ENVIS Centre: Uttar Pradesh
Status of Environment and Related Issues

Source: Department of Planning, Uttar Pradesh (as per Annual Plan 2014-15) 

Forests play an important role in economic development and ecological stability. Forests provide numerous services such as environmental and ecological stability necessary for human sustenance. Forests are inevitable on earth for well being of mankind. They are not just the green cover we need to make the earth look beautiful; they have many functions integral for our survival and subsistence. They function as a resource for many aspects of human life.With the development of civilization, large areas have been cleared to make way for farm, mines, towns and roads. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State of India. Its northern part adjoins with Nepal & Shiwalik. The boundaries of Uttar Pradesh touch Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan in the West, Madhya Pradesh in the South and Bihar in the East. Geographically, Uttar Pradesh is surrounded with Shiwalik mountain range of Himalays in the North. The river Yamuna and the Vindhyan in the west and Gandak river in the east.

The State has typical variety of soil, which is arrvial deep brown, loamy in certain places, and mixed with sand. The soil is acidic, shallow and contains gravels and stones. The western plains have fertile soil. Down the Pilibhit, some parts of soil are acidic while rests contain alkaline properties.

Uttar Pradesh has forest and tree cover of 21720 sq. km, which is 9.01% of its geographical area. The existing flora in Uttar Pradesh can be classified into three categories-

• Wet tropical desiduous forests.
• Dry tropical desiduous forests.
• Tropical throny forests.

Forest  supply  many  products  like  wood,  plywood,  fuelwood  and charcoal. Pulp and paper are made from the cellulose of tree. Processed wood include plastics,  synthetic  fibres  like  rayon  and  nylon. Rubber  tree goes to make tyres and wide range of rubber goods. Fruits, nuts  and  species  are  gathered  from  the  forest.  Many  medicinal  plants   such   as   camphor,  cinchona  and  coca  also  come  from  forests.  They  provide  a  habitat  for  many  types  of  different   animals and nesting places for animals, which reproduce. Forests cool air temperature by release of water vapor into air. They helps in keeping environment healthy and beautiful.Wild life of the state is its cultural asset.They maintain ecological “balance of nature” and maintain food chain and nature cycle. Most important contribution of wildlife for human progress is availability of large genepool for scientists to carry breeding programmes in agriculture; animal husbandry and fishery. They also provide employment to a large population engaged in their protection, tending, harvesting and regeneration. Villages and tribal groups near any forest area depend on forests for almost all aspects of life. The produce of forests is often used for consumption by these local people.They help in soil and water conservation, promoting rural economy, which largely depends upon agriculture.

Forest and tree cover  

Area in Sq.Km.

Source: State forest report 2011, published by forest survey of India.

Position of Forestry and wildlife sector as compared to India   (Sq. km.)

State of Forest Report 2011, Published by Forest Survey of India.

National Afforestation Programme (FDA)

• In  order  to  ensure  people's  participation  in  afforestation  activity,  National  Afforestation Programme is being implemented through forest development agencies. In Uttar Pradesh, total 72 FDAs have  been  constituted  at  Forest  Division  level.  As  per  new  guid  lines  of  GOI,  State  Forest  Development  Agency,  Uttar  Pradesh  has been  constituted.  GOI  releases funds to SFDA for distribution to different  FDAs.  The  programme  is  being  implemented  through  Joint Forest Management Committees set up under joint forest management rules.
• Medicinal Plant Board
• At present 90% collection of medicinal plants from wild. Current practices of harvesting are unsustainable and unorganized. Systematic cultivation of many medicinal plants needs specific cultural practices and agronomical requirements. These should be species wise depending on soil, water and climatic conditions.  Conservation and development of medicinal plants makes a beginning in the following directions:-
• Maintenance of essential ecological process and live support system on which human survive and economic activity depend.
• Preservation of species and genetic diversity.
• With the rapid increase in population with the demand of raw material has increased many times while the sources remain the same or is declining. This has created a wide gap between supply and demand. This needs Ex-situ plantation of medicinal plants.
• National  Medicinal  Plants  board  department  of  Ministry  of Health  and  Family  Welfare,  Govt.  of  India  has been approved         Rs.  489.36  lakh  for  the  year  2009-10  to  2013-14.  Rs. 480.85  lakh has  been  released  by  National  Medicinal  Plant  Board to U.P.  for Jhansi,  Jalaun, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda, Chitrakoot, Renukoot,  Sonebhadra,  Obra,  Mirzapur,  Allahabad, Chandoli,   Gonda, Gorakhpur, Sohagibarwa, Baharaich, North Kheri, Pilibhit, Bijnore Social Forestry, Bijnore forest division (Najibabad) and Shiwalik (Saharanpur), Agra,Bareilly, Muradabad, SouthKheri, Shahjahanpur, Raibareilly and Rampur forest division of Uttar Pradesh.

National Bamboo Mission Project in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is situated towards North-East of the country. Total Geographical area of Uttar Pradesh is 2,40,920 Sq Km. Total area including tree and forest cover of the State is 21,720 Sq.Km., which amounts to 9.01% of the geographical area of Uttar Pradesh (According to state of forest report, 2011). In the Vindhyan and Bundelkhand region Bamboo Forests exists in mixed forms, covering an area of 1,40,000 ha which includes natural and planted bamboo and they are managed under  the provisions laid down in Bamboo Working Circle. There are vast possibilities to increase the area of Bamboo Forests. In Uttar Pradesh the National Bamboo Mission project implementation began in the year 2007-08. National Bamboo Mission has selected the following species which are suitable for planting in forest as well as non-forest areas of Uttar Pradesh. The species are :-

• Bambusa bambos
• Bambusa balcoa
• Dendrocalamus strictus
• Dendrocalamus hamiltonii
• Dendrocalamus asper
• Dendrocalamus gaigentious
• Bambusa nutans
• Bambusa tundla
• Bambusa vulgaris
• Melakana bessifera

Objectives

• Under the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India established National Bamboo Mission in December 2006. To achieve the goals of this mission the following objectives has been set by the National Bamboo Mission:-
• Improvement and Development of existing bamboo forests.
• Plantation of advanced species of bamboo in forest and non-forest areas.
• To establish the nurseries of bamboo in private sectors.
• To increase the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas, with suitable species to enhance yields.
• To promote marketing of bamboo and bamboo based products including handicrafts.
• To establish convergence and synergy among stakeholders for the development of bamboo.
• To improve economic level and generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled poor people especially unemployed youths.

Bamboo Project

• The Bamboo project is being implemented in the non- forest  as well as forest areas of 36 forests divisions of Uttar Pradesh.

Forest Policy and Strategy for increasing Forest and Tree cover:

 Forest Policy

• Basic objective of National Forest Policy-1988 is to maintain environmental stability, to check soil erosion and to increase forest/tree cover. National Forest Policy envisages 33% of the land to be brought under forest and tree cover. The forest and tree cover at national level at present is approximately 23.81% whereas for UP the same figure is 9.01. 
• As per guidelines of Govt. of India:

• It was proposed to increase forest and tree cover to 25% by year 2007 and 33% by 2012.
• This stupendous task could not be performed in the given time frame  beacause  of  a  number  of  limiting  factors.  However,   under the circumustance of pressing constraints it is proposed to increse forest and tree cover to 20% by 2019-20

Strategy of State for afforestation

• In order to accomplish the above mentioned target, the state is endeavoring for massive afforestation programme wherin people's participation is going to play a major role. The increase in tree and forest cover hinges at land availabilty in the state, which is as follows.

AVAILABILITY OF LAND FOR AFFORESTATION:

• Future Strategy for afforestation to the targeted limit would involve the following components.
• People are Envolvement for massive afforestation.
• Resource mobilization.
• Soil and moisture Conservation in forest area.
• Grassland management along with trees.
• Capacity building of staff.
• Strengthening of Forest Awareness Centre.
• Forest Certification and Sustainability.
• Forest Resource Survey.

In view of the land available for plantations in Uttar Pradesh increase in forest and tree cover can achieved upto 20% only.

Forestry Sector 

Strengths

• The natural forests of the state support flora and fauna and thus protect diverse forms of bio-diversity.
• Participatory approach has been followed in management of forests after the state accepted JFM as a tool of development. Department has well trained staff. Research and training institutes are established.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM) a joint venture of local communities in planting and Management of Forest Resources has been successfully carried out in Uttar Pradesh.

Constraints & Problems                                                                                               

• Lower priority sector owing to ignorance and negligence. Poverty, pollution & population pressure (human & animals). Widening demand & supply gap, market imperfection and subsistence level dependence of local communities on forest. Forests are very much affected by fire, encroachment and illicit felling. U.P. Forests are under intense biotic pressure due to increased population.

Wild-life Conservation

• One National Park and 24 Wild Life Sanctuaries are situated in the State of U.P. covering area of 5714 Sq. kms. The development of these protected areas is primarily done through the three Centrally Sponsored Schemes namely “Project Tiger”, Project Elephant” and “Integrated Development of  wild life Habitats.” For the conservation and development of wetlands “National Plan For Conservation of Aquetic Eco-System” is being implemented with financial support of Government of India”. The objectives of wildlife Conservation is protection of wild life and improvement of habitat.

Innovative Ideas 

Development of Green Belt in Every District

• This project is proposed to be implemented in 75 districts of the state with a view to inhance green belt in Uttar Pradesh in which 8-12 feet plant will be planted in every district and 3 to 4 sites will be developed as a Green Belt.

Conservation Bio-Diversity

• Conservation of biodiversity is related to biological resources and with the maintenance of ecological stability and productivity. Conservation involves number of parameters such as number of species, their population, dynamics, distribution, habitat and climate and microhabitat physical environment.

Public-Private Partnership

• The community participation has become a certainly for massive afforestation for which the involvement of people, creation sustainable institutions, awareness and the role if private Institutions/voluntary organizations is an essential component. This is an integral part of Forest Development Agency and some other schemes.
• Status of various nurseries estabileshed during 2012-13 upto  31-03-2013 is as under:

State Sponsored Scheme:

• Establishment of Lion Safari Park in Etawah district:  Lion Safari Park at Etawah is proposed to be established with a view to improve habitat for lion.
• Eco-tourism development in Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary, Kannauj  and  Nawabganj  Birds  Sanctuary, Unnao: Lakh Bahosi Bird   Sanctuary,   Kannauj   and   Nawabganj   Birds   Sanctuary,   Unnao are precious and important tourism place for eco-tourism point of view. Under this scheme, high profile utility and eco-friendly facilities would be created.
• Eco tourism development in Uttar Pradesh: Dudhwa National Park is a reputed and renowned park in Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh Government has proposed to develop high-class infrastructure by renovation and repairing work of roads and rest houses of Dudhwa National Park at Lakhimpur Kheri. This scheme will be unique in giving in new dimension and momentum to eco-tourism in Uttar Pradesh.
•  Renovation and improvement of Forest Rest House and Mini Zoo at Sarnath, Varanasi: Renovation work and improvement of Forest Rest House and Mini Zoo situated at Sarnath in Varanasi district will be done.
• Bio-Diversity Centre, Kukrail Forest Block, Lucknow: A Bio-Diversity Park is proposed to create awareness, passion and humanity towords Wildlife and vast diversity in Uttar Pradesh.

During-2013-14.

• Development of Taj Nature Walk:-Renovation of Taj Forest colony, Taj rest house, D.F.O. residence and other construction work would be done under this scheme.
• Modernisation of Kanpur Zoo & Establishment of new child train:-Establishement of child train and modernization works is being done in Kanpur Zoo at Kanpur.
• Modernisation of Lucknow Zoo & Establishment of new train in place of old child train:-Modernisation of Lucknow Zoo would be done under this scheme.
• Development of Green Belt in every district:-This scheme is being implemented in all district of Uttar Pradesh to enhaunce green areas in Uttar Pradesh.
• Management of Wildlife outside protected area:-Wildlife protection and development of its natural habit will be done to minimize wildlife and human conflict.
• Van Bandobast Yojna:-Survey and Demarcation activities are proposed under this scheme is proposed to be implemented in Agra, Firozabad, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda, Chitrakoot, Hardoi, Kheri, Unnau and Chandauli.
• Van Mahotsav & Prachar Prasar Yojna:-This scheme is being implemented in all districts of Uttar Pradesh. This will surely create a sensitvity and awareness towards wildlife.
• Nursery Management Plan for Development of 8'-12' feet  plants in Forest Nurseries:-In this scheme 8'-12' high plants are being prepared and maintain in forest nurseries for plantation in rainy season.
• Conservation of Wildlife at Amritpur/Raghupur, village at Etah  district:- 18.337 ha. area is proposed to be planted during 2013-14 to 2015-16.

Plantation scheme funded by G.O.I.

National Afforestation Programme

• National Afforestation Programme funded by Ministry of Environment and Forest, Govt. of India is being implemented through Forest Development Agency. The broad objectives of the scheme are as below:-
• Ecological restoration & Environmental Conservation and Eco-development.
• Fulfillment of broader objectivities of productivity, equity and sustainability for general need of the community.
• To provide regular employment to the poor people of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities.
• To create community assets for the development which can help in eco-development?
• To involve the village folk in planning & management of forest.

Other Schemes funded by GOI

• Intensification of Forest Management (GOI share 75% and State share 25%): This scheme is being implemented for intensive management of forests. The component of the scheme are:
• Forest fire control.
• Infrastructure development
• Working plan preparation.
• Project Tiger (GOI share non recurring 100%+recurring 50%, State share recurring 50%): This scheme is being implemented for the development of natural habitats of tiger in Uttar Pradesh. The important activities of the project are as below:
• Antipoaching initiatives.
• Strenghtening infrastructure with tiger reserves.
• Habitat improvement and water development.
• Addressing man-animal conflicts.
• Co-existence agenda in buffer/fringe areas with landscape approach.
• Project Elephant (GOI share 100%): This scheme is being implemented only for elephant reserve declared by Ministry of Forest and Environment, GOI. The financial support from GOI is for protection and conservation of natural habitat of elephant, control of wildlife offence, checking of man-wildanimal conflicts, creation of awarness among local people etc under the scheme.
• National Plan For Conservation of Aquatic Eco-System (GOI share 70%):This scheme is being implemented under the wet land conservation progrmme of Ministry of Forests and Environment, GOI. The main objective of this scheme is given as under:
• Protection of protected and non-protected wet land.
• Improvement of natural habitats.
• Treatment of catchment area.
• Participatory management and monitoring.
• Integrated Development of Wild Life Habitats (GOI share non recurring 100%+ recurring 50%, State share recurring 50%): This scheme is bing implemented for development and management of 24 bird sanctuaries and animal parks situated in Uttar Pradesh. Main objective of project is to conserve the wild life and improve the wildlife habitat.

Linkages and Co-ordination with other Sectors. 

Forestry and Industry

• The Industries has a linkage with the forestry as raw material for wood based industries are made available from existing forests and plantations of species of industrial importance.

Forestry and Agriculture/Horticulture

• By way of plantation and soil conservation measures the quality of land under the control of this department can be improved.

Forestry and Animal Husbandry

• At present, to feed the large number of cattle is a huge task. If the degraded forestland is put under fodder production, this will supplement the fodder production.

Forestry and Tourism

• The tourism department has a strong linkage with forestry and wild life parks, sanctuaries can be developed in the State in turn will boost the prospects of tourism.

Forestry and Irrigation: -

• The forestry activities especially the agro forestry can only be practiced when there is sufficient amount of irrigation facility. Thus there is a back ward linkage with irrigation department. Agro-forestry can be practices in these areas there is surety of irrigation.

Forestry and Gram Panchayats: -

• It is proposed to establish a nursery in each Gram Panchayats of all districts of U.P. So that requirements of plants for plantation be fulfilled from nearly Panchayats.

U.P. Forest Corporation

• Extraction of timber and minor forest produce is being done by U.P. Forest Corporation. Collection of Tendu leaves is one of the major activities of this corporation. Forest Corporation pays royalty for the forest produce extracted from the forest of the State Government.

U.P. Forest Corporation Progress upto 2012-13

Revenue collection

• Forests are conserved and developed for environmental conservation.  They  are  not  treated as main source of revenue generation.  Realization  of  royalty  from  U.P.  Forest  Corporation  and some  other  means  of  revenue  like,  transport  permit  etc.  generates revenue.  Revenue  from  all  sources  collected  during   IX   and   X Five year Plan is given below:-

  (Rs.in Lakh)

• Target and achievement of revenue collection for XIth Five Year Plan and target achievement and for 2012-13and 2013-14 are given below:-             

(Rs.in Lakh)

Uttar Pradesh Participatory Forest Management And Poverty Alleviation (Assisted By Japan Internation Co-operation Agency)

• Government of Uttar Pradesh has launched the Uttar Pradesh Participatory Forestry Management and Poverty Alleviation Project with the assistance from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) previously known as Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC).  The project period will be of 8 years (2008-09 to 2015-16) at an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 575.20 crores out of which JICA loan portion is Rs. 468.20 crores and rest Rs. 107.00 crores will be borne by the State Government.
• The project aims at the participatory rehabilitation of degraded forests and the enhancement of the livelihood of the local people. Its basic objectives are to restore forests and to augment forest resources, secure sustainable forest management by improving forest administration, community organization and active participation of forest dependent communities. It also aims to improve the income of target forest dependents thereby alleviating poverty.
• The project  is being implemented in fourteen districts of U.P. namely Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Pilibhit, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Sonabhadra, Allahabad, Lalitpur, Mahoba, Hamirupur, Jhansi, Balrampur, Shrawasti and Chitrakoot embracing fifteen territorial forest divisions (Renukoot, Obra, Sonabhadra, Mirzapur, Allahabad, Lalitpur, Mahoba, Jhansi, Hamirpur, Chitrakoot, North Kheri, South Kheri, Bahraich, Shrawasti and Pilibhit) and five Wild Life Divisions (Dudhwa, Katarniaghat, Sohelwa, Kashi and Kaimur).
•  The  most  notable  intervention  under  the  project  is for restoration  of  degraded  forests  along  with  enhancement  of  income  of the  people  living  close  to  such  forests.  The  basic  approach  shall  be the  adoption  of  Joint  Forest  Management  (JFM)  and  Eco-Development   (ED),   emphasis   on   non-wood  forest  produce  (NWFP), community development  and livelihood  security  enhancement,  capacity    building    and   ensuring   sustainability.   The   Total    Forest Intervention area in departmental mode and the Joint Forest Management mode under the project are 20200 ha and 60300 ha respectively. Activities like fixing boundary pillars, drainage line treatment, renovation of 118 permanent nurseries, establishment of two units of clonal nursery and two units of Non Wood Forest Produce Research Centres are also provided.
•  Unlike conventional forestry projects, the species to be planted will be decided by Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) based on their requirements which will stress upon NWFP (non wood forest produce) and fodder grasses with minimum emphasis on timber species because the forest dependents (mostly the poor) can benefit directly from the extraction, consumption and marketing of these NWFPs Most project activities will be implemented by JFMCs and Eco Development Committees (EDCs). These JFMCs and EDCs are constituted under Joint Forest Management Rules 2002 and Eco-Development guidelines 1999 respectively. The area of intervention in Joint Forest Management mode will be in Village Forest declared under Joint Forest management Rules 2002.  With the technical support of the Experts and Foresters, JFMCs and EDCs will formulate micro plans which will be incorporated in the plan of the Project. The work will be entrusted to the JFMCs and EDCs and the project cost will be paid to them for the execution of the works.
• In order to ensure successful implementation, the Project lays special emphasis on Capacity Building of the participating communities through thematic trainings, exposure visits and various institution building programmes. Training for all staff members of 56 partner NGO teams, members of 800 JFMCs and 140 EDCs and members of 2680 Self Help Groups (SHG) is provided.
• The livelihood enhancement activities proposed in the project are aimed towards training of rural persons/village level workers to increase their skill which in turn will lead to enhanced income. These activities include medical health care camps, promotion of indigenous social medical practitioners, development of peer health group, development of village agricultural extension officer, development of village masons for better housing, promotion of micro insurance, extension of school buildings /construction of JFMC/EDC office buildings, improvement of link road, promotion of biogas and improved stove, promotion of Solar lamp and installation of drinking water facilities.
• It also incorporates strong awareness campaign about environment and forests for the children in schools under ‘Children Forest Programme’ which will contribute to the conservation of forests and environment in the long run by encouraging the involvement of school children in plantation activities and by educating the students through environment related awareness programmes. This programme is to be implemented in Noida and Greater Noida, Lucknow, Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur and Agra districts. A total number of six hundred and fifty schools are estimated to be covered under it.
• For effective planning, implementation and monitoring of this project the Project Management Unit has been constituted at State headquarter as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act 1860. At the field level Divisional Management Units and Field Management Units have been constituted at Forest Division and Range level, respectively. These are responsible for the implementation of the project in the field for which money will be allotted to them by the Project Management Unit. 

Source: FSI Report 2015

District-wise Forest Cover (As per 2013-14 Assessment)

(Area in km 2)

District-wise Forest Cover (As per 2011 Assessment)

(Area in km 2)