{"id":2224,"date":"2021-02-13T17:29:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-13T17:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vayuacademy.com\/blog\/?p=2224"},"modified":"2021-01-16T06:06:16","modified_gmt":"2021-01-16T06:06:16","slug":"private-forests-any-takers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vayuacademy.com\/blog\/private-forests-any-takers\/","title":{"rendered":"PRIVATE FORESTS \u2013 Any Takers ?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Can I own a forest of my own ?<\/strong> Yes and this question was answered last year when Taimur, the son of Bollywood\u2019s celebrity couple was gifted a forest in the outskirts of Mumbai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why private forests?<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/strong>, 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!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SAI Private Sanctuary Kodagu, Karnataka. PC Sai Sanctuary<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

GREEN COVER VERSUS DENSE FOREST COVER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news <\/strong>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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Illegal Teak felling in Panna Tiger Reserve, Bhopal P.C. TOI<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The bad news <\/strong>is that over 15% of out dense forests have been lost in the last century. It is estimated that 66% of the earth\u2019s 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 \u2013 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vilayati kikar at Kamla Nehru Ridge,New Delhi to be replaced with indigenous trees as it sucks up ground water. P.C. Hindustan Times<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

INCREASE FOREST COVER.<\/strong> 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n