Biswabrata Goswami
MIDNAPORE, 19 JULY: In a significant move towards environmental preservation, the Midnapore Forest Division has announced a target of restoring 500 hectares of forest land this season. This initiative by the Forest Department aims to combat the alarming decline of native sal forests and promote reforestation in the Jhargram and West Midnapore districts.
As a mark of initiative, the Midnapore forest division has started a plantation to create a new forest area on 32 hectare land at Golapi Chawk on the outskirts of Midnapore town.
A series of research survey reports and environmental stories published by The Statesman have brought attention to the gradual disappearance of sal forests in these regions. Meticulous field surveys and advanced satellite image analysis reveal that over the past four decades, the area covered by sal forests has decreased by approximately 30 square kilometers. In their place, eucalyptus and Sonajhuri gardens have emerged, causing a slight increase in overall forest land but at the expense of the native sal ecosystem.
The Geography Department of Raja Narendra Lal Khan Women’s College in Midnapore conducted an extensive survey involving 560 families across 120 forest fringe villages in the two districts. The survey revealed a significant impact on the livelihoods of tribal communities residing in these forest areas. The total income of these communities has plummeted by 15-20 percent, a direct consequence of the deforestation and replacement of sal forests. The disappearance of the sal forests has led to the vanishing of various creeping trees and nutritious mushrooms, essential for the local diet and economy. This study is part of Mr. Soumen Bisui’s Ph.D. research at Vidyasagar University.
The degradation of forests has also resulted in the decline of numerous plant species, including medicinal plants vital for the local inhabitants. The scarcity of mature sal trees has further deprived the local communities of essential resources such as sal smoke, crucial for their daily lives.
Chintamoni Murmu, a 45-year-old resident of Madhupur in the Salboni block, lamented the loss of the sal forests. “Eucalyptus and Sonajhuri gardens have replaced the sal forests, and sal leaves are no longer available,” she said. “Sal leaves were our hope. We collected the leaves to make dishes and sell them. If the forest continues to diminish, it will be very difficult for us to make a living.”
Environmentalists point to several root causes of this deforestation, including government economic development policies, market demands, and the daily needs of the local populace. Dr. Pravat Kumar Shit, an environmental expert, highlighted that villagers often cut down forest wood for fuel, leading to the indiscriminate felling of immature sal trees. These trees, essential for the forest’s regeneration, are typically 8-10 years old, with a height of 12 to 14 feet and a diameter of 7 to 15 cm. Additionally, forest fires, sometimes set intentionally, have further exacerbated the situation.
Environmentalists emphasized the broader ecological impacts of deforestation, noting that mature sal trees play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering significant amounts of carbon. The loss of these trees has contributed to a rise in average annual temperatures and a decrease in precipitation, leading to erratic rainfall patterns and accelerated local climate change.
A senior forest officer expressed deep concern about the challenges faced by the Forest Department. “Villagers are cutting down the sal forests, and despite having enough joint forest management committees (JFMC) on record, a lack of staff hampers proper monitoring. It would be a significant achievement if we could at least preserve the remaining sal forests,” the officer said.
The forest department is also grappling with widespread encroachment of government land designated for forests. Despite efforts by the police administration and municipal panchayats to reclaim this land, retrieving it has proven to be a challenging task. Deepak M, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Midnapore Forest Division, acknowledged the issue and stated that operations are already underway to demolish unauthorized structures and reclaim the land.
Additionally, the movement of elephants through the forests causes significant damage almost year-round. Due to a lack of food in the forest, elephants frequently invade local areas, destroying crops and raiding houses for rice and paddy. In response, the forest department has launched an initiative to plant various species of fruit trees, aiming to create artificial forests and provide a food source for the elephants, thereby reducing their incursions into human settlements.
To safeguard the environment and the livelihoods of forest-dwelling communities, it is imperative to prioritize forest conservation, afforestation, and the restoration of degraded lands, local residents who are attached with environmental activities said adding that regeneration and ecological restoration of biodiversity are crucial steps towards maintaining the ecological balance and ensuring a sustainable future for the region.
Tags: #MidnaporeForestDivision #SalForest #Reforestation #Ecology #Elephants
