Social Forestry and its Types – UPSC Indian Geography Notes

Social Forestry involves utilizing unused and fallow lands to protect deeper forests from exploitation. It employs fast-growing trees to fulfill the demands for fodder and fuelwood. This article explores the details of the 6 crucial benefits of social forestry and outlines the 5 distinct types of social forestry.

The term Social Forestry was introduced by the National Commission on Forests in 1976. The primary objective of the commission was to utilize land around urban settlements that had been deforested due to human activities.

Objectives of Social Forestry

Social forestry schemes aim to:

1. Enhance the environment for safeguarding agriculture from adverse climatic factors.
2. Boost the supply of fuelwood for domestic use, small timber for rural housing, fodder for livestock, and minor forest produce for local industries.
3. Augment the natural beauty of the landscape and establish recreational forests for the well-being of rural and urban populations.
4. Generate employment opportunities for unskilled workers.
5. Facilitate land rehabilitation.
6. Elevate the standard of living and quality of life for rural and urban people.

Social Forestry – 6 Important Benefits

1. Fight Against Global Warming:
   • Trees play a vital role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
   • Tree-covered areas contribute to cooler environments, reducing energy use.
   • Trees act as a carbon dioxide sink.
2. Soil Conservation:
   • Tree roots prevent soil erosion by anchoring the soil.
   • Trees reduce soil erosion by minimizing the impact of raindrops on barren surfaces.
   • Decaying leaves enrich the soil, forming an organic layer and reducing erosion.
   • Social forestry enhances the soil’s water storage capacity.
3. Increased Biodiversity:
   • Well-established trees provide habitat for diverse animals, plants, birds, insects, etc.
4. Health Benefits by Improving Air Quality:
   • Social forestry aids in removing pollutants from the atmosphere, ensuring clean and fresh air.
   • Certain trees possess medicinal values.
5. Conservation of Energy:
   • Trees offer a cooling effect, reducing the need for air conditioners and, consequently, energy consumption.
   • Lower energy consumption leads to reduced demand for power generation from fossil fuel-consuming power plants.
6. Social Benefits:
   • Social forestry contributes to the creation of recreation parks, providing stress relief for people with hectic lifestyles.

Social Forestry – 5 Different Types

1. Scientific Forestry or Silviculture:
   • Focuses on replacing and replanting of new crops and trees.
   • Objectives include afforestation in blank areas, increasing raw materials for forest-based industries, generating employment, producing high-quality timber species, raising economically valuable species, and ensuring soil conservation.
2. Farm Forestry:
   • Involves the management of trees for specific purposes within a farming context.
   • Offers benefits such as improving the environment, maintaining soil and water, additional earnings, and providing shelter and pasture for animals.
3. Community Forestry:
   • Involves the planning, managing, and harvesting of forest crops by local populations.
   • Aims to enhance the involvement and reward of local people, operating at the village level.
4. Agroforestry:
   • Combines agriculture and tree growing with the goal of producing agricultural and tree products on a commercial basis.
   • Enhances productivity, economic benefits, social outcomes, and ecological goods and services.
5. Extension Forestry:
   • Helps in expanding forest boundaries by planting trees on government wastelands, panchayat lands, and village common lands.

Conclusion

In conclusion, social forestry emerges as a multifaceted approach with five distinct types, each contributing uniquely to environmental sustainability and community well-being. Scientific forestry (silviculture) focuses on systematic replanting and afforestation, aiming at economic value and soil conservation. Farm forestry integrates tree management within agriculture, offering benefits ranging from environmental improvements to additional earnings. Community forestry empowers local populations in planning and managing forest resources at the village level, fostering community involvement. Agroforestry innovatively combines agriculture and tree cultivation for commercial purposes, providing economic, social, and ecological benefits. Lastly, extension forestry expands forest boundaries, utilizing government wastelands and common lands. Together, these social forestry types present a holistic strategy addressing environmental concerns, economic sustainability, and community engagement.

FAQ on Social Forestry

Q. What are the key types of social forestry mentioned in the article?

Answer. The article highlights five types of social forestry, including Scientific Forestry (Silviculture), Farm Forestry, Community Forestry, Agroforestry, and Extension Forestry.

Q. What is the primary focus of Scientific Forestry (Silviculture) in social forestry?

Answer. Scientific Forestry emphasizes the replacement and replanting of new crops and trees, with objectives such as afforestation, raw material increase for forest-based industries, employment generation, and soil conservation.

Q. How does Farm Forestry contribute to environmental and economic benefits?

Answer. Farm Forestry involves the management of trees within a farming context, providing benefits like environmental improvement, soil and water maintenance, additional earnings, and offering shelter and pasture for animals.

Q. What is the significance of Community Forestry in the context of social forestry?

Answer. Community Forestry refers to the planning, managing, and harvesting of forest crops by local populations, operating at the village level. Its purpose is to enhance community involvement and reward local people.

Q. What is the unique approach of Agroforestry in social forestry, and what benefits does it offer?

Answer. Agroforestry combines agriculture and tree cultivation for commercial purposes, aiming to enhance productivity, economic benefits, social outcomes, and ecological goods and services.

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