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Forests
Forests represent not only biodiversity but are also instrumental in conservation
of water, soil etc. They are also sources of nutrients for a large population
especially through the non-timber forest produce (NTFP). Forests also
contribute sources of fuel, timber, pulpwood etc. The forest types of
Andhra Pradesh include Southern tropical thorn forest, Southern tropical
moist deciduous, Tropical dry deciduous, Littoral and Mangroves representing
16,110, 16,110, 28,431, 2,856 and 317 sq. kms respectively.
The estimated area under actual forest cover in A.P as per the 1993 assessment
by Forest Survey of India, Dehradun (FSI), showed about 47,256 square
km, while the 1997 assessment shows about 43,290 square km, which means
that there has been a reduction from 24% to 18%. This estimation matches
with that of State of Forest Report prepared by the Ministry of Environment
and Forests (1999). There has been a loss of 3,822 square km of forest
cover in 1997 assessment, as compared to the previous assessment in 1993.
This loss of forest cover is spread over a period of four years from 1993
assessment (data period - 1989) to 1997 (data period - 1993). In addition
to this, a loss of 144 square km, which also pertains to the same period,
was reported in the 1995 assessment because of partial assessment. Thus,
the total loss is 3,966 square km during the said period. Decrease in
dense forest cover is 1,960 square km and in open forest is 2,011 square
km, mangrove vegetation has increased by five square km. However, area
under closed forest has been fluctuating. There are also man-made plantations,
shelter belts etc. Not all of the plantations harbour biodiversity but
promote other values like water conservation, fuel and fodder needs. These
observations in the FSI reports, were verified by the State Government.
Ground truthing of the problem areas carried out by Andhra Pradesh Forest
Department showed that
- change
in vegetation had occurred over a period of 15-20 years and not between
1993-1997
- reduction
of vegetation cover now shown is also due to some misinterpretation
of data by FSI in the earlier reports.
Though
the areas remained unchanged for the last 15-20 years, they are now getting
classified as non-forest areas due to the interpretation error in the
earlier FSI reports. Some of the areas earlier shown as open forest (density
between 0.1 to 0.4) are now being shown as dense scrub, which fall in
non-forest category.
The forests also form major source of revenue to the Government . The
major items which contribute to the State Exchequer are timber, bamboo,
beedi leaf (Diospyrous melanoxylon) and non timber forest produce and
minor forest produce (NTFP and MFP). The annual revenue from timber, bamboo
and beedi leaf is about 40, 20 and 24 crore rupees respectively and about
five crore rupees from NTFP. The forests are also the main source of livelihood
for tribals and other villagers living in and around the forest area.
The beedi leaf collection in the lean summer months of April and May alone
generates an employment of 80 lakh mandays. Similarly about one lakh mandays
are generated by way of work involved in bamboo working and NTFP collection.
The major beneficiaries are tribals.
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