Can I own a forest of my own ? Yes and this question was answered last year when Taimur, the son of Bollywood’s celebrity couple was gifted a forest in the outskirts of Mumbai.
Why private forests? The government was being criticised for the loss of dense forest cover so just last year the Government of India released guidelines for industrial houses to regenerate the degraded forests. It definitely looks like good news! The green cover of the country will increase, more fresh air and the burden of carbon will decrease.
Most private forests in India belonged to the Royalty before Independence. Shikar tours, display of stuffed tigers and elephant tusks were in fashion. After Independence, most forests were taken over by the government and these were converted into wild life sanctuaries.
Not many people know that a young couple, in 1991, bought 55 acres of barren land in Karnataka to develop a wild life sanctuary. Aptly called SAI, or Save Animal Initiative, it is run by their trust. In 23 years they had bought more barren land from neighbouring farmers and presently they have 300 acres of lush, thick jungle with a small river. It abounds with tigers elephants, king cobras, fish, insects and birds. An inspiration for many!
GREEN COVER VERSUS DENSE FOREST COVER
The good news is that the green cover of the country is increasing. This is because of massive tree planting campaigns launched in the last half a century. The National Green Tribunal orders direct planting of 10 saplings for every full grown tree being cut.
The bad news is that over 15% of out dense forests have been lost in the last century. It is estimated that 66% of the earth’s wildlife has also been lost in the last 50 years. The loss of dense forests is due to building of roads, railway, factories, housing, agriculture and illegal mining. It has resulted in loss of diverse flora and fauna, forever. The green cover which has come up is either in the form of flowering bushes or exotic ground water sucking trees which do not support native flora and fauna. These were monoculture plantations, example – Eucalyptus and Acacia. In many places, agroforestry projects have taken place with Poplar and other factory products oriented trees. These trees require lot of water, soil preparation, fertilisers and pesticides and are cut too soon for profit. It has been studied that such trees have not contributed substantially in reducing the carbon emissions. However, such trees are needed for timber, plywood, fiber, paper, napkin rolls and many other industries. Of course, Bamboo can replace the Poplar in many industries. It has been discussed in one of my earlier blogposts.
INCREASE FOREST COVER. Regeneration of degraded forests or development of new forests on barren land are the best options. But then, apart from the very rich, who can afford it? The Government of India allows Public and Private land projects. A few details below:
- Public land projects. As per the new guidelines for Corporates, they have to enter into a tripartite agreement with a renowned NGO of this field and the local forest department. Neither the industrial house nor the NGO would have any right on the land or forest produce. Rights of the local tribal inhabitants are not to be curtailed. No commercial activities are to be conducted inside such forests. Corporate Social Responsibility benefits can be claimed by the industrial house/ business establishment.
- Private land forests. There are new startups (for profit) and NGOs who are encouraging the rich persons to develop micro forests of their own. These mini forests can come up in 300 square metres or more. The person may even have his private villa next to it! The entire forest can become self sustaining in just 3 years. A mix of native forest trees with some fruit trees and herbal plants at the fringes is an ideal preposition. These are scientifically grown after soil testing. Such projects on one’s own land aren’t illegal if the state’s laws and local rules are followed. The benefits are fresh air, great views, bird songs and an occasional animal in the courtyard!
Dense, multiple variety, native tree forests where shrubs and foliage are not removed and insects, reptiles, birds & animals coexist desperately need to be grown in our country. Every city, town and village must grow such forests, proportionally to their population. It will take years, it will need security and it will not provide any immediate financial benefits. The reduction in pollution itself will reduce human and wildlife mortality, and that itself should be the motivation. Reduction in carbon emissions and delay in climate changes will be beneficial for the planet as a whole. If the governments of the Centre, state or the municipalities have insufficient funds, corporates and the individuals must be allowed to grow forests of any size. That will be the ultimate tribute to mother earth which is quite sick at present.
And that might be the reason why you would like to own a Private forest one day!
Maj Gen Krishan Chauhan is a second-generation army officer. He studied in Sainik School Kapurthala, graduated from IG Medical College, Shimla and did his MD from AFMC/Pune University. He has served in the Army Medical Corps for 36 years and retired as the Addl DGMS army. He is an avid marathon runner and a writer. He first wrote articles for children in The Young Chronicles. Later, he started writing his own blog as Genkris, on WordPress where over 25 articles on various subjects can be accessed.
