Forest Cover, Productivity, Services and Trade of Products in India — A Critical Review and Analysis Kareemulla K.a, Aparna B.b aResearch Systems Management Division, National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad-500 030, Andhra Pradesh bDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural College, Bapatla Online published on 10 September, 2013. Abstract The study has analysed the forest area, especially after the introduction of advanced technologies for area estimation, during the previous quarter century and has assessed the pattern of production of major forest products and other product/services. It has also analysed the institutional mechanism for forest management and projected the forest scenario in the future. The data for the study were collected from various published and electronic sources. The study has observed that in India, at least in the past 10 years (2000–10), there has been a net gain in forest area to the tune of 0.30 million ha annually. India produces a total of 32 Mt of pulp wood and another 722 million cubic metres of round/fuel wood for various purposes. The study has also highlighted the significance of non-wood forest products in providing livelihoods to tribals and rural population. The forest services like grazing by cattle, small ruminants and eco-system services being highly valuable, need proper management involving NGOs and the communities. Several initiatives in the liberalized forest policy regime need to be encouraged for greater dynamism and vibrancy in the forestry sector India. Top Keywords Forest cover, forest products, non-wood forest products, livestock, grazing/browsing. Top |