Question

Social forestry is
(a) Planting of different kind of trees in the same area
(b) Greening of hills with the efforts of common men
(c) Raising trees on common village lands and other vacant areas of fodder, minor timber and firewood
(d) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Planting of trees and management of the forest are two different fields altogether. We cannot just plant trees and leave them. Even though most of the trees do not need much care but some types of trees need to be taken care for some time after plantation.

Complete answer:
The word “Social forestry” means management and protection of existing forests and establishment of new forests on barren and unused land. This is mainly done with the purpose of rural, environmental and social development. In such projects, the benefit of the local community is the objective. Other main objectives include:
- Improving the environment for protection of agriculture from climate conditions which are worsening day by day.
- To increase the supply of wood which is needed for household purposes, in order to meet the ever
- Increasing need of the population.
- To increase the supply of fodder for livestock.
- Providing employment for local unskilled population
- Land rehabilitation and produce green belts
- Promote awareness about environment conservation
So, basically “social forestry” is a term much more dedicated to maintenance and conservation of existing forests than production of new ones.
So, the correct answer is ‘None of the above.'

Note: Social forestry involves plantation on barren and unused land and their conservation. During a project in Social Forestry, Government of India took efforts to expand the green belts. Trees were planted and along railway lines, roadsides and river banks etc. Maintenance of these trees if also taken care of by the government bodies.