Uttar Pradesh: Vegetation - 2 | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Uttar Pradesh Forest Policy, 2017 

• Improvement of existing natural and planted forests by conservation, development and scientific and thoughtful management. 
• Formulation and implementation of schemes of afforestation and soil conservation in different types of degraded lands of state viz. usar, khadar, ravines and blank forest. 
• Special emphasis on forest dweller centric forest management. 
• Increase of tree cover by social and agro-forestry plantations on private lands. 
• To get carbon credits on the plantation which is planted according to international standards. 
• To endeavour for the reduction of siltation of water and reservoirs and effects of floods and drought through controlled measures over soil-erosion. 
• To promote plantation over non-forest land. 
• To prepare and implement strategies for conservation and improvement of biodiversity and wildlife in the state. 
• To develop eco-tourism destination.

Forest Development Schemes in Uttar Pradesh 

• Forest Festival/Van Mahatsav 
  Forest festival is being celebrated in the country and state since the declaration of this festival by the National Forest Policy, 1952. The theme of this festival is ‘The meaning of the tree is water, water means bread and the meaning of bread is life’. It is celebrated from 1st-7th July as Van Mahotsav Week. 
• Social Forestry 
  It is a major State Government funded scheme for tree plantation. This scheme was started by the National Forest Commission in the year 1979-80 in Uttar Pradesh. Objectives of this scheme are: 
  • To maintain ecosystem and expand greenery in the state. 
  • To produce eucalyptus for fuel wood and babool for fodder. Eucalyptus has been excluded from Social forestry as it is responsible for environmental degradation. 
  • To plant Moringa oleifera or drum stick tree for paper and pulp production and Arjun tree for matchstick industry. 
  • To plant mulberry tree for silk, Cycas revoluta (Sago palm) for oil and babool tree for leather industry. 
  • This scheme is implemented in the Scheduled Castes abundant regions of the state with the help of social welfare department.
  • In this scheme tree plantation is carried out in the land of the Gram Samaj and beside the footpath. 
• Uttar Pradesh Forestry Scheme 
  It was started on 19th March, 1998 with the assistance of the World Bank. Through this scheme, for the first time micro plan was prepared under eco-development process with the cooperation of 40 villages located near the Dudhwa National Park and National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary. This micro plan was implemented by the development councils of the state. 
• Operation Green 
  This scheme was started on 1st July, 2001, in Uttar Pradesh for tree plantation. The scheme was started with the assistance of local community various government departments, schools and private organisations.  
  Since 2007-08, the scheme is in operation with purpose to increase greenery in all the districts of the state and upgrade forest parks and Van Chetna Kendras in Uttar Pradesh.
• Vriksha Bandhu Puraskar Yojana 
  This scheme was started in the year 2007-08. Under this scheme, awards are given to those people and organisations which help to promote plantations and wildlife conservation in the state. 
• Formulation of Management Scheme 
  This scheme was started in the year 2007-08. Different management schemes are formulated under this scheme for the preservation of forest in the state in a planned scientific manner. Different activities are done in this scheme to achieve the goal like field sureys, formulation of maps under GIS system, evaluation of forests, etc. 
• Tree Cover Extension Scheme 
  This scheme was started in 2007-08 in 48 districts of the state to extend tree cover in these districts. 
• High Value Plantation Scheme 
  This scheme was started in 2008-09 in 16 forest divisions of the state. 
• Joint Forest Management Scheme 
  There are two schemes being implemented in the state since 2010, namely, Joint Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation Schemes in 16 districts of Terai, Vindhyas and Bundelkhand regions with the assistance of Japan Government. Belhatthi village of Sonbhadra district has been declared as the first village forest of the state. 
• Vir Abdul Hameed Forest, Wildlife and Environment Protection Award Scheme 
  This scheme was started in the year 2012-13. Every year individuals and organisations are given awards for their commendable work to preserve environment, forest and wildlife. Under this scheme individual and organisation get a cash award of ₹ 1 lakh and 2 lakh, respectively. 
• Green Belt Development Scheme 
  This scheme is in operation since 2012-13. Under this scheme, different tree species are being planted in the community places like, Indian rosewood, Cassia fistula (Golden shower tree), Albizia lebbeck (frywood), mango, fig, tamarind, banyan trees. 
• Total Forest Cover Scheme 
  This scheme was started in the year 2014-15 in the state to ensure complete greenery in 6 districts i.e. Lucknow, Etawah, Badaun Mainpuri, Unnao and Kannauj. 
• Social Forestry-tribal Sub Plan 
  This scheme is in operation in the ST dominated areas such as Shrawasti, Bahraich, Sonbhadra, Renukoot and Obra forest divisions. The financial assistance is given by the social welfare department for the welfare of STs in the state. 
• Social Forestry in Urban Areas 
  This scheme aims to plant ornamental and shady trees on the unused land alongside the roads and parks for environmental protection and beautification in urban lands.
• Industrial and Pulp wood Tree Plantation 
  This scheme promotes the plantation of different types of trees like gutel, alianthus, semal, khair, etc for forest based industries like match-wood, plywood, hardwood, etc. Alianthus and poplar trees are planted for pulp and eucalyptus and bamboo trees for paper industry. 
• Hi-tech Nursery Scheme 
  Under this scheme, hi-tech nurseries are being developed in districts like Bareilly, Bijnor, Pilibhit, Meerut, Budaun and Saharanpur in order to increase forest cover in the state. 
• Intensification of Forest Management 
  It is a joint scheme of Central and State Governments with a financial assistance of 75 : 25 ratio. Different activities are carried out in this scheme like activity to save forests from fire, formulation of management scheme, field surveys, delimitation, etc. 
• Tree Promotion Scheme 
  This scheme is being implemented in 10 districts of the state with the assistance of NABARD. The objectives of this scheme are production of high variety of seeds, establishment of new stem laboratories, maintenance of old laboratories, preparation for cloning of trees, establishment of cloning seed nursery. This scheme will ensure the availability of high quality plantation material for future tree-plantation without any obstacle. 
• Fuel Wood Plantation 
  To stop the use of cow dung cake for fuel, fuel wood plantation is being promoted in the plain regions where fuelwood is not adequately available. 
• Plantation in Ravine 
  Land degradation has become a grave situation in those regions of Agra, Etawah, Mainpuri and Jalaun which are situated along the banks of Yamuna, Chambal and Betwa rivers. Thus, land management conservation and plantation schemes are being implemented here to save these regions. 
• Ram-Ganga Valley Scheme 
  Land conservation pasture development and tree plantation scheme are being implemented in the areas outside the Ramganga river.