Forestry Research in India: Status, Issues ... - TERI University

Dr. S.S. NegiDirectorENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYH.P. GOVT SHIMLA

FORESTRY RESEARCH – MILESTONES-Taxonomical explorations pre-1800 period1864 – Systematic Forest ManagementSir D. Brandis------- the first IGF1875-Indian Forester started1878 – Forest School at Dehra Dun established by the thenlocal government, the Government of the North-West Provinces.1884 - Forest school transferred to the Government ofIndia and named the Imperial Forest School.1900 - The first research post - Forest Entomologist1906 – Imperial Forest Research Institute

Forestry Research in India• Caters to the forestry research needs of variousstakeholders/ generation of knowledge• Stakeholders –• Forest Departments• Forest Corporations• Other Government Departments• Farmers• Wood-based industries• Non-Governmental Organizations, etc.

Forestry Research Goals• Ecological Security• Socio-Economic Goals• Forest based livelihoods• Sustainable Management ofForests• Generation of knowledge

• Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education(ICFRE) institutes including FRI Dehradun• Indian Institute of Forest Management• Indian Plywood Industries Research andTraining Institute• Universities• State Forest Departments & their ResearchInstitutes• Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs)• OthersForestry ResearchOrganizations in India

ICFRE INSTITUTES• Forest Research Institute, Dehradun• Institute of Wood Science & Technology,Bangalore• Institute of Forest Genetics & TreePropagation, Coimbatore• Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur• Arid Forest Research Institute, Jodhpur• Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla• Institute of Forest Productivity, Ranchi• Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat

RESEARCHERS•CORE SCIENTISTS•PRACTISING FORESTERS•RESEARCH SCHOLARS/FELLOWS

EVOLUTION OF FORESTRYRESEARCH• Initial period of basic research• Centered around FRI & Colleges• Covered South Asia• Setting up of ICFRE in 1986• Broadening of research base• Expansion of research in Universities,SFRIs and ICFRE institutes

First phase – up to 1986‣ Basic research/ extensive field surveys‣ Silvicultural conferences held after every five yearsfrom 1918 to 1967 (total XI) and‣ Forestry Conferences from 1973 to 1989.‣ Liaison Meetings to supplement some other issues.‣ Based on the above, programmes developed forforestry research during this period

Second phase (1986 – 1994)• Started with the advent of appliedforestry research.• Indian Council of Forestry Research &Education (ICFRE) with its instituteswere established in 1986.• These institutes cater to focused forestryresearch needs of the adjoining regionswhile partnering farmers, industries andforest departments.

Third phase (1995 – onwards)New era for research in forestry with theassistance of World Bank and UNDPfunded programs in 1994 for cateringsolutions to more specific issues ofcooperation for forestry research in theform of interventions and linkages withforestry.Opportunities for collaboration andall stakeholders.

RESEARCH PLANSResearch projectsLong term studies

OTHER RESEARCH MODESContract ResearchSponsored projects – Fully funded by sponsor with specifiedR&D objectives and well defined expected output (IPR)Collaborative projects – Partially funded by sponsor withspecified R&D objectives and well defined expected outputConsultanciesAdvisory – Comprise scientific, technical, or otherprofessional advice, provided to a client purely on the basis ofexpertise outside the instituteGeneral - Comprise scientific, technical, or other professionaladvice, provided to a client purely on the basis of expertise ininstitute

National Forestry Research Plan 2000Objectives‣ To meet the requirements of the National ForestPolicy, 1988 based on participatory and transparentsystem with bottom up approach.‣ Closely linked with National Forestry ActionProgramme (NFAP) of Ministry of Environment andForests (MOE&F) and Five Year Plan of India.‣ Dynamic in nature‣ Based on social and political factors as well asscientific considerations

Tree Conservation and Treatment in the Ta Prohm Temple, Siem Reap,CambodiaExposed rootsSoil compactionTrees & monumentRoot damageEtchingBasal rot•Barricading•Surface treatment•Cavity filling•Soil covering•Wooden bridgeWooden bridge over roots

Digitization of National Forest Insect Collection (NFIC)National Forest Insect Collection (NFIC) is a unique collection of forestry related insects of the Indiansubcontinent. It is one of the three main depositories of national importance of India. This uniquecollection has pride of holding about 3,00,000 pinned specimens with about 18,000 authenticallyidentified species (including 1700 types). The collection is mainly of forest insects of injurious natureand is confined largely to the Indian subcontinent e.g., India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal,Myanmar and to lesser extent Malaya.Up gradation and Computerization of National Insect Forest Collection(NIFC)‣ For Scientific management ofholdings in the collection databasewas developed to cater day-to-dayfunctional needs of the collection.‣ Data of 18,000 species from 48,000localities have been incorporatedinto the database.‣ Digital pictures of all the specieshave been taken and shall be linkedto the database.‣ In near future the database will beloaded on the net for public use.

Pilot Plant Technology for Natural Dye Extraction

Forest soil organic carbon inventory1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has recognized SoilOrganic Carbon pool as one of the five major carbon pools forLULUCF sector2. SOC pools are being estimating in the soils under different landuses viz. Forests (under all forests covers available inUttarakhand), Block plantations, Agro forestry (different agroforestry models), Horticulture (different orchards) andGrasslands (alpine and sub alpine) in Uttarakhand state3. Soil organic pool is being estimating in the soils under differentland uses viz. Forests, Block plantations, Horticulture and Agroforestry models, by following IPCC methodology in Haryanastate

Genetic diversity is being studied innatural Himalayan Deodar (Cedrusdeodara) forests of Uttarakhand,H.P. and J&K. through MicrosatelliteDNA markers and DNA fingerprintsare being stored

Bamboo Composite CentreAndProcessing Unit at RFRISawing, splitting & slivering ofbambooRain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam

Bamboo MultiplicationandBamboo Model Nursery• Bamboo Multimedia Hub• Museums• Training and capacitybuilding• Entrepreneurship skillsRain Forest Research Institute,Jorhat, AssamRain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam

Wood Science … TechnologiesBamboo preservation1. Sap displacement: The 2. Diffusion process: Culms 3. Boucherie process:sap of the bamboo is are fully immersed in Preservative is pumpedreplaced by preservative. preservative. through the bamboo.4. Hot and cold process: 5. Full cell (Bethel) process: 6. Empty cell process: As theBamboo is kept in hot Preservative is forced into Bethel process, but pressurepreservative for 2-3 the bamboo under high is released in the vesselhours. pressure. preative.

Development of NIR (Near Infraredspectroscopy) application methods forestimating physical, mechanical and chemicalproperties of plantation timber

Finger jointing ofplantation timber

Application of defects detection technique onstanding trees• Early hidden defects (hollowness andmultiple cracks in the tree trunk) detectionmay be of a prime importance to the forestmanagement for prescribing silviculturaltreatment and maintaining a healthy forest.• Ultrasonic velocity measurement techniquedeveloped successfully for round logs basedon defect created artificially will be used fordefect detection in the tree.• Important to the industries in term ofmaking accurate quality assessment andestimation of volume which directly affectsthe production of wood and wood basedproducts, results minimum economic loss.

Wood Science Research…Linkages• Garnet Tools, MP - Treatment of greenbamboo• Reliance Industries and Paharpur CoolingTowers• Wooden sports goods industry -Jallandhar

Timber Cooling Tower

DNA FINGERPRINTING FACILITY

Shisham Mortality• Wide spread mortality• More than 10 lakh trees affected• Package of practices prescribed

Cold Desert AfforestationRibes orientaleEleaegnus angustifolia

IFGTB has released 4 newhigh yielding clones each ofEucalyptus camaldulensis andCasuarina equisetifoliaNew ClonesIFGTB – EC 1IFGTB – EC 2IFGTB – EC 3IFGTB – EC 4IFGTB – CE 1IFGTB – CE 2IFGTB – CE 3IFGTB – CE 4

CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN FORESTS OF RAJASTHAN‣ Highest soil carbon density was in DryTropical Riverain forest (38.92 tons ha -1 ) andlowest in Tropical Euphorbia scrub (1.46tons ha -1 ).‣ Carbon stock in top 25 cm soil layer washigh in P. cineraria and A. nilotica (7.87 tonsha -1 ) in IGNP plantation.Teak bearingforestEuphorbiascrubCHARACTERIZATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF FOREST SOILS OFRAJASTHANDesert dune scrub on deep aeoliandeposit in Ganganagar; pH: 8.67; EC:0.16 dSm -1 ; SOC: 0.11-0.13‣340 soil profiles studiedcovering 292 forest blocks in23 districts. 1300 soil samplesanalyzed.Texture status -‣sandy loam(64.8%). Loamysand (20%) and sand (8.8%) .‣clay loam( 0.8%);‣ loam (2.4%) ;‣ sandy clay loam (3.2%)

WOOD-POLYMER COMPOSITESWood chips, bamboo fibres and nano cellulose havebeen blended into thermo-plastic compositesTwo patents have been filedTechnology of bamboo-polymer composite has beentransferred to industry

RESEARCH SUPPORTSERVICES

NATIONAL FOREST LIBRARY & INFORMATION CENTRE• DOCUMENT COLLECTION - 1,61000• FOREIGN PERIODICALS - 200• INDIAN PERIODICALS - 418• CD-ROM BASEDBIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATABASES - 8

FRI HERBARIUM(Internationally Referred as Dehradun Herbarium)• More than 3,30,000 specimens• Largest Forest Herbarium in India• Nearly 10,000 genera and 25,000 species• Oldest specimen dates back to 1807• Over 1500 types with database on speciesdiscovered, named and described for the first time• Specimens under digitization

FOREST FUNGI CULTURE COLLECTIONover 1000 forest fungi isolates

NATIONAL INSECT REFERENCECOLLECTIONProvides insect identification servicesTotal number of insect specimens : 3,00,000Type specimens (holotype, paratype, etc.) : 1,700

XYLARIUM• 20,000 total specimens (Native and Exotic)

Timber Cooling TowerFRI PHOTO GALLERY

EXTENSION OF FORESTRYRESEARCH RESULTS

CURRENT STRATEGIES FOR EXTENSIONOF RESEARCH RESULTS• EXHIBITIONS• FOREST TECHNOLOGY CENTRES IN STATES( Van Vigyan Kendras)• EXTENSION COMPONENT INTEGRAL PARTOF RESEARCH PROJECTS• FORMULATION OF ORGANIZATIONSPECIFIC RESEARCH EXTENSION STRATEGY

Training under Van Vigyan KendrasRain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam

APPROACHES FOR EXTENSION OFRESARCH RESULTS• Research results need to be further refinedto make them user friendly.• Extension should not be limited to shortduration interventions.• Follow up on extension efforts required.• Involvement of women in extension at thegrass-roots level

RECENT TRENDS THATREQUIRE SPECIFICAPPROACHES• SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT• FOREST CERTIFICATION• QUALITY CERTIFICATION• POST-HARVEST PROCESSING OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS

• Historic law recognizing the traditionalrights of millions of forest dwellingcommunities enacted in 2006. This requiresspecific extension and technology transferapproaches.• Easily understandable knowledge andtechnology will have to be disseminated atthe grass root level, for meeting the needsof this important part of the society.

STRATEGIES….• EACH THRUST AREA REQUIRESSPECIFIC EXTENSION STRATEGY• A PACKAGE OF EXTENSIONPRACTICES NEED TO BE DEVELOPED• STAKEHOLDER SPECIFIC EXTENSIONAPPROACHES NEEDED

STRATEGIES………• FEED BACK MECHANISM• EXTENSION NEEDS TO BE ADYNAMIC PROCESS• NATIONAL EXTENSION ANDTECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PLAN

SWOT, CHALLENGES ANDOPPORTUNITIES

STRENGTHS• BASIC DATA/ KNOWLEDGE• HERITAGE INSTITUTIONS LIKE FRI• REPOSITORY OF INFORMATION• COUNTRY WIDE NETWORK• TRAINED SCIENTIFIC MANPOWER

WEAKNESSES…• STRESS ON BASIC RESEARCH• LAB TO LAND• EXTENSION SERVICES WEAK• PILOT PLANTS/FIELD TRIALS NOTENOUGH• FOLLOW UP/ UPSCALING

WEAKNESSES• LONG TERM PRESPECTIVE LACKING• NARROW BASE OF RESEARCHERS• LACK OF PIN POINT SPECIALIZATION• INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFICLEADERS NEEDED• LACK OF STATE OF ART FACILITIES

OPPORTUNITIES…•LONG TERM ROAD MAP•FRONT LINE RESEARCH•FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES•INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

OPPORTUNITIES• MANY EMERGING FIELDS• EXPERIENCED RESEARCHERS• STRENGTHENING LAISON WITHSTATE FOREST DEPARTMENTS

Opportunities• Newer areas of multi-disciplinary research and multipleresearch agencies• Greater focus on forests and forestry in internationalconventions and agreements• Greater scope of coordination in research activities atnational as well as international levels due to bettermeans of communication• Large pool of educated and motivated youth to takeon challenges of forestry research• Emerging fields like forest bio-technology, climatechange studies and livelihood support systems

THREATS• BLENDING BASIC RESEARCH WITH APPLIEDRESEARCH. COMMUNICATION WITH USERS OF RESEARCHRESULTS. MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN TERMS OF EQUIPMENT,MANPOWER AND LONG TERM FINANCIALCOMMITMENT

Challenges• Re-orienting forestry research to emerging areas andmulti-disciplinary fields• Coordinating multi-institutional players in forestryresearch (e.g. ICFRE, SAUs, other universities,research institutes, research wings of SFDs, etc.)• Meeting national goals and international expectationsfor increasing area under forest & tree cover,enhancement of forest productivity, sustainable useof forest resources, forest protection andconservation• Effective extension of scientific technologies to users• Inadequate funds and scientific staff