The forests have a close relationship with the existence of life and environment on the earth. They provide many direct and indirect advantages. Thus, all forms of natural vegetation, including forests, must be protected and conserved for the survival and prosperity of economy and human beings.
The national goal of bringing about 33 per cent of geographical area of the country under forests must be achieved. This can be done by taking several harsh decisions like ban on encroachment of forest land, restrictions on grazing, jhuming and indiscriminate cutting of trees. Some measures to be adopted are as under:
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i. A massive afforestation programme with emphasis on fuel-wood, fodder and small wood should be launched.
ii. The green belts should be developed around the urban, industrial, tourist, historical and cultural areas.
iii. Villagers should be encouraged to plant trees on community and gramsabha lands, embankments of ponds and tanks, etc.
iv. The concessions to tribals for grazing cattle, collecting fuel wood, etc. should not exceed the carrying capacity of the forests.
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v. Efforts should be made to popularise alternatives for fuel wood and wood based products.
vi. Shifting cultivation should be gradually replaced by the modern methods of farming.
vii. Scientific measures should be adopted to check and contain forest fires.
viii. The practice of burning the undergrowth should be avoided.
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ix. The new forest-based industries should be allotted degraded wastelands to raise additional forests for their utilisation.
x. The planting and protection of trees should be regarded as the sacred duty of every individual in our country.
xi. The agricultural universities in India should prepare forestry based courses leading to post graduate degrees in forest conservation and management.