Question

What are the main features of the National Forest Policy of India?

Answer 1

Hint:The Government of India adopted this policy in nineteen hundred fifty two, which was further modified . This policy lays emphasis on sustainable forest management in order to conserve and expand forest reserves and to meet the needs of the local people. The total forest cover of India is less than the optimum amount of forest for a country which is thirty three percent.

Complete answer:
Let us discuss the features of this policy. Through preservation of forest, we can maintain the quality of environmental resources and, where necessary, restore ecological balance that has been adversely disturbed by serious depletion of the forests of the country.
 By preserving the remaining natural forests we can conserve the natural heritage with the vast variety of flora and fauna by which the remarkable biological diversity and genetic resources of the country are represented.
In the catchment areas of rivers, lakes, reservoirs soil erosion is checked in the interest of soil enrichment and water conservation, for mitigating floods and droughts and for the retardation of siltation of reservoirs.
They Check the extension of sand dunes in the desert areas of Rajasthan and along the coastal tracts.Through massive afforestation and social forestry programmes, especially all denuded, degraded and unproductive lands we could increase forest or tree cover gradually and make our country green.To meet the requirements of fuel-wood fodder, minor forests are used to produce small timber of the rural and tribal populations which Increases the productivity of forests in order to meet essential national needs. Encouraging efficient utilisation of forest produce and maximise the substitution of wood.

Note:Women play an important role to achieve the objectives .It should be encouraged on mass level so that major change can be brought and to minimise pressure on existing forests. Deforestation should be prevented and afforestation should be encouraged for the welfare of the environment.