FOREST RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY

Forest resources

Forests, which constitute a vital segment of the terrestrial ecosystem, have been substantially influenced by Climate, on its distribution, structure and ecology. The change in climate is the most important determinant of vegetation patterns in any type of forested areas. Studies have shown that many forested areas are already showing shifts in vegetation types under the impact of global warming. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, conservation of forests has the potential to mitigate approximately 15% of the world’s Greenhouse gases (GHGs). The Kyoto protocol specifically mentioned that afforestation and reforestation of forests can be used in reducing the carbon dioxide level from the atmosphere.

Based on the interpretation of FSI reports 2021, the State Manipur covers a total forest area of 16,598 sq. km out of the 7,13,789 sq. km forest cover of the country. Out of this, 905 sq. km is under very dense forest (VDF), 6,228 sq. km under moderately dense forest (MDF) and 9,465 sq. km under open forest (OF). The State shows forest cover (FSI, 2021) loss in comparison to the (FSI, 2019) by 249 sq. km. The loss is responsible from the moderate dense forest (-158) and open forest (-91) between the year 2019 to 2021. The loss and deterioration of forest canopy is attributed to shifting cultivation, felling of trees, natural calamities, anthropogenic pressure and developmental activities. The total scrub area of the State is 1,215 sq. km. On the other side, the total carbon stock of forest is 176.93 million tonnes which is 1.99 million tonnes less than the FSI 2019 report of 178.72 million tonnes. 

During the last ten (10) years, the State lost 492 Sq. km of forest areas due to multiple stresses, including over extraction, fuel wood collection, livestock grazing, forest fires, and other anthropogenic pressures. Changing the forested areas to human use (agriculture, pasture lands, building land and so forth) usually alter the configuration of natural ecosystems. The practices of shifting cultivation in the hill districts leads to soil erosion, destabilization of the ecology of the given region and deforestation. Moreover, controlled or uncontrolled fire in an ecosystem may change the species mix, habitat structure and biodiversity (Global Wildfire information system, 2019). The forest fire season in the country starts from the month of November till June with the majority of fires caused due to man-made factors. The following table shows the extremely fire prone and very highly fire prone in the State of Manipur (FSI, 2021). 

In order to take advantage of forest preservation, long-term management of forest resources depends on the local people’s support. It is believed that the goal of reducing carbon sources and increasing the carbon sink can be achieved efficiently by protecting and conserving the carbon pools in existing forests. Plantation of urban forests and green areas also enhances sustainable development by their multiple functions; improving environment through reduction of pollution, providing livelihood to the urban people through forest products and enhancing the quality of urban life by providing places for meetings and learning. With the invention of technology and methods, the improvement and replacement approaches for shifting cultivation must be adopted.  An attempt must be made to enhance traditional skills and practices for improving productivity and checking soil erosion in shifting lands like pollarding of certain trees at the time of clearing the forests, sowing of seeds of trees in vacated lands etc.

Green India mission (GIM), Compensatory afforestation fund management and planning authority (CAMPA) and Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) are developed and implemented in Manipur to enhance the resilience of forests to climate change.