Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Memorial Lecture: II

Environmental /Revegetation Forestry
The objective here is to green derelict and wastelands in order to ameliorate, and
finally, restore them. The process can be started by creating natural wilderness areas
by using the principles of plant colonization. Owing to litter fall, a decomposer chain will
start, followed by soil conservation and increased water retention. This would go a long
way in improving the quality of these lands. Starting with plantations of tolerant species
which would lead to some improvement of soil, there is a distinct possibility of growing
less tolerant species, resulting in further improvement in soil characteristics. In the
succeeding cycles, it would be possible to grow increasingly less tolerant species.
The four major uses of forestry outlined above are neither mutually exclusive, not
is one at the expense of the other. They are mutually supportive. Furthermore, it may be
pointed out that wasteland development, though laudable, cannot be expected to be the
panacea for all our food, fodder, timber and fuelwood problems. Wastelands are
essentially derelict lands, and for several years to come, these will be less productive.
Unfortunately, forestry is expected to perform miracles on wastelands, but the prime
agricultural land continues to be used for non-food purposes such as humans
settlements, industries, road and rail systems, airports, etc. The land laws are either too
weak or non –existent, as a result of which such ventures are permitted on prime
agricultural land.
In the entire Himalayan belt high level of human and livestock population in
relation to arable land (Khoshoo, 1986) and general mismanagement of land resources
are among the improvement causes which have led to deforestation with serious
environment social, economic and biological consequences. Immediate attention needs
to be paid to population stabilization and proper management of land and livestock (like
stall feeding with hand cut fodder and better quality livestock). This coupled with a
programme of fast growing trees and shrubs for fuelwood, timber and fodder can lead to
revolution in forestry. Such a change is not easy and must be accompanied by crash
educational programme. This alone would ensure conservation of natural forests.
Furthermore, sustainable production will itself become a conservation strategy for
natural forests.
Much of the biodiversity is in the forested areas, hence for our long-range
ecological security, the health of Himalaya is most critical. These mountains must
remain clothed with vegetation.
Endemism
Broadly, endemics are of two types: those that are relict as last remnant of old
taxa whose distribution has shrunk, and those that are of recent origin which did not
have time to extent their range. It appears in Himalaya, the endemics of the second
categories are found. Endemism in Himalayan biota is related to a number of physical
and biological factors. There is considerable diversity in geology, geography, soil and
climate giving rise to many macro and microhabitats. The diversity in flora is particularly
apparent in the vegetational types. Three sets of factors underlay diversity. These are:
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