Poor productivity of Indian Forests: Who is to be blamed?

Nearly 23 % of the geographical areas in the India in under forest cover. The conservation of these valuable resources has attained greater importance due to their role is carbon sequestration, climate amelioration and ecological security apart from traditional tangible benefits of timber, firewood, fodder and other Non-timber forest produces.

But if we see the productivity of Indian Forests it is found that the Indian forests are having very very poor productivity. Against the global average productivity of 2.1 million m³/hectare/ year, the productivity of Indian Forest is only 0.7 million m³/hectare/ year.

There are numerous reasons for this low productivity which may range from faulty management, poor planning and implementation, policy changes to lack of investment etc., and to some extent the blame goes to the Forest administrators/managers. However there are few   major factors causing enormous loss to forest resources and its capacity to produce more thereby affecting the productivity like anything.

 Two major factors among these are:

1. Unregulated grazing:

The cattle population in India was 350 million in 1950 which has been reached   to 520 million at present. At least  50% of this population ( 260 Million) depends on the forests for grazing which is mostly unregulated and free in many of the Indian States  which affects not only the regeneration of forest species but also affects the soil quality due to trampling and compacting of soil which  makes the soil more  prone to erosion. It is also confirmed in one of the studies that 78% of forests in India are subjected to heavy grazing, illicit felling etc. The problem is getting worsened every year due to increase in livestock population.

2.Fuel Wood Collection:

Nearly 50% of the demand of fuel in rural India is being met from the adjoining forests. The annual demand of fuel wood is estimated nearly 250-300 million m³. The recorded supply of firewood from Indian forests is only 17 million m³ and there is huge gap of approximately 260-270 million³ of fuel wood excluding the recorded supply. So from where this huge demand gap is being met?  It is only the adjoining forest areas which are subjected to continued extraction of fuel wood on a regular basis adding further miseries to the already degraded state of forests. 

So who should be blamed for this? The fuel wood dependent increasing population having no alternatives of energy sources or forest managers who are having meager resources and poor policy support for appropriate interventions…..

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are exclusively mine and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency/government.)

Why do massive tree planting programmes fail ?

Tree planting or afforestation activity is considered one of the most effective ways to counter the multifarious challenges  of environmental degradation. Every year starting from 5th June ( World environmnt day ) we start chanting and advocating the need of tree planting for the environmental protection and amelioration. The month of July (first week) has been earmarked  for the planting  programme in India which is also called as Van Mahotsava (tree festival ). 

I remember  during last 3-4 years there had been enormous activities centering around tree plantations in the name of planting record number of trees in a day, few million tree planting programmes etc. taken up by Corporations /State Governments/organisations. It is yet not known whether all these good numbers of trees planted  have survived ? There is need to take up some realistic  survey or  study to ascertain the efficacy of these ambitious programmes of tree planting.

Let me take a very conservative estimate of even 1 Million or 10 lakhs plants  if survived fully  will cover about an area of 1000 hac ( considering the spacing of 10 met X 10 Met). So even at this conservative tree planting there should have been an increase of 1000 hac every year outside forests but in reality this is not the case.

It is  observed and reported many times  that  most of these programmes of tree planting are not yielding  required results.

There may be many local or specific issues responsible for failure of planting programme but following are few main reasons. 

1.Considering plantation programme as one day activity. 

2.Lack of comprehensive planning  specially regarding  maintenace and protection of plants.

3.Use of substandard seedlings and faulty planting technique.

4.Ignorance and lack of knowledge about site quality including soil type where planting is proposed.

5.Treating the programme as one day affair and not according genuine  priority for environmental protection.

6.Lack of particpation of local prople or communities thereby missing  the opportunity of owning the programme by themselves.

7.Lack of genuine political will and support( including financial )from the Governmment.

8.Non- involvement of other Government departments and treating tree planting  as only the programme of forest deprtment.

The above reasons may or may not be correct in case of tree planting or afforestation prgrammes being umdertaken by the State Forest Departments.

I am sure we can improve the result of sucess of tree planting considerbaly if some of the above mentioned factors are taken care and addressed properly.

Few tips for a successful tree planting  are given in my previous post .Tips for tree planting

Being well informed and highly aware doesnt necessarily gurantee environmental conservation and protection ?

The latest   poll conducted by the Washington Post and Stanford University about the environmantal issue  has  many interesting findings http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/documents/global-warming-poll-2.pdf

1.60% of the participants  say weather patterns around the world have been more unstable in the past three years than previously, a perception that’s changed little since 2006. Nearly as many also say average temperatures were higher during the past three years than before that.

2.55 percent say a “great deal” or “good amount” can be done to reduce future global warming however  atthe same time, 60 percent of those polled say it will be extremely or very difficult for people to stop it.

3.More than 70 percent Americans oppose policies that would rely on tax increases on electricity or gas to change individual behavior, while 66 percent favor tax breaks to curb greenhouse gas emissions. 

4.People don’t see a lot of downside for taking action to stop global warming as only  12 percent say that the things people would do to help stop it would make their own lives worse.

Similarly in another study, conducted by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication , 75% of Americans supported the need of regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant to cause green house effect. More than 60 % of them also expected the US to cut its CO2 emissions by 90 % (by the year 2050) and supported protecting the environment even at the cost of reduced economic growth.

It  is  a known fact the USA is the  largest  consumer  of the resources of the World and having  largest national economy. It  has also a class and society which is highly sensitive and aware regarding the ongoing environmental problems.In such a state of affairs  this should have been an added advantage  for the socities in developed countries including USA  to take  certain concrete  steps at individual level as a remedy to this problem? But in reality this is not the case.So what are those factors  which pull them back from being an active citizen to take the individual step towards this problem ?Is this the fear of little compromise with  their  highly luxurious life style and heavy consumption or  in other words the fear of losing  so called happiness or comforts  from  materialistic world due to  more access to resources ?  

Its yet to elucidate  as to why the people  become a moot spectator and avid comenetator towards these  alarming environmental problems ?

Back home in India we too are occupied with multiplicity of issues and problems.

There is a distinct classs of have nots  (underpriviledged in the sense of access to resources) for whom the prime matter is  to make  both ends meet and their efforts and actions for their livelihood affect  the natural resources  badly besides making them unsustainable.Any intervention in this direction is possible only by providing alternatives to them.Though in many of the instances it has been  proved that the communities who are dependent on the natural resources have devised and preserved their own ways and means to utilize these resoutrces on sustained basis. Its only the web of ever increasing demands of populations that has affected the whole dynamics of balance between man and nature.

Then there comes the middle class with little or more access to resources but that too is  engaged in dilemma of changing survival strategies  and same time busy with improving the happiness levels albeit at the cost of money. Since they also have  also equal right to develop and flourish it may not be wise to expect a change from this quarter .

Finally we have the elite or rich among poors, the class which is shining with the improved GDP and adding to its numbers every year  in the form of millionairess  and billioneres. This class has both the capacities and abilities ( awakened mass) to contribute towards the environmental problems like our American brothers but the biggest question is again when and how?

So what should we expect from ourselves ? 

At least a  small action to start with  as each conservative or recycling action we take, we reduce the impact of Man's negative action on the environment .As  Gandhiji's  said "  "Be the change you wish to see in the world." instead of  waiting for  the Government or  Organistaions  to act?

ENOUGHISM : NON CONVENTIONAL BUT EFFECTIVE APPROCAH TOWRADS CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES

“They have succeeded in accumulating a greater mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown less.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky ( The Brothers Karamazov)

Of late there has been enormous focus followed by some genuine and concrete actions towards conservation of natural resources for the posterity. The approach of sustainability mainly towards exploitation of resources is not only the  need of the hour but has to be given top priority right from contribution/action at individual level and even compromising  personal satisfaction or little of our greed. One of such non- traditional approaches is the path of enoughism - a concept based on less spending and rational or controlled buying by the consumer. In other words enoughism is just opposite to the Consumerism – a concept based on increasing consumption of goods.

There are diverse and strong point of views both for and against the consumerism. One of the strongest points supporting the consumerism lies in its capability to provide immense happiness and feeling of possession.

Continued development of human knowledge which resulted into improved technological interventions has not only facilitated the delivery of diverse goods for daily uses albeit at a very fast rate of exploitation of resources  but also helped to provide an immense services for  the mankind. A report of the World Watch, 1989 estimates that world’s people have consumed as many goods and services since 1950 as all the previous generations put together.  This has same time allowed the businesses to grow and economies of the Nations to proliferate like anything. The darker side of this has been the degradation of environmental conditions and scarcity of resources especially nonrenewable ones.

The developed countries having witnessed the best of material growth have now started to explore the alternatives and ways for the conservation of resources. Enoughism is now becoming the talk of the town and one of the approaches towards this.

India with its rational approach towards the utilization of resources has been the crusader for the environmental conservation since times immemorial. The biggest living example of this was Mahatma Gandhi who was known for his simple life style and contained needs (a simple dhoti and a wooden sandal) .Mahatma Gandhi like a practicing environmentalist realized the importance of environmental problems and sustainability which we are facing today. That’s why he cautioned us to be careful about the use of resources which are sufficient only for the needs of the human beings and not for the greed. 

It has been now realized that though there have been the availability of greater choices and access to vide range of goods due to economic growth but this does not necessarily brings more happiness. In such a case the practice of grading the Nations based on the economic parameter like GDP is nothing but a step to maintain the economic preferences duly according less priority to issues like environment and social well-being. Considering the farsighted goal of sustainability of resources, the blind adoption and support of materialistic approach can only be ephemeral in long run. The conventional approaches of conservation of resources have not been really very effective due to various/ obvious reasons and major one being the  step motherly treatment and lackadaisical attitude among policy makers and planners .  Entry of other non-conventional interventions like enoughism and moderating our life style which may not be easy to follow but once adopted have the real and log lasting solution for a sustainable life style.

Let’s resolve today by taking a pledge that we will moderate our consumption and will allow our inner conscience to act instead of being influenced by marketing gimmicks of advertisers. Let happiness not be judged and weighed by what you possess physically.

GREEN WASHING : A SOPHISTICATED WAY OF CAMOUFLAGING ENVIRONMENTAL MISDEEDS.

Developmental activities which are an integral part  of Corporate World  have been in the  centre stage of discussion specially in the context of sustainable development . 4 decades back in Stockholm in 1972 we started discussing seriously the negative impact of various developmental activities on the environment. UN conference on the Human Environment or Stockholm conference that led to creation of UN Environment Program followed by different initiatives  started by  different Nations centring around the conservation of Environment.

It is very well known fact that there is continuous need of various developmental interventions many of which are  much required for the very existence of human race. Corporate World has adopted various strategies to sustain the demand of their products and advertising their products is one of the most important strategies. It is a fact that consumerism has been greatly influenced or developed by the advertising action of the business. Its really surprising to know that the Corporate world has identified the importance of being environment friendly even before the starting of UN conference on the Human Environment or Stockholm conference in 1972. Two years before  on 22nd April 1970,  the first Earth Day  was held on April 22, 1970 where it was decided by  many industrialists  to advertise themselves as being friendly to the environment. According to as estimate, Public utilities spent 300 million dollars advertising themselves as clean and  green companies basically to lure the consumers in the name of eco-friendly or green product or conservation of nature.

In the latest  WWF Living Planet Report 2012 the impact of Corporate advertising is quantified stating  “Corporate advertising converts our insecurities into a chain of wants, needs and excessive demands, which have made our ecological footprint exceed the planet's ability to produce resources and absorb emissions — by more than 50%” . So in other words the greed of getting more profit from the businesses of the Corporates is resulting into exhausting of resources at an alarming rate.

The other aspect of “consumerism – advertising relation” is the increased trend of green washing by the corporate world and the enhanced level of awareness in the area  of environmental conservation is main factor for the green washing. With the back ground of consideration for environment the green washing is now becoming the core agenda of advertising for more and more corporates.

The problem with the green washing is that for many of the businesses this environmentalism is not more than a routine and business slogan and a few of them only are committed and concerned towards the environment.

The biggest challenge for the Consumer or Citizen in this context is to identify between companies having genuine concern and those camouflaging their actions with green levels.

Equally pondering fact related to green washing is that money being spent on the green washing is 8 to 10 times more than the money earmarked for the  conservation or environmental protection/ mitigation  measures like pollution control or related research activities .

Whatsoever may be the dynamics of advertised induced consumerism and green washing; the ultimate loss is for the planet earth and its resources.

How can we alienate ourselves from this nexus or look behind the green façade to know the facts?

What is your opinion?

Consumerism: A New Disease of Developing Countries

The latest study conducted by the psychologists of Northwestern University relating to consumerism confirms the vanity of human wishes including materialism and consumerism. (http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/consumerism-and-its-antisocial-effects-can-be-turned-onor-off.html ).The research shows that that people who place a high value on wealth, status, and stuff are more depressed and anxious and less sociable than those who do not. Apart from above worthlessness of these values which are on the top of the wish list of every one in today’s world, the Consumerism and materialism influence the human attitude to act in a ways which are less ecologically beneficial and indirectly force human being to behave in less social manner.

 "The more we consume, the happier we will be. Or so we like to believe. But for the planet, it's disastrous." - George Monbiot .

The simple indicator reflecting the surging economic growth of developing countries including India is the number of millionaires and Billionaires. There were 85000 millionaires in India in 2005 which rose to 153000 in 2011 apart from having   55 Billionaires (2011).  However on the other side we are witnessing the continued degradation of environmental conditions, over exploitation , social unrest, corruption and other socio-environmental problems. These offshoots of growing economies are one of the major challenges which the developing countries are going to face in coming years.

 So we have a bigger question to ask.

What kind of life style we shall adopt?

One that is full with high materialistic value, consumerism and supporting exploiting of resources unmindful........ 

or 

the one that is socially just, responsible, environmental friendly and rational in  consumerism..

SUSTAINABILITY: Oh. Environment !! Who cares ?

The concept of sustainability was adopted in 1969   by IUCN but a formal approval to this term was given  in 1972 during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm when the conflicts between environment and development were first acknowledged. A standard definition of Sustainability was adopted  during World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 where  economic development, social development and environmental protection were recognized  as three pillars  and collective responsibility  and mutually interdependent actions at local, national, regional and global levels to advance and strengthen these three reinforcing pillars of sustainable development  were  identified as core area of action.

Development of technology has also facilitated the economic growth . Apart from meeting the genuine demands of population growing at exponential rate , the increased trends of consumerism and materialism have affected the demand regime fuelling for further development of market. This process of development, which started germinating its seeds into the mind of Homo sapiens about 2 lakhs years ago, accelerated all processes leading into change of all ecosystems of the world in a gradual but sure manner. Technological advancements leading to economic changes , socio- ecological combinations and complexities  leading to organizational transformation of  communities and communication processes have helped man to reach the present stage .However the process has severely influenced the resource base and also resulted into unprecedented environmental damage in the form of pollution of various kinds, degradation of precious lands resources and depletion of valuable plants and animals.

The other important concept of sustainable development is social sector where the concept of equity is envisaged to deal all the challenges arising out of increased economic growth  which is not equal in all parts of the Globe. Whether it is health, education, food security or any other sector related to social well being of  the community , the Govt/States are playing crucial role  to provide necessary inputs, though the other reason behind this is to sustain the political interests which is very common in a democratic system like ours and where the people as an electorate play crucial role at frequent intervals. It is also  true that in spite of continued efforts towards improvement of  social sectors for the last 50 years, the results of these interventions have not been very encouraging mainly due to poor delivery mechanism , lack of interest and commitment leading into administrative incapacities apart from  faulty implementation of the programmes.

Environmental  conservation is  being considered  very crucial not only for the overall survival of the man kind but also for the intergenerational needs. Recent phenomenon of climate change and related problems  including global warming has made the amelioration and conservation of environment arduous and challenging. To counter this  additional problem, there is need to have  much emphasis  towards  technological innovations and  financial support which is somehow missing in  the present system of governance .

One  the major factors which is not making the environment sector eligible for the required patronage and subject of priority at various levels including political parlance is the intangible benefits arising out of it. Be it  a quality water to drink  or fresh air to breathe  or  non-degraded land to support agriculture or allied activities  or  precious forests for multifarious benefits , these issues have no potential for registering their importance in the minds of political bosses and there is bleak future of improvement of this sector unless concentrated efforts , political will translating into improved budgetary allocations and suitable technologies are infused into present environment sector which is badly  crippled and  ailing. Till the present trend of neglect, less priority and implementation bottlenecks coupled with institutional deformities like corruption and accountabilities  related to Environment  continue, it may not wise to expect any desirable outcome as envisaged for a true sustainable model of development .

There is need to  bring a change in the attitude of all the concerned including those  who play a crucial role in the conservation of environment  by putting extra efforts  and changing the present attitude  of shrugging off responsibilities and  according  least priority to this sector. The “who cares” attitude  needs to be replaced  with the  “We all care” only then we may able to expect a visible and required impact in this directions which is  very much required not only for present generations but  for the generations to come.

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are exclusively mine and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency/government.)