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Forests
In Andaman
& Nicobar
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Mangroves
in Andaman islands
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Andaman and
Nicobar group of islands abound in tropical forests and rich natural
vegetation. The forest cover is about 75% with a wide variation
of types, including of commercial timber. The main forest types
are: (i) mangrove; (ii) beach; (iii) moist deciduous; (iv) low
-level wet evergreen; and (v) higher level wet evergreen. The
moist deciduous and low-level wet evergreen forests are economically
very important. Most of the important hard woods species, including
the valuable Padauk (Pterocarpus delbergioides) and Gurjan
(Dipterocarpus spp.) are found in the forest. Gurjan, the
most important species, forms about 30.5% of the total timber
extracted from the islands. No proper stock mapping has yet been
done, but it is estimated that about 66% of the forest area of
Andaman Islands, excluding the areas under mangrove and beach
forests, is covered by wet evergreen forest and the remaining
by moist deciduous forest.
One school
of thought is that forests should be the basis of all development,
the vegetation should not be tampered with and productive activity
should be confined to utilising forest produce in forest - based
industries . The soil erosion from lands cleared in the past lends
support to this view. It is feared that the islands' topography
and heavy rainfall will induce total soil loss if more forests
are cleared.
The other view
is that forests should be cleared where land is suitable for agriculture
and plantation. The basis of development should be the extension
of agriculture, and forests may be retained where agriculture
is not profitable. Soil erosion in the past was due to lack of
appropriate measures. With proper and adequate soil conservation
measures, the hazards of soil erosion can be overcome.
This apparent
conflict between forestry and agriculture should be resolved.
A definite policy should be evolved and woven into the development
strategy.
The
area under forests comprises three distinct zones. First there
are the hilly regions with such gradients that make forestry the
best options. Any tampering with forests here will adversely affect
the soil and the climate . These regions which form about 50%
of the area under forests, may be reserved for forestry.
The second
zone comprises large marshy stretches of mangrove forest which
have commercial value. They are a valuable asset and, if properly
managed, will prove to be a permanent source of revenue. The mangroves
constituting about 10% of the area under forest, are builders
and guardians of land. Their destruction through over development
(as is occurring in some places) will threaten the entire marine
ecosystem.
Thirdly, there
is the remaining 40% of forest on flat or undulating lands. They
have good soil and can support both agriculture and forests. In
these areas the apparent conflict between agriculture and forestry
arises and needs to the resolved. It is unexceptionable that future
land exploitation should produce sustainable livelihood for the
maximum number of people within its carrying capacity. The future
land use policy should be designed keeping these two objectives
in view.
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JOHN
LOBO
Former Deputy Conservator Of Forests
Andaman & Nicobar Administration
M A PARVEZ
Andaman Prakriti Samsad
Port Blair
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