Let's Look at our Forests and Role and Ethics of Indian People in Forest Conservation

Religious scriptures, puranic myths and historical writings illustrate the existence of dense forests on the Indian landmass. Many Indian texts had emphasized the importance of forests along with their plants and animals for the welfare of human beings. Prophets and noblemen have preached for protection and planting of trees for religious practices and blessings of God. But, anthropogenic activities have profoundly changed the characters of forests and infl uenced the course of biological evolution. The forests are, in fact, an elaborate ecological set-up comprising of plants and trees that contain innumerable life forms which provide continuous resources for human life like food, fuel, fodder, fencing, medicines, cosmetics and many other necessities. They maintain soil and nutrient on lands and global water cycle as well. Recent decline in global plant growth or Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is perceived as a caution to world's food production capacity and ecosystem services.

Owing to varying altitudes, topography, climatic conditions and soil types, different types of vegetation developed different types of forests, which currently cover about 20.6 per cent land area of India. Forests of India may be grouped into six broad types, viz., (i) Moist tropical, (ii) Dry tropical, (iii) Montane subtropical, (iv) Montane temperate, (v) Subalpine and (vi) Alpine. Though conservation of trees and forests was refl ected in the moral beliefs and practices of Indian people since historic times, rules for protection were set up during British regime. Since trees were perceived as valued items and forests as revenue sector, there were felling and exploitation of forests by legal and illegal practices through times, which caused concern for ecology and human benefi ts. But the wisdom of common people organised mass movements for protection of forests against harmful plans of government authorities in many places of India. The importance of ethics and environmental values of the people over the governmental conservation policies, in shaping environmental policies and biodiversity conservation movement in India has been highlighted here.