Forest is one of the richest natural resources of Sikkim. With luxuriant forest abounding in all part of state, Forestry has been the major land use in the State and 82.31% of the total geographical area of the State is under the administrative control of the State Forest Department. The total forest and tree cover of the State as per the latest India State of Forest Report 2019 is 3378.49 sq. km (47.61% of the total geographical area of the state). The composition ranges from tropical Dry Deciduous Forests with Sal and its associates in the valleys of Teesta and Rangit to the Alpine Scrub and grassland in high altitude.
Note: In the State of Sikkim about 44 % of total geographical area is under Alpine pasture & scrub and under perpetual snow cover. Hence, in these areas, it would not be possible to bring the tree cover. The area considered for the tree cover may therefore be excluding these areas.
Forest Management
a. Strengthening of Territorial Sector: Forrest Management and Protection are the dual functions of this sector. The Government has addressed these vital issues in recent years than ever before in politically sensitive way. A motivated field staff, sound legal enactment, efficient & effective transport and communication, accommodation facilities, self-defense and uniforms, etc. are some of the pre-requisites to accomplish the effective management and protection.
The State Government has brought about vital amendments in the present Sikkim Forest Water Courses and Road Reserve (Preservation and Protection) Act,1988 (Amendment 2000) to make the specified clause more stringent and harsh in enforcement. Offences such as illegal felling of trees, encroachment and grazing in the Reserve Forest have been made non-bailable. Other important initiatives, measures and actions taken are as follows:
b. Intensification of Management & Protection: The overall management of forest land and forestry resources have been intensified by better patrolling, effective forest check posts, check on illegal extraction and transit of forest produce, reporting and recording of all forests offences and other information in Head quarter control room and Division control rooms, registration of forest cases, check on leakage of forest revenue and better communication system.
But, still many more things needs to be done at field forest staff at Forest Guard Level, More Wireless systems, Patrolling vehicles for Ranges, Arms & Ammunition, Office & residential buildings, renovation and up gradation of many existing buildings, Fixed TD/ DA to non-Gazette field staff, Ration allowance to non-Gazette field staff, better facilities in High Altitude and difficult area are required to be considered for further strengthening the system.
c. Forest Fire Management: A forest fire management policy has been developed in State for the first time to enable the government to focus on fire prevention aspects and to coordinate efforts by various agencies towards this important function. The policy integrates modern firefighting approaches with community based firefighting strategies and is devised to preserve the unique biodiversity of the forests of the State especially those of the lower altitudes. The policy provides for zoning of the forests on the basis of their vulnerability, assessed ecological impacts and intrinsic value so that different treatments can be meted out to the different zones.
d. Grazing control: The Government has imposed a ban on grazing within the Reserve Forest, Plantation areas and Water sources areas with a view to encourage regeneration of forest resources, augment rural water supplies and develop degraded lands. The beneficial effects of this policy are already manifested in the form of improved supplies of water in the villages bordering the Forest areas, regeneration of degraded forest land and enhancement if overall natural resources status. A number of Gots have been removed and the cattle have been impounded & fined along with the wide publicity & awareness.
d. Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC’s) & FDA: The policy of the Government to decentralize powers and functions to the grassroots levels has also been extended to the territorial and wildlife sectors. The Government has adopted the participatory approach to forest protection, management and development. It has taken up formation of Joint Forest Management Committees / Eco-Development Committees at the village-level which comprises of all the villagers who wish to participate in the forest management, development and protection functions of the forests that are located in the vicinity of their villages. So far 155 JFMC’s (Under four territorial FDAs) have been registered all over the State and the work of JFMC constitution in the villages not yet covered. At the district level all the JFMC’s have together been formed into a confederation called the Forest Development Agency (FDA). The JFMC’s will be entrusted with the task of afforestation and protection of the natural resources of their area and they will be implementing the National Afforestation Programme through the four FDAs in the Tenth Plan period. More than 10000 hectares of land will be developed over the Plan period through this Scheme.
e. Infrastructure Development (Buildings): The Government has been developing infrastructural facilities for the Forest, Environment & Wildlife management staff with Central as well as State assistance in order to modernize its management and protection functions. At Gangtok Transit Hostel, Repair of road, quarter has been completed. Divisional Forest Officer quarters/office(4), Assistant Conservator of Forest quarters(4), RO quarters(6), BO quarters(12), FG quarters(30) and Check posts(3) have been completed during the period 2002-03-04.
f. Infrastructure Development (Wireless Communication & Arms/ Ammunition): The wireless communication has been strengthened further. Almost State-wide Wireless Networking has been achieved except a few locations like Lachen, Lachung, Lingmoo and a few other areas which are likely to be covered in the next year. Static sets, handsets mobile sets have been provided to all the field level functionaries for effective communication. In keeping with the requirements of modern policing functions of forest areas the Government has also inducted arms / ammunition to the field level staff. Arms /ammunition have been provided to selected stations. There is need to procure more which may be done in the current year. Arms training was done at SAP headquarter, Pangthang. At present total (W/T): Repeater sets-5 no, Static sets-43 no, Handsets-73 nos. along with accessories, Total (Arms): .22 Rifle -25 nos.315 Rifle- 6nos. and 9mm auto Pistol -9 no along with ammunition.
g. Infrastructure Development (Computerization): Computerizations of important forestry functions have been initiated. Computers have been provided to all the divisions. There is need to provide computer in selected Ranges also. Fax machines have also been provided to all divisions.
h. Survey & Demarcation: The government proposes to take up survey and demarcation of forest areas during the Tenth Plan in order to consolidate the forest resources of the State. In the area Survey and Demarcation of the forest land have been initiated in the systematic manner. The forest areas in Sikkim in the first half of the 20th century had been surveyed and demarcated into Reserves, Khasmal and Gorucharan forests. The forest boundaries then had been demarcated by erecting loose stone mounds. These have subsequently vanished due to the burgeoning population leading to sizable forest area encroachment. In order to determine the exact extent of encroachment resurvey was required. Subsequently to establish the forest boundaries and evict the encroachers resurvey & demarcation by erecting new iron post pillars had commenced from 2001. In the initial phase 72 kms of the forest boundaries was surveyed & demarcated by erecting 223 iron pillar posts at a cost of Rs.8.53 lakhs. However while surveying & demarcating 72 kms, three pillars per km was found insufficient to distinctly demarcate the state’s forest boundaries due to the difficult and undulating terrain spread over remote hilly areas. Hence after obtaining the necessary approval for erecting ten pillars per km, the resurvey & demarcation activities commenced from 2003 wherein108 kms of the forest boundaries were surveyed and demarcated during 2003-04 at an expenditure of Rs.24.90 lakhs. Thus 180 kms of the boundaries have been surveyed and demarcated with 1306 no of iron pillar posts till date. All the forest boundaries so demarcated till date are of RFs. The spillover of 32 kms at Rs.7.32 lakhs are being undertaken during the CFY i.e. 2004-05. However due to the late receipt of the sanction letter for 2003-04 and the change in funding pattern from 100%CSS to 75%:25%; the original target of surveying & demarcating 700 kms of forest boundaries are being taken up in the current year.
i. Transport & Other Facilities: Patrolling vehicle with wireless communication system has been provided to all the four Territorial divisions. There is need to have the more patrolling vehicles in sensitive selected ranges like Lachen, Lachung, Singtam, Namthang, Melli, Nayabazar and one in Gangtok for control room
Note: In the State of Sikkim about 44 % of total geographical area is under Alpine pasture & scrub and under perpetual snow cover. Hence, in these areas, it would not be possible to bring the tree cover. The area considered for the tree cover may therefore be excluding these areas.
Forest Management
a. Strengthening of Territorial Sector: Forrest Management and Protection are the dual functions of this sector. The Government has addressed these vital issues in recent years than ever before in politically sensitive way. A motivated field staff, sound legal enactment, efficient & effective transport and communication, accommodation facilities, self-defense and uniforms, etc. are some of the pre-requisites to accomplish the effective management and protection.
The State Government has brought about vital amendments in the present Sikkim Forest Water Courses and Road Reserve (Preservation and Protection) Act,1988 (Amendment 2000) to make the specified clause more stringent and harsh in enforcement. Offences such as illegal felling of trees, encroachment and grazing in the Reserve Forest have been made non-bailable. Other important initiatives, measures and actions taken are as follows:
b. Intensification of Management & Protection: The overall management of forest land and forestry resources have been intensified by better patrolling, effective forest check posts, check on illegal extraction and transit of forest produce, reporting and recording of all forests offences and other information in Head quarter control room and Division control rooms, registration of forest cases, check on leakage of forest revenue and better communication system.
But, still many more things needs to be done at field forest staff at Forest Guard Level, More Wireless systems, Patrolling vehicles for Ranges, Arms & Ammunition, Office & residential buildings, renovation and up gradation of many existing buildings, Fixed TD/ DA to non-Gazette field staff, Ration allowance to non-Gazette field staff, better facilities in High Altitude and difficult area are required to be considered for further strengthening the system.
c. Forest Fire Management: A forest fire management policy has been developed in State for the first time to enable the government to focus on fire prevention aspects and to coordinate efforts by various agencies towards this important function. The policy integrates modern firefighting approaches with community based firefighting strategies and is devised to preserve the unique biodiversity of the forests of the State especially those of the lower altitudes. The policy provides for zoning of the forests on the basis of their vulnerability, assessed ecological impacts and intrinsic value so that different treatments can be meted out to the different zones.
d. Grazing control: The Government has imposed a ban on grazing within the Reserve Forest, Plantation areas and Water sources areas with a view to encourage regeneration of forest resources, augment rural water supplies and develop degraded lands. The beneficial effects of this policy are already manifested in the form of improved supplies of water in the villages bordering the Forest areas, regeneration of degraded forest land and enhancement if overall natural resources status. A number of Gots have been removed and the cattle have been impounded & fined along with the wide publicity & awareness.
d. Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC’s) & FDA: The policy of the Government to decentralize powers and functions to the grassroots levels has also been extended to the territorial and wildlife sectors. The Government has adopted the participatory approach to forest protection, management and development. It has taken up formation of Joint Forest Management Committees / Eco-Development Committees at the village-level which comprises of all the villagers who wish to participate in the forest management, development and protection functions of the forests that are located in the vicinity of their villages. So far 155 JFMC’s (Under four territorial FDAs) have been registered all over the State and the work of JFMC constitution in the villages not yet covered. At the district level all the JFMC’s have together been formed into a confederation called the Forest Development Agency (FDA). The JFMC’s will be entrusted with the task of afforestation and protection of the natural resources of their area and they will be implementing the National Afforestation Programme through the four FDAs in the Tenth Plan period. More than 10000 hectares of land will be developed over the Plan period through this Scheme.
e. Infrastructure Development (Buildings): The Government has been developing infrastructural facilities for the Forest, Environment & Wildlife management staff with Central as well as State assistance in order to modernize its management and protection functions. At Gangtok Transit Hostel, Repair of road, quarter has been completed. Divisional Forest Officer quarters/office(4), Assistant Conservator of Forest quarters(4), RO quarters(6), BO quarters(12), FG quarters(30) and Check posts(3) have been completed during the period 2002-03-04.
f. Infrastructure Development (Wireless Communication & Arms/ Ammunition): The wireless communication has been strengthened further. Almost State-wide Wireless Networking has been achieved except a few locations like Lachen, Lachung, Lingmoo and a few other areas which are likely to be covered in the next year. Static sets, handsets mobile sets have been provided to all the field level functionaries for effective communication. In keeping with the requirements of modern policing functions of forest areas the Government has also inducted arms / ammunition to the field level staff. Arms /ammunition have been provided to selected stations. There is need to procure more which may be done in the current year. Arms training was done at SAP headquarter, Pangthang. At present total (W/T): Repeater sets-5 no, Static sets-43 no, Handsets-73 nos. along with accessories, Total (Arms): .22 Rifle -25 nos.315 Rifle- 6nos. and 9mm auto Pistol -9 no along with ammunition.
g. Infrastructure Development (Computerization): Computerizations of important forestry functions have been initiated. Computers have been provided to all the divisions. There is need to provide computer in selected Ranges also. Fax machines have also been provided to all divisions.
h. Survey & Demarcation: The government proposes to take up survey and demarcation of forest areas during the Tenth Plan in order to consolidate the forest resources of the State. In the area Survey and Demarcation of the forest land have been initiated in the systematic manner. The forest areas in Sikkim in the first half of the 20th century had been surveyed and demarcated into Reserves, Khasmal and Gorucharan forests. The forest boundaries then had been demarcated by erecting loose stone mounds. These have subsequently vanished due to the burgeoning population leading to sizable forest area encroachment. In order to determine the exact extent of encroachment resurvey was required. Subsequently to establish the forest boundaries and evict the encroachers resurvey & demarcation by erecting new iron post pillars had commenced from 2001. In the initial phase 72 kms of the forest boundaries was surveyed & demarcated by erecting 223 iron pillar posts at a cost of Rs.8.53 lakhs. However while surveying & demarcating 72 kms, three pillars per km was found insufficient to distinctly demarcate the state’s forest boundaries due to the difficult and undulating terrain spread over remote hilly areas. Hence after obtaining the necessary approval for erecting ten pillars per km, the resurvey & demarcation activities commenced from 2003 wherein108 kms of the forest boundaries were surveyed and demarcated during 2003-04 at an expenditure of Rs.24.90 lakhs. Thus 180 kms of the boundaries have been surveyed and demarcated with 1306 no of iron pillar posts till date. All the forest boundaries so demarcated till date are of RFs. The spillover of 32 kms at Rs.7.32 lakhs are being undertaken during the CFY i.e. 2004-05. However due to the late receipt of the sanction letter for 2003-04 and the change in funding pattern from 100%CSS to 75%:25%; the original target of surveying & demarcating 700 kms of forest boundaries are being taken up in the current year.
i. Transport & Other Facilities: Patrolling vehicle with wireless communication system has been provided to all the four Territorial divisions. There is need to have the more patrolling vehicles in sensitive selected ranges like Lachen, Lachung, Singtam, Namthang, Melli, Nayabazar and one in Gangtok for control room