle. This working circle included the riverside babhul areas of
shrigonda tahsil. Garland prescribed clear felling system with artificial
generation of babhul with suggestions to try out species like Prosopis juliflora,
on soils which naturally evade good babhul growth on a 30 years rotation.
The system of regeneration had for long been one on the lines of taungya
plantation, the open land after removal of the crop being auctioned out for
cultivation, the cultivation raising field crops simultaneously with babhul in
lines 20’ apart. The working system neglected or at least overlooked the
necessity of preserving the soil complex in its original state. Reduction in soil
depth and fall in the quality growth have become too evident due to the sheet
and the gully erosion, the flood water taking away the best soils every year
from the floors of these forest following clear fellings.
11. In 1955, areas of about 3200 hectares from the reserved forest of the remaining parts
of Ahmednagar district were retransferred to the Forest Department, which were then
included in the Poona Division for management. Two afforestation ranges, one at Rahuri
and the other at Shrigonda were formed with an annual target of 400 hectares for raising
plantations and afforestation. Some of the plantations viz. At Rahuri, Baragaon-nandur,
deulgaon, Rehekuri, Nandgaon Kuldharan has come up well. Though the growth of the
trees appears to be poor a definite progress in building up suitable conditions for further
development by natural regeneration of the planted species is noticed. Encouraged by
the success of the afforestation works and plantations in the first years, full fledged
Ahmednagar Forest Division was created in 1962 and Akola and Rajur ranges, which
previously formed part of Nashik (West) division, were transferred to this division.
12. A watershed management plan for catchment of Mula river was prepared by shri V.N.
Deshmane in 1973-74, the plan period of which was upto 1982-83. It covers areas from
Rajur, Akola, Parner and Rahuri ranges, lying in the catchment of Mula River. Four
working circles were formed and massive afforestation perscribed. However, the
prescriptions of this scheme do not seem to have been completely enforced. Only a few
afforestation areas have been tackled.
1966-67 Aff. Ind.& Ahmednagar, Karanji, warwandi, 321 Nilgiri,siris, Only one
com. Imp sangamner, chikalthan, ghosepuri, neem,acacia, year
fuelwood rahuri, parner palaspur, wankute. prosopis
15. Since 1974-75, various afforestations were carried out under the Employment
Guarantee Scheme. Under this scheme, which had the main objective and assurance to
provide employment to those willing and unemployed labour, work was offered within 8
kilometres vicinity of their village to provide them employment. Under this scheme, works
such as afforestation for soil conservation, Teak plantation(Akola Taluka – Village
Mehenduri and Terungan), Chandan plantation ( Ahmednagar – Shendi, Sangamner-
Warwandi, Srigonda-Kamathi), Bamboo plantation (Akola-Pachnai, Lavhili Kotul),Nallah
Bandhs ( Akola-Ratanwadi, Samrad, Uddavne, Ghatghar, Chinchondi, Koltembha,
Pangire) Trench Cum Mound fencing around forest areas etc. were taken up. Works
under E.G.S. and allied schemes are still in vogue.
16. Afforestation works undertaken in the late 70s and prior to 1990s involved activity of
the Forest Development Corporation too, which confined its work to the Sangamner sub-
division area only. A concise statement of the afforestation undertaken in Ahmednagar
district in this period is as under:
17. PLANTATION TECHINQUES IN OLD PLANTATIONS Prior to 1994 : Apart from the
Bamboo and Agave plantations, the planting techniques area similar for all the schemes
in old plantations discussed in foregoing pare graphs. The planting has been done
invariably on Trenches of size 4m. x 0.30m. x 0.60m, trenches being 150 per hectare. 5
plants were planted per trench and the seeds were also sown in between the planted
seedling. In some patches, planting on pits in also noticed. In such cases the pits were of
size 30x30x30 cms. ‘Uralis’ were taken up throughout the site, lines being 5 feet apart.
Three weedings were carried out in the first year, 2 in second year and one in third year.
Whole area was enclosed by digging T.C.M. Plantations were fire protected and
watchman engaged for five years. In case of Agave plantations, the pits of size 30x30x15
cms were dug up 5 feet apart throughout the site. Uralies were taken up throughout the
site only one weeding was carried out every year for fist three years. These agave
plantations were auctioned to Societies of rope weaving labourers, from second year
onwards. It seems that with the advent of synthetic ropes, this Cottage Industry became
commercially unviable and subsequently these plantations were replaced by other
afforestation species. At present no pure Agave plantation are noticeable But agave is
found on T.C.M.s in other afforestation areas.
18. RESULTS OF PAST AFFORESTATION WORKS prior to 1994: The old plantations
were inspected and evaluated during the preparation of the earlier Working Plan. Given
the situation wherein the records, such as, plantation Registers, Plantation models etc. of
the Old plantations were not available either in Division office or old range Offices;
moreover, the year of plantations also could not be ascertained accurately in most of the
old plantations as these had been replanted 2-3 times over in the last 20 years or so. So
it was very difficult to say authoritatively whether a particular tree had been planted in the
first Afforestation operation or in the subsequent reafforestations. For the same reasons,
the net planted area of the Division is also not clear, Owing to this constraint, the Working
Plan staff then had to base the findings on their field visits and observations only and not
on the official records. Following observations were made during the course of such
observations.
b. The density of the plantation in successful patches varies from 0.1 to 0.5 and
reaches a maximum of 0.5. Congestion on some trenches because of
survival of both seed sowing and planted seedlings, has not been reduced
and this has contributed alongwith other factors, to the stunted growth, the
other main factor being very low soil depth.
c. Species tried over the years in the division included-Neem, Subabhul, Anjan,
Acacia tortillis, Chandan, Siras, Kshid, Eucalyptus, Babhul, Ramkathi babhul,
Prosopis, bor, chinch, Glyricidia, Khair Bamboo, Karanj, Lallai (A.amara)
Maharaukh, Ritha, Teak, Siwan, Vilayati Cinch, Australian Babhul etc.
d. In general it was observed that Neem, Sissoo, Subabhul and Acacia tortilis
have given satisfactory growth and survival. However, other species
mentioned above have done well, in specialized locations in patches,
Examples are – Bamboo in Panshet Uddavne, Samsherpur, and Sawargaon
areas of Akola Taluka. Chandan in Rahuri and Ahmednagar Talukas, Anjan in
Rahuri, Khair in Rahuri encalyptus in Akola Rahuri and Sangamner, acacia
auriculiformis in Akola Taluka. Fruit species are not easily visible, exception is
Bor
e. All the plantations have been fenced by T.C.M. At places, Chillar, agave and
prosopis have been planted on T.C.M. Grass beds do not appear to have
been prepared in Old plantations, but on recent plantations i.e. 1980 onwards,
these are noticed. Original planted grass was mainly Anjan grass.
i. In the case of recent year plantations the growth data was collected from 4th
year (1988-89 Sixth year (86-87) 8th year (84-85) and 10 year (82-83)
plantations of different talukas. Samples were selected in such a way, that the
good plantation patches are enumerated and the general trend in their growth
can be observed. The blank, failure areas of the plantations were not
considered. Sample plots were laid down over one hectare spread over 4
such smaller sample plots in 4 sites, data analysed which led to the inference
that-
ii. In successful plantations after X year about 56% plants remain under
20 cms girth and about 19% reach over 30cms girth.
iii. After the 8th year, in successful plantations, % of plants below 20 cms
girth is 77%, only 6% reach about 30cms girth.
j. The results of the enumeration carried out by the Working plan division team
then prior to the preparation of plan between 1992-93 is represented as:
Akola, 3 ha from 90 27.22 28.66 25.44 12.92 4.70 0.91 0.15 2083 Neem (38.8),
Shevgaon, ha of 1992- subabul(28.5),
Rahuri 93 Australian Acacia
plantation (2.69),Siras(2.76),
A.tortilis(4.1),
Sangamner, 3 ha from 70 34.28 42.29 15.98 4.72 1.49 0.52 0.12 1546 kashid(2.67), khair,
shevgaon, ha of 1984- bor,babul,chinch,
rahuri 85 maharukh,
plantation eucalyptus(8.44),
glyricidia(0.77)
Akola, 3 ha from 95 46.76 37.89 14.38 0.82 0.15 0 0 1961
newasa, ha of 1986-
rahuri 87
plantation
20. The Afforestation Working Circle, included most of the area of the forest division,
and divided the total area of 102023.938ha into 100 afforestation series, which were
further divided into 20 annual coupes for afforestation. It was envisaged that the
demarcation of the coupes would be done on ground and on the maps by the Territorial
staff as per the prescriptions of the area of the coupe in the plan; a year in advance,
followed by preparation of a detailed treatment map. The categories stipulated were-
ii. B-Rocky and refractory areas unsuitable for raising any plantation
including grasses.
iii. C-Patches of forests with more than 0.4 density and successful
patches of old plantations.
21. the treatments prescribed for each of such areas demarcated on the treatment map
are summarized as under-
st
A (i) Seed sowing-Neem, Albizzias, sissoo, Gliricidia, Maharukh by the 1 week of June; at 1.5
x 1.5 mtr spacing. No subsidiary operations.
A (ii) Need extensive Soil & Moisture Conservation works, nalla bunding, gully plugging. Seed
of grasses to be sown.
In old plantation areas-where stocking less, enrichment should be done with suitable
species like Neem, Sissoo, Subabul, Acacia tortilis Extensive Soil & Moisture works all
over the area.
Zone I areas-areas with soil depth <10cms, where Water Absorption Trenches (WATs) @
200 per hectare are to be taken up coupled with seed sowing amongst Neem, Subabul,
Prosopis, Glyricidia on WATS, TCM, contour trenches.
Zone III areas-areas with soil depth >30cms , where afforestatin in staggered Trenches @
600 per hectare is recommended such that 1200 plants are there per hectare.
Plant population to be fixed at 750 plants per hectare after III year of operation based on
the concept of ‘ecological index’ computed for the district.
Afforestation coupled with Grass beds comprising of 2 weedings and a soil working in
First year, 1 weeding and 1 soil working in II year, and 1 soil working in III year
operations, followed by limiting the number of plants to 750 per hectare giving preference
to retaining Neem, Anjan, Sissoo, Karanj, A.tortilis over Glyricidia, Subabul. Area to be
fire protected and closed to grazing for 5 years, permitting cutting of grass within the area.
22. The prescriptions of the working plan rested solely on the concept of “ECOLOGICAL
INDEX” computed for the district of Ahmednagar. The concept was based on a research
article published by M.H.A.Sheikh (1992).Ecological Approach to wasteland development.
My Forest. March 1992 pages 123-128, copy of which is placed at Annexure LXIII of the
Volume II of the plan.
23. The principle that Afforestation techniques and choice of species should relate to the
Ecological conditions of the planting site, based on utility of the Ecological Index, which
was computed (modified formula of Gindel) computed for the state of Karnataka by
D.K.Deshmukh (1986) as :
EPT = 0.459 x R x Ct x CW x Ch x Cs x Ce
Ct = Temperature.
Cw = Wind Velocity.
Ch = Humidity
Cr = Sunshine.
Ce = Elevation.
Shri. Deshmukh (1986) has carried out studies in the field of E.I. in Karnataka and
has suggested that the E.I. of last limits of wet zones in 13.45. Similarly, areas,
having E.I. less than 3 indicate xerophytic condition.
24. Ecological index serves in two ways. It indicates potential of the region and given an
idea of what vegetation type the region can support. It also suggests that afforestation
techniques and other land management practices in areas having low values cannot be
the same as that of localities having higher values.
25. The annual E.P.T. for Ahmednagar is 1604 mm. The E.I. For Ahmednagar comes out
to 3.38 (or say 3.4) which indicates arid and adverse ecological conditions for
afforestation, Calculation is as followers :
559 x 31.5
= 3.38
39 x 1.33.7
26. So E.I. of Ahmednagar suggests that afforestation in these areas should be for soil
and moisture conservation, and for maintaining environmental balance and not for
practicing production forestry. This ecological index of 3.4 suggests that the no. of
seedlings planted should be about 750/Ha.
27. One of the main objectives of dry zone afforestation is soil and moisture conservation.
Therefore the amount of earth work should be so designed that it holds maximum runoff.
So the amount of earth work should not be less than 180 Cum. Per ha. to hold
maximum runoff. The foregoing discussion indicates to propose the no. of plants around
750 and earth work not less than 180 cum.
28. Higher values indicate better site conditions, better plant growth and better vegetation,
converse to lower values which indicate poor site conditions, poor growth and xerophitic
vegetation. In Karnataka the highest was at Mercare at 123, and Bellary had 1.43, which
is a drought prone area. The areas with less values of E.I should be planted with less
number of seedlings.
30. prior to treatment the areas are demarcated into 3 category of areas as:
a. A- protection areas ( areas with slopes greater than 45 and eroded and
erodible areas)
A areas Need extensive Soil & Moisture Conservation works, nalla bunding, gully plugging.
Seed of grasses to be sown.
Need extensive Soil and moisture conservation works, nalla bunding, gully plugging,
seed of grasses to be sown.
B areas Area closure, soil and moisture conservation work, increasing fodder productivity,
establishment of seed plots for raising planting stock of grasses, sowing fodder tree
species at 8 x 5 mtrs, @ 250 trees per hectare
32. The choice of species for Grasses, Legumes and Fodder Tree species with location of
seed plots establishment has been prescribed and detailed procedure to tackle the areas
based on their configuration described
33. In addition to the NTFP overlapping working circle, the plan envisaged under
miscellaneous regulations operations of Survey and Demarcation with a specially
designed demarcation programme, fire protection programme,.
a. the implementation of the plan prescriptions was not followed to the final word
it has been observed. Excepting for taking up afforestation programmes on a
large scale no systematic approach was observed in conduct of the
operations on the field. Year-wise afforestation taken up under different
schemes reflects the situation as under:
b. there was no adherence to the coupe numbers, and many a place though one
finds mention of a coupe number, there is utter confusion, since the coupes
were never laid down on the field and correspondingly on the map which was
a prescription of the earlier plan.
j. The enumeration of the tree population conducted by the Working plan staff
during the course of stock mapping revealed that most of the crop is still <45
cms girth; with a preponderance of Glyricidia and Subabul amongst those
present.
35. During the plan period in 1994-95 to the present significant strides made by the
Division have been paraphrased as under-
36. progress in Water conservation structures including Van talis, bandharas is-
20 27 72 67 53 4 90
37. In the years 2005-06 to 2007-08, under the provision of the National Equi-development
scheme for which funds were drawn through the District Rural Development Agency, for
overall development of the selected districts in the country of which Ahmednagar was
one, Forest department had against the proposals of Rs.201.1 lakhs made, could spend
actually Rs.307.58 lakhs, on activities including-
Activity Number of works Amount spent Rs (lakhs)
a. Village Hivre Bazaar, stood First in the state in 2006-07, under the Sant
Tukaram Vangram Yojana, and won a prize of Rs.5 lakhs and a citation from
the State Government.
b. Village Dorje, stood First in the state in 2007-08, under the Sant Tukaram
Vangram Yojana, and won a prize of Rs.5lakhs and a citation from the State
Government.
40. The Ahmednagar forest division years 2002 and 2005, won encomiums and prize at
the District level, in the Rajiv Gandhi Adminstrative Reform Programme.
41. The yield of timber and firewood from Ahmednagar division is negligible.
42. Statement showing the figures of Revenue and Expenditure for the period 1994-95 and
thereafter is separately appended in Annexure XI of the Volume II of the plan.
*****************
CHAPTER – VIII
SECTION : 1 – GROWTH :
SECTION: 2- STOCKING
2. The survey of forest resources has been carried out by the Ahmednagar territorial
division staff that has been trained in the process by the staff of Survey of Forest Resource
Unit, Nashik; on the sample plots as per the design given by the Chief Forest Statistician
wing of the Forest Department. The results are in the process of analysis and shall be
appended separately in the Vol II of the plan. The earlier plan had completed the Plant
Resources Survey for the district only in Akola tahsil on the reason that rest of the forest
areas from the district were mostly blank and degraded. The then team had however
conducted sample analysis amongst the Older plantations, the middle aged plantations to
observe the composition of the species in the afforested areas. The results find mention in
the chapter entitled past history of management of this plan. The enumeration had been
done, by taking village as a unit. Method adopted was random Topo unit sample method
and intensity of enumeration was approximately 15%.
4. The salient features of the growth statistics observed in the earlier plan could be
summarized as under-Nimbalkar and Mishra’s plan presented SOFR unit observations
limited to Akole tehsil only, and conducted sample observations on old and middle aged
plantations which have been presented in the chapter Past systems of Management. The
SOFR data for Akole Tehsil makes interesting study, which was done in the year 1991,
which involved enumeration over area of 2615 ha with a sampling intensity of 18.51%, is
represented as under:
15-30 30-45 45-60 60-75 75-90 90-105 105- 120- 135 & Total
120 135 >
1 Ain 50686 58301 54142 50695 42474 34550 27442 19742 14506 352538
2 Awali 2935 2832 1975 1752 1018 807 940 528 379 13166
3 Asana 2717 2949 2777 2005 1594 1288 975 319 229 14853
4 Bondara 4447 15739 14319 12343 10171 8818 6181 3721 1728 87467
5 Behada 6601 8049 6611 5643 5144 4507 3756 3242 2885 46439
7 Dhaman 2298 2549 2057 1743 1139 880 200 136 17 11019
8 Hed 55 42 34 55 29 46 50 21 21 353
10 Kakad 789 927 674 753 954 616 566 526 419 6224
11 Khair 41 11 1 - - - - - - 53
13 Sawar 2648 3037 2129 2248 1906 2846 2088 1914 261 21435
15 Hirda 30467 36936 31021 27888 23461 19456 17586 12027 9205 208047
16 Shiras 1324 1642 1216 942 598 398 294 149 265 6828
17 Total 11658 13503 11788 10653 89180 74705 60503 42433 32320 775178
6 1 1 7
18 Other 34671 31554 22990 18613 14520 11243 79741 53981 39606 1509259
sps 6 0 3 7 2 3
19 Grand 46330 45057 34778 29267 23438 18713 14024 96414 91926 2284437
total 4 1 4 4 2 8 4
Observations were made in the year 1991 when the wildlife sanctuary areas were
with the Territorial divisions. It is quite likely that the above data is a result of
sampling done in the protected area too, hence doesn’t give a true picture of the
Akole tehsil outside the protected area network.
5. Observations made during the current stock-mapping in plots 20 x 20 mtr over the
number of plots laid are as under-
Shrirampur(1) - - - 1 - - - - 1 Babul
6. the salient features of the current sampling exercise during the stock-mapping could
be inferred as-
c. It leads to surmise that seed sowing of seed like subabul and glyricidia in
particular done along with the planting of principal plants; coupled with no
thinning operations prescribed in the working plan after III year of operations,
have led to a situation of crowding of areas with subabul and glyricidia; which
necessitates thinning during subsequent operations.
d. There have been many cycles of plantations done in a compartment per se;
however barring few areas in Akole tehsil where there has been Bamboo
congestion; there is little scope for exploitation of the plant species.
e. Acacia tortilis at many places appeared lodged, apparently due to drying up.
7. The details of observations made in each of the tehsils by the RFOs of the Working
plan division are appended as Annexure LXII of the Volume II of the plan, the data on
analysis by SOFR unit, Nashik shall be appended after receipt as a separate annexure.
8. Studies using Forest Survey of India vegetation data of 2004, data on the district
prepared by the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Centre-Nagpur MRSAC, on the Geo-Media
GIS software in the office of the Working plans divisions Dhule and Aurangabad led to
inference that despite repeated afforestations carried out in the district forests, the areas
classified as Blanks are significantly higher, re-iterating the hypothesis confirmed on the
ground that repeated afforestations were made on the same piece of ground, the
spacements spreading over the entire area rather than tackling or covering the entire area
of the compartment and the works were not as per prescriptions of the earlier plan.
9. The interpretation of FSI vegetation data as derived from the records indicates that
much of the forest in Ahmednagar had been of the open cateory i.e., between 10 to 40%
canopy density. The data over the years is presented here under:
11. Observations made in the Planted Areas do not give a true idea of the floristics of the
area. Ahmednagar district is host to a varied floral biodiversity, which has been studies
under the collaborative efforts of the Territorial division, and eminent taxonomist
Dr.M.R.Almeida and the Chief Conservator of forests, Nashik circle on established lines of
plant taxonomy.
12. For the first time, Ahmednagar district came out with a check list of plants in the
district, published in the form of a booklet, the extracts of which are appended separately in
the Annexures IV and LIII of the Volume II of the plan.
a. A total of 1324 plant species were recorded, in comparison with the 1040
recorded by the Botanical Survey of India.
b. The plant species list has been arranged alphabetically with their scientific
names, Family, IUCN category, with Medicinal and other uses, with locations
of occurance.
c. The common names of the species have been given in greater detail.
d. During the study it has been noted and recorded that of the endemic species
in Maharashtra, 23 species could be located in Ahmednagar district itself and
3 species, namely, Ceropegia lawii, Lepidocoma rollae, Neanotis sahyadrica
are apparently endemic to Ahmednagar.
14. Ahmednagar forest division is under the jurisdiction of the DFO Evaluation, Nashik,
and DFO Evaluation Pune did evaluation studies only in one year 2000-01. The officers
had been taken into confidence, and opinion sought on the future strategy which needed to
be adapted in their opinion based on the observations made by their office over the years.
The reports are appended under Annexure in the Volume II.
d. Likewise in the other areas of the district, species Neem, khair, A.tortilis,
babul, awla, subabul, sissoo, bor, shivan, hiwar, apta, tamarind, jatropha,
nilgiri, to a major extent, and species to medium extent in karanj, ramkati
babul, anjan, gliricidia, sitaphal, kashid, kavat, lalai, maharukh, shiras and to
small extent prosopis, behda, ain, Australian babul, umbar, bamboo, dhavda,
gulmohar, pimpal, bahawa have been planted with growth not as per
expectations with species subabul, bor, shivan, shiras, maharukh, kashid,
gliricidia, Australian babul, prosopis, babul, khair, neem, nilgiri, doing well in
such difficult circumstances wherever the land was plain and well protected.
Of the total 19 sites inspected, 7 were affected by grazing, 2 were affected by
fire, 7 were with rocky patches and shallow soils, slopes were seen.
g. A total of 4 sites taken under the aegis of the Maharashtra Forest Project
were examined by the evaluation wing at Pune.
SECTION :- 4- YIELD :
16. As the tree growth left is very scanty and restricted to very small portion of the district,
no felling is envisaged and hence it is opined that there is no propriety in collecting yield
data as regards timber and firewood.
17. The is no need of preparing local volume table as the plan is not harvest oriented and
there are no important timber species found naturally in the district. However the behavior
of various species in old successful plantations as has been observed in the earlier plan
with Average height and mean girth of important species had been plotted against the age
is continued with.
PART II
FUTURE MANAGEMENT
BASIS OF PROPOSALS.
c. Checking soil erosion and denudation in the catchment areas of rivers, lakes,
reservoirs in the interest of soil and water conservation, for mitigating floods
and drought and for the retardation of siltation of reservoirs.
a. The national goal should be to have a minimum of one third of the total and
area under forest or tree cover.
b. Severe restrictions on schemes and projects which interfere with forests that
clothe steep slopes, catchment of rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
e. The rights and concessions, including grazing, should always remain related
to carrying capacity and should be achieved by increased investment and
silvicultural research. Stall feeding of cattle should be encouraged.
f. The rights and concessions from forests should primarily be for the bonafide
use of the communities living within and around forest areas, specially the
tribals.
g. The right and concessions enjoyed by tribals and people living around forests
should be fully protected. Their domestic requirement of fuelwood, fodder,
minor forest produce and construction timber should be the first charge on
forest produce.
h. On the front of domestic energy, fuelwood needs to be substituted as far as
practicable with alternate sources like bio-gas, L.P.G. and solar energy.
“Fuel efficient Chulhas” as a measure of conservation of fuelwood needs to
be popularized in rural areas.
l. Forest based industries should raise the raw material needed by themselves
in arrangement with the private cultivators.
3. Parliament has enacted a law “The Provisions of the Panchayat (Extension to the
Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (Act No.40 of 1996)”. The said Act, provides for endowing by
the States, the Panchayats in the Scheduled areas, with such powers and authority as may
be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self Govt. It further provided that a
State Legislature should ensure inter-alia that the Panchayats at the appropriate level and
the Gram sabhas are endowed specifically with the ownership of minor forest produce.
5. The Forest ( Conservation) Act 1980 i.e. No. 69 of 1980 came into force on the 25th
October 1980 and extends to whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It
places restrictions on the de-reservation of forest or use of forest land for non – forestry
purpose. It mainly stipulates that :
a. No State Government or other authority shall make, except with the prior
approval of the central Government, any order directing that any reserved
forest or any portion thereof shall cease to be reserved. That any Forest land
or any portion thereof may be used for nay non-forest purpose.
c. Central Government may by notification in the official Gazette make rules for
carrying out the provision of this Act.
a. That any forest land or any portion thereof may be assigned by way of lease
or to any authority, Corporation, Agency or any other organisation not owned,
managed or controlled by the Government.
b. That any forest land or part thereof may be cleared of trees for the purpose of
using it for afforestation.
d. Where any offence under this Act has been committed by any Department of
Government, the head of the Department or by any authority, every person
who at the time the offence was committed was directly in charge of and was
responsible to, the authority for the conduct of the business of the authority as
well as the authority, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be
liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. This amendment
act also explain the term “Non-forest purpose” “Non-forest purpose” under
this Act means the breaking up or clearing of any forest land or portion
thereof for
b) Any purpose other than re-afforestation but does not include any
work relating to conservation, development and management of
forest and wildlife, namely, the establishment of check post, fire
lines, wireless communications and construction of fencing,
bridges, dams, waterholes, trench marks, boundary marks, pipe
lines or other like purposes.
7. The Government of Maharashtra by its R.& F.D. Resolution No. MFP – 1365/ 132 – 11
Y dated 6/12/1968 formulated the grazing policy for the entire state, with an objective to
have a uniform grazing policy throughout the state The policy aims at providing ideal
pasturage within the available resources in the state forests without letting the resources
impair or deteriorate. In view of above the Government of Maharashtra vide Revenue and
Forest Department Resolution No. MFP-1371/237035-z dated Novemeber 3, 1973,
promulgated the grazing rules to illustrate the regulatory character of the forest grazing. The
important features of the grazing rules are as below :
• All grazing in the forest (where free or otherwise) would be on permit only.
• Each forest division will be divided into grazing units and the issue of license in subject
to such definite allotment of villages to a particular grazing unit, to such limitation on the
number of cattle grazed in any such units, as may have been ordered by the Government
after special enquiry and also to such closure to grazing as may be enforced in accordance
with the prescriptions of sanctioned working plans.
• For excess cattle, license at prescribed rates may be taken out for any grazing unit,
provided, there is room in that grazing unit.
• For Free grazing of cattle of cultivator family and others, issue of licenses are limited to
the period of July 15 to July 31 only.
• A grazing license can be refused over a period of only year to any individual, who has
been guilty of persistent illicit grazing on the order of the Conservator of Forest. Government
otherwise may refuse grazing license for a community whose members have been guilty of
persistent illicit grazing.
Buffalo calf (less than a year but more than 6 months 1 1.00
old)
Cow calf (less than 3 years, but more than 6 months ½ 0.50
old)
• Essential cattle, subject to a maximum of two plough units per cultivator family,
should be allowed free grazing in forests. A plough unit shall mean 4 cattle units.
• The patwari / Talathi / Gram sevak shall issue a certificate on demand to all cultivator
families entitled to graze cattle free.
• Each grazing unit and the villages served by it shall constitute a grazing circle. There
will be a license vendor to issue passes.
b. Tree forests: The grazing incidence of these forests should be one cattle unit
for 1.2 Ha.
c. Minor Forests: The grazing incidence for these forests should be one cattle
unit for 0.6 to 0.8 Ha.
d. Pasture land: The grazing incidence for these lands should be one cattle unit
for 0.4 Ha.
e. Grass Reserves: The grazing is completely eliminated from these areas but
cutting of grass is permitted.
10. The forests which are being covered under this plan are as follows :
a) Protection Forests
b) Minor Forests
c) Pasture lands
The working plan for Ahmednagar Division by Shri Nimbalkar and A.K.Mishra (1994-
95 to 2004-05) has expired. Since then it was neither extended nor revised. The
prescriptions of Nimbalkar & Mishra’s Plan were not implemented in the true spirit, barring
carrying out afforestations as per will; scant attention was given to the plan prescriptions of
the Silvi-pasture management working circle, and the prescription of Forest Survey and
Demarcation programme. Anthropogenic pressures like unrestricted grazing coupled with
lopping and cutting and fires resulted in further degradation of the forests. The plantations
did not give expected results and at many sites resulted in severe congestion of Glyricidia
and Subabul.
There had been quite a few changes in the area of the Ahmednagar Division since
last plan.
a) There have been area changes in the forest area in custody of
the forest department, administrative changes involving
creation of an Independent Sub-division with headquarters at
Sangamner.
b) The previous plan was prescribed for an area of 104753.64
hectares, and current plan shall be for an area of 126184.59
hectares.
c) Of the total area of 116483.14 hectares with the Forest
department, as per their say, areas have been reconciled after
joint excercise and additional areas identified; further some
areas have been identified to have been diverted for non-forest
use. In the absence of the relevant orders directing such use it
is imperative to examine each case. Land acquired under
Forest Conservation Act provisions as Compensatory Lands,
and land have also been acquired from Revenue department
which were in their custody, and the process is in progress.
d) The forest area of the district barring Akole tehsil, is highly
fragmented, scattered all over the district. It is common to
come across 4 to 5 patches to 20 to 25 segments in a
compartment, necessitating detailed listing of all the areas with
the forest department and lay down measures to survey and
demarcate them.
e) Increased importance of regularization of land issues, merits
systematic classification and demarcation of the forest lands.
f) Need to involve participatory approach, improve the productive
capacity of the forests.
13. Due to failure in achieving the objectives set in the earlier Plan a change in approach
is suggested. The approach is required to focus on coming over the gaps observed whilst
implementing the earlier plan prescriptions, and prescribe specific line of treatment for
specific areas; further emphasis on survey and demarcation of the forest land is spelt out.
14. Biotic pressure and non-involvement of local people are the main reasons for failure of
the plantations and also degradation of the forests. Hence local community will be involved
in forest management both in planning and implementation taking inspiration from the
successful initiatives in the division.
1. The State Government, vide Revenue and Forest Dept. Resolution No. MFP-
1365/132211-Y dated 6.12.1968 has recognized the following classes of forests on
functional basis:
a] Protection Forests.
b] Tree Forests.
c] Minor Forests.
d] Pasture lands.
e] Miscellaneous Forests.
2. PROTECTION FORESTS
These are forests which occur on very steep slopes (25 ° and above) or along river
banks and forests that have become depleted through maltreatment and further exploitation
of which will eventuate soil erosion and adversely affect the productivity of agricultural land
in the lower regions. The very steep precipitous slopes along the ridges and spurs of the
Sahyadris fall in this category. The management will aim at conserving the soil, the water
regime and the physical and climatic factors of the locality by conserving the forests of the
areas. The forests are included in the A category of lands in the lands outlined in the
Afforestation Working circle.
3. TREE FORESTS
These forests are situated in remote tracts, in small gaps, which are prominently
suited for commercial value. The forests of Ahmednagar do not have much in this category
of forests, with most of the crop yet in the pole stage.
4. MINOR FORESTS
These are the forests capable of producing small timber and firewood and providing
grazing, which are the indispensable needs of the adjoining agricultural population. This
category of forests is spread all over the Division.
5. PASTURE LANDS
Pasture lands are those identified in the earlier plan, and accorded treatment in this
plan.
In accordance with the general objects of management and keeping in tune with the
Working Plan Code, the following Working Circles are proposed to be constituted:
1) Enrichment Working Circle.
2) Afforestation Working Circle.
3) Silvi-Pasture Management Working Circle.
4) Bamboo Management Working circle
5) Plantation (Overlapping) Working Circle
6) Non Timber Forest Produce (Overlapping) Working Circle.
7) Joint Forest Management (Overlapping) Working circle.
8) Wildlife Management (Overlapping) Working circle.
9) Forest Protection (Overlapping) Working circle
10) Eco Tourism (Overlapping) Working circle.
1. ENRICHMENT WORKING CIRCLE: Ahmednagar district has undertaken
afforestation under different schemes all over the areas of the division, over the years and
on an average each year 3000 to 4000 hectares afforested. Statistics with the department
indicate that roughly 50% of the afforested areas are partially successful to successful ones,
and with the improved humus conditions coupled with innovations by the department in the
propogation of NTFP species, which is also a requisite to improve the overall productivity of
the site, needful prescriptions for such identified areas with underplanting or enrichment of
the areas with suitable species including Bamboo, valuable medicinal plants, Gum, lac
yielding NTFP species are suggested coupled with soil moisture conservation works, which
are requisite in these less rainfall areas. Planting on CCTs based on the refilled continuous
contour trenches and other methods is suggested.
10. ECO TOURISM (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE : Eco tourism is the new
buzzword in the realm of tourism throughout the world. Eco tourism generates more
employment and provides enormous opportunities for entrepreneurship. Measures to foster
the potential of the Ahmednagar district through Eco Tourism have been discussed.
1. The Plan is proposed for 10 years, from the year 2010-11 to 2020-21.
**********
CHAPTER X
2. This working circle is constituted from the areas allotted to the Earlier Afforestation
Working Circle and areas afforested on lands acquired for compensatory afforestation.
Total area of this working circle is 40647.63 ha, spread over all the ranges of
Ahmednagar forest and Sangamner forest sub-division.
3. The forests are also well stocked in general and with certain open and blank patches.
They are a result of successful and partially successful plantations taken up in the earlier
years, and need to be further enriched with suitable species. The crop is generally young
and middle aged. Nearly 90% of the crop is less than 45 cms girth size.
4. Total Area allotted to this working circle is 40647.63 ha. A total of 260 compartments
comprising of 690 units are proposed for working in this working circle. The list of
compartments allotted to this working circle is given in the Annexures XXVII & XXX of
the Volume II of the plan. The range wise situation is reflected as under :
s.no range Area of # compts Area % to % to
range Compt Units allot to area of area of
WC range division
1 Akole I 9959.40 43 97 4890.70 49.10
2 Akole II 6579.50 18 31 2334.40 35.48
3 Rajur 6841.60 29 124 4537.50 66.32
4 Sangamner I 15466.20 36 65 5452.80 35.26
5 Sangamner II 8281.30 18 33 3441.48 41.56
6 Sangamner 13107.45 18 34 4312.20 32.90
III
7 Sangamner 60235.45 162 384 24969.08 41.45
sub.division
8 Kopergaon 1256.18 3 64 935.76 74.49
9 Rahuri 14601.75 15 19 1689.75 11.57
10 Ahmednagar 10212.41 21 58 2965.26 29.03
11 Parner 6506.29 22 72 2719.59 41.80
12 Takli 15309.25 7 10 802.53 5.24
Dokeshwar
13 Pathardi 8881.14 11 42 1940.24 21.85
14 Teesgaon 4739.20 12 27 3351.00 70.71
15 Jamkhed 4162.25 7 14 1274.42 30.62
16 Ahmednagar 65668.47 98 306 15678.55 23.88
div total
Grand total 125903.92 260 690 40647.63 32.23
Ahmednagar
dn
5. Subabul and Glyricidia form the major species of the growing stock. The growing stock
predominantly contains young and middle-aged crop. The stock mapping of the
compartments is done by procuring Forest Density Classified Satellite Images from
Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, The Images procured belong to the year 2004.
Compartment boundaries are overlaid on these images and density maps are prepared.
The results of stock mapping are indicated in Annexure LXIV of the Volume II of the plan.
6. Stock mapping exercise reveals the area allotted to this working circle as successful and
partially successful plantation area, which is indirectly a measure of the extent of
success of the afforestation work in the Ahmednagar division.
7. Soil depth is sufficient in most of the areas, however due to faulty practice of not laying
down coupes in the areas of working, large areas have repeatedly been afforested,
leaving plenty of gaps in between wherever soil depth is apparently less; further
problematic areas too have been given the slip thereby occupying more gross area than
allotted, as a result the vegetation appears sparse, offering scope for under planting, and
enrichment with beneficial plant species.
c. Area 'C':
(i) These areas are to be underplanted with suitable species including
Bamboo, Chandan and other economically important species such
that the planted population doesn’t exceed 400 plants per hectare.
(ii) At places where severe congestion of Subabul and Glyricidia exist,
needful thinning operations including removal may be resorted to
encourage growth of superior planted species.
d. Area ‘D’:
(i) D1 areas- areas support 750 plants per hectare, however
silvicultural thinning to favour enrichment by bamboo, sandal,
ashwagandha, samudrashosh, shatavari, bedki pala/Gymnema and
other economically important species are recommended to improve
the floristics of the area.
(ii) D2: The natural regeneration of this area need to be supplemented
by artificial regeneration to the extent by which natural regeneration
fall short of 750 plants per hectare with suitable species including
Bamboo, Chandan etc., based on the local edaphic factors.
14. MARKING RULES FOR Enrichment and Soil –Water Conservation Working Circle:
a. Marking For Type 'A' Area: No marking will be carried out.
b. Marking For Type 'B' Area:
(i) All dead, dying and diseased trees after retaining 2 dead trees per
hectare shall be marked for felling.
(ii) All live high stumps shall be cut as close to the ground as possible
and dressed.
(iii) All malformed advance growth of Teak (Sangamner sub-division)
up to 30 cm. shall be cut back
(iv) The established multiple coppice shoots will be reduced to one per
stool retaining the vigorous one, which is closer to the ground.
(v) The undesirable under growth, which is preventing growth of natural
regeneration of desired species will be removed.
SECTION 9: REGENERATION.
15. Natural Regeneration: The NR will be protected against fire and animals.
TCM/Vegetative live hedge fencing or other kind of fencing may be established.
16. ARTIFICIAL REGENERATION AND CHOICE OF SPECIES:
a. Cleaning: A cleaning operation will be carried out in the 5th year commencing
from the year of planting.
(i) All climbers will be cut over entire area of the coupe, if necessary
i.e., when it is ensured beyond doubt that the species doesn’t have
NTFP value superior to the plant/tree it is endangering.
(ii) Damaged, malformed saplings, and coppice shoots will be cutback.
Multiple coppice shoots will be reduced to one promising shoot per
stool provided no other seed origin sapling is available at that place.
(iii) Fast growing inferior species and bamboo interfering or likely to
interfere with reproduction of teak & other valuable species will be
cut.
(iv) In thick patches of teak advance growth & established regeneration
of other valuable species spacing between saplings to be retained,
should vary from 2 meter to 2.59 meter depending on the height of
the sapling. Cleaning in plantation areas should be carried out as &
when required depending upon the crop condition.
b. Thinning: Thinning in plantation areas will be carried out when the III year of
operations are completed. The thinning will be silvicultural as prescribed in the
Chapter on Miscellaneous Regulations and would aim to restrict the plant
population to 750 per hectare in tune with the Ecological Index of the region,
retaining healthy economical crop.
17. Protection from Fire: All the Plantations will be fire traced and rigidly fire protected for
a period of Five years from the year of planting. In the month of October / November
after the demarcation is over all the undergrowth in the proposed external and internal
fire line is removed. The cut material will be spread along the fire-line length and burnt
taking care that the cut material remains sufficiently away from the stems of the trees
and burning does not harm the trees. The dry and cut bushes of unwanted species shall
be burnt before the end of February to avoid fire hazards to the forests. All the
plantations shall be part of the Fire Protection Plan to be prepared for the divisions. The
regeneration is the future growing stock. Hence the main thrust should be on protection
of regeneration. The techniques of fire protection should be as per the paragraphs given
in Miscellaneous Regulations
18. To ensure effective protection from fire the workable schemes of fire protection should
be carried out in which the due share to people’s participation shall be given. For
meaningful participation modalities shall be worked out to impart benefit to the people so
that they come forward. The village forest protection committees will be formed & fire
protection will be done through the village protection committee.
19. Sandal Plantations wherever taken should be ensured of proper protection. Preference
to be given to such areas where protection can be ensured.
20. Grazing Control: The areas in the working circle shall remain closed to grazing for a
period of 5 years. The grazing will be regulated as per Govt. policy of the Govt. of
Maharashtra dt.6th Dec.1968 Further, in the area of adjoining but with sufficient lag for
working of coupe, seeds of palatable grasses be sown and villagers be motivated to
harvest the fodder. The method of rotational grazing is followed. As per functional
classification this working circle can mainly be classified as minor forests and the
maximum grazing incidence prescribed for it is 1.2 ha per cattle unit. This will facilitate
opening of area on rotational basis. The closed areas should be specifically mentioned
in the grazing licenses and villagers be communicated of such closures by suitable
means such as drum-beating, notices on prominent places, village Panchayat officers
etc. and by binding grass pullies or stacks along the boundaries of closed coupes.
However the grazing settlement report prepared and submitted to the Government for
Ahmednagar division, doesn’t prescribe issue of any grazing permits, which is yet to
receive official sanction from the Government.
21. Soil and moisture Conservation Works: One of the main objectives of dry zone
afforestation is soil and moisture conservation. Therefore the amount of earth work
should be so designed that it holds maximum runoff.
So the amount of earth work should not be less than 180 Cum. Per ha. to hold
maximum runoff. The foregoing discussion indicates to propose the number of plants
around 750 and earth work not less than 180 cum would be ideal for Ahmednagar
district in general. As Ahmednagar division areas had undergone Soil & Moisture
Conservation works earlier, it is recommended that any additional measures proposed
are duly certified to the extent of essentiality by an officer not less than the Assistant
Conservator of Forests, and preference be given to vegetative modes of conservation,
avoiding large scale construction of cement structures in the forest. It has been
observed that by and large the area holds potential to have further 5-6 cumtr of SMC
works per hectare.
22. A judicious combination from the available techniques of Soil & Water Conservation
techniques is to be arrived at. Deep CCT though is being advocated by many needs to
be taken up with great degree of caution. NABARD through discussion have expressed
that they too have placed an upper cap of limiting to 150 RMT per hectare of 1mt x 1mt
dimension large WATs; and that great caution needs to be excercised in alignment and
location of the deep CCT.
23. Guidelines for planning and execution of soil moisture conservation works are appended
in Miscellaneous Regulations chapter.
24. Soil and Moisture Conservation works are based on the principle that says,
“ONE WHICH IS RUNNING, MAKE IT TO WALK;
ONE, WHICH IS WALKING, MAKE IT TO STOP;
And, ONE, WHICH IS STOPPED, LET IT BE ABSORBED.”
25. Gully plugging and nala bunding works will be taken up. Appropriate structures will be
taken up to preserve moisture for a longer period; Simultaneously, the catchments areas
of the earlier done cement plugs/ earthen bandhara be treated with loose boulder
structures so as to prevent siltation in the dams. On gentler slopes (<150) CCT works
should be done and fresh seed of Jatropha curcus or suitable site specific local species
should be sown at 0.5m intervals. Species like Aloe, Agave, Charoli etc., with very good
NTFP value should be collected during season and sown on trenches. Jatropha seed
being oil yielding seed its germination viability is very low. Seed of previous season
does not germinate. Hence it is mandatory to purchase or collect seed from Jatropha
fruits of that very season. DCF should ensure that the seed is fresh by conducting
germination tests before they are sown on CCT’s. Works shall be completed before the
onset of Monsoon. Quantum of work will depend upon the site requirement.
26. People’s Participation: Ahmednagar district has a tradition of producing pioneers in
the field of Soil and Water Conservation. The people’s participation is the need of the
hour, to protect the forest from fire, grazing, illicit cutting etc. Unless the villagers living
nearby are made aware of the material benefit from the forest, they would not feel
associated with the well being of the forest and may not visualize the distinct valuable
utility of forests for their material benefit they get or likely to get. Therefore it should be
expedited through viable measures. Motivation efforts for making them aware about
natural benefits of the forests for providing them pure drinking water, bringing rain
conserving top soil for boosting their agricultural production and providing fodder for
their milch cattle are to be emphasised.
27. By ensuring regular employment to the FPC members on preference basis as they
associate themselves in protection, development and regeneration of forests. Incentives
to FPC/Village(Sant Tukaram best JFM village Scheme of the government should get
wide publicity in JFM villages) committees in terms of cash awards/ free grants on
annual basis would be formalized. These measures would help actively involve people
in the forest management and should benefit them in the longer run. The people should
be made aware of their responsibilities so that long lasting relations get strengthened
and well being and sustenance of forests along with people is ensured.
28. CONTROL FORMS: The division office will prepare the control forms of the coupes
worked every year from the start of the working plan religiously and submit the same to
working plan office in the control form as given in Annexure XLIII in volume II by April
month end. The division will also submit location maps of the area treated along with
lattitude and longitudes (northings & eastings) to working plan office. The treated area
maps are registered in GIS system and the monitoring of vegetational changes should
be done using remote sensing images year after year by working plan office. The False
colour composites for the entire division area required for image processing are
procured by division office from National Remote Sensing Center (NRSA) and given to
working plan office regularly. The images should be of September to October period.
The working plan office will verify 10 percent of the field work done by division office to
check whether the prescriptions are properly implemented or not.
29. DEVIATION PROPOSALS: Due to lack of funds or due to any other reasons the
division fails to treat the coupe as per working plan proposals, the division should submit
deviation proposal at the end of every year of coupe treatment for further necessary
action. Minor deviations can be sanctioned at the level of the CCF working plan or the
PCCF as the case may be: but the PCCF, before sanctioning the major deviations of the
following nature, will necessarily take prior approval of the Regional CCF of the Ministry
of Environment and Forests:
(i) Change in Silvicultural System.
(ii) Clear Felling of Natural Forest.
(iii) Formation of new Felling Series: and
(iv) Large scale felling due to natural calamities, which can not be
adjusted against future yield.
CHAPTER XI
14. This working circle is constituted from the areas allotted to the Earlier Afforestation
Working Circle, areas afforested on lands acquired for compensatory afforestation and
areas acquired in the recent past. Total area of this working circle is 71271.24 hectares,
spread over all the ranges of Ahmednagar forest and Sangamner forest sub-division.
15. The forests are with open and blank patches and a result of failure plantations taken up
in the earlier years, and blanks left untreated during the earlier plan period either by
virtue of having been treated as Zone-I areas or otherwise and need to be further planted
with suitable species.
16. Total Area allotted to this working circle is 71271.24 ha. A total of 431 compartments
spread over 1414 units are proposed for working in this working circle. The list of
compartments allotted to this working circle in Ahmednagar forest division and
Sangamner forest sub-division is given in the Annexures XXVIII and XXXV respectively
in the Volume II of the plan. The range wise situation is reflected as under :
s.no Range Area of # compts Area % to % to
range Compt Units allot to area of area of
WC range division
1 Akole I 9959.40 38 114 4218.70 42.35
2 Akole II 6579.50 30 58 3831.20 58.23
3 Rajur 6841.60 24 74 1790.60 26.17
4 Sangamner I 15466.20 14 128 10013.40 64.74
5 Sangamner II 8281.30 19 52 4075.82 49.22
6 Sangamner 13107.45 18 68 8562.65 65.32
III
7 Sangamner 60235.45 143 494 32492.37 53.94
sub.division
8 Kopergaon 1256.18 3 17 320.42 25.51
9 Rahuri 14601.75 26 123 12683.10 79.44
10 Ahmednagar 10212.41 25 111 6787.85 66.47
11 Parner 6506.29 26 161 3453.32 53.07
12 Takli 15309.25 21 96 12105.18 79.07
Dokeshwar
13 Pathardi 8881.14 13 70 2404.12 27.07
14 Teesgaon 4739.20 7 16 789.50 16.66
15 Jamkhed 4162.25 3 9 235.38 5.66
16 Ahmednagar 65668.47 124 603 38778.87 59.05
div total
Grand total 125903.92 267 1097 71271.24 56.60
Ahmednagar
dn
17. The area is deprived of satisfactory tree growth, present in blanks. These blanks could
be failed earlier attempts or natural blanks left alone for reasons that the area is
unworkeable or under zone I in the earlier plan period, or for assumption that the soil
strata is not supportive for plant growth. However such areas are also envisaged to be
tackled in the current plan period under this working circle. The stock mapping of the
compartments is done by procuring Forest Density Classified Satellite Images from
Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, The Images procured belong to the year 2004.
Compartment boundaries are overlaid on these images and density maps are prepared.
The results of stock mapping are indicated in Annexure LXIV of Volume II of the Plan.
18. Soil depth is sufficient in most of the areas, however due to faulty practice of not laying
down coupes in the areas of working, large areas have repeatedly been afforested,
leaving plenty of gaps in between wherever soil depth is apparently less; further
problematic areas too have been given the slip thereby occupying more gross area than
allotted, as a result the vegetation appears sparse, offering scope for under planting, and
enrichment with beneficial plant species. Area classified under Zone I as per the earlier
Afforestation Working Circle was not prescribed any afforestation treatment, which shall
be tackled now in this plan period. Areas suitable for afforestation after drilling holes and
raising irrigated plantations have been identified for special treatment after obtaining due
permission from the competent authority.
b. Area 'B':
(i) Under stocked and blank forest areas where slopes are <250,
Appropriate structures at regular intervals on the nalas, with loose
boulder structures on the upstream of these dams should be
constructed to prevent early siltation. After siltation of loose boulder
structures agave/aloe suckers or khus/vetivera grass slips should
be planted on the silted soil. On gentler slopes (<150)CCT works
should be done and fresh seed of Jatropha curcus, Semaruba
glauca should be sown at 0.5m intervals. The seed being oil
yielding seed its germination viability is very low. Seed of previous
season does not germinate. Hence it is mandatory to purchase or
collect seed from fruits of that very season. DCF should ensure that
the seed is fresh by conducting germination tests before they are
sown on CCT’s. Continuous Contour Trenches should be taken with
proper alignment. Models promulgated by the Government of
Maharashtra in this regard based on the slope of the ground shall
be used in finalizing the estimates. Fresh seed of Karanj/Neem/
Moha/Jatropha etc or locally available species, as per the DCF’s
choice should be sown at 50 centimeter interval. The earlier
technique of CCT by refilling of Contour may be adapted. Works
shall be completed before the onset of Monsoon. Quantum of work
will depend upon the site requirement. Specific treatment for the
areas as Zone I, Zone II and Zone III is as under:
c. Area 'C':
(i) These areas are to be underplanted with suitable species including
Bamboo, Chandan and other economically important species such
that the planted population doesn’t exceed 400 plants per hectare.
(ii) At places where severe congestion of Subabul and Glyricidia exist,
needful thinning operations including removal may be resorted to
encourage growth of superior planted species.
d. Area ‘D’:
(i) D1 areas- areas support 750 plants per hectare, however
silvicultural thinning to favour enrichment by bamboo, sandal,
ashwagandha, samudrashosh, shatavari, bedki pala/Gymnema and
other economically important species are recommended to improve
the floristics of the area.
(ii) D2: The natural regeneration of this area need to be supplemented
by artificial regeneration to the extent by which natural regeneration
fall short of 750 plants per hectare with suitable species including
Bamboo, Chandan etc., based on the local edaphic factors
31. The following table shows the compilation of suitable species which can be planted in
different types of soil.
7 Hilly tract with Anjan, Khair, Movai, Chandan, Sterculia urens, Acacia
good soil nilotica, Prosopis juliflora, all ficus spp.
8 Moist patches Terminalia arjuna, jamun, all ficus spp.
9 Hilly tract with Ailanthus excelsa, Melia azadirachta, Buchanania lanzan.
poor soil Anjan, Salai, Sterculia urens, all ficus spp.
10 Gravely soil Rohan, Acacia auriculiformis, Khair, Mahua, Annona
squamosa, Dhawada, Bauhinia variegata, Cassia siamea,
Terminalia chebula, all ficus spp.
11 Shallow soil Ailanthus excelsa, Sterculia urens, Boswellia serrata, Melia
azadirach, Khair, Hiwar, Xylia xylocarpa, Bauhinia veriegata,
Hardwikia binata, cassia fistula, Cassia siamea, Dhawada,
Terminalia chebula, all ficus spp.
12 Lateritic soil Acacia auriculiformis, Xylia xylocarpa, Terminalia belerica,
Terminalia chebula, Neem, Karanj, Mahua, all ficus spp.
13 Swampy soil Acacia nilotica, Albizzia procera, Samania saman, Mitragyna
parviflora, Terminalia arjuna, all ficus spp.
14 Grassy blank Samania Saman, Bombax ceiba, all ficus spp.
soils
32. MARKING RULES FOR Afforestation and Soil –Water Conservation Working
Circle:
a. Marking For Type 'A' Area: No marking will be carried out.
b. Marking For Type 'B' Area:
(i) All dead, dying and diseased trees after retaining 2 dead trees per
hectare shall be marked for felling.
(ii) All live high stumps shall be cut as close to the ground as possible
and dressed.
(iii) All malformed advance growth of Teak (Sangamner sub-division)
up to 30 cm. shall be cut back
(iv) The established multiple coppice shoots will be reduced to one per
stool retaining the vigorous one, which is closer to the ground.
(v) The undesirable under growth, which is preventing growth of natural
regeneration of desired species will be removed.
SECTION 9: REGENERATION.
33. Natural Regeneration: The NR will be protected against fire and animals.
TCM/Vegetative live hedge fencing or other kind of fencing may be established.
34. ARTIFICIAL REGENERATION AND CHOICE OF SPECIES:
b. Cleaning: A cleaning operation will be carried out in the 5th year commencing
from the year of planting.
(i) All climbers will be cut over entire area of the coupe, if necessary
i.e., when it is ensured beyond doubt that the species doesn’t have
NTFP value superior to the plant/tree it is endangering.
(ii) Damaged, malformed saplings, and coppice shoots will be cutback.
Multiple coppice shoots will be reduced to one promising shoot per
stool provided no other seed origin sapling is available at that place.
(iii) Fast growing inferior species and bamboo interfering or likely to
interfere with reproduction of teak & other valuable species will be
cut.
(iv) In thick patches of teak advance growth & established regeneration
of other valuable species spacing between saplings to be retained,
should vary from 2 meter to 2.59 meter depending on the height of
the sapling. Cleaning in plantation areas should be carried out as &
when required depending upon the crop condition.
b. Thinning: Thinning in plantation areas will be carried out when the III year of
operations are completed. The thinning will be silvicultural as prescribed in the
Chapter on Miscellaneous Regulations and would aim to restrict the plant
population to 750 per hectare in tune with the Ecological Index of the region,
retaining healthy economical crop.
35. Models for afforestation are enclosed under Annexures XLVI and XLVII of the Volume II
of the plan, for ease of reference and planning.
36. Sandal Plantations wherever taken should be ensured of proper protection. Preference
to be given to such areas where protection can be ensured.
37. An area of 454.08 ha (108.33ha in Nagar division and 345.75ha in Sangamner sub-
division) is found to be suitable for afforestation after drilling holes/blasting the surface;
details of which are appended in the Annexure XLVIII of Vol II., the works modelled on
raising plantations of vad and pimpal on such blasted soils shall be undertaken only
after sanction is obtained from the competent authority.
38. Likewise an area of 805.5ha (618ha in Nagar division and 187.5 ha in Sangamner sub-
division) the details of which are appended at Annexure XLIX of the Volume II of the
plan found suitable to raise irrigated plantation by virtue of their nearness to irrigation
facility, may be taken up only after obtaining sanction from the competent authority.
39. Protection from Fire: All the Plantations will be fire traced and rigidly fire protected for
a period of Five years from the year of planting. In the month of October / November
after the demarcation is over all the undergrowth in the proposed external and internal
fire line is removed. The cut material will be spread along the fire-line length and burnt
taking care that the cut material remains sufficiently away from the stems of the trees
and burning does not harm the trees. The dry and cut bushes of unwanted species shall
be burnt before the end of February to avoid fire hazards to the forests. All the
plantations shall be part of the Fire Protection Plan to be prepared for the divisions. The
regeneration is the future growing stock. Hence the main thrust should be on protection
of regeneration. The techniques of fire protection should be as per the paragraphs given
in Miscellaneous Regulations
40. To ensure effective protection from fire the workable schemes of fire protection should
be carried out in which the due share to people’s participation shall be given. For
meaningful participation modalities shall be worked out to impart benefit to the people so
that they come forward. The village forest protection committees will be formed & fire
protection will be done through the village protection committee.
41. Grazing Control: The areas in the working circle shall remain closed to grazing for a
period of 5 years. The grazing will be regulated as per Govt. policy of the Govt. of
Maharashtra dt.6th Dec.1968 Further, in the area of adjoining but with sufficient lag for
working of coupe, seeds of palatable grasses be sown and villagers be motivated to
harvest the fodder. The method of rotational grazing is followed. As per functional
classification this working circle can mainly be classified as minor forests and the
maximum grazing incidence prescribed for it is 1.2 ha per cattle unit. This will facilitate
opening of area on rotational basis. The closed areas should be specifically mentioned
in the grazing licenses and villagers be communicated of such closures by suitable
means such as drum-beating, notices on prominent places, village Panchayat officers
etc. and by binding grass pullies or stacks along the boundaries of closed coupes.
However the grazing settlement report prepared and submitted to the Government for
Ahmednagar division, doesn’t prescribe issue of any grazing permits, which is yet to
receive official sanction from the Government.
42. Soil and moisture Conservation Works: One of the main objectives of dry zone
afforestation is soil and moisture conservation. Therefore the amount of earth work
should be so designed that it holds maximum runoff.
So the amount of earth work should not be less than 180 Cum. Per ha. to hold
maximum runoff. The foregoing discussion indicates to propose the no. of plants around
750 and earth work not less than 180 cum would be ideal for Ahmednagar district in
general. Preference should be given to utilization of Vegetative structures in devising
such methodology, and cement bandharas should be to the minimum. Keeping in view
of the ample work of Soil and Moisture works already done in the areas, any additional
work proposed should be duly verified as necessary by an officer of rank not below the
Assistant Conservator of forests.
43. A judicious combination from the available techniques of Soil & Water Conservation
techniques is to be arrived at. Deep CCT though is being advocated by many needs to
be taken up with great degree of caution. NABARD through discussion have expressed
that they too have placed an upper cap of limiting to 150 RMT per hectare of 1mt x 1mt
dimension large WATs; and that great caution needs to be excercised in alignment and
location of the deep CCT.Observations made suggest SMC works potential of about 6-7
cumtr per hectare.
44. Guidelines on choice of soil moisture conservation methods are represented in the
chapter miscellaneous regulations.
45. Soil and Moisture Conservation works are based on the principle that says,
“ONE WHICH IS RUNNING, MAKE IT TO WALK;
ONE, WHICH IS WALKING, MAKE IT TO STOP;
And, ONE, WHICH IS STOPPED, LET IT BE ABSORBED.”
46. Gully plugging and nala bunding works will be taken up. The catchments areas of the
earlier bandhara/structures be treated with loose boulder structures/ vegetative
strucutres so as to prevent siltation, avoiding cement structures. On gentler slopes
(<150) CCT works should be done and fresh seed of Jatropha curcus or suitable site
specific local species should be sown at 0.5m intervals. Species like Aloe, Agave,
Charoli etc., with very good NTFP value should be collected during season and sown on
trenches. Jatropha seed being oil yielding seed its germination viability is very low. Seed
of previous season does not germinate. Hence it is mandatory to purchase or collect
seed from Jatropha fruits of that very season. DCF should ensure that the seed is fresh
by conducting germination tests before they are sown on CCT’s. Works shall be
completed before the onset of Monsoon. Quantum of work will depend upon the site
requirement.
47. People’s Participation: Ahmednagar district has a tradition of producing pioneers in
the field of Soil and Water Conservation. The people’s participation is the need of the
hour, to protect the forest from fire, grazing, illicit cutting etc. Unless the villagers living
nearby are made aware of the material benefit from the forest, they would not feel
associated with the well being of the forest and may not visualize the distinct valuable
utility of forests for their material benefit they get or likely to get. Therefore it should be
expedited through viable measures. Motivation efforts for making them aware about
natural benefits of the forests for providing them pure drinking water, bringing rain
conserving top soil for boosting their agricultural production and providing fodder for
their milch cattle are to be emphasised.
48. By ensuring regular employment to the FPC members on preference basis as they
associate themselves in protection, development and regeneration of forests. Incentives
to FPC/Village(Sant Tukaram best JFM village Scheme of the government should get
wide publicity in JFM villages) committees in terms of cash awards/ free grants on
annual basis would be formalized. These measures would help actively involve people
in the forest management and should benefit them in the longer run. The people should
be made aware of their responsibilities so that long lasting relations get strengthened
and well being and sustenance of forests along with people is ensured.
49. CONTROL FORMS: The division office will prepare the control forms of the coupes
worked every year from the start of the working plan religiously and submit the same to
working plan office in the control form as given in Annexure XLIII of Volume II by April
month end. The division will also submit location maps of the area treated along with
lattitude and longitudes(northings & eastings) to working plan office. The treated area
maps are registered in GIS system and the monitoring of vegetational changes should
be done using remote sensing images year after year by working plan office. The False
colour composites for the entire division area required for image processing are
procured by division office from National Remote Sensing Center(NRSA) and given to
working plan office regularly. The images should be of September to October period.
The working plan office will verify 10 percent of the field work done by division office to
check whether the prescriptions are properly implemented or not.
50. DEVIATION PROPOSALS: Due to lack of funds or due to any other reasons the
division fails to treat the coupe as per working plan proposals, the division should submit
deviation proposal at the end of every year of coupe treatment for further necessary
action. Minor deviations can be sanctioned at the level of the CCF working plan or the
PCCF as the case may be: but the PCCF, before sanctioning the major deviations of the
following nature, will necessarily take prior approval of the Regional CCF of the Ministry
of Environment and Forests:
(i) Change in Silvicultural System.
(ii) Clear Felling of Natural Forest.
(iii) Formation of new Felling Series: and
(iv) Large scale felling due to natural calamities, which can not be
adjusted against future yield.
************
CHAPTER XII
Soil depth is sufficient in most of the areas but in areas close to revenue areas soil
compaction due to biotic interference is observed.
10. The annual coupes will be worked on departmental basis. In the working of
annual coupes, works like demarcation, preparation of treatment map, preparation of
estimates will be carried out by the forest staff under technical supervision of
concerned A.C.F. Involvement of local JFM communities may be solicited to
facilitate smooth operation.
18. Following operations will be common for all the above mentioned areas:
Eradication of bushes and weeds by uprooting and manual cutting. After cutting their
stumps will be treated with weedicides viz.2,4,5-T (0.4%solution) to prevent their
resurgence. However, fodder trees of old plantations should be retained.
b. Category 2 areas:
WATs of 60 cm. Width and 30cm. Depth will be dug up throughout the
workable area at a spacing of 8m. Trench should be aligned along the
contours. 50 grass seed beds of size 8m. x 1.75cm x 15cm shall be prepared
in between these trenches. The grass and legume seeds will be sown in
alternate lines on grass seed beds and trenches about 4.5 kg. Seed of grass
will be required. Requirement of legume seeds is similar to that for category
1 areas. Timing and method of sowing is as given for category 1 area.
c. Category 3 areas:
WATs of 60 cm. Width and 30cm. Depth will be dug up throughout the
workable area at a spacing of 8m. along the contours. Small pits of size
10cm. X 10cm. X 10cm shall be dug up through out the site at 1m. x 1m
spacing. These pits will provide better conditions for germination than
ordinary dibbing. Grass and legume seeds will be sown in alternate lines on
these pits and also on trenches. The depth of seeds sown will not be more
than 0.8 cm. The timing of sowing will be as per category 1 areas.
20. Planting of fodder tree species on Trenches: Throughout the site 250
seedlings of fodder species mentioned above will be planted at 8 x 5m spacing.
21. Weeding: In the first year, it is proposed to carry out two weeding to remove
undesirable grass species, interfering with growth of grasses and legumes sown in
the plantation.
The first weeding will be done in the second/third week of July and the second
weeding the middle of September. During the weeding where line sowing is done all
undesirable grasses will be removed. In case of G.S.B. the grasses other than sown will be
removed. In case of pit method, weeding around the pit up to a distance of 30cm on either
side will be carried out.
Weedings of seedling: Two weeding with soil working of 250 seedling planted on trenches
during first year. Soil working with one weeding during 2nd year and one soil working during
3rd year should be carried out.
22. Fertilizer application:
In the formation year, it is proposed to give fertilizer dose to get better results. For
plain areas where ripping and line sowing of grass legume seed is done basal dose of
phosphate at 20 kg/ha and Nitrogen 20 kg/ha, will be administered by broadcasting the said
fertilizers before sowing of seeds. Top dressing does of 20 kg Nitrogen/ha will be given after
one month of establishment of grasses. In undulating areas 40 kg Nitrogen/ha will be given
by spraying urea. This does has to be given after one month of establishment of grasses.
26. The strategies should include measures to establish fodder banks, conversion
of fodder into feed blocks, extension activity geared to enrich Straw/Stover with urea,
hay/silage, chaff cutters use, emphasis on fodder seed production and watershed
development programmes.
27. The JFM Village level forest protection committees should be imbibed to
appreciate the benefits of efficient use of technology to further their animal husbandry
enterprises, and the silvi-cultural management working circle can not be truly
effective without due emphasis on people participation.
28. Ahmednagar district has developed a strong foothold in the Dairy Industry,
hence the forest department could play a major role in developing the lands with
active co-operation of the people of the district.
29. Establishment of Seed Plots: To make available good quality grass seeds,
seed plots of 2-3 Ha. each will be established in the Division in following Talukas,
where the work of raising the silvi-pasture plantations are proposed –
a. Sangamner
b. Akola
c. Ahmednagar
d. Shevgaon
30. For establishing the seed plots, site with good soil depth (more than 30 cms)
should be selected in the month of October. It should be ploughed and cross
ploughed thoroughly. A light burn of available grasses will be helpful. Farmyard
manure should be applied to the site. Area should be levelled as far as possible to
avoid water logging afterwards, small undulations can also be left. This work should
be completed by March end. This site will be left to weather in the sun till last week of
May. In the last week of May, the clods of soil should be broken and seeds of grass
should be sown in a line. In this way about 10 kg. Seed will suffice for a hectare.
Care should be taken to sow different species of grass in separate plots in a Nursery.
200 kg Super phoshate basal dose should be applied before sowing (Fertilizer should
be applied as per requirement after soil testing).
31. After the seed germination is over, fertilizer at the rate of 100 kg. Of Urea per
Ha should be applied. Urea should be applied during the down pour. After one month
, the site should be cleared of all the unwanted grasses and brushwood during
weeding (2 weedings)
32. The grass will be ready for harvesting from November onwards. Before
harvesting, the seed should be collected and stored properly for use in the next
monsoon season. In this way, by conservative estimates, 150kg. Seed will be
produced per hectare. Usual production of the proposed grass seed is 250 kg/ Ha.
33. Fire Protection: Main-working coupes will be fire traced and rigidly fire
protected for a period of Five years from the year of working. In the month of
October / November after the demarcation is over all the unwanted undergrowth will
be uprooted. The cut material will be spread over the fire line area to be in such a
way that the cut material remains sufficiently away from the stems of the trees and
burning does not harm the trees. The dry and cut bushes of unwanted species shall
be burnt before the end of February to avoid fire hazards to the forests.
34. To ensure effective protection from fire the workable schemes of fire protection
should be carried out in which the due share to people’s participation shall be given.
For meaningful participation modalities shall be worked out to impart benefit to the
people so that they come forward. The village forest protection committees will be
formed & fire protection will be done through the village protection committee. The
comprehensive Fire Fighting Scheme should be chalked out so that effective Fire
Fighting force is created for, for the period 15 th February to 15 th June on 24 hour
duty on suitable area basis.
35. The techniques of fire protection should be as per the paragraphs given in
Miscellaneous Regulations.
36. Grazing Control: - The areas of main working shall remain closed to grazing
for a period of 5 years. The grazing will be regulated as per Govt. policy of the Govt.
of Maharashtra dt.6th Dec.1968. Further, in the area of adjoining but with sufficient
lag for working of coupe, seeds of palatable grasses be sown and villagers be
motivated to harvest the fodder. The method of rotational grazing be followed. As
per functional classification this working circle can mainly be classified as minor
forests and pasture lands and the maximum grazing incidence prescribed for it is 0.4
ha per cattle unit. The closed areas should be specifically mentioned in the grazing
licenses and villagers be communicated of such closures by suitable means such as
drum-beating, notices on prominent places, village Panchayat officers etc. and by
binding grass pullies or stacks along the boundaries of closed coupes. Recent report
of the Settlement Officer, Ahmednagar division recommended no grazing in the
forest areas of the division, which is yet to be accorded sanction by the Government.
Till then no further decision shall be taken, and measures to encourage staff feeding
shall be in force.
37. CONTROL FORMS: The division office will prepare the control forms of the
coupes worked every year from the start of the working plan religiously and submit
the same to working plan office in the control form as given in volume II by April
month end. The division will also submit location maps of the area treated along with
lattitude and longitudes(northings & eastings) to working plan office. The treated area
maps are registered in GIS system and the monitoring of vegetational changes
should be done using remote sensing images year after year by working plan office.
The False colour composites for the entire division area required for image
processing are procured by division office from National Remote Sensing
Center(NRSA) and given to working plan office regularly. The images should be of
September to October period. The working plan office will verify 10 percent of the
field work done by division office to check whether the prescriptions are properly
implemented or not.
38. DEVIATION PROPOSALS: Due to lack of funds or due to any other reasons
the division fails to treat the coupe as per working plan proposals, the division should
submit deviation proposal at the end of every year of coupe treatment for further
necessary action. Minor deviations can be sanctioned at the level of the CCF working
plan or the PCCF as the case may be: but the PCCF, before sanctioning the major
deviations of the followig nature, will necessarily take prior approval of the Regional
CCF of the Ministry of Environment and Forests:
i) Change in Silvicultural System.
ii) Clear Felling of Natural Forest.
iii) Formation of new Felling Series: and
iv) Large scale felling due to natural calamaties, which can not be
adjusted against future yield.
**************
CHAPTER XIII
BAMBOO (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE
5. The areas which are being afforested with Bamboo, in the recent years, too shall be
worked under the prescriptions of the working circle, as and when they become eligible
for working, necessitating separate estimates to be prepared by the RFO, which shall be
given needful sanction by the Division/Sub-divisional officer in-charge of the division.
6. Total Area allotted to this working circle is 854.50 ha only in Sangamner sub-division.
A total of 23 compartments comprising of 25 units are proposed for working in this
working circle. The list of compartments allotted to this working circle is given in the
Annexure XXXVII of the Volume II of the plan. The range wise situation is reflected as
under :
s.no Range Area of range # compts Area allot % to area % to area
compt Units to WC of range of division
1 Akole I 9959.40 6 7 292.60 2.93
2 Akole II 6503.70 10 10 302,30 4.65
3 Rajur 6841.60 7 8 259.60 3.79
4 Sangamner I 15466.20 0 0 0
5 Sangamner II 8281.30 0 0 0
6 Sangamner III 13107.45 0 0 0
7 Sangamner 54808.31 23 25 854.50 1.56
sub.division
8 Ahmednagar div 65949.13 0 0 0.00 0
total
9 Grand total 125903.92 23 25 854.50 0.68
Ahmednagar dn
(ii) soil working of clump shaving majority of culms of size below 10 cm girth. this soil
working each in first and second year will be done after working the clumps as
mentioned in the para above at 8.
14. The necessary operation will start two years in advance of the planting operations
(i) Preparation of mother beds :- After thorough cross ploughing the area upto a depth
of 30 cm raised beds of size 12.20 m x 1.20 m will be prepared in the month of March –
April after allowing the ploughed soil to weather for about a month all clouds on beds
should be broken properly before sowing.
(ii) Sowing :- As soon as the seed is available in May-June , it should be sown in lines in
the bed, lines being 10 cm apart. About 1 kg seed will be required for a bed.
(iii) Germination :- After the rains set in the germination starts within 6 to 7 days and is
completed within 3 weeks.
16. Planting operations: - After the good monsoon showers are received and the soil
gets properly soaked upto a depth of 30 cm the nursery raised bamboo seedlings in
polythene bags should be planted. Care should be taken to see that the buds or rhizome
do not get hurt while transporting and planting the seedlings. The rhizome portion should
only go completely below the ground level. The soil should be packed thoroughly round
the plant.
17. Weeding operations: - In the first year 3 weeding should be carried out after one
month of planting. The second weeding should be carried out after two month of first
weeding should be carried out after two month of first weeding i.e. in the month of August
–September and the third weeding should be done in the month of November –
December. The plant should be clean weeded to a distance of 45 cm all round. Along
with third weeding it is necessary to do mulching. The soil should be heaped around the
plant at the center.
18. In the second year two weeding should be carried out. The first weeding in the month
of July and along with this weeding casualty replacement should also be done. The
second weeding should be carried out in the month of October.
19. In the third year only one weeding should be carried out in the month of August.
20. FIRE PROTECTION : Fire cause extensive damage to the new shoots of bamboos
and therefore these areas will be completely protected from fire.
21. Gregarious flowering: in instances of gregarious flowering immediate verification of
the facts, are to be followed up by seeking permission to harvest such gregariously
flowered bamboo from the Chief Conservator of forests.
22. GRAZING CONTROL :- These areas should be protected from grazing specially in the
rainy season in which the recruitment of new culms will take place.
23. NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION: The Government India is encouraging large scale
production of Bamboo all over the country, under the Bamboo national mission.
Advantage of the said scheme should be taken, and all the training material, literature
pertaining to Bamboo cultivation, rearing, harvest, grading, marketing and utilization
should be utilized and disseminated at the village level, so that the district is benefited.
CHAPTER XIV
1. This is an overlapping working circle. There are many successful plantations in the
division, and plantations done in the division since its inception are covered in this
working circle. During previous working plan period many special schemes were
implemented and close to 52,000 hectares of plantations were done in the division in the
last decade. Normally the plantations are ignored once the period of the scheme is over.
Also same planted areas are being taken again for plantation with out objectively judging
the reasons for failure of previous plantation. The D.C.F. should verify all old plantation
areas, since the first plantation done in the division and ascertain the status of the
plantation. The successful plantation should be first be verified by the RFO, cross
checked by ACF and reported to the DCF. DCF on verification should ask the RFO and
ACF to prepare estimate for further cultural operations in the plantation. The failure of
plantations needs critical analysis by the department.
2. The list of old plantations should be prepared by division office. The division office also
prepares a list of plantation to be verified every year of the plan period i.e. each year
should have Total number of plantations done thus far divided by Plan period (10years).
This list should be sent to CCF, Working Plan, and Evaluation offices. These lists should
be prepared range wise and sent to respective range officer. The RFO of the range will
prepare a status report of each and every plantation in his jurisdiction along with the
control form number-3 and submit the report to ACF (critical analysis of success/failure
of plantation). The ACF should make field visit and thoroughly investigate the field
situation and submit a report to the DCF with reasons for success/failure every year as
per allotment. Some of the plantations are already evaluated by Evaluation division,
Nashik; these reports should be considered while preparing the critical analysis of the
report.
3. The copies of the report should be given to Research & Evaluation division, Working
plan division. All these three units i.e. evaluation & research, working plan and field
officers should analyze the reasons for success/failure objectively and future remedies
should be suggested from these experiences (learning experience) so that the future
efforts will not go waste.
4. Working plan office is equipped with GIS soft ware. Using satellite images the vegetation
maps can be prepared. The vegetation maps indicate the dense, open and blank forest
areas. Only the blank areas of the division should be taken for plantation purpose. All
divisions are equipped with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) instruments, using GPS,
the location of the plantation along with Latitude / Longitudes ( northings / eastings ) of
the corners of the plantation area should be supplied to CF, working plan office every
year. To start with last five year locations and as the working plan starts, all areas
treated every year should be submitted with map and Lat/Long points of the plantation.
5. The division will order and procure the satellite images of the division for
September/October month every year from National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA),
and supply to working plan office for image analysis. The working plan office after image
analysis (forest density classification) will superimpose the compartment boundaries and
the areas which have been planted (areas as supplied by division office) and give the
vegetational change status to CCF(T) and the DCF Ahmednagar with his comments.
This exercise can be a very good check on plantation program of the department.
6. Forest department should use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) extensively. The
GIS system should find application at Range Office level. It is extremely difficult to
physically monitor vegetational changes year after year. Here the GIS can be very
handy software to monitor and control ground situations. The GIS and GPS till RFO level
will help to do ground truth activity easily. To use GIS system uniformly it is necessary to
develop a standard and uniform procedure for whole of the state.
7. The general characteristics are same as that of the compartments in which the
plantations were carried out.
8. As the object of management is improvement, only climber cutting, tending etc. are
proposed to be carried out in successful plantations in this working circle.
9. From the list of plantations carried out in the division since division inception, DCF
should prepare list of 2000 to 2500 hectares of old plantations and assess first its
success or failure. The reasons for their present condition should be analyzed. The
verification and assessment will be done by RFO and ACF and reported to DCF. DCF
should verify 10% of failure plantations and hundred percent successful plantations,
before preparing estimations for cultural operations. The list of all plantations should be
circulated to CF working plan and DCF evaluation of the circle. These offices should
verify failure plantations at random and hundred percent verification of successful
plantations.
10. All three wings i.e. field, evaluation and working plan officer shall independently assess
these plantations and come together at CF working plan office in the month of
December for object analysis of these plantations and make a report to CCF (Territorial)
by January 15th every year.
11. The quantum of plantations undertaken between 1986 to 94 is indicated below-
12. The quantum of plantations under different schemes done in the last decade (1992 to
2005) is represented as:
Total area planted Successful Partially successful Failure
50834.23 ha 25336 ha 2245 ha 27581
The data base needs to be perfectly developed in terms of location of compartment number
and survey number, keeping in view the large tracts of land repeatedly afforested over the
years. The list of plantations done in the district is appended at Annexure XVII of the
Volume II of the plan.
13. Cut Back Operation: The stumps of illicitly cut tree will be felled in slanting manner by
saw. Dressing of the stool will be carried out. The area will be protected from fire.
14. First Year Operation: Two vigorous and straight coppices coming from the lower most
side will be retained. Other coppices will be cut. Seed sowing will be carried out in the
blank areas. Soil and moisture conservation works will also be taken up. Area will be
protected from fire.
15. Second Year Operation: Singling operation will be carried out and only one vigorous
and straight coppice coming from the ground level will be retained and other coppices
will be cut. Area will be protected from fire.
16. Subsidiary Cultural Operation: All climbers will be cut. If some miscellaneous plants
are having multiple leaders only the most vigorous shoots will be retained and others will
be cut.
17. Thinning Methods: General considerations: When a plantation is made, silvicultural
requirements, particularly, the restoration or creations of a tree cover to the soil. Dictate
spacing plan would be adopted if economy is not the immediate cause and number of
plants required had alone to be considered. Many of the original number of planted have
to be cut out when they are of little of no sale value to permit satisfactory development of
those retained. Even so, the number of stems still standing after the first thinning of two,
will be far greater than the final number at maturity, and somewhat irregular spacing is
relatively unimportant as it can be adjusted in later thinning. The thinning operations
should be carried out as prescribed in miscellaneous regulations.
**************
CHAPTER XV
NON TIMBER FOREST PRODUCE(OVERLAPPING)WORKING CIRCLE.
The revenue of state for the year 1996 to 1999 is given below
Year 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 Average Percentages
Timber 6646 7802 6714 7054 50.28
Firewood 550 583 472 535 3.81
Bamboo 1556 1651 2001 1736 12.37
Bidi Leaves 4186 3501 3001 3563 25.40
Grass & grazing 62 63 56 60 0.43
Other MFP 228 126 63 139 0.99
Other Receipts 1050 849 935 942 6.71
14278 14575 13242 14029 100.00
3. The above table shows the contribution of minor forest produce (tendu excluded ) to
the forest department revenue as 1.43% only. This minor contribution to the state
revenue, perhaps forced our predecessors call these forest produce “MINOR
FOREST PRODUCE”. Over a period of time a new realization has set in about its
immense value and is now appropriately addressed as “NON TIMBER FOREST
PRODUCE (NTFP)”.
4. During the survey of non timber forest produce in Ahmednagar district it is observed
that Tribal Development Corporation is operating in the Akole Tehsil. Data prior to
1994-95 indicates that the forests of the district yielded NTFP.
5. The NTFP of the area included prior to 1994- Hirda, Tendu Leaves, Apta leaves,
Vavding, Kaldol Gum (Sterculia urens), Kadu limb, supli leaves, Karvi, Grass,
Bamboo, Agave, Sitaphal fruits, Karanj, which now over the decade has declined.
The details of NTFP marketed in recent years is represented as-
Year Tendu (standard Grass (tonnes) Hirda (quintals) Sitaphal
bags) (kilograms)
Of the above, Hirda fruits are handled exclusively by the Tribal Development Corporation.
The purchase value of Hirda is a fluctuating figure.
7. The department after assessing the NTFP potential of the division, should do
market survey and assesses the market and find most competitive price for the
produce collected by the local people.
8. The Parliament has enacted a law “The Provisions of the Panchayat (Extension to
the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (Act No.40 of 1996)”. The said Act, provides for
endowing by the States, the Panchayats in the Scheduled areas, with such powers
and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institution of self
Govt. It further provided that a State Legislature should ensure inter-alia, that the
Panchayats at the appropriate level and the Gram sabhas are endowed specifically
with the ownership of minor forest produce.
11. The Tribal Population in Ahmednagar district is confined mostly to the Akole taluka of
the district and the census figures over the years for the district are as under:
Population in Thousands
12. The areas which are classified as Tribal Areas are in the Akole tehsil of the
Sangamner sub-division. They are a total of 117 villages in the Tribal Sub-Plan the
details of which are appended in the Vol II of the plan.
13. The Maharashtra Tribals’ Economic Condition (Improvement) Act, 1976 empowers
the state government to enforce monopoly procurement of certain goods including
the NTFP in the Tribal Sub-plan Areas. The Maharashtra Tribal Development
Corporation (TDC) serves as the Chief Procurement Agent. List of items covered
under the monopoly procurement vary. This procurement provision is binding and
therefore to be carried out accordingly.
14. The Deputy Conservator of Forests/the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer should take
initiative to implement the Amendment 73 in Scheduled areas. During the field study
it is observed that awareness levels about the amendment and its benefits are low.
Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) should be promoted to collect the NTFP produce
and marketing facility should be provided by the forest department. Bamboo
exploitation could be one of the primary activities which could be taken up with
sizeable returns. This would avoid exploitation of poor tribal by middle men.
15. The trade of minor forest procured is governed by Minor Forest Produce (Regulation
of trade)Act 1969.
17. Since legal provisions are not very explicit, it is recommended that treatments
prescribed in the following paragraphs be modified according to the legal directives
issued by the state government from time to time.
18. Fire Protection measures: Collection of NTFP is often associated with forest fire,
because the villagers set fire around the NTFP-yielding trees for clearance of leaf
litter and undergrowth. Fires are also caused by agents of tendu contractors to get
better flush of tendu leaves. If left unattended such fires spread into forests as forest
fires.
a. The village panchayats and JFMCs shall be involved in awareness generation
program to control forest fires. Villagers should be encouraged to ensure that
such cleaning do not end up as forest fire. In case of forest fire, legal action
should be taken against the defaulters. Strict vigilance is necessary during the
months of March-April to check the spread of fires in time during tendu
season.
19. Documentation of NTFP collection: The Beat Guards shall send monthly reports to
the Range Forest Officer on the quantity of NTFP collected in their beats. The Range
Forest Officer shall compile and send the details to the division office. The division
office shall compile the figures for each species for the division with a view to monitor
their collection and harvest, to sustainable limit.
20. Non-destructive collection of NTFP: Unless detrimental to the wildlife conservation
and site conditions, sustainable harvesting of herbs non-destructive removal of
flower, fruit and other medicinal parts can be permitted.
MANAGEMENT OF TENDU:
22. Tendu leaves collection is monopoly of the state government under the Maharashtra
Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) Act, 1969. The tendu leaf collection shall be
carried out in the manner prescribed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
from time to time. Tendu is not the prominent revenue generating NTFP of this tract.
23. Tendu leaves collection is an income generating activity for most local and tribal
villages in the region. Measures to increase the proportion of Tendu in the
Afforestation drives, measures to tend the few trees present in the forests, and
outside, should be intiated. The local village communities shall be gainfully engaged
in tendu collection in the division to support their livelihood. It is proposed to ensure
inclusion of tendu in significant proportion in mixed plantations prescribed under
various area specific working circles.
MYROBALANS:
24. USE: These NTFP are used in many ways. Hirda, Beheda and Aonla are most
common amongst Myrobalans. These are of high medicinal value and are used in
many Ayurvedic medicines. Hirda and Beheda are given to children in villages
invariably for cold, cough and stomach disorder.
25. YIELD: So far no study has been conducted to know the yield of fruits for trees of
such species.
26. FORMATION OF UNITS AND COUPES: The range shall be the unit. Since working
is annual and covers the entire area and so unit will also be the coupe.
27. AGENCY FOR HARVESTING: As per latest amendment to Panchayati Raj Act, the
ownership of the minor forest produces in schedule areas is with gram panchayat.
The collection and disposal of that is to be carried out by the gram panchayat as
decided by the concerned gram sabha. Hence the collection and disposal of these
minor forest produces will be governed by the panchayat concerned. In the non-
scheduled areas, for large-scale operation, the units shall be given on lease. The
lessee will collect the same as per the direction of the DCF/inde Sub DFO
concerned. The lease period should be from 1st July to 30th June. Lease shall be
given for one year by calling tender at division or circle level. On failure of tender,
departmental harvesting can be thought of, provided marketing tie up is made with
user industries.
28. Market: All probable industrial consumers shall be identified and quality grades be
fixed and department shall act as a facilitator between JFMC and consumer.
GUM
29. The forests of Ahmednagar forest division have sporadic gum yielding trees like
Anogeissus latifolia(Dhawada), Boswellia serrata(Salai), Sterculia urens(kadai),
Acacia senegal(Babul), Acacia Arabica (gum arabica) etc. concentrated in patches,
details of which find mention in the compartment histories. These are used in
medicines, chemicals, cosmetics and food industries. Salai gum is mostly used as
incense and is said to be used in the Indian medicines for rheumatism and nervous
diseases. It has the possibility of becoming an important substitute for imported
Canada balsam, used as mounting media in the preparation of microscopic slides.
This gum is very similar to turpentine oil. Varnish and paints prepared from it have
been found to be suitable. It may also be suitable in the manufacture of elastic
adhesive, lacquers, oilcloth compositions, ink and perfumery. Kulu gum is the
costliest gum and is having export potential. Dhawada gum is very good for the
preparation of many food items. It is mostly used in the preparation of sweets. So it is
in great demand before Diwali. Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur are the big markets for
consumption.
30. Regeneration of Gum Yielding Trees: NR of gum yielding trees such as kulu,
dhawra and salai shall be provided soil working along with other planted seedlings
during coupe operations of area specific working circles.
a. Digging of 30cm deep trench encircling kulu, dhawda and salai trees of
diameter matching the tree crown has been found to be useful to regenerate
the species from roots; By doing so roots are injured and from which profuse
shoots come out. Singling and tending will increase the population of this
species. The practice is proposed to regenerate areas deficient of kulu,
dhawra and salai in stocking.
b. kulu, dhawra and salai is prescribed to be included in the list of species
prescribed in various area specific working circles.
Yield:
a. The study of yield of gums has not been done in this tract. The production is low.
No scientific method for tapping has been used so far in this area. This is a very
potential field of employment generation and revenue earning. Besides, the
regulations of the collection are very important from protection of forest from the
fire point of view.
b. The survey done by the Working Plan staff by laying down 400 square metre
plots in the compartments gives a general picture of NTFP resource. The DCF
should exactly asses the total resource in his division. The resource survey
should be girth class wise and beat wise. Each NTFP tree should be numbered
and recorded properly by the beat guard. A study should be conducted by the
DCF regarding the gum exudation from trees girth class wise and exactly asses
the gum potential of the division. The methodology to carryout these activities
should be devised by DCF with the approval of the CCF of the circle.
c. Despite the fact that there is currently less potential to exploit NTFP for gums
literature which could have a bearing and of use in the years to come is
mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs-
Tapping Rules: The rules for tapping, derived by the FRI, Dehradun, are as follows:
a. The tapping season will commence from November to end of May each year.
No tree below 90 cm in girth will be tapped.
b. Tapping will be confined to the main bole of trees between 15 cm from ground
level to the point from which first branch is given off.
c. Only trees above 90 cm in girth at breast height will be tapped.
d. Each tree will be tapped continuously for 3 years and will be given a rest for 3
years thereafter. The second tapping cycle will begin in the 7th year after the
commencement of tapping season and will continue for another period of 3
years.
e. The initial blaze of 20 cm wide and 30 cm in length or height may be made in
the month of November on trees at 15 cm above ground level with a sharp
edge having 7.5 cm wide blade. The blaze is made 0.6 cm deep in the
bark.Blaze may be made horizontally leaving approximately equal space
between the blazes. The blazes should not have any loose fiber. The
number of blazes on each tree is represented as under:
1 0.9 mt to 1.3mtr 2
2 1.3 mt to 2.0mtr 3
f. No fresh blaze will be made on the partially healed up surface or old wounds.
g. Each blaze will be in a shape of parabola with a 2.5 cm wide base. The
curved side of the parabola will be upwards and of height not more than 7.50
cm and the depth of the blaze will not exceed 0.6 cm in the wood.
h. At the end of the session, the height of the blaze shall not be greater than
12.50 cm. Maximum permissible dimension of each blaze shall be 10 cm x
12.5 cm x 0.6 cm in width, height and depth respectively.
i. Since the tapping is to be done continuously for three years the total height of
the blaze at the end of three years of tapping will be 37.5 cm, the width and
depth remaining the same.
j. In the second cycle i.e. in the 7th year (after three years rest) new blazes will
be made in the same way in the unblazed portion, in between the blazed
portions of the first cycle. This blazing will continue for another three years in
the manner described above and the operation will be repeated till unblazed
portion is fully covered.
Grading: The collected gum is graded into three classes:
i) White
ii) Yellowish
iii) Black coloured.
36. White coloured gum fetches higher price in the market compared to yellowish and
black gum. Yellowish gum fetches less price as compared to white one. Black gum
fetches the lowest price. When gum is collected it is a mixture of all the three grades.
By grading the gum the trader is able to assess correctly and offers correct price. So
skill for grading be provided to the people by organizing training to the gum
collectors.
37. The colour of the gum is dependent upon the climatic conditions. It is said that clear
sky in the night will exude white coloured gum.
Formation Of Units And Coupes: Range is the unit. Each unit is generally divided into
three annual coupes. The working cycle will be of three years.
38. Agency: As per latest amendment to Panchayat Raj Act, the ownership of the minor
forest produces in schedule areas is with gram panchayat. The collection and
disposal of that is to be carried out by the gram panchayat as decided by the
concerned gram sabha. Hence the collection and disposal of these minor forest
produces will be governed by the panchayat concerned. In the non-scheduled areas,
for large-scale operation, collection may be done either by FLCS or other agency
under terms and conditions as decided by the Government.
39. Market: There is monopoly purchase by TDC under the provisions of Monopoly Act.
Besides, the export of raw or finished goods shall be explored. The dhawada gum
has been accorded GRAS(Generally Regarded As Safe ) status by Food and Drug
Administration of USA. The status for this gum has provided immense market in
western world. These markets should be explored by the forest department for
obtaining better price to the gum. Dhawada gum is an exclusive product of India and
Sri Lanka.
Other Regulations:
i) The compartment wise list of such trees shall be prepared and maintained at beat,
round and range levels.
ii) Cleaning around the trees to facilitate gum collection and to avoid fire, shall be done.
iii) Gum producing trees shall be reserved from felling.
iv) A strict watch is necessary to enforce tapping rules and check unauthorized
collection of gum and tapping during the period of rest.the blaze should be slightly
slopping outwards to avoid lodging of guggul in the blazed pocket in case initial
blazing is done by edge.
vii) The guggul starts oozing out soon after blazes are made and may be collected
initially after a month i.e. by about December when the blazes may also be
freshened. Subsequent collections and freshening may be done at fortnightly up to
May. Thus 12 freshenings may be required to be made during the year.
viii) In each freshening, the lower surface is not to be freshened. The edges may be
scraped so that only 3.8 cm is increased on either side in width at the end of 12th
freshening. This means that about 0.3 cm should be scraped off either side in width
in each freshening.
ix) The lowest row of blazes will be at one metre above the ground level. The next row
of blazes will be made at the height of 60 cm from the lower i.e. at a total height of
1.6 metre from the ground level. The vertical portion of the blaze of upper row will
alternate with similar portion of the row and no two blazes of the two rows will be
directly one above the other.
x) The number of blazes to be made on each tree will depend on its girth at breast
height as given below:
LAC:
40. The Local populace comprising of tribals/ villagers collect lac from palas, bor,
pimpal,khair trees and also from Kusum trees which are found in small patches.
Rangeeni lac and kusum lac is collected by the local villagers and is sold to
middlemen. Lac insect is present in the division and the cultivation of lac scientifically
as taught by Indian Lac Research Institute, Ranchi, should be practiced in the
division.
41. Lac insect Kerria lacca produces three products of great commercial importance.
These are resin, dye and wax. Lac resin due to its adhesive, surface coating and
insulating properties has the potential of widespread applications in different types of
industries. Lac dye has brilliance and fastness for dyeing of wool, silk and cotton. Lac
wax is a substitute for imported carnauba wax.
42. The exact number of Kusum, bor, pimpal, khair, and palas girth class wise and beat
wise should be done to know the exact potential of the division for lac cultivation.
Lac is mostly cultivated by economically weak section of people, mostly tribals, on lac
host trees scattered over wide areas. The Lac insect is a soft bodied tiny insect
belonging to Coccid group of order Homoptera. Two genera and 19 species of lac
insects have been observed in India and most common Indian lac insect of
commercial importance is Kerria lacca Kerr. Rangeeni and Kusmi are two strains of
this insect. Each of these, produce two crops in a ear(bi-voltine). Kusmi inset grows
well mainly on Kusum (Schleichera oleosa) and also on a few other trees but not on
Palas(Butea monosperma), whereas Rangeeni strain grows well mainly on palas and
also on few other trees but not on Kusum. The rangeeni insect matures once in Oct-
Nov and there after in June-July, Where as Kusmi matures in Jan-Feb and then in
June-July. Kusum lac is havinf beautiful light colour, good life and better flow,
superior any other lac, hence kusum commands higher market price compared to
Rangeeni lac. But palas trees are widely prevalent in this country and Kusum is
sparcely populated in the jungles hence out of total lac produced in this country
Rangeeni lac comprises of 80 to 85% and Kusum lac contribution is a about 15 to
20%.
43. LAC ECONOMICS: The Assistant Project Officer(APO) of Utnoor Tribal Project,
Adilabad,from the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh states economics of lac
cultivation which is interesting,
• FROM 10 LAKH PALAS TREES.
• EACH PALAS TREE YIELDS 2KGS OF RANGEENI LAC.
• FROM 10 LAKH TREES 20 LAKH KILOS OF RANGEENI LAC IS`
OBTAINED.
• PRICE OF 1KG LAC (min) IS RS 40/-
• HENCE 10 LAKH TREES YIELD EIGHT CRORE RUPEES.
• TWO CROPS CAN BE TAKEN IN A YEAR THAT IS 16 CRORES.
44. The above economics are very interesting figures, Utnoor Tribal Project of Adilabad
district started lac cultivation only four years ago and today is a big lac cultivating
center, attracting lac purchasers from all over the country. Same is also seen in
Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, at Purulia of West Bengal. Though it is a difficult
task, a concerted effort from forest department can make this a reality. Ahmednagar
would present at the outset an image that this could not be possible, but it is
sincerely opined after gaining first hand knowledge of the interest of the villagers and
their intiatives in the field of dairy, water conservation and management, that such
eco-friendly and remunerative rural based industry coupled with the proximity to
Pune and Mumbai, offer an opportunity of making forest-people initiatives through
participatory management.
45. Training of local villagers about lac cultivation: The villagers should be trained about
lac cultivation by inviting experts from Indian Lac Research Institute(ILRI), Ranchi.
The people should also be taught about the storage and processing of lac, which will
increase the market value substantiallly. The forest department should also conduct
market survey of lac, both domestic and international so that the product can fetch
better price to the villagers.
MOHA:
46. Moha collection: Moha trees present more towards the Western borders of the
district are in low numbers. Natural Regeneration of moha shall be encouraged by
dibbling of moha seeds in the plantations and by carrying out weeding and soil
working along with other planted seedlings during coupe operations of area specific
working circles.
47. Soil working of Moha trees: Digging of 30cm deep trench encircling moha trees of
diameter matching the tree crown has been found useful to regenerate the species
from root suckers; By doing so roots are injured and from which profuse shoots come
out. Singling and tending will increase the population of this species. The practice is
proposed to regenerate areas deficient of moha in stocking.
48. Moha is prescribed to be included in the list of species prescribed in various area
specific working circles.
49. Moha Flower: Moha flower is a rich source of sugar, vitamins and calcium. The
flower, in its ripe form, has almost 73% sugar and is, therefore, even a better medium
for fermentation than grapes. Moha flower is eaten raw or cooked. This is eaten also
after frying or baking into cakes. More usually, the corolla tubes, after removing the
stamens, are boiled for about 6 hours and left to simmer until water evaporates
completely. The odour disappears as a result of cooking and the material becomes
soft and jelly like. It is eaten with rice, tamarind, grains or other food or as
sweetmeat. Dried moha flower is also boiled with rice and mixed with wheat flour
and this provides a wholesome food. After drying, it becomes valuable food additive
to diet. Moha flower is largely used in the preparation of distilled liquor also. This
liquor is actually the beer of India having strong smoky fetid odour, which disappears
on aging. It is reported to excite gastric irritation and produce other adverse effects.
Redistilled and carefully prepared liquor is good quality without having adverse
effects and closely resembles to Irish Whisky. The corollas were in the past,
exported, to France for distillation of cheap brandy.
50. Moha spirit prepared by distillation of liquid containing fermented moha flowers is the
most important alcoholic drink in many of the areas. It makes a potent drink and
efforts are required to be made to refine it in modern distilleries. The flower is also
used for the preparation of certain kinds of non-alcoholic food drink by some tribes.
The flower is also used for the preparation of vinegar. Moha having appreciable
proteins and vitamins has valuable nutrition content.
51. Syrup of good quality is prepared from the corollas by extraction with hot water
clarification with activated charcoal and evaporation under vacuum. The syrup with
very high sugar content (61%) has a golden yellow colour with the odour of fresh
flower. It is a substitute for honey. Apart from human consumption, moha flower
offers an excellent food to the livestock and wild animals as well.
52. Nutrition analysis of flower showed digestible crude protein 3.08 %, total digestible
nutrients 73.7% and starch equivalent to 53.1 %. The flesh of animals particularly of
pigs, fed on moha flowers, acquires a delicate flavour.
53. Moha Fruit:
54. Use And Nutritive Value: A ripe fruit has cream coloured epicarp, which is edible.
Moha berries were eaten raw or cooked. Cattle, sheep, goats, monkey and parrots
also eat them. They have medicinal value as well. Fruit fallen on the ground are
easily attacked by insects and ants thus becomes unfit for human consumption.
55. The moha seed oil. A thick oil light yellow in colour and extracted from the seeds, is
used by forest tribes for cooking purpose, as an illuminance and hair oil. It is also
used in the manufacture of soaps, particularly, laundry chips. In many areas it is also
used as an adulterant for ‘Ghee’ for which it is clarified with butter mark to mask the
disagreeable colour. The oil finds use in medicines also.
56. Crude oil has a deep colour, high acidity, unpleasant odour and bitter test. Refining
and hydrogenation yield product similar to mutton tallow or cocoa butters. Oil having
acid value below 13 may be refined by treatment with caustic soda and that with
higher acid value is extracted with alcohol and further treatment with alkali. Refined
oil finds use in the manufacture of lubricating grease and fatty alcohol. The oil is also
used for candles, as batching oil in Jute Industry and as a raw material for the
production of stearic acid.
57. The yield of oil from the seeds depends on the efficiency of the equipment employed
for crushing them. It is 20-30% of the weight of the kernels when crushed in ‘ghanis’,
34-37% in expellers and 40-48% when extracted by solvents.
58. Moha oil shall have a set of characteristics. For this purpose ISI standards have
been prescribed which are as below:
I II III
1. Moisture and insoluble impurities% by mass max. 0.10 0.25 0.50
2. Color in a ¼ in a cell on the Loviband scale expressed are
Y + 5R not deeper than. 0.20 30 50
o
3. Refractive index at 40 C 1.459 to 1.460
o o
4. Sp.gravity at 90 F /30 C 0.862 to 0.875
3. Saponification value 187 to 196
6. Iodine value 58 to 70
7. Unsaponification matter % by mass 2.0 3 3.0
8. Acid value max 0.5 20.0 >20
59. Yield: Moha trees starts bearing flowers and fruits between 10th to 15th years of
planting. A study with reference to the yield of moha flowers and fruits has been
conducted by the MVSS, Chandrapur in comptt.No.195 in Tadgaon Range of
Bhamragarh Forest Division in the year 1992. The trees of different shapes and
girths were selected for the purpose of this study Results obtained are as below:
Yield Of Moha Flower And Fruits
Weight in Kg.
Sr. No. G. B. H. in Cm Flower Seed
1. 076 – 090 06.00 1.20
2. 091 - 105 10.00 1.00
3. 106 - 120 11.25 2.00
4. 136 - 150 13.30 2.75
3. 151 - 175 13.00 3.80
6. 176 - 190 13.00 4.00
7. 206 – 220 20.00 4.30
Average 12.94 2.72
(Note: As year 1992 was not a good seed year, the average obtained above is on lower side.)
60. The rates of royalty in Rs/Qtl. Of Moha fower and seed as decided by the T.D.C in
Jalgaon district for the years, 95-96 to 1999-2000 is Rs.3/quintal which is indicative of
the extent of scope available.
61. Formation Of Units And Coupes:
62. The range shall be the unit of working for the purpose of this working circle. Since
operation is to be carried annually throughout the area and so the unit will be the
coupe in this case.
63. The collection of moha flowers and seeds is presently being done by individuals.
Normally they confine themselves around their village only to collect moha flower and
seeds. As per latest Amendment to Panchayati Raj Act, the ownership of the minor
forest produce in schedule areas is vested with of gram panchayat. The collection
and disposal of produce is to be carried out by the gram panchayat as decided by the
concerned gram sabha. Most of the tract is under schedule areas. Hence the
collection and disposal of these minor forest produces will be governed by the
panchayat concerned. In the non-scheduled areas, for large-scale operation,
collection may be done either by FLCS or any other agency under terms and
conditions as decided by the Government.
64. Market: Moha flower and seed come under Monopoly Act and so the collection of
moha flower and seed is carried out by people and purchased by the TDC. If TDC is
not operating in the division the forest department should take initiative to search the
market all over the country and the trader who offers maximum price should be given
the Transit Pass. This exercise is necessary by forest department because the price
given to the produce should be uniform all over the division.
66. Jatropha seeds (Jatropha curcas ) :- This seed is in demand for its oil. The oil
can also be used as biofuel and can supplement our depleting petroleum resources.
The plant can be raised from cuttings or by dibbling seeds and forms a very good live
hedge. It should be planted on CCTs, to stabilize nallah bunds, T.C.M.s and also
other boundaries, fencings etc.
67. Karanj(Pongamia pinnata): - This seed oil can also be used as biofuel and the oil
can also be used for arthritis cure. The seed is also used for Brochoitis cure, The
seed of this plant should be sown on CCTs, TCM and seedlings should also be
raised to plant in plantations. Plus trees of Karanj should be identified, trees which
yield 10 to 15 kgs of seed per square meter of crown area should be identified as
plus trees, and cleft grafing should be done for faster and better yield of karanj seed.
68. Also Neem, Moha seed also has oil content which can be used as biofuel. For lower
end machines like diesel pump and diesel generator, expel the oil in a regular oil
expeller, fine filter the oil and can be used directly in these diesel machines. It can
also be blended with diesel to an extent of 10 to 15% and run the diesel vehicles.
69. The bio fuels have more viscosity compared to diesel. Hence a process called
‘Trans-esterification’ a simple chemical process would reduce the viscosity of
biofuels. These technologies are available with Punjabrao Krishi Vidya peeth, Akola
and Vishveshwarayya National Institute of Technology (formerly Regional
Engineering College,REC), Nagpur(VIT). Forest Department should take initiative to
first asses the resource i.e. number of Karanj, moha, neem trees in each and every
beat (both forest and non forest land) and start collecting the seed for making
biofuels.
70. During agricultural exhibitions diesel pumps running on biofuels should be
demonstrated to the farmers to make common man aware of biofuel and popularize
the biofuel.
73. Agave leaves (Agave sisilana, Agave americana) :- Agave leaves have demand
because of it fibres. It is a good live-hedge and should be planted on the TCM and
nallah bunds. However decline in trade and migration of the local community
handling this trade earlier to greener pastures has left the earlier plantations raised
ineffective.
74. Tarwad bark (Cassia auriculata) :- This shrub grows all over in open exposed
forests especially in dry areas. It has demand in tanning industry. Production can be
increased by broadcasting seed on T.C.M. nallah bunds, and spaces between the
trenches in afforestation works.
75. Khair wood (katha) (Acacia catechu ) :- Khair has great demand in Katha
industry. However there is a marked depletion of the stock of these trees and it
needs to be built up by taking up plantations of this species in suitable areas and
making this species a must in regular afforestation programmes. Besides katha this
tree also exudates gum and is also a good lac insect host plant.
76. Rosha grass ( Cymbopogon martinii) :- This grass has demand due to its
essential oil, which is of medicinal importance. It can be introduced in the
afforestation areas between the trenches by dibbling of seed wherever there is
demand.
77. Tarota seed (Cassia tora) :- The seed has demand as it is used in some beverages
and cattle feed. The plant comes up naturally in blank areas. However its proportion
can be increased by dibbling seed in blanks with shallow soil.
78. Honey : - Honey produced by honeybees is a very important product because of its
medicinal and nutritional value. The extraction of honey should be done scientifically
to get more yields. It can be a very good cottage industry for the people living in the
midst of forests. The processing and marketing can be managed by forming co-
operatives.
79. Safed Musali (Chlorophytum tuberosum) :- It is a herb with tuberous roots. The
tubers are used as tonic and is of great medicinal importance. It is collected and
sold by the tribals at the rate of 400-500 Rs. Per kg. to the traders. Its indiscriminate
removal needs to be controlled and regularized.
80. Ghat bor fruits (Zizyphus xylopyra) :-The fruits are in demand for tanning industry.
The plants can be raised by dibbling seeds on the plantation T.C.M.s and also in
‘Protection Working Circle’ areas, where the slopes are steep. This tree is also a
good host for lac insect and can be developed for lac cultivation.
81. Lakshmi Taru/ Paradise tree (Simarouba glauca): the trees having multipurpose,
capable of coming up in rainfall ranges of 250-4000mm, with temperature endurance
upto 50 degree C, has spread to greater tracts in Peninsular India. Economic
exploitation starts from 6 to 10 years of plantation, the seeds Oil is a source of
vanaspati, vegetable oil, Biofuel, Soaps etc., and the Oil cake has use as organic
manure. The Shells find use in Particle boards, Activated charcoal, fuel, the Fruit
pulp has use as an excellent beverage; the bark and leaf purportedly have medicinal
properties against dysentery etc., the wood finds use in manufacture of toys, match
industry, quality furniture, paper making and fuel. Well maintained plantations are
capable of yielding 7.5 tonnes seed per hectare. A 10 year old plantation with
productivity period of 60 years is projected to yield Oil (1000-2000kg/ha), Oil cake
(1000-2000 kg/ha), fruit pulp (6000-8000kg/ha) and leaf litter (6000-8000kg/ha).
82. Many valuable species of medicinal plants grow and can be grown through
afforestation in this tract. The following measures should be adopted for the
conservation of medicinal plants in the tract :
Forest Protection Committees/ JFM committees should be entrusted with the
responsibility of protecting patches rich in medicinal plants from biotic interference.
Training programmes should be organized at regular intervals to familiarize members
of FPCs /JFMCswith the medicinal plants, their sustainable management, non-
destructive harvest and utility in treating various diseases.
The FPCs/JFMCs should be encouraged to prepare an exhaustive inventory of
medicinal plants in their territory.
Efforts should be made to artificially propagate those species of rare medicinal plants
categorized as “endangered”, “vulnerable” or “near-threatened”.
Conservation of Medicinal plants could be popularized by concepts of Charak Van,
Dasha Moola van, etc.,
*************
CHAPTER XVI
JOINT FOREST MANAGEMENT (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE
SECTION: 1: INTRODUCTION:
1. National Forest Policy 1988 envisages the importance of involvement of local people in
the protection of forests. It also emphasizes the importance of traditional rights of forest
dwellers. Priority for the use of forest produce is given to forest dwellers and the use of
forests for industrial purpose is discouraged.
2. As a follow up action on this new forest policy, and the encouraging experiences from
West Bengal in J.F.M., the Government of India issued a set of J.F.M., guidelines in
1990 encouraging forest departments to involve local people in the management of the
forests. Over the past 9 years, most of the states have issued their own guidelines.
Maharashtra Government has also issued the guidelines and passed Government
Resolution no SLF-1091/CASE NO 119/91/F-11 to the effect on 16th March 1992, the
JFM activity was adopted for degraded forest area of the state and new guidelines have
been issued vide GR No. MSC/2000/C.No. 143/F-2, dated 25.4.03.
4. Later, the government of India advised the state governments to take up the Joint
Forest Management in well stocked forest areas on experimental basis and accordingly
guidelines dated 25.4.03 cited above have authorized the forest department in the state
in this respect. Summary of guidelines is as follows
5. Good forests within 2 km from a village are to be covered under the programme on
experimental basis and stage by stage other villages containing good forests are to be
brought under it.
6. JFM is to be implemented with the help of gram panchayat and forest produce available
is to be provided on priority to meet bonafide local needs.
7. The village having non-forest land, which has agreed to participate in the programme,
may be brought under the scheme.
8. Help of the institutions of local self-govt., NGO, environmental The scheme though does
not intend to facilitate agriculture based professions but non-irrigated horticulture
schemes in (private) wastelands may be encouraged if approved in the micro-plan.
expert, if any available locally, may be solicited.
9. The scheme though does not intend to facilitate agriculture based professions but non-
irrigated horticulture schemes in (private) wastelands may be encouraged if approved in
the micro-plan.
10. The program underlines conservation of forests and wildlife and therefore any
activity/agreements etc. that is not consistent with Forest Conservation Act, 1980
should not be incorporated in the micro-plan.
12. However with a view to afforest the degraded and denuded forests of Ahmednagar
Division and to improve some of the understocked areas closer the villages efforts shall
be made to motivate the villagers to take up JFM in these villages.
13. Ahmednagar district has always been in the forefront in the domain of participatory
management and has given the country illustrious persona who by their dynamic
leadership and vision gave the country further insights in formulating strategies for rural
development.
14. The district boasts of being host to illustrious persona including Sh.Annasaheb Hazare
of Ralegaon-Shinde, Sh. Popatrao Pawar of Hivre-Bazaar, and the villagers of
Dorje(Shrigonda) , Gardani (Akole), Dolasne(Sangamner), Daraewadi(Sangamner),
who have participated for the overall development of the villages. Institutions such as
the WOTR(Watershed Organisation Trust) , set up under Indo-German Watershed
Development project, NABARD, and the Indian Military (Chichonde-Patil village)
provided the needed support.
15. The progress of formation of VFC/FPC in the district is shown below: the details of area
under JFM is represented under Annexure XLV of the Volume II of the plan.
16. A micro plan of a village where the degraded forest area is falling shall be considered.
The ACF and RFO shall prepare a detailed micro plan of the village after conducting a
PRA exercise as per G.R. Dated 16-3-1992.
17. In tune with the directives all the villages of the district having forest area shall form
Forest Protection Committees, which shall be gradually enveloped under the broad
umbrella of JFM programme and the FDA and related schemes of the Government.
The micro-plans prepared for the villages, shall incorporate the broad guidelines of the
Working plan prepared for the district.
SECTION: 4: IMPLEMENTATION:
19. Implementation of the prescriptions under this working circle are totally dependent on
the willingness of the villagers, neither the compartments are allotted not the felling
series are formed. But if some villagers do not show interest, the areas of those villages
shall be tackled under the concerned working circle. Any other village may be tackled
under J.F.M., from any range and any working circles if the DCF deems them fit. The
micro plan prepared under the overall frame work of the respective working circle of the
working plan for that village shall supersede the working plan so far as that village is
concerned. This shall not be considered as a deviation from the working plan
prescription.
20. Following principles should be adhered to during the implementation of J.F.M. in any
village.
21. The areas shall be treated according to the J.F.M. Plan for the village to be prepared in
consultation with the villagers as per the guidelines issued by the government vide G.R.
No SLP/1091/C.N. 119/F-11, Mantralaya, Bombay dated 16th March 1992. Similarly, the
guide lines issued by the central government in this connection vide its letter No 6-
21/89, F.P. dated 01-06-1990 shall be considered. The Forest Development Agency
(FDA) project sponsored by, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India,
is a wonderful opportunity for forest department for J.F.M implementation. This project
gives lot of flexibility to plan as per local demands. The entry point activity provision
helps in developing relationships with the villagers.
22. The entry point activity should enable the villagers to gain self sufficiency and earn profit
for the FPC which could be invested for the development of the village. Traditional
activities rest on provision of Tents, Cooking Utensils, construction of halls etc., new
impetus to activity such as investment with savings/contribution of the Village members
in the Village Revolving fund towards installation of Gasifiers (electric generating),
processing units for dairy, agriculture can be thought of.
23. Micro plans to be prepared should be broadly based on the prescriptions given for the
areas under consideration. Micro plan duly sanctioned by competent authority will not
be considered as deviation to this plan prescriptions. The following activities should be
tried out in villages as per local situation
a. Conducting Medical Camps with local Medical Authorities/ NGO’s like
Rotary/Lions clubs or Indian Medical Associations of the district. Medicines
may be supplied free to the villagers from entry point activities.
b. Focus on Economic improvement activities like implementation of
Amendment 73. The earmarked NTFP products in JFM/ scheduled areas
should be implemented. The awareness to this amendment is not seen in the
villages. The local authorities should take initiative, conduct meetings in the
villages and self help groups should be formed. The collection of NTFP like
gums, lac moha flowers, honey,Natural dyes(palas flowers,bixa, dhawada sal
etc) should be done by SHG’s and the marketing should be done by forest
department by contacting traders all over the country. Who ever offers best
price to the NTFP the Transit Pass should be issued. The departmental
intervention is essential in the beginning, so that the villager is not cheated by
the middle men. Once the awareness has set in the villages the department
can become a silent regulator.
c. Electrify to villages with generators running on biofuels like Karanj seed oil,
Jatropha oil, Moha, Neem oil. The oil expelling facilities should be provided at
a prominent place in the division. Even esterification facilities should also be
made available near the oil expeller for effective use of bio fuels.
d. Regular training programs to the villagers regarding scientific lac
cultivation(Indian Lac Research Institute ILRI, Ranchi), GUM grading
techniques/ spray drying techniques for removing impurities in gum so that
the villager can get better price for the NTFP collected.
e. NTFP theme plantations, like GUM yielding species plantations (Dhawada,
Salai, Khair, Hiwar, Movai Babul etc), Lac insect host plant
plantations(Kusum, Palas, khair, bor, rain tree, acacia auriculiformis, Pimpal
etc), Bio fuel plant plantations(Karanj, Neem, Moha, jatropha, palas etc)
should be taken around the JFM villages in consultaton with the villagers.
The program underlines conservation of forests and wildlife and therefore any
activity/agreements etc. that is not consistent with Forest Conservation Act,
1980 should not be incorporated in the micro-plan.
25. Conducting meetings regular and repeatedly among villagers to impress among them
the concept of joint forest management is very important. There are lot of success
stories within the circle and state. People from such villages should be called to address
these villagers to realise the importance of Joint Forest Management. Getting close to
the villagers by conducting programs like medical camps, creating women self help
groups, training village youth for generating income and making self sufficient is an
important activity of JFM. The non timber forest produce like grasses, gums, biofuels,
lac cultivation, natural dyes, honey etc from forest should be sustainably exploited for
creating income generation among village youth and women. Such income benefits to
the villagers from forests will create a sense of belonging towards the forest resource
and will result in forest protection and subsequent development of forest. Making
villagers aware that they are stake holders in forest resouce by generating income form
forest resource i.e 33 NTFP items earmarked for gram panchayats by JFM GR. Forest
department should provide technologies to utilize the forest resource by use of non-
destructive methods, and and facilitate marketing the produce so that the poor villagers
are not exploited by middle men. Once such income benefits starts flowing to the
villagers and realization of the value of NTFP from forest among villagers will make
them protect the forest around their village on their own, is key to success of joint forest
management.
**************
CHAPTER XVII
WILD LIFE MANAGEMENT (OVER LAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE
SECTION: 1: GENERAL CONSTITUTION:
1. This is an overlapping working circle and it extends over entire geographical area of
Ahmednagar forest and Sangamner forest sub-division in the district of Ahmednagar
comprising of fourteen tehsils, namely, Akole, Sangamner, Shrirampur, Rahata, Kopargaon,
Rahuri, Newasa, Shevgaon, Pathardi, Parner, Shrigonda, Karjat, Jamkhed and Nagar. The
Deputy Conservator of Forests, Ahmednagar Forest Division stationed at Ahmednagar is
the ex-officio Deputy Chief Wild life Warden who is responsible for protection, conservation
and development of wildlife in the division. The Assistant Conservator of forests,
Sangamner, shall upon functioning of the Sangamner sub-division, from the date to be
decided after creation of facility, continue to function as the Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden
for Sangamner sub-division, comprising of Akole and Sangamner tehsils of Ahmednagar
district. Till such date, the Assistant Chief Wild life warden and other staff assist the DCF
Ahmednagar for the areas under his adminstration.
2. The tract dealt with was fairly rich in the number and variety of Wild life. Ahmednagar
district by virtue of having a large geographical area spreading from the Western Ghats to
the drier drought affected areas, by virtue of the diversity in climate and vegetation supports
varied wildlife. Areas supporting wildlife have been identified over the years, notified as
‘Protected Areas’, management plans prepared for conservation of the wildlife therein,
placed under administration of Wildlife Wing for the purpose. Ecological changes coupled
with greater protection to the fauna with the implementation of the Wildlife Protection
(Conservation) Act 1992, has led to an increase in Man-Animal conflict in specific areas of
the division, necessitating measures to manage Wildlife.
3. The Protected Areas though have legally defined boundaries, have no clearly
established Ecological boundaries, with the faunal populations including reptiles, mammals,
avifauna venturing outside the legal limits into adjoining areas for foraging and breeding,
thereby establishing the importance and need to evolve a proper approach in their
management. The Protected Area network in the Ahmednagar district is represented as
under:
Name of Protected Area Notified Talukas Forest Managed By
Area Area
Jaikwadi bird sanctuary 34105 ha Newasa, Nil DCF wl Aurangabad
Shevgaon
Kalsubai-Harishchandragad 29909 ha Akole, 18249 CF wl Nashik
wildlife sanctuary. Rajura
Rehekuri Blackbuck wildlife 217.31 ha Karjat 217.31 CF wl Pune
sanctuary
Great Indian Bustard 337976 ha Newasa 23110.51 DCF Ahmednagar (for
Wildlife sanctuary (over Karjat (1897.19 area in nagar)
both Ahmednagar & Shrigonda ha with
Solapur districts) revenue
4. Forest Management should take special care of the needs of wild life conservation
and for the corridor linking the protected areas the forest management plans should include
prescriptions for this purpose. It is essential to provide and maintain genetic continuity
between artificially separated sub sections of migrant wild life. These areas are the
repositories of Bio-diversity and merit protection of the highest order.
5. With inspiration from the Constitutional provisions The National Forest Policy 1988
aims at conservation of natural heritage of the country preserving the remaining natural
forests with the vast variety of flora and fauna, which represents the remarkable biological
diversity and genetic resources of the country. The wild life (protection) Act 1972 in
consonance with other Acts add teeth to these measures in protecting wildlife.
6. This overlapping working circle has been constituted to achieve the following
objectives,
7. There were no written regulations for control over hunting when these areas were
under the erstwhile Sansthan and Jahagiris except that hunting by people other than the
Rulers was generally not permitted. The Wild Birds and Animal Protection Act of 1912 was
the first legislation which was implemented in the areas which were under British regime.
However the provisions of this Act were not enough to control the hunting of wild animals.
The Indian Forest Act of 1927 had provisions under section 26 (1) (i) and 32 (j) for
protection of wild animals in notified Reserved and Protected Forests but these provisions
were not applicable outside notified Reserved and Protected forests.
8. The Bombay Wild Animals and Wild Birds Protection Act 1951 was a more
comprehensive piece of legislation affording much wider protection to wild animals and wild
birds and also included constitution of a State Wildlife Advisory Board, Procedures for
issuing licences for hunting certain wild animals and birds, Constitution and control of game
sanctuaries, Regulations for dealing in trophies and Prevention and detection of offences
and penalties for contravention of the provisions of the Act.
9. Accordingly the Indian Board for Wildlife was first constituted in 1952 to advise the
Government on policies related to Wildlife Conservation and Protection. In 1972 the
Wildlife (Protection) Act was passed and the title of the Act was as follows. “An Act to
provide for the protection of Wild animals, birds and plants and for the matters connected
therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto”.
10. The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 has undergone major amendments in 1982
(Amendment Act. 23 of 1982), 1986 (Amendment Act. 28 of 1986), 1991 (Amendment Act
44 of 1991), 1993 (Amendment Act 26 of 1993) and 2003 (Amendment Act 16 of 2003).
The preamble of the recently amended Act 2003 reads as follows.
“An Act to provide for the Protection of Wild animals, birds and plants and for matters
connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological
and environmental security of the country”.
It is thus evident that the scope of the recently amended Wildlife Protection Act has been
broadened to correlate the ecological and environmental security of the country with the
protection of Wild animals, birds and plants.
11. The first National Wildlife Action plan was adopted in 1983 and recently i.e. in 2002
this has been modified by the second National Wildlife Action Plan (2002 – 2016). The
Preamble of this new National Wildlife Action Plan is as follows:
12. “The first National Wildlife Action plan was adopted in 1983 based on the decisions
taken in the XVth meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife held in 1982. The plan had
outlined the strategies and action points for Wildlife Conservation, which is still relevant. In
the mean while, however, some problems have become more acute and new concerns
have become apparent, requiring a change of priorities. Increased commercial use of
natural resources, continued growth of human and live stock populations and changes in
consumption patterns are causing greater demographic impacts. Biodiversity conservation
has thus become a focus of interest. The National Forest policy was also formulated in
1988, giving primacy to conservation. Hence this new National Wildlife Action Plan (2002 –
2016)”.
13. Thus the present policies and legislation concerning Wildlife conservation / protection
are as follows:
1. National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016)
2. Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 as Amended in 2003
3. National Zoo Policy 1998
4. The Biological Diversity Act 2002
14. The current working circle, being overlapping in nature, no demarcation of separate
habitat improvement areas have been prescribed here. The prescription mentioned in the
succeeding section will be followed for habitat improvement during their working. The forest
areas provide good habitat for various wild animals.
15. Proximity to human settlements, the agricultural fields especially sugarcane which
offers excellent habitat for stay and increased connectivity through road networks have led
to increase in man-animal conflict situations not to speak of the Anthropogenic pressure on
the forests of the area.
16. Ahmednagar district blessed with variable climatic conditions supports varied fauna
which have settled in the area. Accordingly it has been observed that the Panthers are
confined more in the Western part of the district, the Black Buck to the Eastern part and a
few localized in pockets of the district, thereby necessitating special strategy in their
management.
17. The division had reported presence of wild animals including panther (80), Jackal
(227), wolf (235), hare (491), common fox (147), peacock (379),hyena (50), black buck
(1718), common langur (128), porcupine (66), chinkara (378), mongoose (178), wild boar
(12), wild cat (34), rhesus macaque (125), common palm civet (17) in the year 2005 after
conducting a detailed census of wildlife in the division. The census extracts of the district
excluding the Protected Areas as has been vetted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of
Maharashtra as “The Wildlife Population Estimation-2005” wherein barring the Panther
population, the other animals being that of Waterhole count, is reproduced as under:
18. The increasing trends of wildlife especially Leopards in the Sangamner sub-division
area resulting in deprivation of livestock and human life, crop raiding by Black buck and
chinkara, frequent outbreak of attack by Jackals and Wolves is posing a challenge to the
Forest department.
19. Forest fires, which occur often, not recorded truthfully, destroy the natural habitat of
the Forest Fauna, coupled with the scarcity of water forcing the animals to migrate.
Poaching is also a threat to the very existence of the animals. The increase in the number of
wildlife population particularily Leopards, coupled with increased cases of capture, more at
the instance of local pressures coupled with release in the vicinity after prolonged period of
captivity has created more problems, affecting the wild nature of the animal. Budgetary
constraints hamper proper care of the animal in captivity and ensuring proper training to the
workforce to keep them fighting fit to handle wildlife emergencies.
20. The number of wildlife offences registered in recent years is given in the following
table:
Year Offences registered
1998-99 4
1999-00 5
2000-01 1
2001-02 1
2002-03 2
2003-04 2
2004-05 1
2005-06 2
2006-07 2
2007-08 2
2008-09 3
21. The incidences of attack by wild animals on the human beings and their livestock are
confined to specific areas of the district.
a. The figures reflect the damage caused in terms of loss of human life and the
injury caused to human life by attack of wild animals on human beings, and
the compensation amounts paid as per the provisions of the Government.
s.no Year Cases Deaths Compensation Injured Compensation
number paid(Rs) persons paid
1 1997-98 13 2 40,000 11 41,018
2 1998-99 4 0 0 4 15,547
3 1999-00 5 1 20,000 4 18,966
4 2000-01 0 0 0 0 0
5 2001-02 45 6 1,80,000 39 3,38,116
6 2002-03 17 4 2,80,000 13 22,632
7 2003-04 13 1 2,00,000 12 48,834
8 2004-05 9 0 0 9 60,345
9 2005-06 8 0 0 10 63,021
10 2006-07 15 3 6,00,000 12 63,112
11 2007-08 6 2 4,00,000 4 68,688
12 2008- 9 0 0 2 99,505
09(Oct)
22. Compensations have been given as per the norms provided in the Govt. Resolution.
Interactions with wildlife enthusiasts, the Forest Department Officials, the local people
indicate that improvements to the existing provisions/situations could improve the
management status of wildlife in the area.
.
SECTION: 7: AREAS UNDER WORKING CIRLCE:
23. This is an overlapping working circle and encompasses whole areas under present
day Ahmednagar Forest Division.
SECTION: 8: PRESCRIPTIONS:
24. These prescriptions are applicable to all forest areas and also to the whole civil
district, where ever possible.
a. Soil and moisture conservation works will be taken up, wherever possible, in
all forest areas, additional measures to be taken to form water holes
particularily in Akole and Sangamner tehsils to favour the Leopard population.
b. Creation of additional waterholes in DPAP areas of the district should not be a
criterion to benefit wildlife, since the wild animals of the area are biologically
capable of withstanding water scarcity which in a way regulates their
population. Assured water supply may at times bring in a sense of security
triggering off spurts in population outbreaks which later on become a cause
for man-animal conflict.
c. Reorientation of people’s awareness about wildlife through inciting people’s
participation in programs like wild life week celebrations in educational
institutions, general populace and rural areas.
d. Involving local students, NGOs, Wildlife enthusiasts, and general public for
wild life census operations and counting of avifauna at water bodies every
winter.
e. Provision of salt licks at suitable places.
f. Erection of Wild life watchtowers at suitable spots, which would also serve as
Fire Watch-Towers during the summer months.
g. Make provision of Shelter and hiding places, if not existing naturally.
h. Inoculation of cattle in the vicinity of forests to be compulsorily enforced, in
co-ordination with the Animal Husbandry department and District
Adminstration to protect the wild life from contagious diseases of cattle.
i. Develop management strategies to handle crop raiding herbivore, by
resorting to preventive and curative measures.
j. Develop mechanisms to ensure that the genuinely affected persons due to
wildlife damage are compensated within the shortest period of time.
k. Van Vigyan Kendras associated with Wildlife Interpretation Centres to
perform the function of educating the public in managing wildlife.
35. In consonance with the Wildlife Wing operative in the district, the territorial wing too
should strive to identify suitable areas for developing Wildlife Tourism. Further impetus to
the cause of Wildlife conservation and appreciation of the importance of Wildlife can be
achieved by devoting sections in the Nature Interpretation Centres in the district, for
showcasing the Wildlife of the area, the state and the country.
36. Such Nature Interpretation Centres are identified and could come up with the co-
operation of the District Adminstration at Chandanapur Ghat, Chand Bibi Mahal, Newasa,
Siddatek, Vruddeshwar and Sansar.
37. Wildlife Tourism doesn’t necessarily mean ‘commercial tourism’. The objectives
broadly include devising strategy to-
a. Maximize people’s enjoyment of their stay through education and recreation,
b. Minimize the impact on habitat and wildlife.
c. Increase the visitor’s concern for nature conservation.
38. While devising strategy to encourage wildlife tourism in the district, it is pertinent to
observe that all the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the observations of
the Honourable Supreme Court of India, the law of the land are borne in spirit and action.
SECTION 12: WILD LIFE HABITAT RELATIONSHIPS (WHR):
39. With the facilities of GIS and GPS instruments in place an effort should be made by
field staff to develop Wild life habitat relationship data base of the division (WHR). Wildlife
Institute of India, Dehradun, has made a study on Wild life Habitat Relationships (WHR)
under Mssrs Pant.A, V.B. Sawarkar, S.G.Chavan, S.B. Banubakode, Mathur, P.K. and J.F.
Lehmkuhl.
40. Wildlife Habitat Relationships Database is a set of facts depicting vegetation, habitat
elements and environmental conditions used by specific wildife species. These depictions
can be provided in the form of simple narratives, tables of habitat types and components,
prediction models, or by other formats. Mathur et al (2002).
41. A WHR database can be characterised by the following components:
• A habitat classification
• Listing of Wildlife Species of management interest.
• Species information on life history and ecological attributes.The distribution of each
species in narrative or map form.
• Information on the legal and administrative status, and ecological status (degree of
rarity) of each species.
42. WHR databases and models are expected to aid:
• Assessment of present and prediction of future, habitat conditions, showing
distribution and abundance of habitats by habitat class and by habitats described
specifically for individual species or species group.
• Assessment of current potential, and prediction of future, distributions of wildlife
populations by species or species group
• Prediction of wildlife community patterns, specifically number of species and their
ecological roles, by species groups within specified habitats or circumscribed areas
• Assessment of environmental impacts from various forest management and
disturbance activities as affecting specific habitat components.
43. Overall there may be three stages to developing a WHR information base and
prediction system.(This Working Plan has achieved Stage 1 based on the earlier published
work)
44. Stage 1 Develop the species and habitat information base.The first stage consists of
developing the basic information on habitats and wildlife species. This includes habitat and
wildlife classification systems, basic wildlife species lists by habitat type and management
unit, maps of vegetation and habitat distribution, and annotated summaries of species’ life
histories and population status. This information can be used to produce lists of species that
occur in various habitat conditions and changes in those conditions, as a first simple step in
developing models that predict wildlife response.
Developing the information base for the first stage typically entails tapping into
experts’ knowledge of species and habitat conditions, reviewing the ecological literature, and
beginning field inventories and monitoring studies to fill in critical knowledge gaps.
45. Stage 2 Develop and test species and habitat response models
The second stage entails building and testing more sophisticated procedures, which can
include models to evaluate how individual species respond to habitat and environmental
conditions. These wildlife models address how population rates of change, population
structure, spatial patterns of habits, and landuse activities affect population distribution,
abundance, and trends. Species chosen for theses more detailed models can be based on
their rarity, social value, key ecological roles in the forest ecosystem, or vulnerability to
human activities or habitat changes.
Also developed during this stage are more advanced models of how the habitat itself
responds to natural and human- caused disturbances. Habitat responses include effects on
vegetation composition and structure from systematic and catastrophic, and both natural and
anthropogenic, disturbances. Such disturbances include secondary succession, fire, insects,
and various kinds of human use such as grazing, burning, and collection of various forest
products.
46. Stage 3 Integrate the wildlife information base and habitat response models with
spatial models
Third stage consists of more advanced models designed to project future habitat
conditions and to integrate assessments of spatial and temporal cumulative effects of human
activities (Rapheal and Holthausen, 2002). Tools such as geographic information systems
and use of remote sensing imagery information on habitat conditions and changes can be
integrated with models of wildlife species-habitat relationships to display current and
potential future effects on population distribution and abundance.
**************
CHAPTER XVIII
1. This is an overlapping Working Circle covering the entire forest area of the tract dealt
with. Thus the total forest area included in this working Circle is 137594 ha and includes the
Notified Protected Area still with the Territorial division for managment. The activity by
virtue of the space factor spreads over the entire geographical area of the District,
demanding co-ordination and action between like minded departments of the Government.
2. The National Working Plan Code prescribed this Working Circle as a mandatory
Working Circle in the Working Plan. The forests are burdened with heavy biotic
interferences, hence addressing of these problems in a systematic manner necessitated
the constitution of this Working Circle. Illicit felling, grazing, encroachments, poaching and
fires are the major causes for the damage of the forests.
3. The forest areas of Ahmednagar district were with Revenue Department in the earlier
years, and since 1903 orders to return them back to Forest Department were issued, and
led to handing of major areas, with still some areas with the Revenue department, and few
under occupation by the Ministry of Defence. Land resources have become invaluable,
and instances of diversion of forest land for non-forest use within the gambit of the Forest
Conservation Act,1980, happen for different purposes. Further land has become the
subject of contention for encroachment to enable agricultural and related livelihood, and at
times for other activities and with multitude of authority presents a confusing picture.
4. The Range Forest Officer, the Assistant Conservator of Forests and the Deputy
Conservator of Forests shall take review of forest offence cases at least once, every month.
Shifting of boundary marks along the forest boundary shall be viewed seriously, and the
encroachers shall be prosecuted in the court for omission of commission causing
obliteration of the forest boundary. Charge sheets regarding all cases of forest
encroachments shall be submitted before the Judicial Magistrates within stipulated time.
Similar time-bound action is recommended in all cases of timber theft. Failure of submitting
charge sheets within the statutory time limit shall be considered willful negligence of duty.
All cases of violation of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 shall be referred to the regional
CCF, Bhopal through Nodal Officer for prosecution purposes with respect to the
government officers involved in the cases.
a. To enforce the Indian Forest Act 1927, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 as
amended till 2003 for the effective control of Illicit felling, grazing,
encroachments poaching and fires.
b. To develop the database to monitor various offence cases in a systematic
manner.
15. The entire forests are liable to damage from grazing except the interior areas, which
are away from the villages. In fact, there is hardly any grass left in this block and they only
serve as exercise grounds for the cattle. These areas are very undulating and the soil is
very poor and are, therefore, even unfit for cultivation. The forests adjoining the Sahyadris
are very hilly, and the upper slopes are steep. The grazing is, therefore, confined to the
lower hills and the calculated incidence does not give the true picture of the grazing
pressure here, while a large inaccessible area of the units remains un-grazed. A realistic
calculation of grazing incidence is required.
16. The grazing incidence figures are misleading as the erstwhile forest village cattle are
grazed in the immediate vicinity of the villages. The true grazing incidence in the areas
adjoining the villages is therefore, heavier than estimated.
17. The lopping and hacking of trees has led to degeneration of the forests. The
seedlings are grazed and saplings of these fodder tree species have been hacked to
provide fodder to the cattle. Continuous and heavy grazing not only prevents regeneration
of tree species but also the young regeneration obtained during the period of closure, is lost
soon after the area is opened for grazing. In areas with clayey soil, the trampling by cattle
results in hardening of soil and reduction in the soil aeration. In sandy soils, heavy grazing
results in accelerated erosion and denudation. The grazing on undulating lands loosens the
soil, which results in the soil erosion. The problem of migrated cattle in addition to the
resident ones is severe in Ahmednagar division which needs utmost attention to control the
grazing.
18. It is not uncommon to see goats grazing in forests. The goat grazing is prohibited
because of their close level grazing in which the seedling or grass rhizome is uprooted.
19. The grazing shall be regulated as per guidelines of Grazing Policy 1968 of
Maharashtra State issued vide Resolution No. MFP-1365/132211-Y dated December 6,
1968 and Grazing Rules issued vide No. MFP-1371/237035-Z dated November3, 1973.
20. Heavy cattle pressure adversely affects the forest regeneration and soil condition.
The statutory provisions regulated grazing are difficult to apply in the entirety. The present
political economy of domestic animals in the area throws up strong challenge, and
implementation of the grazing regulations in its current form.
21. The situation may be substantially improved by establishing effective communication
with the local people, awareness generation and efficient animal husbandry program. The
forest officers should take up these preventive measures in co-ordination with the Animal
Husbandry Officers.
22. Maximum admissible grazing incidence according to the current policy has been
shown for various working circles in a table as under. A systematic survey of fodder
availability is recommended during the plan period in each round.
23. The carrying capacity and period of closure should be calculated for the forest area
adjoining each village. The grazing passes, free or otherwise to individual families are
proposed to be distributed on the calculated carrying capacity basis. Village bodies should
also be actively be engaged in the implementation of grazing regulations.
24. The surplus cattle should be kept under regular watch, and villagers should be
encouraged to adopt stall-feeding or other means to address mismatch between cattle-
heads and fodder availability.
25. Fodder development on the community lands and translocation of surplus cattle may
be encouraged. Animal husbandry and Dairy Development Agencies should be motivated
and influenced to take up breed improvement program. Fodder in the plantation areas
should be made available free of cost on cut-and-carry basis.
26. The DCF shall get carried cattle census of each village during the winter season at
the beginning of the plan period to find out the local cattle once for all and maintain record
and passes shall be issued limited to those cattle subject to the availability of carrying
capacity.
27. The Grazing Settlement Report for Ahmednagar areas recommending no grazing
needs to be obtained approval from the Government.
SECTION 8. POACHING:
39. The issues related with poaching has been dealt in detail under Chapter on Wildlife
(overlapping) Working Circle.
SECTION 9. SURVEY AND DEMARCATION
40. The forests lands are spread all over the district, and subject to various non-forest
uses including construction of Irrigation projects, reservoirs, schools, houses-dwellings,
agriculture, industry, canals etc., The lands apparently have been subject to issue of
orders prior to 1980 in many instances, however lack of evidence corroborating the same,
sanctifying the diversion for non-forest use from the competent authority, and total absence
of demarcation of boundary on the ground in such areas of dispute are to be tackled under
this working circle. Indicative details of Eksali cultivation, Eligible/non-eligible encroachers,
observations during the Stock-mapping exercise etc., are appended separately, which
should serve as a pointer; however the division staff is expected to thoroughly make a
survey of the area under its control to smoothen out and regularise such instances
wherever noticed, under the provisions of the law of the land.
41. Total Area identified as needing demarcation urgently is 6777.49ha. A total of 203
Compartments comprising of 363 units the list of which is given in the Annexure LII of the
Volume II of the plan. The range wise situation is reflected as under :
s.no Range Area of # compts Area % to % to
range compt Units area of area of
range division
1 Akole I 9959.40 11 11 158.00 1.58
2 Akole II 6579.50 22 40 223.22 3.39
3 Rajur 6841.60 33 51 268.33 3.92
4 Sangamner I 15466.20 28 42 586.05 3.79
5 Sangamner II 8281.30 19 33 1041.48 12.58
6 Sangamner 13107.45 11 20 436.14 3.33
III
7 Sangamner 60235.45 124 197 2713.22 4.50
sub.division
8 Kopergaon 1256.18 2 4 10.64 0.8
9 Rahuri 14601.75 20 49 1616.64 11.07
10 Ahmednagar 10212.41 13 24 760.08 7.44
11 Parner 6506.29 11 28 219.58 3.37
12 Takli 15309.25 16 30 743.60 4.86
Dokeshwar
13 Pathardi 8881.14 13 27 617.71 6.95
14 Teesgaon 4739.20 2 2 85.02 1.79
15 Jamkhed 4162.25 2 2 11.00 0.26
16 Ahmednagar 65668.47 79 166 4064.27 6.19
div total
Grand total 125903.92 203 363 6777.49 5.38
Ahmednagar
dn
42. Further areas which have been identified to have been distributed and the division
office is not in possession of the same are indicated separately in the Annexure III the area
statement appended in Volume II of the plan, which also needs to be addressed to.
43. The objectives while undertaking such demarcation exercise would be:
• To regularise the land records of the division.
• To enable demarcation of the boundary of the forest land, after proper survey.
• To enable reclamation of forest land if found to be illegally encroached upon.
44. Analysis of the data obtained from the Ahmednagar division, places the known
figures for forest lands under degrees of occupancy for various purposes represented
hereunder. The stock-mapping exercise by the staff of the Working plans division with
the co-operation of the local staff of the territorial Ahmednagar division, enabled in
identifying several such areas which are apparently titled as ‘vatap’ which means
‘distributed’, as a result of Revenue department orders.
45. Further during the process of reconciliation of the Forest records of the division in
consultation with the Division Survey section attempts to streamline the land situation had
been made, and all such areas which are forests identified and located on the maps of
the division. As a result areas hitherto which were distributed for non-forest use which
are yet to be regularised figured which also need to be regularised. The compartment
history and the maps reflect all such lands along with the detailed statement of land
appended in the Vol II of the plan.
46. The process of handing over of forest lands from Revenue to Forest department has
been going on in the past, and this has led to taking over of disputed lands too and at
many places with such ‘vatap’ status, which needs to be regularised, demarcated and
proper entries registered in the relevant Land Records.
47. The situation is reflected as under:
48. The process of regularisation of the land records and subsequently demarcation
doesn’t involve any silvicultural system. Reclaimed lands after the regularisation process
shall be treated as if under the regular Afforestation Working circle.
49. To facilitate ease in identification, and to ensure that such disputed lands are not
given any afforestation treatment till they have been regularised, they have been given
separate notation under a,b,c,d etc., for a compartment, it is expected that a 3 year period
should be enough to ensure compliance of prescription of the working circle, subsequent to
which forestry operations could be taken up under the Afforestation Working circle, after
completion of the Demarcation process.
50. The Procedure should involve-
A. Collect the relevant papers pertaining to the nature of occupation of the land, viz.,
7/12 extracts of the land, the form no: 8 extracts from Revenue, orders of the
Government or Authority, and the copy of the orders of diversion from the
relevant authority Pre-1980 or Post-1980.
B. Survey of the disputed area, and assess the actual extent of involvement of the
area. Orders of the Government of Maharashtra issued in year 2001 enabling
Range Forest Officers and Surveyors of the Forest department competent to
conduct survey of the forest lands need to be taken note of rather than resorting
to services of offices of TILR and DILR which are already under immense
pressure and time constraints.
C. Reconciliation of the Mutation entries, reconciliation of Forest land records and
Revenue records.
D. Ascertain the nature of diversion as to whether it is legal or illegal.
E. If the nature of disputed land is determined to be Legal, under orders of the
competent authority and in tune with the law of the land, needful entry to be made
in the Division Forest land records form no:1, and other records, and ensure that
the complete area is demarcated on ground with Cement Concrete Pillars or any
other method as determined by the CCF (territorial).
F. If the nature of disputed land is determined to be Illegal, needful steps to
determine the nature of dispute shall be started immediately.
a. Determine the nature and extent of the land under occupation for the
purpose.
b. Initiate proceedings as listed under the Forest Acts.
c. In cases wherein there is clear-cut diversion of forest land for non-forest
use by any other user agency, the agency would be directed to submit the
needful proposal under the guidelines of Forest Conservation Act, 1980,
to get the diversion regularized from the Government of India.
d. In cases wherein ineligible encroachments/occupation is detected the
Range Forest Officer, should submit to the Assistant Conservator of
forests, in charge of the range, under the provision of sections 53,54, and
54 (a) of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code 1966.
e. In cases wherein it is proved that the entire occupation is illegal, with the
ulterior motive of grabbing forest land, then needful steps as outlined
under Maharashtra Land Revenue Code 1966, under sections 53,54 and
54 (a), wherein Assistant Conservators of forests have been authorized,
shall be immediately initiated and measures to free land of the
encumbrances shall be taken.
f. The boundary of the land so released back to the Forests shall be
demarcated on ground, and depending upon the suitability and the
situation needful afforestation and allied activity taken up in subsequent
years.
50. In order to ensure that the forest lands shown in the working circle, and other forest
lands detected in the process are identified, surveyed, regularised and demarcated, settled
systematically, the Assistant Conservators of the forests, currently overseeing the ranges in
the division shall be given the principal responsibility of carrying out the important task.
51. The Assistant Conservators of forests in the division, currently stationed at
Akole(1)later to be shifted to Rahuri, Sangamner(1), Ahmednagar (2), shall be assisted by
the territorial Range Forest Officers in their jurisdiction, towards settling the issues arising in
this regard.
52. The Deputy Conservator of forests Ahmednagar, and the Sub-divisional Forest
Officer Sangamner (ACF Sangamner) after functioning as the independent sub-division,
shall make it a point to oversee and report the progress every month to the CCF (T) Nashik,
who shall make it an issue to regularily review the progress of the work for the division.
53. To ensure meaningful participation from the villagers modalities shall be worked out
to involve forest protection committees in the process..
54. The work of survey and demarcation shall be completed within five years. A detailed
scheme of survey and demarcation by permanent pillars will be prepared by DCF and
submitted to C.C.F(T). for approval. The 5 year demarcation programme is separately
appended under annexures L and LI of the Volume II of the plan for Ahmednagar and
Sangamner forest divisions/sub-division respectively.
55. Precast reinforced cement concrete pillars of specification given by PCCF,MS, will be
erected to have permanent boundary marks. The method for demarcation shall be as per
the direction given by Office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Maharashtra State
vide his Letter No.68 dated 29.5.2001 (Marathi) and appended as Appendix in Volume II of
this plan. The RCC pillars will be as per the proposed expenditure for Class I and Class II
pillars for which model expenditure have been provided by the office of the PCCF,MS. The
details of model wise estimate of expenditure and specification of RCC pillars with their
diagrams have been given in Volume II of this working plan. Provide a Class I pillar at every
200 meter distance and at every change of direction and Class II pillar at every 50 meter
distance between Class I pillars. In an undulating terrain the line of sight should be the
criteria to fix the pillar, if the sighting of the pillar is becoming difficult, then at less than 50
meters the class II pillar may be fixed. After five years of operation of this plan all the forest
areas will be brought under 1/5 th boundaries work for which mainly maintenance of
boundary and boundary pillars will be carried out. A model estimate of the demarcation
work erected using stone masonry in Aurangabad circle, wherein RCC pillars were subject
to breaking, has been appended at Annexure LX in the Volume II which may be thought of
in such vulnerable areas with the consent and sanction of the Territorial Chief Conservator
of forests.
56. Boundary between Revenue and Forests:-It is mandatory that the boundary
between Revenue and forests should be demarcated with the help of DILR and
financial provision should be made for the demarcation by paying DILR fee. The width of
the clear area of the outer boundary of the government forest will be 12 meters. Nothing will
be cut growing outside the true forest boundary line. The clearing will consist of cutting
down only all the undergrowth that impedes the view, preventing one forest boundary mark
being seen from its neighbouring one. Trees on the boundary lines will not be cut so long as
they do not obscure the view of the boundary marks one from the other.
57. Compartment Boundaries: The internal forest boundaries to demarcate
compartment boundaries, except where the natural features form the boundary demarcation
will be by cairns. The forest boundary marks will be of the following specifications.
1) Shape: A truncated cone.
2) Description: The cairns will be built of loose stones upon an excavated
foundation of 30 cms deep, so the lowest tier of stones will be held in position and not
pushed out by the weight of the super structure especially when the ground becomes
wet and slippery. The inter spaces between the large stones composing the
cairn will be filled in with small stones and the outer stones will weighed with
stone chips. A slab stone or a central stake of teak or khair projecting 50 cms above will be
fixed firmly on top of the cairn in the centre.
3) Dimensions: A cairn will have a base of 1.8 metres diameter, 1.2 metres high and
the top diameter will be 1.2 metres.
4) Colour Wash: The slab stone will be colour washed red in case of the closed
forests and white in the case of open forests and line of same colour should be drawn to
show the direction of the boundary lines.
5) Position: The cairns will be placed at visible distance one from each other. Where
there is no change in direction over a large distance the boundary marks will be erected at
an interval not greater than 200 meters. Each cairn will have a serial number and a register
should be maintained.
6) The width of the clear area of the boundary of the forest will be 3 meters. Nothing
will be cut growing outside the true forest boundary line. The clearing will consist of cutting
down only all the undergrowth that impedes the view, preventing one forest boundarymark
being seen from its neighbouring one. No tree should be cut with in this 3 meter width.
7) In addition to the boundary marks tin plates will be fixed on the boundary trees at a
height of 3 meters, preferably at boundary of the two compartments. These plates will
indicate the compartment numbers, with arrow and below them will be pillar numbers closer
to the either side of the tree. The metal plates will be of the size 45cm X 45cm and will be
written in red.
SECTION: 14:OTHER IMPORTANT REGULATIONS.
58. Area register shall be updated every year according to the changes brought about
during detailed survey and demarcation of the areas as described above.
59. The pillars should be given serial number in progressive manner and its location
should also be given on the map of 1 : 15000. The forest guard of the beat will be
responsible for the maintenance and protection of the boundary marks in the forests of his
beat. He will himself will colour wash them annually after rains and will make a special
report of having performed this work. The Beat Guard should visit 100 percent pillars and
give a report about its condition to Forester.
60. The Round Officer will be responsible for the maintenance and protection of the
boundary marks in the forests of his round and he will see that they are maintained properly
repaired and colour washed by the beat guard, as provided in this chapter. The round officer
will check all the boundary marks in a year. He will make a mention of this in his diaries. The
round officer will annually submit a certificate to the RFO. And the RFO submits a
demarcation certificate to DCF after inspection annually.
61. Damage to Pillars: - In case of damage to the pillars the concerned Forest Guard
should verity whether it is natural or damaged by some offender. In case of an offence the
offence should be registered under section 63 of the IFA 1927, altering, moving, destroying
or defacing any boundary mark of any forest to which the provisions of the act apply, is
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or
with both. This offence is non-compoundable under section 68.
62. To repair the damaged pillars the RFO should prepare the estimate, with proper
material evidence like photographs and submit it to ACF, ACF after due verification should
submit to DCF with proper recommendations. DCF should provide funds for the repair of
these damaged pillars.
63. Territorial D.C.F. shall also supply the copy of the corrected maps and area register
to C.F. Working Plans every year in the month of June.
***********
CHAPTER XIX
ECO TOURISM (OVERLAPPING) WORKING CIRCLE
SECTION: 1: INTRODUCTION:
1. Eco tourism is the new buzzword in the realm of tourism throughout the world. Mr Hector
Ceballos Lascurain is the father of Eco tourism who coined the word ECO TOURISM in
1983. He said “Eco Tourism respects the environment, encourages and promotes the well
being of local people. Nature tourism may or may not do this”.
2. Eco-Tourism is an Industry which is supposed to make low impact on the environment
and local culture, but help in creating more jobs in tune with the policies of Bio-Diversity
Conservation.
3. A mechanical implementation with an over emphasis on physical and financial targets
with out making an attempt to understand the spirit of the program would end up in causing
irreparable damage to the environment. It is more difficult to establish and run a successful
eco tourism enterprise. A main difference is the need to take into account the environmental
factors and successfully integrate them with business and social concerns in a carefully
thought out and implemented plan.
4. Eco tourism generates more employment and provides enormous opportunities for
entrepreneurship. Once hassles are removed and tourism sector becomes dynamic, the
entrepreneurs will sprout to capitalize on opportunities to create wealth and new jobs.
5. Eco tourism management seeks to integrate and balance several potentially conflicting
objectives, protection of natural and cultural resources, provision of recreation opportunities
and generation of economic benefits. In the absence of effective planning and management,
ecotourism can lead to significant negative impacts on vegetation, soil, water, wildlife and
historic resources, cultural and even visitor experiences such as visitor crowding had
conflicts. Such impacts can be both ecologically and culturally significant and may
negatively affect visitor satisfaction. Visitation may diminish along with the economic
benefits and resource protection incentives.
6. Eco tourism has been the fastest growing sector in tourism with an estimated annual
growth rate of 10 to 15% over the last few years and it is expected to grow even more in
future. The present government emphasis is on eco tourism, with proper planning it is a
one- time investment activity, which triggers enormous employment opportunities in various
fields like transportation, restaurant, hotel, tourist guide, shopping, other entertainments
like cinema halls etc.
7. The Government of Maharashtra has resolved vide its order dated 20th February 2008,
and outlined the Eco-Tourism Policy of the State Government, which shall be the guide-
stone in formulation and implementation.
SECTION: 2: WHAT IS ECOTOURISM ?
8. Ecotourism is responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and
improves the welfare of local people. (The ecotourism society 1993).
9. Tourism that involves travelling to relatively undisputed natural areas with the specified
object of studying, admiring and enjoying the nature and its world of plants and animals as
well as any existing cultural aspects found in these areas is defined as ecotourism.(World
Tourism Organization).
10. Ecotourism is about satiating a hunger for nature, about exploiting tourism’s potential for
conservation and development and about averting its negative impact on ecology, culture
and asthetics.
11. Wildlife Tourism/ Ecotourism doesn’t necessarily mean ‘commercial tourism’. The
objectives broadly include devising strategy to-
a. Maximize people’s enjoyment of their stay through education and recreation,
b. Minimize the impact on habitat and wildlife.
c. Increase the visitor’s concern for nature conservation.
12. The general list of activities which merit attention with varying intensities, to be in tune
with the ground reality, include:
a. Wildlife viewing-
i. On foot
ii. On bicycle/ horse-cart/ rickshaw etc.,
iii. On elephant/camel/horse
iv. From car/mini bus/jeep
b. Walking and trekking-
i. Short trail
ii. Long trail
iii. Trek
c. Education/Information/Entertainment-
i. Guided tours
ii. Interpretive walk
iii. Meet the park director/range officer
iv. Films or Audio-Visual presentations
v. Library
vi. Exhibition or Visitor centres.
d. Cultural Activities/Sight seeing-
i. Visits to historic buildings
ii. Visits to religious shrines/temples
iii. Observing village craftsmen at work
iv. Tribal dance
v. Visit local fairs and festivals
vi. Interesting development works (dams)
e. Social Gathering-
i. Picnic
ii. Campfire/camping
f. sporting activities-
i. mountaineering
ii. rafting/boating
iii. swimming/diving
iv. fishing (sport)
g. games & play-
i. playground
ii. joy rides.
13. While devising strategy to encourage wildlife tourism in the district, it is pertinent to
observe that all the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the observations of
the Honourable Supreme Court of India, the law of the land are borne in spirit and action.
SECTION: 3: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ECO TOURISM:
a. Avoids negative impacts that can damage or destroy the integrity or character
of the natural or cultural environment being visited.
b. Educates the traveler on the importance of conservation
c. Directs revenues to the conservation of natural areas and the management of
protected areas.
d. Brings economic benefits to local communities and directs revenues to local
people living adjacent to protected areas.
e. Emphasizes the need for planning and sustainable growth of tourism industry,
and seeks to ensure that tourism development does not exceed the social
and environmental “carrying capacity”.
f. Retains a high percentage of revenues in the host country by stressing the
use of locally owned facilities and services.
g. Increasingly relies on infrastructure that has been developed sensitively in
harmony with the environment.
14. Forestry has traversed through various phases over the past century. During British rule
the main focus was on production forestry and after independence the focus slowly shifted
from production forestry to protection forestry. However with rapidly increasing human and
livestock population there is immense biotic pressure on our forests. In order to solve the
predominant human-forest conflicts, the concepts of people’s participation and Joint Forest
Management have been evolved.
15. To maintain the forests sustainably over an indefinite period and its dependence on both
government and foreign grants is to be reduced there is an immediate need to evolve a
revenue-generating aspect of forestry that does not result in the extraction of any forest
produce i.e. timber, firewood etc. The only way to bring this sort of revenue generation is
through Ecotourism. It is in this sector that the future of forestry lies. In the new millennium,
the time has come to move from merely conservation forestry to towards “Intellectual
Forestry”, the basis of which is Ecotourism.
16. Greater awareness generation among the public:
It is observed that whenever on talk of stake holders in forestry, the focus is always on
forest dwelling communities, forest dependant communities, local NGO’s and the forest
department. The city and town dwelling urban forest independent communities are not at all
considered as having any stake in the forestry. It is a matter of irony, however that almost all
the decision makers and opinion-leaders of the country, be they top bureaucrats, judges,
industrialists, famous personalities and even politicians, etc are all members of this
community. Even though this segment comprises only a small percentage of country’s
population, its ability to influence decision making is much more significant. The new GR on
FDA has given a new direction in involving the towns and cities in Joint Forest
Management.
17. Ecotourism is the best possible manner in which these forest independent communities
can be made aware of forestry in India. Ecotourism could also expose school children – the
future generation of policy makers to the relevance and importance of our forests. As people
today are becoming increasingly aware about environmental issues, this is the right time to
promote ecotourism.
18. Benefits for the local communities: Ecotourism can play a very significant role in
reducing the dependence of local communities (both forest dwelling and forest dependent)
on the forests. Setting up of an ecotourism unit would not only provide them with a means of
employment at the unit itself, but would also make them stakeholders in the financial
progress of such an enterprise. The Eco-tourists would also constitute a ready made
markets for NTFPs such as honey, charoli, dhawada gum and other items such as
embroidery products, local handicrafts etc, at their door steps. High quality micro
enterprises such as poultry farming, vegetable supply units could also be set up and
centered on the ecotourism unit. Such a Participatory Ecotourism Strategy (PES) would not
only cut operational costs for the ecotourism unit but would at the same time reduce the
traditional dependence of the local communities on the adjoining forests by providing an
alternative source of livelihood. In addition to the above, ecotourism could be used as an
effective communication and extension tool to convince the local communities and
especially the children there in about the benefits of conserving the forests and natural
ecosystems.
19. Local youth will be selected and training will be given to them on ecotourism and related
topics like identification of birds, animals, flora and other important features that are seen
during the tour. The traditional knowledge of the tribal youth will also be utilized during the
tour.
Benefits for the Forests and the Forest Department:
20. By providing the local people with alternative sources of income, ecotourism would
drastically reduce the biotic pressure in the region which would automatically lead to greater
habitat improvement. Other habitat improvement work such as clearing weeds for making
view lines, creating salt pits for the wild life etc. would be mutually beneficial for both the
forest and the eco-tourists. The unit operates and the visiting ecotourists would also back up
as eyes and ears of the forest department in curbing all illegal activities such as felling,
poaching etc. The forest department would also get an opportunity to educate the city
dwellers, villagers.
21. The forest department has hitherto largely been perceived as far removed from the
general public. Ecotourism is the best way in which the public can be made aware of the
pivotal and difficult role that is played by the forest department in conserving India’s forests.
This would in turn lead to much greater appreciation of Forest department and increase the
importance that is attached to it.
SECTION: 5: MAJOR PLAYERS IN ECOTOURISM:
Major players in the formation of eco tourism triangle are:
22. Ahmednagar district offers good scope to develop ecotourism circuits. The district offers
exciting opportunities to develop Religious circuits, Wildlife circuits, and Highway Tourism.
23. Ahmednagar is renowned as the land of Saints. It boasts having had given shelter to
the great saints and temples including- Sai Baba of Shirdi (Rahata), Shani Shingnapur
temple (Newasa), Sant Gyaneswar mandir (Newasa) where the religious scripture
‘Gyaneswari’ was written, Datta Mandir at Devgad (Newasa),Miravli Dargha (Nagar),
Kanifnath Mandir at Madhi (Pathardi), Vruddeshwar temple at Tisgaon (Pathardi) Mohota
devi mandir at Mohota (Pathardi), Takli Dokeshwar Temple, Baleswar temple, Kakatai
temple (Rahuri), Pimpalgaon malwi (nagar), Jawle-Baleshwar temple (Sangamner) which
are frequented not only by religious tourists from within the district and state of Maharashtra,
but also from other states in the country and foreigners too.
24. Other places which hold scope for development of Tourism facility include Chand Bibi
Mahal, Ahmednagar fort, Kharda fort, Bhandardara Dam, Mula Dam waters.
25. In addition to these places Ralegaon Shindi, Hivre Bazaar, Dolasne, Daraewadi, and of
late Dorje need to be showcased for participatory excellence in Rural Development. Each
of these spots should be examined afresh from the Forestry and Ecological point of view
and Eco-tourism potential needs to be developed.
26. Highway Tourism could be developed in the form of developing Eco Tourism Natural
Interpretation Centres, Van Vigyan Kendras at Chand Bibi Mahal, Newasa Phata,
Chandnapuri ghat, Akole-sugaon nursery, Samvatsar-Shirdi, Pandripul ghat, Supa ghat,
Karanje ghat, Rahuri Agricultural College campus,Vriddeshwar, Siddhtek need to be
developed, wherein in addition to information, sale of forest saplings medicinal plants and
forest products could be encouraged.
27. Though the district holds promise on various counts priority is to be given to those sites
identified by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of forests, Maharashtra, in this
regard while implementing the Eco-tourism projects. The sites identified in this regard in the
district are as under:
s.no Place with tourism potential
1 Pimpalgaon-malvi
2 Chandbibi mahal
3 Sautada (Bhandardara-Rajur)
4 Mohata devi (Akole, Rajur)
5 Madhi (Rajur)
6 Rehekuri WLS (Karjat)
7 Takli Dhokeshwar, Dhokeswar mandir (Takli Dokeshwar)
8 Harishchandragad (Rajur)
9 Kalsubai Dongar & WLS (Rajur)
10 Ghatghar, Udanchal Jal vidyut prakalp (Rajur)
11 Malganga kund & Nidhoj Waterfall (Takli Dokeshwar)
12 Ratanwadi (Rajur)
13 Vrideshwar mandir (Tisgaon)
14 Javabaleshwar (Sangamner)
15 Bhandardara dam ( Rajur)
ECOTOURISM COMPLEX – Objectives / purpose / functions.
28. The complex which may go by name as Eco-Tourism complex or Nature Interpretation
Centre, or Van Vigyan Kendra should be such a structure, which should not only showcase
the importance of nature, educate the viewer the rich heritage he has inherited for safe-
handling and handing over to posterity, have place to reside for a day or two with basic
facilities at nominal rates, serve as a place wherein method demonstrations of successful
experiments are in practice to enable
“learning by doing and seeing is believing”,
and have facility for boarding. The purpose is-
1. To provide eco friendly infrastructure preferably on the fringes of wild life protected
area which takes care of minimum lodging and boarding facilities in pucca houses, huts,
machans and tents as per requirements of the tourists.
2. To provide mini- libraries to enable visitors to spend their time usefully and elicit
support for protection of wild life.
3. To provide indoor games like carrom and chess for the entertainment of visitors.
4. To earn revenue for the state government.
5. To provide income to local people by employing them as guides, watchers etc.
6. To facilitate sale of locally made crafts to tourists.
7. To impart education on nature conservation.
8. Lastly, to facilitate all round development.
29. The activities which could be implemented in these Van Vigyan Kendras could be from-
a. Nature Interpretation centre
b. Audio-Visual theatres/conference facility
c. Medicinal plants demonstration plots
d. Humus-Organic farming demonstration plots
e. Forest produce stalls.
f. Boarding/lodging facility
g. Nakshatra van etc.,
The relevant extracts-guidelines for establishing of the same are separately appended in the
Volume II of the plan as a separate annexure.
30. The Deputy Conservator of Forest should take initiative to prepare plans and estimates
for the developmental activities at these places of interest and submit the estimates to
Forest Department, District Authorities or Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation
for resources. In eco tourism it is a one time capital investment provides platform or triggers
multi dimensional activities like transportation, food industry, shops for locally made articles
in these places of interest.
31. Recent directives as laid down in the Eco-Tourism Policy of the Government of
Maharashtra resolved vide its order dated 20th February 2008, shall act as guide-stones.
**************
CHAPTER XX
MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS
a. Harvesting for the fire lines and the transmission line: The Deputy
Conservator of Forests shall permit felling of trees within the prescribed width
of the established fire lines and the approved power transmission line. The
prescribed width in the guidelines for the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and
rules, there under, shall be applicable to the transmission lines. Creation of
new fire lines shall require prior permission of the Conservator of Forests.
b. Felling for the haulage roads: The Deputy Conservator of Forests shall
permit felling of trees for the purpose of haulage roads, which shall be aligned
properly to ensure minimum possible felling of trees.
SECTION 2. DEVIATIONS:
3. Following is the format Deviation Statement:
4. The DCF shall forward through the Territorial Conservator typed copies of this form in
triplicate, yearly, with his coupe control forms. No explanatory remarks are required on
this form, but these should be given in the forwarding letter. One copy of the statement
will be returned to the DCF and another to the Territorial Conservator after the deviations
have been sanctioned by the PCCF. If the PCCF or the Working Plan Conservator’s
sanction has been obtained in advance, the sanction number and date should be quoted
in the last column.
5. All deviations, which permanently alter the basis of management laid down in a working
plan, will require prior sanction of the PCCF. All deviations, which do not permanently
alter the basis of management and with the necessity of which he agrees, may be
approved and sanctioned by the Working Plan Conservator on behalf of the PCCF. In
case where there is difference of opinion between the Working Plan Conservator and the
Territorial Conservator, the former will refer them to the PCCF for instructions. The
PCCF/CFWP, as the case may be will countersign the deviation statement.
6. Minor deviations can be sanctioned at the level of the CF Working Plan or the PCCF as
the case may be; but the PCCF, before sanctioning the major deviations of following
nature, will necessarily take prior approval of the Regional CCF of the Ministry of
Environment and Forests
7. The government of India, the State Government, and IIFM-Bhopal are in the process of
finalizing the criteria and indicators for monitoring and evaluation of Sustainable Forest
Management. As and when these are finalized, the monitoring and evaluation of
implementation of the working plan will be done accordingly.
8. As per Forest policy of 1988, the first charge on the forest produce is that of tribal and
other villagers living in and around the forest. Accordingly the forest produce obtained
from the forest will first be supplied to the people living in the villages notified for nistar
purposes at the rate fixed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests in consultation with the
District Collector. Only the surplus forest produce of the forest produce, which is not
required by the local people, will be sold in open auction. The following forest produce to
be given to the local inhabitants as nistar as per due process.
a. Bamboo: There are large number of Burads families in the district who
prepare bamboo mats and other articles to earn their livelihood. Bamboo is
required for agriculture purposes as well. Taking into consideration their long
pending demand for supply of bamboo at nistar rates, Government of
Maharashtra has issued resolution no. ABS-1095/C/no. 128/f-9 dated 3-th
May 1997 for the supply of bamboo to the above mentioned people at Nistar
rates. As per this resolution 1500 bamboo per family per year are to be given
at Nistar rates, to be sanctioned by the Conservator of Forest in
consultation with the District Collector, to the registered Burads families who
depend on bamboo for their livelihood as well as to the institutes which give
training for preparing articles out of bamboo. The bamboo depots will be
increased as per the availability of bamboo to meet the requirement of the
people.
b. Small Timber, Poles And Fire Wood: Small timber and poles required for
agricultural purpose and repairs to houses as well as firewood for domestic
use will be supplied from the depots at concessional rates to the villagers
living near the forests, depending upon the availability of these produce.
Depots will be opened at suitable places, throughout the division, so that
people have to traverse minimum possible distance to procure these
products. Range, round or beat head quarters are proposed for this purpose,
so that supervision and maintenance of these depots become convenient.
9. It is necessary to emphasize the fact that experimental and sample plots and their
demarcated surrounds are under the complete control of the Silviculturist and are thus
excluded from all operations prescribed in the Working Plan. No Research Plots,
Experimental, Seed plots are laid out in the Ahmednagar forest division.
10. The Public Works Department of the state government of the Zilla Parishad
maintains large number of roads passing through the forest area. Some stretch has been
permanently transferred to the department. Proper records of these roads must be
maintained on priority basis.
11. Forestry operations and forest protection should determine the priority for
maintenance of the forest roads.
12. Unwarranted up-gradation of the forest roads shall be discouraged, but necessary
culverts shall be constructed for forest protection.The list of buildings in charge of the
division is given in the Appendix
13. Action for construction of accommodation for the staff for the newly created
Sangamner sub-division commensurate with the staff posted is required to be taken by
the D.C.F. on priority.
14. In order to keep the integrity of forest areas intact, strict vigilance over the forest
boundary and periodic verification of the demarcation on the ground for the entire forest
area has been prescribed. However, in view of the position of demarcation and boundary
pillars on the ground concrete boundary pillars, as prescribed by the PCCF, shall be
erected on the external boundary of the entire Reserved Forests and unclassified forests
as per 1/5th boundary demarcation scheme. The 1/5th boundary demarcation scheme is
given in Annexure L and LI of Volume II of the plan.
15. Routine boundary maintenance: The Beat Guard after his inspection of the entire
compartment must submit the Compartment Inspection Certificates every month to the
RFO, before disbursement of the monthly salary. The certificate must record forest
encroachments, illicit cutting and condition of forest boundaries including pillar numbers
and inter-pillar visibility conditions. Separate certificate should be submitted for each
compartment.
16. The Round Officer should submit certificates for his inspections. Half of his
certification should involve checking of the work done during the previous month by the
Beat Guards in his jurisdictions, and the other half should involve checking of the
compartments not reported by the Beat Guards during the months. He should also submit
monthly report regarding the action taken on the forest offences recorded and the
progress of the forest enquiries entrusted to him. The pillar inspection certificate of round
officer should be in the following proforma,
19. The Range Forest Officer shall check the accuracy of the Compartment Inspection
Certificate according to the prescribed norms covering each round. He shall personally
check at least 1 (one) vulnerable compartment other than those covered by the Beat
Guards and the Foresters during the previous month. The certificate of RFO should be in
the given format,
20. The Range Forest Officer will submit a certificate to DCF annually in the following
form.
21. I -------------------------------------certify that ---------------- percent of boundary line of 1/5th
boundary demarcation as shown in Appendix … of the working plan of __________ and
______on Forest Divisions and that the boundary line and pillars are found to be correct
as per Demarcation Register and maps. I further certify that the next pillar on either side
of a pillar is visible.
23. Demarcation OF Coupe: The annual coupes for the afforestation and tending
operations shall be demarcated in year in advance, and each coupe shall be subdivided
into four sections for effective management and control. The Range Forest Officer shall
inspect the coupe after demarcation and issue Coupe Demarcation Certificate in the
prescribed format, given in the following paragraph, which shall be verified by concerned
Assistant Conservator of Forest.
I---------------------------------------R.F.O. ------------------------------------------------------
----------- certify that I have personally inspected the demarcation of the coupe No. ----
--------- in Compartment No. ------------- of W.C.------------------------------------- on dated -
---------------------------------- and found that the coupe has been demarcated as
prescribed in the working plan. The area of the coupe is -----------hectares.
26. Annual coupe shall be demarcated by cutting and clearing bushy undergrowth on 3
(three) meter wide line and by erecting pillars of posts up to 2 meter height in the middle
part of the cut line at suitable intervals, so that one pillar shall be visible from the other
one, except where the coupe boundary runs along streams, fire line or road. The pillars
shall bear the coupe number, name of the felling series and the working circle on the side
away form the coupe.
27. Selected trees above 45 cm gbh, at suitable intervals standing on the periphery of
the coupe shall be given two coal tar bands and a geru band in between after scrapping
the loose dead bark. The lower coal tat band shall be at B.H and the other coal tar band
shall be 15 cm above it. Just below the lower coal tar band Tree serial number in Arabic
shall be given on the side away from the area of the coupe. The band and serial numbers
of such trees shall be maintained in the marking register, in the following form.
28. No tree bearing coupe demarcation bands shall be marked for felling.
31. Demarcation Of Other Areas Given In The Treatment Map: The other categories
of areas shown in the treatment map shall be marked by giving one geru band at B.H and
one coal tar band 5 cm above it.
Treatment Map:
32. Immediately, after completion of demarcation of the coupe, RFO shall prepare the
Treatment map of the coupe as prescribed in earlier, clearly showing the various
Treatment-type areas in the coupe. The concerned ACF will verify the treatment map and
make corrections, if necessary, before the submission to the DCF for approval.
33. The compartment maps prepared in the Forest GIS Cell, Aurangabad, shall serve as
the base maps, which would be used for making areas suitable for different treatment
types. Corrections in the base maps, if any, and observations on crop conditions in the
coupe shall be recorded and sent to the Working Plan Officer Nashik henceforth who has
jurisdiction over Ahmednagar division for verification and updating the digital database.
34. Preparation of treatment map shall be preferably be done one year in advance of the
coupe working. Timely preparation would facilitate necessary checking and corrections, if
any, in time.
35. Immediately, after seeking the approval of the treatment map site specific Work Plan
for the entire coupe shall be prepared by RFO, incorporating all the prescribed activities
under various treatment-type areas marked on the map, entailing quantum of work
involved, estimated amount required and period of operation for each activity. The Work
Plan shall be verified by the ACF concerned and submitted to the DCF for approval by the
DCF. The work plan shall be approved sufficiently, in advance, i.e. the before starting of
coupe working in the respective coupes.
Marking Of Trees For Harvesting- not exactly applicable here in Ahmednagar division,
however rules are mentioned for ease of availability in near future.
36. After the approval of treatment map, marking of trees for harvesting shall be carried
out as per prescriptions given in respective working circles. Marking of trees for
harvesting shall be done one year in advance of the coupe working. Timely marking
would facilitate necessary checking and corrections, if any, in time.
37. Marking shall be done under the close supervision of RFO and inspected by the ACF
concerned. The DCF shall himself inspect majority of coupes to ascertain proper marking
as per prescriptions of working plan as well as to guard against the excessive marking, if
any.
38. Trees marked for felling shall be given geru bands at breast height and will bear
marking hammer impression at the B.H (breast height) and at the base on the blazes of
sizes 10 cm x 10 cm.
39. Following trees, in addition, will bear digit serial numbers both at BH (breast height)
and at the base.
a. All trees of Teak, bija, shisham, ain, tiwas, haldu, kalam, dhaora and siwan, of
45 cm and above girth at b.h (ob).
b. Trees of all other species, of and above, 60 cm girth at b.h.
40. The remaining trees marked will bear serial numbers, which will be given by coal tar.
The digit and coal tar serial numbers will form separate series. The number of the tree
marked shall be written vertically on the blaze, shown as under.
XX (Hammer mark)
210
41. All trees bearing serial numbers shall be recorded in marking (recording) book, in, the
following, Form Serial number given in coal tar must be recorded in the marking book.
Format for marking of trees for harvesting.
Tree Digit Serial No. Coal tar Name of species GBH (OB) Remarks
No.
42. Abstract of trees marked for felling will be made species wise in 15-cm girth classes.
Timber, poles and firewood trees shall be shown, separately.
43. Malformed trees alone shall be recorded as fuel trees, except that of teak. A tree
shall be classified as fuel tree only when it is incapable of yielding any useful sawn
timber.
Soil And Moisture Conservation:
44. The areas adjoining the human habitation have become devoid of vegetation by way
of illicit cutting, heavy grazing and repeated fires. The compaction of soil reduces
percolation and water holding capacity of the soil. Due to these factors NR of teak and its
associates die back before being established.
45. The soil and moisture conservation is crucial to maintain and improve the site
conditions as well as water regime of a given tract. Moreover, extensive silvicultural works
have been prescribed in this working plan to regenerate the forests primarily assisting
and tending the existing NR and available rootstock. To ensure the success of these
operations in improving the forests, soil and moisture conservation works are of utmost
importance.
46. The soil and moisture conservation works would start along the marking of coupe
and be completed before the onset of monsoon. Wherever feasible, the material obtained
from climber cutting, bamboo cleaning and shrub clearance shall be used for brushwood
check dams to arrest the soil loss.
47. It is prescribed to follow watershed management approach viz. The ridge-to-valley
approach for carrying out soil and moisture conservation woks. The contour trenching and
gully plugging/check dams, as given under, have been prescribed to constitute the major
component of these works. Preference is for vegetative and other methods, rather than
erecting concrete structures in the forest.
b. Trenches near the nala are prescribed to be discontinued and curved upward
at both sides of the nala at 45o to prevent the run off of water stored. Contour
trenches will normally be not more than 10 meter in length, and two contour
trenches will be spaced based on the slope.
a. The primary objective of nala bunding and check dams is to reduce the run off
water and to arrest the silt. They are prescribed to be made from the loose
boulders found in and around the nala bed or from the dug up soil. No
blasting shall be done for this purpose. Where sufficient boulders are not
available brushwood may be used. In this plan check dams of both the loose
rubble for arresting silt and soil loss and earthen gully plugging (nala bunds)
for moisture conservation and water harvesting are prescribed.
b. The structure and quantum of work will depend upon various factors such as
the erosion status, ground conditions, local availability of suitable materials.
The streambeds more than 8 meters in width shall not be covered under the
nala bunding. Nalas more than 8 meter wide at the top should normally
require elaborate engineering structures for bunding, and therefore, such
bunts should not be considered as part of the quantity prescribed here. Each
of such nala bunds, if required, should be treated as an independent project,
d. Keeping in view the immense work already carried out in the district, any
additional works proposed are to be duly verified and ascertained by the
Assistant Conservator of forests prior to obtaining sanction.
e. To prevent the soil erosion on the slopes contour stone bunding having the
size of 60 cm x 30 cm shall be taken up at an interval of every 50 m. Where
loose boulders are not available agave suckers shall be planted in two rows
along the contours.
50. General guidelines for execution of Soil Moisture Conservation works:
NABARD after detailed study in the area has come out with prescriptions for the areas
which come under Ahmednagar division for choice from methods mentioned below:
52. From the beginning of scientific forestry, the plantations has been recognized as
prominent activity to afforest and enrich denuded and under stocked forest tracts. It is
prescribed to supplement the activity at places where natural regeneration is inadequate
or is not likely to succeed. The following guidelines are, hereby, prescribed for adherence
for undertaking plantations under this plan.
55. Plantation in working circles: Plantations in the working circles will be taken up as
under. The PPO/PYO (pre-planting operations) shall be taken up in the year of coupe
working, while the seedling planting and other FYO (first year operations) activities shall
be carried out in the following year. Other plantation works will follow in the sequence.
The cleaning and thinning operations in plantations will be done in the fifth and eleventh
year of plantations. The extent of plantation should not exceed the prescribed staff norms.
56. Choice of species: Valuable local species suitable for the site and favored by the
local village communities will be preferred in plantations. Seedlings of edible fruit yielding
forest species may constitute up to 20 percent and seedling of medicinal plants up to 5
percent of the planting stock. Stakes or tall planting of suitable species, such as, ficus,
umbar, etc. useful to wildlife are also proposed in plantations, up to 5 percent of planting
stock. An officer not below the rank of namely Assistant Conservator of Forests should
approve the final choice of species and source nurseries.
57. Spacing in plantations: Teak stumps from root-shoot cuttings should be planted on
well-drained sites (2m x 2m spacing). Teak seedlings raised in poly-pots of root trainer
containers can be used in special cases only duly recorded the reasons in the prescribed
register. Mixed species plantations should be carried out at (2m x 2m), and bamboo
seedlings should be planted at six-meter interval (6m x 6m). Care should be taken to
avoid planting of seedlings directly under the canopy of existing trees or established
saplings.
58. Fencing of Plantations: The plantation areas or the rootstock management areas
shall be fenced by TCM (Trench-cum-mound) fencing, live-hedge fencing or suitable
mechanical fencing for effective protection. TCM of the standard cross-section, one-meter
deep and 1.90 and 0.60 meter wide at top and bottom, respectively is prescribed. Across
the slope, however, rubble wall is proposed in place of TCM. Two rows of Agave will be
planted at the outer edged along with seed sowing of chilati, babul, jatropha, and other
local thorny species immediately before the onset of monsoon. The mechanical fencing, if
found financially viable, may be used in areas prone to heavy biotic pressure, if the
situation so demands. Justification for use of mechanical fencing should be recorded in
the prescribed plantation register.
59. Pit digging: Pits of size, preferably, 30 cm3 for planting seedling of non-teak species
and 45 cm3 sides for bamboo planting is prescribed. The dug up soil will be kept on the
upper side of the slope, and allowed to weather from March to the first week of May. Pit
refilling must be completed before the onset of monsoon. Pits for bamboo planting shall
be half filled during the refilling using topsoil from the heap.
60. Planting:
61. Planting of teak stumps: Crowbar planting of teak stumps shall be carried out
within one week after the first monsoon shower.
a. Bamboo planting shall be completed within a fortnight after the first monsoon
shower. Preferably, two-year-old bamboo seedlings with well-developed
rhizomes of thumb thickness shall be planted. If stone mulching is feasible in
the area, the pits should be refilled up to the ground. Otherwise, the ball of the
earth and rhizome of the seedling shall be covered with soil and almost half of
the pits should be left unfilled for reducing wild boar damage.
65. First year operations: All weeding and soil working should be carried out in a circle
of one-meter diameter around the seedlings or saplings. The first scrape weeding shall be
started immediately after completion of planting. Casualty replacement should be done in
the first weeding. The second scrape weeding shall be carried out in the last week of
August. The soil working and mulching shall be done in the first week of October. In case
of prolonged hot and dry season, it is desirable to carry out one soil working in the month
of January.
66. First year operations in bamboo plantations: The first weeding, casualty
replacement and the second weeding should be carried out as described in the preceding
paragraph. Stone mulching should also be carried out with the second weeding in
bamboo plantations as a safeguard against the wild boar damage. The third weeding and
soil working operations are not required in the bamboo plantation.
67. Second year operations: In the second year of plantation, casualty replacement
should be done in the planting season. The first scrape weeding should be carried out in
the first week of August, and the soil working and mulching should be done in early
October. The first and second weeding should also be carried out around the seedling
coppice in the plantation area.
68. Second year operations in bamboo plantations: The first weeding should be done
in the first week of August, and it should include maintenance of the stone mulching in the
bamboo plantations.
69. Third year operations: One weeding in the third year should be done along with the
soil mulching in September. Singling of coppice shoots, management of damaged and
malformed saplings, climber cutting and shrub clearance should be repeated as third year
operations.
71. Definition: Thinning is defined as a felling made in an immature stand for the
purpose of improving the growth and form of the trees that remain, without permanently
braking the canopy. Thinning is chiefly concerned with promoting good growth in the
stems that are retained.
72. Special objectives in thinning: Plantations are made with various objects in view;
and thinning methods have to be varied accordingly. The maximum volume production (in
a given form) is generally on objective. Plantation work is expensive and it may be
desired to get some return as soon as possible; however, in this case, thinning will aim at
giving some of the trees the adequate room they can utilize, thus ensuring rapid diameter
growth. Plantations are all to often made in an attempt to minimize a foreseeable
shortage of timber consequent on the too rapid exploitation of the mature stock of natural
forests.
Whips-Trees with very thin bole and very constricted crown incapable of existence without
the support of the neighboring tree
75. (II). Dominated Trees (d): These trees do not form part of the upper most leaf
canopy, but the leading shoots of which are not definitely overtopped by the neighboring
trees. Their height is about ¾ that of the tallest trees
76. (III). Suppressed Trees (s): which reach only about ½ to 5/8 of the height trees,
with their leading shoots definitely over-topped by their neighbors or at least shaded on all
sides by them.
77. (IV). Dead And Moribund Trees (m): This class also includes bent over and badly
leaning trees usually of the whip type.
78. (V). Diseased Trees (k): This class includes those trees which are infected with
parasites to such an extent the their growth is seriously affected or that they are a danger
to their neighbors.
Dominant.
Dominated and suppressed.
Mechanical Thinning: There may accordingly be little objection to provide extra growing
space by the mechanical removal of complete lines of plants, of every alternate plant
subject to provision to cover cases of local gaps. Where spacing is irregular, the “stick”
method used in natural regeneration is a possibility whereby one tree of every pair of
adjoining trees is removing if the distance between them is less than a prescribed length.
a. This method is followed in teak plantations for the first and less commonly for
the second thinning. Each operations removing 50% of the original planting
lines reducing the number of plants to ½ in each operation. For instance, in
case of 2 x 2 spacing, number of plants will reduce from 2500 to 1250 and
then 625 per hectare and increasing the spacing from 2 m x 2m to 4 m x 4 m.
In case of 3 m x 3 m spacing, as proposed in this plan, number of plants will
reduce from 1111 to 556 and then 278 per hectare and increasing the
spacing from 3 m x 3 m to 6 m x 6 m.
b. It is usually provided that where there is a gap in the retained line, an
adjoining plant in the cleared line should be retained.
c. This method is only practicable where casualties are very few and growth is
both good and even under such conditions but it is out of question in poor or
uneven plantations.
d. It is not suitable for mixed plantations. However, in rare cases, similar
operation may be done in mixed plantations where one species has been
introducing essentially to help cover the ground quickly and its removal or
cutting back is necessary in the interest of the major species.
Silvicultural Thinning: Alternatively, thinning may be selective, the case for removal or
retention being considered for each tree in turn according to a set of rules drawn up for the
purpose. This is the most usual procedure even where additional checks are applied, being
often described as a “silvicultural” thinning.
83. The mechanical thinning meet the initial requirements of plantations. It soon ceases
to be practical proposition owing to the unequal development of the trees and their
smaller numbers, and hence call for other methods for thinning operations.
84. The most usual method has been to view each tree in relation to its neighbors, and to
remove those which appears already to have shown their inferiority by dropping behind,
taking first the suppressed trees, then the dominated ones, and finally some of the
dominants with restricted of, otherwise, inferior crowns. As the method beings with the
removal of the lowest canopy class and then works upwards, it has been called Low
thinning, but it is now known, on account of its widespread application, as Ordinary
Thinning.
85. The smaller dominated and suppressed trees are usually removed, they may be
retained as soil cover and as insurance against casualties among the larger trees
standing over them.
86. Most foresters tend, at first, to thin very lightly corresponding to something between B
and C grades, after experience however they mark heavily up to a full C-grade and D-
grade. The term ‘heavy thinning’ implies the C-grade thinning.
Light thinning (A-grade): This is limited to the removal of dead, dying, diseased and
suppressed tree i.e. classes V, IV and III. Grade A is of no practical use, it serves as the
initial stage, especially, in comparative research on the effect of thinning on increment.
Moderate thinning (B-grade): This consists in the further removal of defective dominated
stems and whips. Branchy advance growth which it is impracticable of nor desirable to prune
may also be taken, i.e. classes V, IV, III, II (b) and I (d) and an occasional I(c). B-grade is
also of little use in practice, due to its having little influence on the increment of the
remaining stems.
Heavy thinning (C-grade): This consists in the further removal of the remaining dominated
stems and some defective dominants without making lasting gaps in th canopy, i.e. classes
V, IV, III, II and I (b), (c) and (d).
Very heavy thinning (D-grade): It consists further removal of some of the good dominants,
subject to the condition of not making any lasting gap in the canopy. The trees for removal
are selected in such a way that the remaining crop consists of trees, with good boles and
crowns, well and evenly distributed over the area, and with space for further development,
i.e. classes V, Iv, III, II and I (b), (C), (d) and some I (a). If their removal is of no economic of
hygienic value, class V, IV and III trees are not removed, in heavier grades.
Very heavy thinning (E-grade): For research purposes it has been found desirable to make
ordinary thinning even heavier than the standard D-grade. It prescribed removal of more of
the dominant stems even in class I (a), so tat all retained have ample room for further
development. It goes as far as possible within the rule for avoiding permanent gaps in the
canopy.
88. Crown Thinning: This method of thinning looks first of all to the dominants, and
removes such of them, beginning with the least promising individuals, as are hindering
the development of the best individuals. Due regards are paid to obtaining as even a
distribution of good dominants over the area as possible. It requires special skill and
acumen in carrying it out.
89. Grades of Crown Thinning: Only two grades of crown thinning have been
standardized; they are defined as follows:
Light Crown Thinning (L C-grade): This consists in the removal of dead, dying and
diseased trees, with such of the defective, after them the better dominants, as are necessary
to leave room for the further development of the best available trees evenly distributed over
the area, i.e. classes V, IV, I (d),(c),many of I (b) and few of I (a) but not III and II. This is
similar to D-grade ordinary thinning, but retains all III and II, and is not quite so heavy on I.
Heavy Crown Thinning (H C-grade): This grade pays even more attention to
favoring the selected best stems by removing all the remaining I (b) which can be taken
without creating permanent gaps, and more of I (a), i.e. classes V, IV, I (d),(c), most of I (b),
some of I (a); but not III and II.
Crown thinning is well adapted to moderately shade-tolerant species in which the retention
of the lower canopy presents no difficulty.
Site quality wise number of trees for various maximum girths in cms allowed to be
attained in the crop are usually available which may be referred to.
90. Thinning Procedure: For this, the figures from the Yield Table and from the Stand
Table in respect of relevant site quality and age shall be reproduced as provided in the
form 3 given in appendix no. --- of volume II, and girth class wise comparison of number
of stems actually present with that required as per Stand Table shall be done. Following
principle should be followed for taking decision as to how many stems in different girth
classes would be retained after thinning in the crop.
91. When in any girth class, actual population of stems is found to be equal or less than
that given in Stand Table, no removal in that girth class shall be affected and all existing
trees shall be retained irrespective of the fact whether they are of coppice origin or of
inferior miscellaneous species. However dead and top broken trees shall be removed as
they have special reasons.
92. If actual population of stems in a girth class is found to be more than that given in the
Stand Table, the excess number of stems in that girth class are liable to be removed
keeping the number of stems to be retained in that girth class equal to the population
given in the Stand Table. However, if shortage of stems in next higher girth classes were
found and as a result, less number of stems are being retained in those girth classes, the
number of stems to be retained in this girth class shall be increased by the number it is
falling short in the higher girth class. Thus, in short, total number of stems per hectare to
be retained shall be equal to that given in the Stand Table (of course, provided that the
actual total), but increasing equal number of stems in the lower girth classes where
excess population was found shall compensate the shortage in higher girth classes.
There may be instances where although actual total population per hectare is more than
that desired, shortage of stems is occurring in lower girth classes as well. In that case,
the shortage of lower girth classes shall be compensated by increasing the number in the
next higher girth classes to that extent.
93. After it is decided, as to how many number of trees per hectare are to be retained
and those to be removed in different girth classes, the marking for removal in that girth
class shall be effected in the following order.
a. First, non-teak coppice shall be marked irrespective of species till all are
marked.
c. Thereafter non-teak trees of seed origin shall be marked for felling. However,
trees of Shisam, Bija, Semal (of seed origin) shall not be marked for felling
besides fruit bearing trees like Aonola, Mahua, and Charoli etc. for any
reason whatsoever. They shall be retained in excess of the desired
population of the growing stock.
d. Then teak trees of seed origin would be taken up for marking.
i. Keeping the principles as prescribed above in clauses, (i), (ii) and (iii),
detailed instructions as to how many trees of teak, non-teak including
coppice, if any, and teak coppice shall be marked for felling and how
many trees would constitute the residual crop after thinning shall be
respectively recorded in items 10 and 11 of Form 3, and
communicated to the marking officer by the Deputy Conservator of
Forests in writing.
95. Agency for harvesting: The coupes shall be worked departmentally. However
bamboo coupes shall be worked as per the government decision. Estimation of bamboo
yield should be based on actual enumeration carried out a year prior to the beginning
bamboo harvesting.
96. Disposal at timber depots: Harvesting timber and firewood shall be transported to
the established forest depots for sale by auction. The National Forest Policy, 1988
acknowledges the first charge on the forest produce in the local tribal and village
community living in and around the forest areas. Disposal of the forest produce should
meet the requirements of the first rights of the local village communities over the forest
produce, as enunciated in the policy. In view to facilitate nistar distribution temporary
bamboo depots shall be created at the Range Headquarters.
97. Stacking for the nistar supply: Each established or temporary depots is prescribed
to have designated areas for stacking small timber, poles, firewood and bamboo for the
nistar supply at the special low sanctioned rates to local people including agriculturists
and artisans. The Deputy Conservator of Forests can approve additional nistar depots at
suitable places in the division, preferably the round or beat headquarters, so that villagers
may not be required to traverse large distance to procure the nistar materials. The Deputy
Conservator of Forests in consultation with the District Collector fixes the nistar rate.
Burads, the bamboo artisans, prefer green bamboo, and hence, necessary arrangement
shall be made to reduce the period between bamboo cutting and delivery to the Burad
communities. Each registered Burad family is entitled up to 1,500 bamboos per year at
the nistar rate fixed by the Dy.Conservator of Forests in consultation with the District
Collector. Availability of the nistar material shall be informed to the Taluka Panchayats,
and the material left unused for three months will be sold through open auction.
98. FIRE PROTECTION: Uncontrolled fires cause immense harm to the forest in the
form of damages to flora and fauna, young crop, regeneration and the soil fertility. For
effective protection of the forest various forest areas are classified as follows.
All Plantations.
All regenerated coupes of all the Working Circle in the young crop attend an age of 10
years.
All government timber depots.
Any other areas of special importance as ordered by the Conservator of Forests.
99. All the above specified areas will be fire protected by isolating these areas by means
of fire-lines and cut guidelines and will be patrolled by the fire watchers. Any fire in these
areas must be reported to the Dy.Conservator of Forests in writing giving the details of
the area burnt and various types of losses.
106. The cutting and cleaning of fire lines will be completed by the end of December and
burning should be completed before the end of February.
Dry leaves on fire lines will be burnt after the end of February except with the express
order of the Chief.Conservator of Forest. In case such permission is granted, the
burning should be done in the presence of the R.F.O.
In Reserved Forests following are the provisions.
Section 26 (I) B: To set fire to reserved forests.
Section 26 (I) c: kindling, keeping and carrying any fire except at such seasons as the
forest officer may notify in this behlf.
Section 26 (I) f: Burning of any tree.
Section 26 (I) g: burning of charcoal
Section 26 (iii) the state Government may suspend the exercise of all rights of pasture or to
forest produce in the reserved forest/protected forests or a portion there of whenever the fire
is caused willfully or by gross negligence for such period as it thinks fit.
109. Provision contained in the Maharashtra Forests (Protection of forests from fire)
Rules.
110. The Government of Maharashtra vide notification No.1074.252 359/F6, dated 14-10-
1982 under section 32 (6) and 76 (I) (d) of the IFA 1927, made the rules for the
protection of protected forests from fire called, “ The Maharashtra Forests (Protection of
forests from fire) Rules.
111. 1982.” The various provisions made under rules 3 to 7 are given as under….
112. Rule 3: A ban is placed on kindling fire within a distance of 1 km from the boundary
of the forest.
113. Rule 4: Under this rule any person desirous of clearing by fire in standing forest or
grassland beyond a distance of 1 km from the boundary of the forest shall observe the
following rules.
114. He shall clear a fire belt at least 10 m. vide on the side of the area which he proposes
to burn which is nearest to the boundary of the forest in such a manner that no fire can
spread across such belt.
115. He should keep a watcher to see that a fire does not spread in the forest area.
116. Rule 5: Under this rule any person desirous of burning Rab or clearing land by
burning the growth on it near the forest boundary should inform the nearest Forest officer
at least one week in advance of his intention to do so. A clean belt of at least 10 mtr.width
should be left in between the boundary of the forest and the place where the Rab is to be
burnt so that the fire does not spread in the forest and while burning the Rab he should
make such arrangement so that the fire does not spread in the forest and while burning
the Rab he should make such arrangement so that the fire does not spread in the forest
area.
117. Rule 6: Under this rule all camping places along the boundary of an within the limits
of the forest area will be cleared and will be set apart by the Dy.Conservator of Forests
for the use of visitors. A list of all such camping places will be published annually and
except on such camping grounds no fire shall be lighted within or along the boundary of
the forest. All persons using these camping grounds shall light any fire they make for
cooking or other purposes in such a way so as not to endanger the forest or any building,
sheds or other property on the camping grounds and before leaving they shall collect in
the Centre of the camping ground all inflammable material which is ot be left behind and
shall carefully extinguish all fire.
118. Rule 8: Rules 3 to 7 will be relaxed during the rainy season from 15th of June to 31st
of October.
a. Rule 152: As per this rule the Forest fire cases should not be compounded.
b. Rule 153: It deals with the duties of the Magistrates dealing with forest fire
offence cases.
c. Rule 157: It provides for the continuous protection of the valuable forests
from fires.
d. Rule 158: Under the provisions contained in this rule if the forest fire is
serious and due to repeated neglect by the villagers then as an exception a
communal punishment can be given with the sanction of the Government.
e. Rule 159: It deals with the duties of the villager.
f. Rule 160: It deals with powers of the Forest officers to sanction rewards in
cases of effective fire protection.
g. Rule 162: It deals with the powers of the Commissioner to sanction rewards
to the villagers for effective fire protection.
120. Provisions contained in the Maharashtra felling of trees (regulation) act 1964.
121. As per section 2 (e) of the above act burning, trees on private lands is included in the
definition of felling of trees and such act on the part of any person without obtaining felling
permission from tree officer under section 3, is punishable under section 4 of the above
act. The punishment to be imposed by the competent tree office may extend upto
Rs.1000/- besides the tree so felled is also liable to be forfeited to the Government.
122. The firewatchers will prevent the carrying and kindling of any kind of fires in the
forests and will keep the fire line completely free of all kind of combustible material. On
noticing a forest fire he should at once inform the beat guard and will assist him in
extinguishing the same with the help of the local people. The R.F.O. must inform about
the outbreak of fire in his range to the DCF at once. After the fire is extinguished the RFO
must inform about the outbreak of fire in his range to the DCF at once. After the fire is
extinguished the RFO should submit a final report along with a sketch to the D.C.F. within
15 day after thorough inspection of the burnt area.
123. The D.C.F. will submit a monthly return to the C.C.F. mainly covering the cause of
the fire, the area and the extern of the damage and measures taken to extinguish the fire.
A separate fire record must be maintained in the division office.
124. Areas deliberately burnt for silvicultural reasons eg; to destroy felling debris or to
stimulate regeneration etc. will be excluded from the scheme of fire protection provided it
is prescribed in the Working Plan or sanctioned by the C.F. the steps to cut-back the
badly damaged young regeneration in the naturally and artificially regenerated areas due
to fires, will be undertaken by the R.F.O in consultation with D.C.F.
**********
CHAPTER XXI
GENERAL FINANCIAL FORECAST AND FINANCIAL PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
15:1.1: REVENUE: There is no felling of coupes prescribed in the plan and as such
the revenue from major forest produce will depend on the timber seized in offence cases and
removal of dead and fallen trees from the forest area. However the regular removal of non
timber forest produce (NTFP) will fetch revenue to the division. Since the present system of
exploiting NTFP is not properly quantified and recorded and the NTFP unit are sold in
auction on the basis of approximation and hence there is huge under estimation of the
quantity. The field staff will make systematic efforts to quantify NTFP as prescribed in NTFP
working circle. During the plan period the NTFP will be managed (Except Tendu) by JFM
committees or gram panchayats. The details of the revenue received in the division are
given in the Annexure XI of the Volume II of the plan.
The cost of incurred in preparation of this plan is placed at Rs.91 per hectare
CHAPTER XXII
CONTROL FORMS AND RECORDS
2. CONTROL FORMS:
1. Three permanent sets of these control forms will be prepared in the Working Plan
Conservator’s office and distributed one set each to working plan circle itself, the Territorial
Conservator, and the Divisional forest Officer.
1.Coupe Control Form- For the Control of all silvicultural operations such as felling,
subsidiary cultural operations, cleanings, thinning, burning, etc., prescribed to be carried out
in a given coupe for the duration of the working plan.
2.Felling Control form- For controlling and maintaining a record of all trees marked for
felling and trees retained as seed bearers or to safe guard future yield.
3. The prescribed proforma of the control forms mentioned above are given in Annexure
XLIII in the Volume II of this plan
****************
ND LABOUR
SECTION 1. THE ESTABLISHMENT:
The Establishment with Ahmednagar division is given below:
s.no category Payscale Number of posts
Permanent temporary total
Class I
1 Deputy 10000- 1 - 1
Conservator 15200
2 Assistant 7450-11000 - 4 4
conservator
Class II
3 Range forest 6500-10500 14 7 21
officer
Class III
4 Round Forest 4000-6000 41 20 61
officer
5 Beat Guard 2750-4400 120 51 171
6 Surveyor 4000-6000 3 - 3
7 Head 5000-8000 1 - 1
Accountant
8 Steno-typist 4000-6000 1 - 1
9 Accountant 4500-7000 8 5 13
10 Clerk 3050-4590 11 4 15
11 Jeep driver 3050-4590 2 - 2
12 Armed 3050-4590 1 - 1
constable
Class IV
13 Naik 2610-4000 1 - 1
14 Peon 2550-4000 2 - 2
15 Mali 2610-4000 2 - 2
16 Watchman 2550-3200 2 - 2
17 Cook 2610-4000 1 - 1
18 Van major 452 452
TOTAL 211 543 754
7. As a result of the Notification from the Government of Maharashtra dated 3rd
December 2008, creating a separate Independent Sub-division Sangamner with
Headquarters at Sangamner, would entail in re-organisation within the existing staff
of Ahmednagar division by the Chief Conservator of forests, Nashik (territorial),
without incurring any additional costs on the establishment.
8. With computerization having entered in a large way, this would give an opportunity to
reorganize after due appraisal of the work-load in the different sections of the office,
and streamline the working of the Department, setting an example for other divisions
as well.
1 Akole (T) 2 6
2 Akole (EGS) 2 6
3 Rajur 2 6
4 Sangamner-I 3 7
5 Sangamner-II 2 5
6 Sangamner-III 2 5
7 Kopargaon 1 3
8 Rahuri 3 8
9 Ahmednagar 4 9
10 Parner 2 8
11 Takli-Dhokeshwar 2 6
12 Pathardi 2 5
13 Tisgaon 1 3
14 Jamkhed 1 3
10. Most of the schemes have some amount on labour welfare. These amounts should
be pooled, and utilized for the community welfare program in concerned villages by
involving local communities. Labour skills shall be upgraded by organising training
camps in gum collection and grading and bamboo, harvesting etc.
11. Some scheduled adjustment should be sufficient for execution of the forestry
operations. Temporary manpower shortage is experienced during the crop showing
period.
3.BUILDINGs
12. The problem of accommodation is not satisfactory, as the existing buildings are not
maintained properly, especially the field staff. Many residential quarters for the Forest
Guards do not have residential facilities. Although a number of buildings were
constructed under the Maharashtra Forestry Project, more residential buildings are
required in the field, especially, in the interior locations. Sufficient funds should be
made available for the maintenance and construction of buildings in the field. Funds
will also be required for developing eco-centers and camping facilities for eco-tourists
as prescribed in the chapter of Wildlife Management (Overlapping) Working Circle
and Ecotourism chapter.
**********
CHAPTER XXIV
SUMMARY OF PRESCRIPTIONS
THE TRACT:
1. The area dealt with under this plan comprises of the Forest areas in the revenue district
of Ahmednagar, nestled between the Rivers Godavari and Bhima, located centrally in the
state of Maharashtra . The district spreads between 73 ° 38` and 75° 36` East longitudes
and 18° 19’ and 19° 59` North latitudes. Ahmednaga r district is the largest district of
Maharashtra State, with a length of about 1992 Kilometers and width of about 200
kilometres, encompassing an area of 17,413 Square Kilometers, which is 5.66% of the State
Geographical area. The district is bounded by districts Nashik in the North, by Aurangabad
in the North-East, by Beed and Osmanabad in the East, by Pune and Thane in the West and
by Solapur in the South, making it the only district in the state of Maharashtra being bounded
by 7 districts.
2. The district encompasses 14 Tahsils with 1581 villages and is home to 4040642
population as per the 2001 census, with 80.11% being rural and has a population density of
232 per square kilometer (against 315 of state). The Scheduled Castes population number
4,84,655 (12%) with those of the Scheduled Tribe being 3,03,255 (7.51%). The district
houses 14 Panchayat samitis, 1308 grampanchayats, 1Mahanagarpalika, 8 nagarpalika, 1
nagar panchayat (Shirdi-holy town) and 1 cantonment board (Ahmednagar cantonment).
The population in the 1581 villages is represented as under:
s.no Population category Total villages Percentage
3. The forest area is quite scattered and administered under a Deputy Conservator of forests
stationed at Ahmednagar and a recently created Independent Sub-divisional forest
officer/Assistant Conservator of forests stationed at Sangamner within seventeen territorial
units.
8. The district receives rainfall mainly from the South – West monsoon, which normally
sets in during middle of June and ends by October. The distribution of the rainfall is
uneven and erratic in all the areas excepting Akola tahsil. The normal rainfall of the
area ranges between 5000 and 700 mm. Based on mean average annual rainfall the
district can be broadly divided into following three major zones.
ZONE I : This is the zone of heavy rainfall. Rainfall in this area is quite heavy and ranges
from 2000-4000 mm. Such area is confined to the western most part in Akola tahsil
Zone II: This is the zone of medium rainfall. This is confined to Akola tahsil in the west. The
rainfall varies from 1000-2000 mm.
Zone III: this is the zone of low rainfall, spread over majority of the district area. Areas in
tehsils of Parner, Ahmednagar, Shrigonda parts of Sangamner etc., predominantly have
such areas.
9. Area of the earlier plan was to the tune of 104753.640 hectares, for the plan period
1994-95 to 2003-04.
10. With the acquisition of forest land from the Revenue department over the years,
fresh lands acquired under the Compensatory Afforestation, and areas which are
part of the Wildlife sanctuaries handed over or in the process of being handing over
to the Wildlife Wing, there are changes in the area, which are to be addressed to in
this plan.
12. The following three main types of forests are represented in this Division
a) The Southern Tropical Semi–Evergreen West Coast Forest (2A/C2)
13. With the increase in rainfall towards the West, the growth becomes somewhat better
than that in the Eastern part of the district. The deciduous species being more useful
to the Man have been constantly removed and this removal coupled with excessive
grazing has resulted in reduction of humus, heavy erosion and general
impoverishment of the soil. This has led to increased xerophytic conditions with
preponderance of thorny species in areas of the central zone, where originally Mixed
Deciduous Forests should have existed. The areas are mostly supporting shrub
species with varied presence of species like Salai (Boswellia serrata), Dhavada
(Anogeissus latifolia), Moin (Lannea coromandelica), Aola (Emblica officinalis), Ain
(Terminalia tomentosa), Beheda (Terminalia bellerica), Neem (Azadirachta indica),
Maharukh (Ailanthus excelsa), Bondara (Lagerstroemia parviflora) and teak
(Tectona grandis). Good growth in teak is noticed in well protected privately owned
areas with Karvand (Carissa congesta), Dhayaty (Woodfordia fruticousa), Tambat
(Flacourtia latifolia), Sabar (Euphorbia spp), Nirgudi (Vitex negundo ) and Lantana
(Lantana camara) etc., are noticed as an undergrowth. Due to excessive grazing,
growth of palatable grasses is scanty, growth of Kusali, phuli and rosha grasses are
noticed.
14. The Protected Areas though have legally defined boundaries, have no clearly
established Ecological boundaries, with the faunal populations including reptiles,
mammals, avifauna venturing outside the legal limits into adjoining areas for
foraging and breeding, thereby establishing the importance and need to evolve a
proper approach in their management. The Protected Area network in the
Ahmednagar district is represented as under:
15. The increasing trends of wildlife especially Leopards in the Sangamner sub-division
area resulting in deprivation of livestock and human life, crop raiding by Black buck
and chinkara, frequent outbreak of attack by Jackals and Wolves is posing a
challenge to the Forest department. Trends of the number of leopards alone which
is localized in pockets of the district indicate that against the numbers of 7, 8,8,19
recorded earlier in years 1989,1993,1997,2001 respectively, there were 80 recorded
in 2005 census exercise which merits a fresh look towards organizing the
conservation strategy.
GROWTH :
16. The salient features of the current sampling exercise during the stock-mapping could
be inferred as-
c. It leads to surmise that seed sowing of seed like subabul and glyricidia in
particular done along with the planting of principal plants; coupled with no
thinning operations prescribed in the working plan after III year of operations,
have led to a situation of crowding of areas with subabul and glyricidia; which
necessitates thinning during subsequent operations.
d. There have been many cycles of plantations done in a compartment per se;
however barring few areas in Akole tehsil where there has been Bamboo
congestion; there is little scope for exploitation of the plant species.
e. Acacia tortilis at many places appeared lodged, apparently due to drying up.
17. Due to failure in achieving the objectives set in the earlier Plan a change in
approach is necessitated. The approach is required to focus on coming over the
gaps observed whilst implementing the earlier plan prescriptions, and prescribe
specific line of treatment for specific areas; further emphasis on survey and
demarcation of the forest land is spelt out.
18. Biotic pressure and afforestation not followed up with thinning as recommended
after the III year of operations, coupled with established seed sowing results are the
main reasons for sight of seeing dense plantations in pockets and also degradation
of the forests. Local community will be involved in forest management both in
planning and implementation taking inspiration from the successful initiatives in the
division.
22. Identification, survey and demarcation of the forest lands in custody, regularization
of anomalies of land use wherever noticed.
23. Meeting the requirements of fuelwood, fodder, Non-Timber forest produce and
small timber of the rural and tribal population.
24. Creating a massive people's movement with the involvement of women, for
achieving these objectives and to minimize pressure on existing forests.
TREATMENTS PROPOSED:
28. The various treatments proposed are as under:
b. Area 'A':
(i) The soil and moisture conservation treatment shall be as given in
Miscellaneous Regulation.
(ii) Planting Bamboo, Khair,Jamun, Arjun, Agave and grasses along
the nala and river bank.
c. Area 'B':
(i) Under stocked and blank forest areas where slopes are <250,
appropriate structures at regular intervals on the nalas, with loose
boulder structures on the upstream of these dams should be
constructed to prevent early siltation. After siltation of loose boulder
structures agave/aloe suckers or khus/vetivera grass slips should
be planted on the silted soil. On gentler slopes (<150)CCT works
should be done and fresh seed of Jatropha curcus, Semaruba
glauca should be sown at 0.5m intervals. The seed being oil
yielding seed its germination viability is very low. Seed of previous
season does not germinate. Hence it is mandatory to purchase or
collect seed from fruits of that very season. DCF should ensure that
the seed is fresh by conducting germination tests before they are
sown on CCT’s. Continuous Contour Trenches should be taken with
proper alignment. Models promulgated by the Government of
Maharashtra in this regard based on the slope of the ground shall
be used in finalizing the estimates. Fresh seed of
Karanj/Neem/Moha/Jatropha etc or locally available species, as per
the DCF’s choice should be sown at 50 centimeter interval. The
earlier technique of CCT by refilling of Contour may be adapted.
Works shall be completed before the onset of Monsoon. Quantum
of work will depend upon the site requirement.
d. Area 'C':
(i) These areas are to be underplanted with suitable species including
Bamboo, Chandan and other economically important species such
that the planted population doesn’t exceed 400 plants per hectare.
(ii) At places where severe congestion of Subabul and Glyricidia exist,
needful thinning operations including removal may be resorted to
encourage growth of superior planted species.
e. Area ‘D’:
(i) D1 areas- areas support 750 plants per hectare, however
silvicultural thinning to favour enrichment by bamboo, sandal,
ashwagandha, samudrashosh, shatavari, bedki pala/Gymnema and
other economically important species are recommended to improve
the floristics of the area.
(ii) D2: The natural regeneration of this area need to be supplemented
by artificial regeneration to the extent by which natural regeneration
fall short of 750 plants per hectare with suitable species including
Bamboo, Chandan etc., based on the local edaphic factors.
TREATMENTS PROPOSED:
31. The various treatments proposed are as under:
f. Area 'A':
(i) The soil and moisture conservation treatment shall be as given in
Miscellaneous Regulation.
(ii) Planting Bamboo, Khair, Jamun, Arjun, Agave and grasses along
the nala and river bank.
g. Area 'B':
(i) Under stocked and blank forest areas where slopes are <250,
Appropriate structures at regular intervals on the nalas, with loose
boulder structures on the upstream of these dams should be
constructed to prevent early siltation avoiding cement. After siltation
of loose boulder structures agave/aloe suckers or khus/vetivera
grass slips should be planted on the silted soil. On gentler slopes
(<150)CCT works should be done and fresh seed of Jatropha
curcus, Semaruba glauca should be sown at 0.5m intervals. The
seed being oil yielding seed its germination viability is very low.
Seed of previous season does not germinate. Hence it is mandatory
to purchase or collect seed from fruits of that very season. DCF
should ensure that the seed is fresh by conducting germination
tests before they are sown on CCT’s. Continuous Contour Trenches
should be taken with proper alignment. Models promulgated by the
Government of Maharashtra in this regard based on the slope of the
ground shall be used in finalizing the estimates. Fresh seed of
Karanj/Neem/Moha/Jatropha etc or locally available species, as per
the DCF’s choice should be sown at 50 centimeter interval. The
earlier technique of CCT by refilling of Contour may be adapted.
Works shall be completed before the onset of Monsoon. Quantum
of work will depend upon the site requirement. Specific treatment
for the areas as Zone I, Zone II and Zone III is as under:
(ii) Zone I areas:
1. Digging of Water Absorption Trenches (WATs), at the rate of 200
per hectare, each of WAT to be 60cms wide, 30cms deep, 1mtr
long, aligned along the contours in a staggered manner.
2. Seed sowing of species like Neem, Sitafal, planting of hardy
species like Agave, Aloe, Vad, Pimpal to be made.
(iii) Zone II areas:
1. Digging of Trenches of size 2mtr x .60 x.30mtrs , at the rate of
250 trenches per hectare in a staggered manner.
2. Planting 3 plants in each trench, @ 750 plants per hectare,
followed by 2 weedings and 1 soil working in FYO, 1 weeding and
1 soil working in SYO and 1 soil working in TYO.
3. Raising Grass beds either in form of beds 8mtx1.75mtx0.15mt
dimensions @ 50 beds per hectare, or digging V-shaped furrows
of dimensions 45cms wide and 10cms deep @ 750 RMT per
hectare on which grass seed/tussocks could be sown.
4. Dibbling of grass seed dipped in balls of moist earth in urea
pellets shall be done on the WATS and in holes made in the
adjoining bushes with the help of a stake in the monsoon.
5. Dibbling of pre-germinated Chandan seed in bushes, after
monsoon, by using a stake, @ 2 to 3 per bush at a nominal rate of
say 200 to 250 places in a hectare.
(iv) Zone III areas:
1. Digging of trenches of size 2mtrx0.60 x0.30mtrs, at the rate of 350
trenches per hectare OR continuous trenches of dimension
0.60x0.30mtr @ 1200 RMT per hectare at spacement of 15 mt. so
as to raise 750 plants per hectare on the trenches or on the
Refilled Continuous trenches.
2. Dibbling of grass seed dipped in balls of moist earth in urea
pellets shall be done on the WATS and in holes made in the
adjoining bushes with the help of a stake in the monsoon.
3. Dibbling of pre-germinated Chandan seed in bushes, after
monsoon, by using a stake, @ 2 to 3 per bush at a nominal rate of
say 200 to 250 places in a hectare.
4. Planting followed by 2 weedings and 1 soil working in FYO, 1
weeding and 1 soil working in SYO and 1 soil working in TYO.
h. Area 'C':
(i) These areas are to be underplanted with suitable species including
Bamboo, Chandan and other economically important species such
that the planted population doesn’t exceed 400 plants per hectare.
(ii) At places where severe congestion of Subabul and Glyricidia exist,
needful thinning operations including removal may be resorted to
encourage growth of superior planted species.
i. Area ‘D’:
(i) D1 areas- areas support 750 plants per hectare, however
silvicultural thinning to favour enrichment by bamboo, sandal,
ashwagandha, samudrashosh, shatavari, bedki pala/Gymnema and
other economically important species are recommended to improve
the floristics of the area.
(ii) D2: The natural regeneration of this area need to be supplemented
by artificial regeneration to the extent by which natural regeneration
fall short of 750 plants per hectare with suitable species including
Bamboo, Chandan etc., based on the local edaphic factors
32. The grasses of this area belong to the Sehima-Dichanthium group and those commonly
seen and which have fodder value are pavanya (Schima nervosum), Sheda (Schima
sulcatum), tambadgota (Andropogon pumilus) and Kusali (Heteropogon contortus). The
other grasses having comparatively less fodder value are kunda (Ischaemum pilogum),
phulora (Themeda quadrivaluvis), rosha (cymbopogon martini), phuli(Aristida funiculate)
etc..
33. The Sehima-Dichanthium type is represented by dominant perennial grasses viz.,
Dichanthium annulatum, Sehima nervosum, Bothriochloa pertusa, Chrysopogon fulvus,
Heteropogon contortus, Iseilema laxum, Themeda triandra, Cynodon dactylon, Aristida
setacea, and Cymbopogon spp. Important associated species are Apluda mutica,
Bothriochloa intermedia, Arundinella nepalensis, Desmostachya bipinnata, Eragrostis
and Eragrostiella spp.
34. A Dichanthium community, with D.annulatum, D.caricosum or D.aristatum as principal
species, represents the highest development of grassland. The plant cover of a
developed Dichanthium community may exceed 80% and hay production may be about
6.3t/ha. On level soils with increasing moisture availability, the Dichanthium community
is replaced partially or wholly by an Iseilema, with I.laxum as a chief species. When
Sehima-Dichanthium cover is subject to grazing these communities are replaced by
Chrysopogon and Bothriochloa communities and with further grazing at this stage,
these communities are replaced by Heteropogon and Eremopogon communities, with
Heteropogon contoritus and E.foveolatus the chief species.
TREATMENTS PROPOSED: The various treatments proposed are as under:
These areas will be covered with soil & moisture conservation works like gulley plugging &
Nala bunding. Seed sowing with the seeds of Anjan, Babul, Subabul, neem, Bamboo, Siras
etc. will be done at suitable places.
36. Type B areas: -
a. These areas are unworkable areas the existing Euphorbias & other bushes in
this areas will be protected properly seed of Neem, etc. will be sown in these
bushes before onset of monsoon through forest guards & watchman.
b. Proposed treatment will consist of closure, undertaking soil and moisture
conservation work, increasing fodder productivity by adopting silvi-pastoral
approach, increasing water absorption and retention capacity of soil,
establishment of seed plots for raising the planting stock of grasses etc.,
Grass and legumes suitable for drought prone areas will be sown mixed
together. Fodder tree species shall be planted at 8 x 5 mtrs, throughout the
area, giving a total of 250 trees per hectare.
37. Type C areas: -
a. All these areas will be covered with soil & moisture conservation works. All
old successful plantations with crowded pole crop will be given light
silvicultural thining favouring the growth of Neem, Anjan, Sissoo Siras, Babul
and other NTFP yielding species etc.
38. Type D areas:-
a. Soil and moisture conservation works to be taken in these areas.
41. Following operations will be common for all the above mentioned areas:
Eradication of bushes and weeds by uprooting and manual cutting. After cutting their
stumps will be treated with weedicides viz.2,4,5-T (0.4%solution) to prevent their
resurgence. However, fodder trees of old plantations should be retained.
b. Category 2 areas:
WATs of 60 cm. Width and 30cm. Depth will be dug up throughout the
workable area at a spacing of 8m. Trench should be aligned along the
contours. 50 grass seed beds of size 8m. x 1.75cm x 15cm shall be prepared
in between these trenches. The grass and legume seeds will be sown in
alternate lines on grass seed beds and trenches about 4.5 kg. Seed of grass
will be required. Requirement of legume seeds is similar to that for category
1 areas. Timing and method of sowing is as given for category 1 area.
c. Category 3 areas:
WATs of 60 cm. Width and 30cm. Depth will be dug up throughout the
workable area at a spacing of 8m. along the contours. Small pits of size
10cm. X 10cm. X 10cm shall be dug up through out the site at 1m. x 1m
spacing. These pits will provide better conditions for germination than
ordinary dibbing. Grass and legume seeds will be sown in alternate lines on
these pits and also on trenches. The depth of seeds sown will not be more
than 0.8 cm. The timing of sowing will be as per category 1 areas.
43. Planting of fodder tree species on Trenches: Throughout the site 250 seedlings of
fodder species mentioned above will be planted at 8 x 5m spacing.
24. In a clump the following types of culms (green and living) will be retained
(i) All culms less than year old (Current season)
(ii) From the rest culms equal in number to the current seasons (Less than one year
old) culms or eight which ever is more.
25. Following culms will be removed from all clumps
(i) All dead, decayed and dry bamboos
(ii) Culms whose half or more top part is broken or damaged
(iii) Twisted or malformed culms
(iv)The remaining culms will be considered available for harvesting. The cutting
height of culms will be 15 cm to 45 cm above the ground level i.e. above the first inter
node above the ground. The cut shall be slant with a sharp instrument.
(v) No clump should be considered fit for harvesting unless it contains more than 12
mature culms (One year as well as two year old included)
(vi) Harvesting of bamboo shall be done in a manner so as to ensure that the
retained culms are evenly spaced and that some mature culms i.e. more than two
year old are retained on periphery for the purpose of support to the new culms. The
culms on the periphery of the clump will not be removed except where absolutely
necessary to facilitate working in the interior portion of the clump.
(vii)The leading exterior culms may not be cut under any circumstance even if they
are malformed as their retention is in the interest of outward growth of rhizome and
clump and to support new culms.
54. The department after assessing the NTFP potential of the division, should do market
survey and assesses the market and find most competitive price for the produce
collected by the local people.
55. National Forest Policy 1988 envisages the importance of involvement of local people in
the protection of forests. It also emphasizes the importance of traditional rights of forest
dwellers. Priority for the use of forest produce is given to forest dwellers and the use of
forests for industrial purpose is discouraged.
56. Ahmednagar district has always been in the forefront in the domain of participatory
management and has given the country illustrious persona who by their dynamic
leadership and vision gave the country further insights in formulating strategies for rural
development.
57. The district boasts of being host to illustrious persona including Sh.Annasaheb Hazare
of Ralegaon-Shinde, Sh. Popatrao Pawar of Hivre-Bazaar, and the villagers of
Dorje(Shrigonda) , Gardani (Akole), Dolasne(Sangamner), Daraewadi(Sangamner),
who have participated for the overall development of the villages. Institutions such as
the WOTR(Watershed Organisation Trust) , set up under Indo-German Watershed
Development project, NABARD, and the Indian Military (Chichonde-Patil village)
provided the needed support. The Micro-plans should involve activity that could really
influence the Rural development in a long way by way of measures like-
a. Electrify to villages with generators running on biofuels like Karanj seed oil,
Jatropha oil, Moha, Neem oil. The oil expelling facilities should be provided at
a prominent place in the division. Even esterification facilities should also be
made available near the oil expeller for effective use of bio fuels.
b. Regular training programs to the villagers regarding scientific lac
cultivation(Indian Lac Research Institute ILRI, Ranchi), GUM grading
techniques/ spray drying techniques for removing impurities in gum so that
the villager can get better price for the NTFP collected.
c. NTFP theme plantations, like GUM yielding species plantations (Dhawada,
Salai, Khair, Hiwar, Movai Babul etc), Lac insect host plant
plantations(Kusum, Palas, khair, bor, rain tree, acacia auriculiformis, Pimpal
etc), Bio fuel plant plantations(Karanj, Neem, Moha, jatropha, palas etc)
should be taken around the JFM villages in consultaton with the villagers.
The program underlines conservation of forests and wildlife and therefore any
activity/agreements etc. that is not consistent with Forest Conservation Act,
1980 should not be incorporated in the micro-plan.
60. Forest Management should take special care of the needs of wild life conservation and
for the corridor linking the protected areas the forest management plans should include
prescriptions for this purpose. It is essential to provide and maintain genetic continuity
between artificially separated sub sections of migrant wild life. These areas are the
repositories of Bio-diversity and merit protection of the highest order.
61. With inspiration from the Constitutional provisions The National Forest Policy 1988 aims
at conservation of natural heritage of the country preserving the remaining natural
forests with the vast variety of flora and fauna, which represents the remarkable
biological diversity and genetic resources of the country. The wild life (protection) Act
1972 in consonance with other Acts add teeth to these measures in protecting wildlife.
62. This overlapping working circle has been constituted to achieve the following objectives,
63. Proximity to human settlements, the agricultural fields especially sugarcane which offers
excellent habitat for stay and increased connectivity through road networks have led to
increase in man-animal conflict situations not to speak of the Anthropogenic pressure
on the forests of the area.
64. Ahmednagar district blessed with variable climatic conditions supports varied fauna
which have settled in the area. Accordingly it has been observed that the Panthers are
confined more in the Western part of the district, the Black Buck to the Eastern part and
a few localized in pockets of the district, thereby necessitating special strategy in their
management.
65. The division had reported presence of wild animals including panther (80), Jackal (227),
wolf (235), hare (491), common fox (147), peacock (379),hyena (50), black buck (1718),
common langur (128), porcupine (66), chinkara (378), mongoose (178), wild boar (12),
wild cat (34), rhesus macaque (125), common palm civet (17) in the year 2005 after
conducting a detailed census of wildlife in the division. The census extracts of the
district excluding the Protected Areas as has been vetted by the Chief Wildlife Warden
of Maharashtra as “The Wildlife Population Estimation-2005” wherein barring the
Panther population, the other animals being that of Waterhole count, is reproduced as
under:
66. The increasing trends of wildlife especially Leopards in the Sangamner sub-division
area resulting in deprivation of livestock and human life, crop raiding by Black buck and
chinkara, frequent outbreak of attack by Jackals and Wolves is posing a challenge to
the Forest department.
Year 1989 1993 1997 2001 2005
Number of 7 8 8 19 80
panthers
67. The prescriptions are applicable to all forest areas and also to the whole civil district,
where ever possible.
a. Soil and moisture conservation works will be taken up, wherever possible, in
all forest areas, additional measures to be taken to form water holes
particularily in Akole and Sangamner tehsils to favour the Leopard population.
b. Creation of additional waterholes in DPAP areas of the district should not be a
criterion to benefit wildlife, since the wild animals of the area are biologically
capable of withstanding water scarcity which in a way regulates their
population. Assured water supply may at times bring in a sense of security
triggering off spurts in population outbreaks which later on become a cause
for man-animal conflict.
c. Reorientation of people’s awareness about wildlife through inciting people’s
participation in programs like wild life week celebrations in educational
institutions, general populace and rural areas.
d. Involving local students, NGOs, Wildlife enthusiasts, and general public for
wild life census operations and counting of avifauna at water bodies every
winter.
e. Provision of salt licks at suitable places.
f. Erection of Wild life watchtowers at suitable spots, which would also serve as
Fire Watch-Towers during the summer months.
g. Make provision of Shelter and hiding places, if not existing naturally.
h. Inoculation of cattle in the vicinity of forests to be compulsorily enforced, in
co-ordination with the Animal Husbandry department and District
Adminstration to protect the wild life from contagious diseases of cattle.
i. Develop management strategies to handle crop raiding herbivore, by
resorting to preventive and curative measures.
j. Develop mechanisms to ensure that the genuinely affected persons due to
wildlife damage are compensated within the shortest period of time.
k. Van Vigyan Kendras associated with Wildlife Interpretation Centres to
perform the function of educating the public in managing wildlife.
FOREST PROTECTION
75. The forests are burdened with heavy biotic interferences, hence addressing of these
problems in a systematic manner necessitated the constitution of this Working Circle.
Illicit felling, grazing, encroachments, poaching and fires are the major causes for the
damage of the forests.
76. Reports of Evaluation wing indicate presence of immense biotic pressure whether in
terms of stunted growth, due to hacking or grazing or fire incidences which do not find
reflection in the data, thereby indicating that the records do not give a true picture of the
anthropogenic pressure on the forests, and this needs to be duly rectified. It is quite
likely that the forests contribution to match the needs of the populace in terms of small
wood and firewood are not properly documented by the field staff.
77. Fires are of common occurrence. Due to highly combustible undergrowth consisting of
dense grasses and dry lantana, a tiny spark can trigger off a conflagration in a short
time. When dry, they are extremely combustible. They throws up a huge flame, which
scorches the leaves and bole of trees completely. The high speed of hot winds during
summer, combined with the hilly configuration accelerates the spread of fire easily when
it occurs and engulfs vast areas before it can be brought under control only by counter
firing. With a long standing fire protection measures and vigilance of the staff, the
forests, in general, have been protected against fires in spite of the handicaps.
ECOTOURISM
78. Eco-Tourism is an Industry which is supposed to make low impact on the environment
and local culture, but help in creating more jobs in tune with the policies of Bio-Diversity
Conservation.
79. A mechanical implementation with an over emphasis on physical and financial targets
with out making an attempt to understand the spirit of the program would end up in
causing irreparable damage to the environment. It is more difficult to establish and run a
successful eco tourism enterprise. A main difference is the need to take into account
the environmental factors and successfully integrate them with business and social
concerns in a carefully thought out and implemented plan.
80. Eco tourism management seeks to integrate and balance several potentially conflicting
objectives, protection of natural and cultural resources, provision of recreation
opportunities and generation of economic benefits. In the absence of effective planning
and management, ecotourism can lead to significant negative impacts on vegetation,
soil, water, wildlife and historic resources, cultural and even visitor experiences such as
visitor crowding had conflicts. Such impacts can be both ecologically and culturally
significant and may negatively affect visitor satisfaction. Visitation may diminish along
with the economic benefits and resource protection incentives.
81. Ahmednagar district offers good scope to develop ecotourism circuits. The district
offers exciting opportunities to develop Religious circuits, Wildlife circuits, and Highway
Tourism.
82. Ahmednagar is renowned as the land of Saints. It boasts having had given shelter to
the great saints and temples including- Sai Baba of Shirdi (Rahata), Shani Shingnapur
temple (Newasa), Sant Gyaneswar mandir (Newasa) where the religious scripture
‘Gyaneswari’ was written, Datta Mandir at Devgad (Newasa),Miravli Dargha (Nagar),
Kanifnath Mandir at Madhi (Pathardi), Vruddeshwar temple at Tisgaon (Pathardi)
Mohota devi mandir at Mohota (Pathardi), Takli Dokeshwar Temple, Baleswar temple,
Kakatai temple (Rahuri), Pimpalgaon malwi (nagar), Jawle-Baleshwar temple
(Sangamner) which are frequented not only by religious tourists from within the district
and state of Maharashtra, but also from other states in the country and foreigners too.
83. Other places which hold scope for development of Tourism facility include Chand Bibi
Mahal, Ahmednagar fort, Kharda fort, Bhandardara Dam, Mula Dam waters.
84. In addition to these places Ralegaon Shindi, Hivre Bazaar, Dolasne, Daraewadi, and of
late Dorje need to be showcased for participatory excellence in Rural Development.
Each of these spots should be examined afresh from the Forestry and Ecological point
of view and Eco-tourism potential needs to be developed.
85. Highway Tourism could be developed in the form of developing Eco Tourism Natural
Interpretation Centres, Van Vigyan Kendras at Chand Bibi Mahal, Newasa Phata,
Chandnapuri ghat, Akole-sugaon nursery, Samvatsar-Shirdi, Pandripul ghat, Supa ghat,
Karanje ghat, Rahuri Agricultural College campus,Vriddeshwar, Siddhtek need to be
developed, wherein in addition to information, sale of forest saplings medicinal plants
and forest products could be encouraged.
86. The complex which may go by name as Eco-Tourism complex or Nature Interpretation
Centre, or Van Vigyan Kendra should be such a structure, which should not only
showcase the importance of nature, educate the viewer the rich heritage he has
inherited for safe-handling and handing over to posterity, have place to reside for a day
or two with basic facilities at nominal rates, serve as a place wherein method
demonstrations of successful experiments are in practice to enable
“learning by doing and seeing is believing”,
87. Van Vigyan Kendras/ Nature Interpretation centres serve a great purpose by-
1. To provide eco friendly infrastructure preferably on the fringes of wild life
protected area which takes care of minimum lodging and boarding facilities in
pucca houses, huts, machans and tents as per requirements of the tourists.
2. To provide mini- libraries to enable visitors to spend their time usefully and elicit
support for protection of wild life.
3. To provide indoor games like carrom and chess for the entertainment of visitors.
4. To earn revenue for the state government.
5. To provide income to local people by employing them as guides, watchers etc.
6. To facilitate sale of locally made crafts to tourists.
7. To impart education on nature conservation.
8. Lastly, to facilitate all round development.
88. The directives as laid down in the Eco-Tourism Policy of the Government of
Maharashtra resolved vide its order dated 20th February 2008, shall act as guide-
stones.
MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS
89. Miscellaneous instructions issued by the ‘Forest department from time to time, covering
various issues are presented in brief.
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