The article highlights the historical and cultural significance of forests in India. It also explores the significance of trees forests and wildlife in maintaining ecological balance and supporting human well-being. It discusses their exploitation during British rule and covers the post-independence conservation efforts. Prime Minister Modi’s tree-planting campaign emphasises community involvement in restoring forest cover. This restoration is crucial for ecological balance. This balance is important amidst challenges like urbanisation and environmental degradation.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article emphasizes the significance of trees, forests, and wildlife in Indian culture and environmental balance.
- Prime Minister Modi’s campaign, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’ encourages tree planting as a tribute to mothers.
- Historical exploitation of forests during British rule shifted perceptions towards economic value, disrupting traditional harmony.
- Post-independence policies include the National Forest Policy, aiming for better forest conservation and community involvement.
- Despite ongoing challenges like urbanization, collective efforts and initiatives are essential for restoring and preserving forest cover.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign, “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (One tree in the name of mother). He planted a “Peepal” (Ficus religiosa) tree in Buddha Jayanti Park, New Delhi. Calling upon people the world over, he wrote on X, “…call upon everyone, in India and around the world, to plant a tree in the coming days as a tribute to your mother…”. He urged people to plant trees for the broader welfare of society and the whole world. Afterwards, UP CM Yogi Adityanath Ji initiated a grand plantation program, “Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan 2024”. He announced a grand plantation drive with a target of planting 36.51 crores of saplings in Uttar Pradesh. It underlines the significance of trees forests, and wildlife
Forests In Ancient India
India has been the land of Sages and Ascetics. Sitting in the lap of nature amidst deep forests, they contemplated and philosophised on various aspects of life. Indian culture, tradition, and ethos revolved around forests, wildlife and trees. They played a vital role in human lives, sans their commercial exploitation.
(a) Trees Were Respected
Sagacious primogeniture would set up their hermitages in deep forests. They used to meditate, carry out spiritual rituals and Yagya. Education was imparted to seekers in “Gurukul” (An ancient version of boarding schools). Underlining the significance of trees, forests and wildlife, people respected trees and equated them with the Supreme soul, “Brahma”. Thus, worship of trees was common, and even in modern times, it is still observed.
(b) Harmony between Forests and People
The religious affiliations protected and nurtured trees, forests, and appurtenances. Antediluvian Indian civilisations and cultures emphasised the importance of forests and trees along with their components, including wildlife. Indian society and its ethos attach great importance to trees. For the people, trees were not only living beings but also God. There has been a harmony between humans and the natural world of forests since ancient times. Anchorites in the deep woods would meditate on philosophical thoughts. They wrote “Aranyakas” in the solitude of deep forests and are a priceless treatise.
Forests During the British Period
Till the arrival of the British East India Company, life remained in harmony with nature. This harmony lasted until the British rule clinched for about two centuries. With the advancement of time, though, the thinking tilted more towards the economic and commercial value of forests.
(a) Forests As A Source Of Wealth
The British perceived great potential in forests as wealth. With this primary aim in mind, they focused on maximising resource extraction. They began institutionalising the country’s forests to achieve this. The significance of trees, forests and wildlife was ignored. A department was established in Bombay (now Mumbai), with a post of Conservator of Forests. The Forest Act of 1865 was enacted. The Act was further amended in 1878 to categorise forests as “Reserve Forest.” Before that, the forests had been classified as Reserve Forest and Unclassified Forest. While the former was limited to the government, the latter was open to the masses.
(b) Restrictions and Exploitation
The restrictions compartmentalised the forests and forbade access by the people. It aimed to stop the local population from exercising their rights, which became their “privilege”. For centuries, forests were people’s nourishers, but thenceforth, they were prohibited for people. It was the point in time when the exploitation of forests and their resources started. Forests were not a living entity but an object of consumption. With this mindset, the primordial jungles of the country were ruthlessly cleared for timber to be exported to England.
Forests After Independence
Post-independence, the Government of India promulgated a policy in 1956 on forests. This policy recognised the importance of people’s necessities, ecology, and the environment. Free India recognised the significance of trees, forests and wildlife. The Forest Policy of 1956, nevertheless, did not meet the aspirations to conserve and restore them. Thus, the National Forest Policy 1988 replaced it.
(a) Forest cover
The new forest policy underlined that 33% of the geographical area should be under tree or forest cover. According to the norm, one-third of the plains and two-thirds of the hill area need forest/tree cover. As of now, the total forest cover in India is 7,15,342.61 square kilometres (2024). Considering the total geographical area of the country as 32,87,263 square kilometres, the total forest cover in India is 21.76%, much less than the fixed norms, despite an increase in forest cover from 2019 to 2021. (Data source Geography Host)
(b)Forests in Uttar Pradesh
Parallel to it, Uttar Pradesh has about 2,41,000 square kilometres of geographical area. It should have about eighty thousand square kilometres of forest cover. Nevertheless, the forest cover in the state is a mere 15,045.80 square kilometres, which is 6.24%, much less than Bihar, which has 8% forest cover. It is a serious cause of concern. Sincere work to stop forest destruction is essential to mitigate the loss and grow new ones.
Despite a not-so-satisfactory situation, the growth of forest cover in states/UTs like Lakshadweep, Manipur, Tripura, Goa et cetera is heartening.
Vicious Cycle
There are many causes of receding forest cover. The most important one is increasing demand due to a constantly swelling population. Indiscriminate urbanisation leads to a craving for housing needs. This, along with the necessary infrastructure for a civic society, causes agricultural land to recede. The decreasing agricultural land causes encroachment of forests, and it dangerously pushes the forest cover further.
Thus, it leads to habitat destruction. It results in the loss of edible grass for herbivores. Herbivores are the staple food for carnivores. This forces wild animals to venture out of the forests, giving rise to avoidable man and animal conflicts. The vicious cycle causes loss of human life and property. It is also dangerous for the survival of wildlife. Human-wildlife conflict has been discussed in detail in yet another thought-provoking article.
Apart from obvious causes, the illicit felling of trees is a catalyst. Poaching of vulnerable wild animals further fuels this. Driven by cupidity, such actions lead to the wiping out of forest covers and loss of ecology.
Forests are Vital
Forests are vital in keeping the water cycle running. They help to hold and recharge groundwater. They also optimally run the weather cycle. Additionally, they effectively help in carbon sequestration as they are also effective carbon sinks. Clearing Forests affects it all. A disturbed weather cycle is the manifestation of receding tree cover. Our ancestors had the scientific foresight. Thus, forests, wildlife and trees became part of Indian culture. The significance of trees, forests and wildlife is thus self-evident.
The weather is becoming harsh. During the past summer, the temperature increased sharply. It touched fifty degrees Celsius in some areas of the country. The increasing incidences of cloud bursts are causing widespread loss of life and property. Harsh weather conditions and the pluvial deluge are the obvious fallouts of receding forest cover. This has also resulted in a colossal loss of life and property. Tree felling has many severe side effects, too. Besides ruthlessly killing a mute but friendly creature, it destroys the local ecosystem dependent upon that tree or those trees. Nature has a self-healing capacity to recuperate the loss. Yet, the rapid pace of Holocene destruction gives scant time for repair and replenishment. Human contribution thus becomes necessary.
Photograph by Author
Forests and Human Beings
The relationship of human beings with forests, wildlife and trees is organic and primordial. The fringe villages around a forest take many advantages from them. Fuel wood, fodder and minor forest produce are the source of income and sustenance for the village folks.
Banning the use of forests would cut off the roots of many villagers. This disconnection from forests would cause difficulties for them. Realising it, a renowned ecologist, Ajit Kumar Banerjee, developed the concept of JFM (Joint Forest Management). This became a big success and was later implemented pan-India. JFM has elevated the status of locals to “co-owners” of the forests, giving them more rights. The locals are no longer “trespassers” and “thieves”. This has underlined the need for people’s participation.
In urban areas, open spaces are scanty, and houses are getting smaller. Row houses do not allow space to plant trees around. It makes community plantation programmes imperative. The community plantation gives a sense of attachment to each participating individual. They feel connected with the planted trees. They happily take the onus for care and maintenance.
A Necessary Evil
Various developmental works need tree felling. No development, though, is greater than the loss of green cover. Trees and forests create a well-knit ecosystem, which is necessary for life and survival. Development eases our lives, but eco-balance is equally essential. Hence, development and eco-balance need to go hand in hand. A sapling needs years to become a full-grown tree. Thus, emphasis should be on not felling the trees. Keeping the vital aspects in mind, the DPR and engineering drawings need to be prepared suitably.
(a) Compensatory Afforestation
To meet the loss of tree cover, Compensatory Afforestation is an effective tool. Still, the process sometimes becomes entangled in a bureaucratic labyrinth and delayed on some pretext. The law requires planting an equal number of trees elsewhere. This is necessary if a forest land is permitted to be used for non-forestry purposes. It compensates for the forest loss and can be done on some other patch of land. To speed up the process, the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) was established. The main object of the Authority was to manage the funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016. CAMPA has been operational since 2018. It has a broad mandate for Afforestation, Reforestation, and the conservation of forests. It manages funds allocated for these purposes and assists States in executing these tasks.
Is Green Cover Improving?
Steps to increase green cover have been taken up in large projects through compensatory afforestation. Apart from it, general plantation drives contribute their fair share to increasing green cover. Awareness drives have sensitised people. Municipal Corporations and Development Authorities are taking initiatives at the local level.
Extensive plantations have created large green areas. They act as a green lung. A few of them are developed as parks for the recreation of people. Others resemble open forests. These efforts impact the mindset and people’s interest in planting trees. The goal is to increase and conserve verdure cover. People’s participation is necessary for a program to succeed. Active participation of the public in plantation and awareness drives is crucial. As a result, it contributes to planting and post-plantation care for saplings until they grow into trees. It needs an honest effort, not a mere show. Plantation is not an event. It is a collective and genuine effort to restore the planet we call our home – Earth.
Important Thing to Remember
Needless to say, trees and their protection are cornerstones of balanced life. People planting in urban community areas need to be careful. They must make sure that no superficial or flippant organisation usurps the noble cause for their gaudy show. The deafening self-centred din by a few needs to be discouraged. Forests, wildlife and trees are our heritage and culture. They constitute our environment. We must, thus, pass forests, wildlife and trees to our children in a better condition. than we received from our forefathers. This is for the advantage of our children and grandchildren.
Please also read yet another article written by the author. Please visit by clicking HERE. Your views matter a lot. Please comment in the comments section and give your fair opinion.
Photograph by Author
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1200–1500 or more words regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling meet.
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