CONFIGURATION:
The area is undulating and hilly, the hills being low in height. The
forest areas situated on the triangle of high lands forming a table land, which runs
the entire length of the western portion of the tract. Numerous hills rise on this
table land mainly on the north-eastern, eastern and south-eastern sides of the
district. But there is no regular range. Main Blocks of hills are Palasgarh,
Gewardha, Satinala and Tipagarh. Wainganga is the main river and Khobragadi,
Garvi, Kathani are its tributaries. Other rivers are Tipagharhi and Sati and also
there are many seasonal nalas join these tributaries.
GEOLOGY :
CLIMATE :
The weather remains hot and dry for the major part of the year. The
mean maximum temperature is 45.46c.and the mean minimum temperature is
about 13.1c. The highest and lowest temperatures recorded are 46.5c. in
summer and 7c. during winter. The total average rainfall over the area is 1976
mm.
WATER SUPPLY :
BOUNDARIES :
Reserved Forests are not burdened with any kind of rights and
concessions; however, some concessions have been granted to small and
marginal agriculturists for their bonafied needs. In the Protected Forest areas,
which were previously covered in the ex-jamindari forests, nistar rights are
recorded in the Nistar Patrakas of the concerned village.
The tract dealt with belong to the group Tropical Dry Deciduous
Forests and sub-group 5A/C3- Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests.
ILLICIT CUTTING :
ENCROACHMENT :
GRAZING :
DROUGHT:
FROST:
Frost is not common in this area.
WIND:
Strong winds especially during early monsoon causes heavy
damage to the mature trees resulting uprooting of trees thus causing huge loss of
timber, if not removed and timely disposed off.
17.26%. As per the cattle census of 1997, the total cattle in the district is 8.80 lakh.
The density of the cattle is 57 per sq. km. Agriculturists are mainly dominant in the
population but majority of them are small to marginal farmers. Malgujari tanks are
the main and potential source of water for irrigation, however due to heavy siltation
of tanks such irrigation facility is available only for a limited period. People mainly
depend upon forests for timber, firewood, bamboo, grass and other NTFPs such
as moha flowers & seeds, myrobalans, gum, honey and broom-grass.
MARKETS :
The annual coupes are mainly worked by FLCS and to some extent
through department. Felling and logging of forest produce is mostly done by saw
and improved implements. Timber and bamboo are transported to main sale
depots situated at range/division headquarters and the firewood is transported to
local sale depots as per the convenience. The major transportation work is
carried out through private transporters by tender system. Departmental trucks
and tractors are also used for transportation of timber and fire wood.
PAST HISTORY
A. RESERVED FORESTS :
The old reserved forest accounts for 7.85% where as the new
reserved forests account for 77.66% of the total area of the division. The old
reserved forests were constituted in 1879 under IFA, 1878. These are distributed
in all 9 ranges of Gadchiroli Forest Division. Prior to reorganization, Gadchiroli,
Chatgaon, Murumgaon, Dhanora ranges were the part of erstwhile East Chanda
Division. After re-organization in the year 1983, the Gadchiroli Forest Division
was carved out from the East Chanda Division with its headquarter at Gadchiroli.
In the newly formed Gadchiroli Division, Gadchiroli, Chatgaon, Dhanora,
Murumgaon were initially the main ranges till further re-organization took place.
During the period of further reorganization Gadchiroli was divided in to two ranges
namely Gadchiroli and Kundhada and Chatgaon was divided into Chatgaon and
Pendhari. Hence the Gadchiroli Division was having 6 ranges namely Gadchiroli,
Kunghada, Chatgaon, Pendhari. Dhanora and Murumgaon. Again as per GR
FDM-2003/File No. 168/F-2, Mantralaya, Mumbai-400 032, dated 10th November,
2005- Gadchiroli Division was further reorganized into 9 territorial ranges, 36
rounds and 150 beats.
Prior to reservation of this forest in 1879, the tract was very much
under developed state. There was no proper regulation or control over felling in
this forests. After reservation of this forests, some protection measures were
undertaken. The regular management of forests started from 1899 under different
working plans, which are briefly discussed in subsequent paras.
The reserved forest areas of the tract being dealt with originally
belonged to the Wairagarh Range of Chanda Forest Division. First Working Plan
for this range, which covered Reserved Forests of Wadsa, Kurkheda, Armori,
Chatgaon and Gadchiroli Ranges, was prepared between 1897 to 1900 by
A.F.Lawrie.
This was the first plan prepared after carrying out detailed inspection
of the forest. In this plan there were four working circles namely (1) High Forest
Working Circle, (2) Coppice with Standard Working Circle (3) Low Forest Working
Circle, (4) Low Forest Unworked Working Circle.
VI
The best quality forests were placed under High Forest Working
Circle. Under this working circle, conversion to uniform system was prescribed
with rotation period of 60 years.
Teak and Mixed Forest considered unfit for producing large size
timber were allotted to Low Forest Working Circle with rotation of 30 to 40 years.
Remaining poor areas and forests were allotted to the Low Forest
Unworked Working Circle in which no regular working was prescribed.
There was no Bamboo Working Circle during this plan period. The
Silvicultural System prescribed was clear felling. Thinning works were not carried
out because there was no sufficient demand for poles and small timbers.
This Plan replaced the working plan of Vahid. This working plan
prescribes the following working circles viz. (1) Coppice with Standard Working
Circle (2) Misc. Working Circle (3) Bamboo Working Circle (Overlapping).
Hewetson brought all the forests allotted to High Forest and Low
Forest Working Circles under coppice with standard working circle. The object
was to meet the local demand for small timber and fuel. Rotation of coppice was
fixed for 40 years whereas no rotation was fixed for standards, due to non-
availability of growth statistics for different species.
This Plan replaced the working plan of Hewetson. Under this plan
forest areas were mainly divided into Teak & Miscellaneous forests depending
upon the proportionate percentage of teak in the forest cover. The forest having
teak with 15% & above were classified as teak forest and the remaining areas
were brought under miscellaneous forests. The forests were classified for the first
time on the functional basis into tree forests, minor forests, pasture forests and
VII
This plan replaced the working plan of Singh & Majumdar. In this
plan the main objects were set as per the guidelines of National Forest Policy and
the methods of treatment adopted were on the basis of functional classification of
the Forests. This plan prescribed five Working Circles viz.(1) Conversion
Working Circle (2) C.W.R. Working Circle (3) Improvement Working Circle (4)
Kuran Working Circle (5) Miscellaneous Working Circle.
The areas allotted to this Working Circle were the better quality
forests of site quality mostly of III to IV. All these areas were considered to be
suitable for clear felling & raising teak plantations.
Table No.1
DETAILS OF WORKING CIRCLEWISE AREA WORKED DURING
1993-94 TO 03-04
During the last 10 years only 241 coupes were worked out of 690
(SCI-490+AWC-200) which were due for treatment under selection-cum
improvement working circle and Afforestation Working Circle.
More than 60% area of the division is under bamboo and are
distributed over 25 felling series, which are worked in 3 year working cycle. The
maximum bamboo areas falls under commercial bamboo felling series (CBFS)
and the same are worked by the Ballarpur Industries Ltd., whereas nistar bamboo
felling series (NBFS) are worked by department to meet the requirement of nistar
and the surplus quantity of long bamboo and bundles (2 Meter) are sold in open
auction at sale depots. In this plan all old successful bamboo plantations has
been included , under the Bamboo overlapping working circle.
Table No.-2
B. PROTECTED FORESTS:
managed under any kind of silvicultural systems. This working scheme covered
the areas of Kurkheda, Dhanora and Gadchiroli ranges of the East Chanda
Division. After re-organization of East Chanda Division, Dhanora and Gadchiroli
ranges were divided into four ranges namely 1. Gadchiroli 2. Chatgaon 3.
Dhanora and 4. Murumgaon. The main objectives of this scheme were as follows.
STATISTICS OF GROWTH :
Growth study was done by Kartar Singh during the preparation of
Working Plan for East Chanda Forest Division. As per stump analysis, teak can
attain girth of 150 cm in 108 years whereas Bija, Ain, Bhirra, Dhaora and Tendu
can attain girth of 135 cm in 112 years, 120 cm in 122 years, 135 cm in 108 years,
135 cm in 123 years and 135 cm in 120 years respectively. As per the
enumeration data, the number of stems per ha in SCI Working Circle of
V.K.Prabhus scheme is 303.
WILDLIFE PRESERVATION :
Wildlife was managed under various rules and regulations, framed
time to time till enactment of the wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This Act came
into effect in Maharashtra with effect from 1st June, 1973. Subsequently, various
rules were framed under this Act. No shooting blocks exists in Gadchiroli Forest
Division. Compensation is paid to the cattle owners in case of death due to attack
by tiger, panther and other wild animals. Compensation is also paid to the human
life in case of death or injury caused by Tiger, Panther and other wild animals.
==00==
XII
PART II
BASIS OF PROPOSALS
The National Wildlife Action Plan had outlined the strategies and action
points for wildlife conservation. Biodiversity conservation has also becomes a
focus of interest in National Wildlife Action Plan. The strategy for action
includes.
(i) Strengthening and enhancing the Protected Area Network.
(ii) Effective Management of Protected Areas.
(iii) Conservation of Wild and endangered species and their habitats.
(iv) Restoration of degraded habitats outside the protected areas.
(v) Control poaching, taxidermy and illegal trade in wild animal and
plant species.
(vi) Monitoring and Research.
(vii) Human resource development and personnel planning.
(viii) Ensuring peoples participation in wildlife conservation.
Table No.- 3
Area allotted to different Working Circles
SCI
IWC
AWC
FDWC
Tr.WC
Selection girth : 1)Teak, Ain, Bija, Shisam and Haldu :- 120 cm.
2) Garari, Lendia :- 45 cm.
3)Other timber species :- 90 cm.
MARKING TECHNIQUE :
Type A Areas (Protection area):
No marking will be carried out.
Type B Areas (Under stocked area):
Only dead and dying trees will be marked after retaining two dead
trees per ha.
XV
All edible fruit and flower yielding trees such as Mohua, Char,
Tendu, Aola, Chinch, Sitafal, Hirda, Behda, Bel and trees of Kulu and trees of
medicinally important and endangered species will be reserved from felling. All
trees above selection girth prescribed for each species and approach class will be
enumerated, before marking, in 15 cms girth classes. Marking will be done as per
the following procedure:
(i) The percentage of selected trees to be marked for felling for various
species/ groups has been worked out in regulation of yield. Fifty percent
of the trees above exploitable girth class will be marked for felling.
Marking will start from the highest girth class trees and trees of less
importance.
(ii) All dead and malformed trees, after retaining 2 dead trees/ha will be
marked for felling. A tree will be treated as malformed if it does not have
a clean bole of trunk at least 2 Mt. above the breast height.
(iii) All live and dead high stumps will be marked for felling.
(iv) At least one vigorously growing coppice shoot will be retained. In case
the stool height is more than 6 inches it should be cut close to the
ground and dressing will be carried out to facilitate coppice.
MARKING RULES :
Marking will be done under the close supervision of the Range Forest
Officer and the same will be verified by the Assistant Conservator of Forests in
charge without fail. Details of marking rules are given in the Chapter Other
Important regulations.
CUT-BACK OPERATIONS :
All the coupes worked under this working circle shall be closed for grazing
up to 5 years or till the establishment of young regeneration.
CLEANING :
Cleaning operation will be carried out in the 6th year of main felling to
facilitate the young crop for better growth.
Only dead and dying trees will be marked after retaining two dead
trees per ha.
XVII
All edible fruit and flower yielding trees such as Mohua, Char,
Tendu, Aola, Chinch, Sitafal, Hirda, Behda, Bel and trees of Kulu and trees of
medicinally important and endangered species will be reserved from felling.
Marking will be done as per the following procedure:-
(i) All dead and malformed trees, after retaining 2 dead trees/ha will be
marked for felling. A tree will be treated as malformed if it does not have
a clean bole of trunk at least 2 Mt. above the breast height.
(ii) All live and dead high stumps will be marked for felling.
(iii) At least one vigorously growing coppice shoot will be retained. In case
the stool height is more than 6 inches it should be cut close to the
ground and dressing will be carried out to facilitate coppice.
(iv) All climbers and unwanted species interfering with the existing crop and
young regeneration shall also be marked for felling.
MARKING RULES :
Marking will be done under the close supervision of the Range Forest
Officer and the same will be verified by the Assistant Conservator of Forests.
Details of marking rules are given in the Chapter Other Important Regulations.
CUT-BACK OPERATIONS :
All the coupes worked under this working circle shall be closed for grazing
up to 5 years or till the establishment of young regeneration.
CLEANING :
Cleaning operation will be carried out in the 6th year of main felling.
MARKING TECHNIQUE :
Only dead and dying trees will be marked after retaining two dead
trees per ha.
MARKING RULES :
Marking will be done under the close supervision of the Range
Forest Officer and the same will be verified by the Assistant Conservator of
Forests. Details of marking rules are given in the Chapter Other Important
Regulations.
CUT-BACK OPERATIONS :
All the coupes worked under this working circle shall be closed for
grazing up to 5 years or till the establishment of young regeneration.
CLEANING :
Cleaning operation will be carried out in the 6th year of main felling
to facilitate the young crop to get establish.
METHOD OF TREATMENT :
NURSERY PREPARATION:
PLANTING TECHNIQUES:
Pits shall be marked at 2 Mt. X 2Mt. distance which shall be dug latest by January
and pits should be allowed for weathering. Size of the pit shall be 30 x 30 x 30
cms. for all the species. Re-filling of pits up to depth will be carried out before
the onset of Monsoon. At the time of re-filling of pits a dose of 50 grams of DAP
per pit is recommended for the growth and development of seedling. Care should
be taken to put only top soil with good humus while re-filling the pit. Planting
operations shall be strictly carried out in time. Any delay in planting may cause
series problems in establishing the seedlings. Late plantings leads to more
casualties which may lead to even failure of the plantation. Rainfall data shall be
maintained in the plantation register up to 5 years to avoid any future problem in
case of excess casualties.
(i) All the coppice shall be thinned every year by retaining one
promising shoot till the plantation reaches 5th year.
(ii) All the climbers, thorny bushes and unwanted shrubs causing
hindrance to the growth of the plantations shall be cut close to the
ground.
(iii) Cleaning and singling operations are prescribed during 5th and 7th
year of plantation.
FIRE TRACING:
All the plantations raised under this Working Circle shall be provided
with fire tracing works every year till it reaches 5th year. Thereafter the area shall
be included in the annual fire control programme.
Method of Treatment:
10
8
No.of 6
Tiger/Panth
4 Tiger
er
2 Panther
0
1989 1993 1997 2001 2005
Census Year
Water holes should be hygienic and all the cattle in the villages
should be vaccinated to prevent the spread of contiguous disease. This should
be done during every summer season with the help of Animal Husbandry
Department. Any laxity in this regard may cause serious health hazard to wildlife
due to endemic diseases.
in maintaining the ecological balance. This may be extended to all the schools,
colleges and village panchyats and offices and places where public gathering
takes place. Help of Forest Protection Committees, J.F.M. Committees, may be
taken to protect and conserve the wildlife.
Method of treatment :
Method of Treatment :
MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS :
DEMARCATION OF COUPES :
providing a blaze. These sections are to be clearly shown on the treatment map
prepared for the purpose of exploitation.
MARKING TECHNIQUE :
FELLING-LOGGING RULES:
(i) Before starting felling the tree, all the bushes around the tree
should be cut so as to facilitate passage in case of emergency.
(ii) Felling direction shall be decided such that no nearby trees shall be
damaged.
(iii) Stump height should be closer to the ground as far as possible and
in no case it should exceed more than 6 in height.
(iv) Felling sink and felling cut are to be provided very clearly to avoid
any split of the trunk of tree.
(vi) After felling a tree, all the branches are to be cut with the help of
bow saw and the same will be converted into firewood pieces
having length of 1.20 Mt. Straight branches having more than 45
cms. girth may be converted into chalk timber ( Carpentry Material).
XXVI
(vii) The main trunk will be divided into different sections by giving a
chalk-mark by the forester in-charge of the coupe. Logging of the
trunk will be done by providing a cross cut at each chalk-mark. Care
should be taken that all the cross-cuts should be straight in nature.
(viii) After logging the digital number showing marking number of the
tree and sections divided from that tree will be given on the stump
after dipping digit set in a coaltar for clear visibility. Measurements
of the logs are also to be shown by putting digit nail numbers.
(ix) A paste of geru cooked with bel fruit extract shall be applied on both
the surfaces of the logs to prevent cracks.
IRREGULAR HARVESTING :
of trees for the purpose of growth study will be done. Trees which are over
matured and causing hindrance in nursery activity, causing damage to the
buildings and property of the department are to be properly marked and removed
as and when situation arises. The record of the same may be maintained in the
beat books and an entry shall be made in the compartment history forms.
MAINTENANCE OF BOUNDARIES :
FIRE PROTECTION :
GRAZING :
Worked coupes in all the working circles will remain closed for
grazing, at least for 5 years from the year of main felling so as to allow the young
regeneration to establish. This is to be strictly followed at all levels.
XXVIII
LABOUR:
COMPARTMENT HISTORIES :
Compartment history Forms number from 1 to 5 shall be
maintained in the division and range offices. The details of the formats of
compartment history forms have been given in Appendix No. LXX of Volume II.
---000---
XXIX
m. Meter
Mm Millimeter
M3/m3 Cubic meter
M.A.I. Mean Annual Increment
M.P.C.A. Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas.
M.S.T.D.C. Maharashtra State Tribal Development
Corporation Ltd.,
M.S.L. Mean Sea Level
M.V.S.S. Maharashtra Van Sanshodhan Sanstha
N.F.A.P. National Forest Action Plan.
N.T.F.P. Non Timber Forest Produce
N.W.A.P. National Wildlife Action Plan
OWR Over Wood Removal
P.B. Periodic Block
P.C.C.F. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests
P.F. Protected Forests
P.P.O. Pre Planting Operations.
P.Y.O. Preliminary Year Operations
P.W.D. Public Works Department
R.F. Reserved Forests
R&FD Revenue & Forest Department
R.F.O. Range Forest Officer
Rs. Rupees
S.C.I. Selection-Cum-Improvement
S.M.C. Soil & Moisture Conservation
Sq. Square
Sq.km. Square Kilometer
Spp. Species
S.R.P. State Reserved Police
S.Y.O. Second Year Operations
Sr.No. Serial Number
T.C.M. Trench-Cum-Mound
T.Y.O. Third Year Operations
T.S.P. Tribal Sub-Plan
W.C. Working Circle
W.P. Working Plan
W.P.O. Working Plan Officer
Z.P. Zilla Parishad
IV th Y.O. Fourth Year Operations
Vth Y.O. Fifth Year Operations.
---000---
XXXI
D. CLIMBERS
E . PARASITES
F . EPIPHYTES
-----0000-----
XXXVI
A . ANIMALS
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
Tiger Panthera tigris
Panther Panthera pardus
Hyaena Hyaena hyaena
Wild dog Cuon alpinus
Wolf Canis lupus
Jackal Canis aureus
Fox Vulpes bengalensis
Jungle cat Felis chaus
Bison Bos gaurus
Sambar Cervus unicolor
Chital Axis axis
Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus
Wild boar Sus cristatus
Sloth bear Melursus ursinus
Barking deer Muntiacus muntjak
Common Langur Presbytis entellus
Flying squirrel Petaurista petaurista
Porcupine Hystrix indica
Hare Lepus ruficaudatus
B . BIRDS.
COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME
Painted sandgrouse Pterocles indicus
Common sandgrouse Pterocles exustus
Pea fowl Pavo cristatus
Grey jungle fowl Gallus sonneratii
Painted Partridge Francolinus pictus
Grey partridge Francolinus pondicerianus
Blackbreasted quail Couturnix coromandelicus
Red spour fowl Galloperdix spadicea
Crane Grus antigone
Spotted bill duck Anas poecillorhyncha
Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera
Dove Streptopelia spp.
Cotton teal Nettapus coromandelienus
Whistling teal Dendrocygna javanica
C . ENDANGERED WILDLIFE
Animals Birds
1 Bison 1 Pea Fowl
2 Wolf
3 Panther
4 Sloth Bear
5 Tiger
XXXVII
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XXXIX
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