. The Conservation Atlas of Tropical Forests: Asia and the Pacific. India. Senlinel 'Duncan Passage ^K\Little 1^ lAndaman kittle Andaman \ 24°N 22°N Ten Degree Ch anne 1 n C}carNicobar o C7 CO nlerressa Katchall ^ Tillanchong I. 'Camorta Namowry â 3 Little Nicobari Great Nicobar, I Little 10°N 8°N Nicobar Mount Thullier Great Nicobar^ Great Ctiannel 94°E 98°E 1^°! have caused a widespread decline in forest quality. The environmen- tal advantages of enforcing non-destructive timber extraction tech- niques and maintaining a substantial forest resource base are recognised by the Indian aut
. The Conservation Atlas of Tropical Forests: Asia and the Pacific. India. Senlinel 'Duncan Passage ^K\Little 1^ lAndaman kittle Andaman \ 24°N 22°N Ten Degree Ch anne 1 n C}carNicobar o C7 CO nlerressa Katchall ^ Tillanchong I. 'Camorta Namowry â 3 Little Nicobari Great Nicobar, I Little 10°N 8°N Nicobar Mount Thullier Great Nicobar^ Great Ctiannel 94°E 98°E 1^°! have caused a widespread decline in forest quality. The environmen- tal advantages of enforcing non-destructive timber extraction tech- niques and maintaining a substantial forest resource base are recognised by the Indian authorities, but in many cases inadequate control and short-term economic considerations have superseded the application of sound ecological principles. This insensitive forest destruction has caused a reduction in species diversity. Harvesting of fuelwood is an important factor in deforestation. India produces thirteen times as much fuelwood as sawlogs (FAO, 1990) and fuelwood is an important source of energy for Indian rural households, which make up 75 per cent of the population. Although some villagers have been granted the right to take fallen material from certain forests for their domestic requirements, a far larger quantity is illegally removed by way of lopping and cutting of small trees. With growing population pressure, there is an increasing gap between supply and demand, and there can be no doubt of the serious impact this demand is making on forests. In 1975-6, 183 million cu. m of firewood were consumed in mainland India, while the sustain- able level of production was estimated to be less than 41 million cu. m per annum (FSI 1987). Over the last few years the firewood cut has far exceeded the prescribed silvicultural limit. Current requirement for fuelwood is running at about 240 million cu. m per year, 199 million cu. m above the sustainable yield. The situation is aggravated by industrial wood requirements that are over twice as high as the si
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