Natural Vegetation : UP

Introduction

“Natural vegetation refers to a plant community that has been left undisturbed over a long time, so as to allow its individual species to adjust themselves to climate and soil conditions as far as possible.” In other words — “Natural vegetation is that community of plants in which there has been no interference for a long time. Natural vegetation without human interference is called intact vegetation.”

According to the National Forest Policy of 1988, expansion of forests is necessary on 33.33% (60% hilly and 25% plains) of the country’s total area. Even in the forest policy announced by the UP government, 33.33 percent of the entire area of ​​the state should be covered with forests. But at present there is forest cover on only 6.15% of the total geographical area of ​​the state and tree cover on 3.08%, i.e., there is forest and tree cover on 9.23% of the total area.

Keeping in view the biotic pressure of population, agriculture and industrialization, afforestation work is being conducted on a large scale in the state.

Some Imp. Facts The first forest policy of Uttar Pradesh was declared in the year 1952 and the second forest policy in 1988. According to the National Forest Policy 1988, 33.33% of the geographical area should be forested. The National Forest Policy was implemented in the year 1998, in this context, Uttar Pradesh Forest Policy, 1998 is also applicable in Uttar Pradesh. At present state forest policy 2017 is practiced in U.P. The Indian Forest (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Act, 2000 came into force by the state government in April 2001. The area of forests in a state is expressed on the basis of forest area and forest cover. The land area recorded as forest land is represented as forest area, whether it contains forest or not. Forest cover refers to the terrain depicted by satellites that is actually forested. Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation was established on 25th November 1974. The forests of Uttar Pradesh were declared state property in 1935. Welfare of forest workers i.e. Group Insurance Scheme has been started from the year 1989-90. The intensive plantation programme has been in operation in 22 selected districts since 2005-06.

Types of Forests & Natural Vegetation in UP

Generally, forests found in the state are tropical, but on the basis of some specialities, they are divided into three parts.

• tropical moist deciduous,
• tropical dry deciduous and
• tropical thorny forests.

Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests

The Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests are found in Bhabhar and Terai areas of UP with 100 to 150 cm of rainfall.

In Moist Deciduous Forests, Sal, Bel, Fig, Mahua, Semal, Gooseberry, Jamun, Bamboo and Cane tress, etc. are found.

Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests

In UP, Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests are found in the east, central and western plains.

In Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, Neem, Peepal, Rosewood, Berries, Amaltas, Vine and Fig trees are found.

Shrubs and losses are found only in Dry Deciduous Forests.

Tropical Thorn Forests

Tropical Thorn forests are found in the southern part of the state, where the average annual rainfall is 50 to 75 cm.

Trees of Acacia, Thorny Legumes, Euphorhias, Inflated Shrubs, Catechu, Kakko, Dhaman, Reunjha and Neem etc. are found in these forests.

Resin and gum are obtained from the Forests of tropical thorny shrubs.

The normal height of the trees of these forests ranges from 5 to 10 m. The roots of the trees are long and thick and its stems and leaves are knotty due to which the moisture inside does not get out.

Neem, Peepal, Rosewood, Mango, Black berries, Mahua, Acacia and Tamarind trees are found in the moist plains of Uttar Pradesh. Tropical forests with thorny shrubs are found in the southern part of Uttar Pradesh, in which Acacia, Thorny Legumes, Euphorhias, Inflated shrubs, Catechu, Kakko, Dhaman, Reunajha and Neem trees are found in abundance. Resin and Gum are obtained from the forests of tropical thorny shrubs.

Administrative Division of Forests

Administratively, the entire forest area of ​​the state has been classified into 6 categories, which are as follows :

1. Reserved Forests – In such forests, due to the sensitivity related to environmental, land conservation and wildlife conservation, gathering, harvesting and animal grazing activities are completely prohibited. These forests remain completely under state control.
2. Protected Forests – Protected forests are also kept under government control, but unlike reserved forests, local residents are not prohibited from grazing cattle and cutting wood.
3. Unclassified Forests – Such forests which have not yet been classified are called unclassified forests. In these forests too, the local people have the facility of cutting wood and grazing animals.
4. State Forests – Such forests are completely kept under state protection and control.
5. Community Forests – Such forests which are completely under the control of local bodies, such as Zilla Parishads, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities or Nagar Panchayats, are called community forests.
6. Private Forests – Forests with individual rights are called private forests. Their control is completely with the private person.

17^th Indian State of Forest Report, 2021

Class	India		UP
	Area (Km2)	% of GA	Area (Km2)	% of GA
Very Dense Forest	99,779	3.04	2,626.61	1.09
Moderately Dense Forest	3,06,890	9.33	4,029.37	1.67
Open Forest	3,07,120	9.34	8,161.91	3.39
TOTAL FOREST	7,13,789	21.71	14,817.89	6.15
Tree Cover	95,748	2.91	7,421	3.08
TOTAL FOREST & TREE COVER	8,09,537	24.62	22,238.89	9.23
Scrub	46,539	1.42	563.38	0.23
None Forest	25,27,141	76.87
Total Geographical Area	32,87,469	—	2,40,928	—

• According to the ISFR 2021 (Indian State of Forest Report-2021), submitted by the Forest Survey of India in 2021, the total Recorded Forest Area in Uttar Pradesh is 17,384 square kilometers which is 22% of the total geographical area.
• According to the ISFR 2021, the total forest cover of Uttar Pradesh is 14,817.89 square kilometers which is 6.15% of the total area of Uttar Pradesh.
• There are 2,626.61 square kilometers of Very Dense Forest (1.09%), 4029.37 square kilometers of Moderate- Dense Forest (1.67%) and 8,161.91 square kilometers are Open Forest (3.39%).
• The forest cover in the state has increased by 12.24 as compared to revised figures of ISFR 2019. sq. km.
• Five districts with the highest forest area percentage in total area (in decreasing order) are Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Pilibhit, Chitrakoot and Mirzapur.
• In Uttar Pradesh, the tree cover is 7421 sq. km.
• In Uttar Pradesh, the area of scrubs is 563.38 sq. km (0.23%).
• Sonbhadra (2436.75 sq. km), the district with the maximum forest cover in Uttar Pradesh (35.29% of the geographical area of 6905 square kilometers).
• Bhadohi, is the district with the minimum forest cover in Uttar Pradesh [0.37% (3.71 sq.Km) of the geographical (3.71 sq. km) of t area of 1015 sq. km].
• Lakhimpur Kheri is very densely forested area in the state (804.91 square kilometers).
• The maximum moderate forested area (940.62 square kilometers) and open forested area (1357.81 square kilometers) is Sonbhadra.
• The maximum number of forests in Uttar Pradesh are found in Terai and Bhabar areas.

Important Facts related to Forest Area ( ISFR-2021)

5 districts with maximum percentage of forest area (decreasing order) are – Sonbhadra (35.29%), Chandauli (21.78%), Chitrakoot (19.64%), Pilibhit (18.60%), Shravasti (17.40%). 5 districts with minimum percentage of forest area (in increasing order) are – Bhadohi (0.37%), Mainpuri (0.49%), Deoria(0.60%), Badaun (0.62%), Mau (0.64%). 5 districts with maximum forest area (in decreasing order) are – Sonbhadra (2436.75 sq. km), Kheri (1272.56 sq. km), Mirzapur (746.11 sq. km), Pilibhit (685.73 sq. km), Chitrakoot (631.69 sq. Km). 5 districts with minimum forest area (in increasing order) are – Bhadohi (3.71 sq. km), Mau (11 sq. km), Mainpuri (13.64 sq. km), Sant Kabir Nagar (14.40 sq. km), Deoria (15.21 sq. km).

Benefits From Forests

Forests have special importance in the growth and development of human civilization. Indirect benefits from forests are more important than direct benefits. It is a renewable resource. Which enhances the quality of the environment.

Due to forests, our land is protected from wind and water borne soil erosion and floods. The fertility of the land increases due to the falling and rotting of the leaves of the forests. Forests have an important role in maintaining the CO2 and O2 balance in the atmosphere and maintaining the climate. These increase the natural beauty. Forests have special importance even in excess rainfall. Areas where forest cover is more, there is more rainfall. Many animals and plants get protection in the forests. Thus it is clear that forests have an important role in both biological and environmental balance.

• The resin obtained from pine is used to make birch sap, viroja and turpentine oil.
• Paper is obtained naturally from the Bhojpatra tree found near the snow line on the mountains. Bhojpatra paper has been in use in our country since ancient times.
• Kattha (catechu) is made from the juice of the Acacia catechu tree (khair tree).
• Matchsticks and boxes are made from the wood of Semal and Gurel trees.
• The color obtained from the bark of Babool is used for dyeing leather and for other uses.
• Beedis are made from tendu leaves (persimmon leaves).
• Poles and furniture are made from cane.
• Paper is made from the pulp of grasses like cane, bamboo and many other trees.
• Pattal and Dona are made from Sakhu and Mahua leaves.
• Rubber is made from the sap of the rubber tree.
• Toddy is obtained from the sap of palm and date palms.
• Harad-Baheda, Guggul, honey, wax, mahua, gum, chironji and lac etc. are useful forest products.
• About 1,000 types of trees are found in UP from which wood is obtained.
• About 200 types of grasses are found in the Gangetic plains.
• Medicinal plants Rouwolfia serpentine, Viola serpens, Podo phylleum, Hexandrum & Euphekra gerardiana are found in the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh.
• In the Bundelkhand and Bghelkhand regions of UP, mainly Dhaka, Teak, Mahua, Salai, Chironji & Tendu trees are found.

Herb Gathering Program

• The main herbs found in Lalitpur, Jhansi, Mahoba, Chitrakoot, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli districts of the state are collected by the State Forest Corporation by the weaker sections (SC, ST) on a fixed remuneration. This has provided employment to about 5000 families.

Tendu leaf collection and disposal

Since 1983, the collection of tendu leaves was done by the State Forest Corporation on fixed remuneration by the people belonging to the weaker sections (SC, ST). But from November 2010, by amending the earlier rule, the government has decided to give 50% of the net income from Tendupatta to the laborers. Tendu leaf is available in Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Varanasi, Maharajganj, Prayagraj, Banda, Hamirpur, Jhansi and Lalitpur districts of the state.

Forest Development Programs/Schemes

Van Mahotsava

Under the Forest Policy of 1952 announced by the Central Government, Van Mahotsava is celebrated in the country and in the state since 1952. Its basic theme is- Tree means water, water means bread and bread is life. Van Mahotsava is a festival organised annually in the first week of July.  It is organised by GoI to encourage tree plantation. In the 1960s, it was a movement expressing environmental protection & sensitivity to the natural environment. It is initiated by the then Agriculture Minister – Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi.

Social Forestry

The National Agriculture Commission of 1976 used the term ‘social forestry’ for the first time. It stands for : Supply of firewood, small timber and minor forest produce to the rural population.

Many state governments have launched ambitious programs of social forestry. In most of the states, separate social forestry cells have been created under the Forest Departments. Social Forestry Scheme was started in the year 1979 in the UP.

Social forestry has mainly three components : agro-forestry encouraging farmers to plant trees on their land; Planting of trees on forest plots, roads, canal banks and such other public lands by the Forest Departments to meet the needs of the people; People themselves plant trees on the community forest block land on the basis of equal share.

Social forestry schemes failed because it did not include poor women who were to benefit the most. This scheme became male dominated. Not only this, this program has become a wealth generation program instead of a program to meet the basic needs of the farmers.

Instead of reaching the poor in rural India, the wood produced from the social forestry program has started reaching the cities and factories. Due to this, employment opportunities have been made available in the villages and trees and plants have been planted on the food producing land. This has encouraged non-resident land ownership.

After review of the said campaign/program, it was found that among the trees included under this scheme, Eucalyptus is going to have a very harmful effect from the point of view of underground water and soil fertility. That’s why it has come to be called ecological terrorist.

UP Forestry Project

Uttar Pradesh Forestry Project ( UP Vaniki Pariyojna ) was started in the state on March 19, 1998 with the help of World Bank. Under this scheme, for the first time in 40 villages adjacent to Dudhwa National Park and National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, micro-plans were prepared on co-participation basis and implemented through village eco-development committees under eco-development.

Participatory Forest Management

UP Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation Project is being run in the state from July, 2010with the cooperation of the Government of Japan. In this, 20 forest divisions falling under 16 districts of Terai, Vindhya and Bundelkhand have been included.

Under this, Joint Forest Management Committees are formed in the villages situated on the banks of forests and the following works are being done by them —  To plant trees, to increase the income of villagers from forest produce, to provide loans to them, to conserve soil, to protect forests from deforestation and fire, etc.

Its monitoring is done through Global Positioning System (GPS).

Under this project, Belhathi village of Sonbhadra district has been declared as the first village forest ( वन ग्राम ) of the state.

Composite Forest Development Scheme

Many programs are included under this, which are as follows —

Industrial & Pulpwood Plantation —

• Under this, trees like Gullet, Semal, Khair, Amaltas, Walnut etc. are planted to meet the requirements of wood-based industries.
• These wood industries include-matchbox, plywood, hardboard, particle board, packing, case, katha, furniture etc.
• Alanthus and poplar are planted for pulp and rayon industries. Eucalyptus and bamboo are planted for paper.

fuel plantation —

• Due to lack of forests in the plains of the state, people use cow dung cakes, which are a good source of manure.
• To prevent this wastage, emphasis is being laid on planting fuel trees in these areas.

Plantation along the roads —

• Trees are being planted along the roads to make the state roads shady and beautiful and to improve the environment.

Afforestation of ravines —

• The problem of soil erosion is very serious in the areas of Agra, Etawah and Mainpuri, Jalaun etc. districts of the state, which fall on the banks of the tributaries of Yamuna, Chambal and Betwa.
• Therefore, works related to tree plantation and land conservation are being done in the catchment areas of these rivers.

Ram Ganga Valley Area Plan —

• The programs of land conservation, pasture development, and tree plantation are being run by the Forest Department in the outer area of ​​Ramganga.

Operation Green Scheme —

• Operation Green scheme was launched on July 1, 2001 to increase tree plantation in Uttar Pradesh.
• In this scheme, tree plantation work was done with the help of general public, various government departments, schools and private organizations.
• Under the 11th Five Year Plan, Operation Green has been started again for the expansion of Haritima and upgradation of Chetna Kendras/Forest Parks in the state from the year 2007-108.

Plantation Extension Scheme —

• This scheme has been implemented in selected 48 districts of the state since 2007-08.
• Under this, plantation has been done on the land of the village society, forest department and on the side of the tracks.

Tree-Bandhu Award Scheme —

• This scheme is being run from 2007-08.
• In this, citizens/institutions are rewarded for promoting tree plantation and wildlife conservation.

Veer Abdul Hameed Forest, Wildlife and Environment Protection Award Scheme —

• This scheme is being run from 2012-13 to increase tree plantation, reward individuals/organizations working in the field of wildlife and environment protection.
• Under this, every year one selected person and one organization is awarded. The selected person is given ₹ 1 lakh and a memento. The selected organization is given a prize of ₹ 2 lakh and a memento.

Total Forest Cover Scheme —

• This scheme is being implemented from 2014-15 to make 14 districts of the state completely green.
• The districts included in this are – Mainpuri, Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, Badaun, Rampur, Kannauj, Etawah, Lucknow, Unnao, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Lalitpur, Chitrakoot etc.

Green Belt Development Scheme —

• This scheme is being implemented since 2012-13 for environmental improvement in the state.
• Under this scheme, trees like rosewood, amaltash, gulmohar, siras (shady tree), mango, chitwan, peepal, pakad, kachnar, tamarind, bel, mahuva, banyan, kanji etc. are planted at public places.

Tree Guardian and Tree Friend Scheme —

• It is being run to promote tree plantation in villages and cities.
• Under this scheme, a retired teacher or other employee or any other person, who is interested in trees and plants, is selected as a guardian at the village/locality level and Vriksha Mitra at the range level.
• Guardians and Vrikshamitras do the work of encouraging tree plantation at their own level, making new plans, taking care of trees and giving various types of information and advice to the department.

“Green UP, Clean UP” Campaign —

• On 11^th July, 2016, the record of plantation more than 5 crore trees was set by the Uttar Pradesh government under the “Green UP, Clean UP” Campaign.
• It is noteworthy that the “Green UP, Clean UP” Campaign was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government on 7 November, 2015.
• Under this campaign, 22,42,125 saplings were planted under Unnao Forest Region.
• A target of plantation of 22.5 crore plants was set in the state in the financial year 2019-20.

Major industrial centre based on forests

Some of the major industrial centres of Uttar Pradesh based on forests are as follows —

• Cane, Furniture, Catechu, Match & Plywood : Bareilly, Najibabad & Jwalapur.
• Major centre of paper : Saharanpur.
• Beedi, Ceramic Toys : Mirzapur, Jhansi, Saharanpur, Bareilly.
• Wooden toys : Sonbhadra, Varanasi.
• Sporting goods : Meerut.

Some Imp. Institute

• Forest Training Institute (FTI) in Uttar Pradesh was established in the year 1988 in Kanpur.
• In order to increase the productivity of forests, the State Forest Research Laboratory was established in Kanpur in the year 1970. It was upgraded in the year 1993 as State Forest Research Institute.
• Joint Forest Management in Uttar Pradesh was started in 1992.
• The Forest Research Institute is located in Dehradun (Uttarakhand).
• The officers and employees of the Forest Service of Uttar Pradesh are imparted training at the Indian Forest College Dehradun.

Mineral resources of UP

Power Resources – Uttar Pradesh

Water Resources In Uttar Pradesh