This document summarizes a presentation on management issues in Sal and Teak forests. It discusses the current status and distribution of Sal and Teak forests across different Indian states. It identifies issues such as lack of regeneration, over-reliance on coppicing, reduced growing stock, and invasive species as threats to the longevity of Sal and Teak forests. The document also discusses the impacts of climate change, mining activities, and infrastructure projects on India's forests and proposes techniques for assisted regeneration, reclamation planning, and tree transplantation to help conserve forest resources.

1. Welcome to the Presentation on
Management Issues in Sal & Teak Forests
By
Ravindra Nath Saxena
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests &
Managing Director,
MP State Forest Development Corporation Limited,
Madhya Pradesh

2. Forest Cover of India
(S.F.R., 2013 of Forest Survey of India)
Mineral rich areas
of coal and coal bed
methane (CBM).
Also inhabit large tribal
Population – Issues of
FRA

3. Stratum wise Estimated Growing Stock of of Sal & Teak
forests in different States
S. No. States Teak Sal
1. Andhra Pradesh 19603 -
2. Assam - 17848
3. Bihar (including
Jharkhand)
- 68970
4. Gujarat 36174 -
5. Haryana - 699
6. Karnataka 22810 -
7. Kerala 1000 -
8. Madhya Pradesh
(including CG)
122644 141706
9. Maharashtra 110308 520
10. Manipur - 260
In 000 cubic meters

4. S. No. States Teak Sal
11. Meghalaya 640 6148
12. Orissa 902 149509
13. Rajasthan 337 -
14. Sikkim - 413
15. Tamilnadu 315 -
16. Tripura 1402 832
17. Uttar Pradesh (including UA) 2561 124383
18. West Bengal 1302 4171
19. Dadra & Nagar Haveli 549 -
Regeneration, senescence, repeated coppicing,
fragmentation, porosity and juxtaposition are serious
issues for longevity of Sal & Teak species
in the country

5. Barrier Analysis to Sustainable Survival of Sal (Shorea robusta)
and Teak (Tectona grandis) forests
• Over reliance on analysis based on satellite imageries.
• Crop assessment based on single parameter of “forest area” grossly
inadequate, other crucial parameters are – distribution of other
mesophytic species, distribution of stems in different girth classes,
status of regeneration of dominant species, biodiversity indexes,
status of invasive species, fragmentation, porosity, juxtaposition
effect on crop, susceptibility of crop to diseases, grazing incidence…
• Un-scientific reduction in “selection girth” leading to reduced
availability of mature trees; serious adverse impact on seed
producing capability. Sal seed not available for regeneration.
• Over-reliance on “coppicing of Sal & Teak”, trees and stumps are
drying due to senescence and reduced vitality & stump vigor.
• Heavy removal in contravention of working plan prescriptions and
the orders dated 22.09.2000 & 24.11.2000 of the Hon’ble Supreme
Court. As a consequence “growing stock” reduced upto 40% in 20-25
years. Serious concern over longevity of Sal & Teak forest crop.

6. Biodiversity Vulnerable Grids of India (marked red) in the A1B
scenario – for India - 2035 and 2085
(Based on ICFRE studies)
Climate Change and Biodiversity
Vegetational changes projected by 2021-2050 and 2071-2100

7. Red indicates that a change in vegetation is projected at that grid in the
time-period of 2021-2050 and 2071-2100 (under A1B scenario). Green
indicates that no change in vegetation is projected by that period.
Climate Change and Forests
Vegetational changes projected by 2021-2050 and 2071-2100
Based on computer simulation models of National Remote Sensing Agency & ICFRE

8. PROJECTED IMPACT OF
CLIMATE CHANGE ON
FORESTED GRIDS IN
INDIA A2 SCENARIO
Source:Chaturvedietal.,2011
39% of the forest grids
likely change under A2
scenario by 2085
causing loss of C stock
and biodiversity
1 = stable grids
2=forest grids
undergoing
change

9. Impact of Climate Change on Forest Biomes
Distribution of Forest Biomes
in 1975
Projected distribution of Forest
Biomes in 2085

10. Limitations of Satellite Imaging in India
 Species composition cannot be determined.
 Forests stand composition cannot be determined –
Every forest stand is having a different “Different
Reflectance Signature” (Hyper Spectral Signature,
256 spectral signatures being used in USA, but not
being used in India).
 Mostly satellite imageries of October /
November is used in India – thus seasonal and
phenological occurrence is very
importance because “Chlorophyll Reflectance
Index” is related to – total rainfall, rainfall
distribution, temperature pattern, long and
intermittent rainfall season is likely to interfere in
canopy density determination.

11.  Coppice composition in the canopy cannot be
assessed. However 2 new interpretation
techniques have been developed:
A. Natural Vegetation Differential Index (NVDI).
B. Leaf Area Index (LAI)
But certainly conclusion cannot be inferred whether
these 2 canopy assessment techniques have
been used in satellite maps of FSI.
 Site Quality Assessment could not be possible
earlier. Recently LIDAR (Laser Detection And
Range) has been developed for height assessment.
Sensitive height assessment tool i.e. can measure
10 cms changes. But IRS-C data is not having
compatibility with LIDAR. Serious drawback as
canopy height from the ground is concerned.

12. Forest type distribution and extent
simulated by IBIS for the baseline case
and A1B (2035 and 2085) scenarios. (VT –
refers to Vegetation Types. The numbers
refer to the following vegetation types
1: Tropical evergreen forest / woodland,
2: Tropical deciduous forest / woodland,
3. Temperate evergreen broadleaf forest /
woodland,
4: Temperate evergreen conifer forest /
woodland,
5: Temperate deciduous forest /
woodland,
6: Boreal evergreen forest / woodland, 7:
boreal deciduous forest / woodland, 8:
mixed forest / woodland,
9: Savanna,
10: Grassland/ steppe,
11: Dense shrubland,
12: Open shrubland,
13: Tundra,
14: Desert,
15. Polar desert / rock / ice)

13. NPP distribution (kgC/m2/year) simulated by IBIS for baseline and A1B scenarios
Impact of CC on Net
Primary
Productivity (NPP)
Current NPP –
835 g C/m3
A2
GHG scenario –
doubling of
NPP predicted
B2
GHG scenario -
73% NPP
increase
predicted
NPP Increase in
all the forest
grids projected
due to CO2
fertilisation
effect

14. Degradation & opening of Sal forests
 Sal forests are now open, crown density reduced to 0.4
or less, degraded, suffering from soil erosion.
 Absence of regeneration, no seedlings or saplings.
 Sal crop is only consisting of pre-selection girth
classes. Death of Sal forests is certain after achieving
senescence.
 Virtually no control over grazing. No Class-I Protected
Area in the administration.

15. Soil erosion in Sal forests
 Due to senescence in Sal crop, it is desirable to
promote associate species.
 Conserve Sal seed by rotational closure or collection or
blanket ban to promote regeneration.
 Demarcate & monitor “Sal Borer Plots” for disease
surveillance. Sporadic attack still continuing.

16. Analysis of Crop Assessment

17. Phoenix sylvestris and P. acualis infestation in Sal forests

18. Analysis of Crop Assessment – Phoenix Infestation
 Large scale crop dried and died after Phoenix sylvestris
infestation in Nagri & Sihawa (Dhamtari district, CG) and
Narharpur, Keskal, Korar, Pharasgaon Ranges (Kanker &
Kondagaon district, CG) in 1980s.
 Sal Regeneration absent except Kanha National Park, MP.
 “Sal seed collection”, huge threat to Sal regeneration.
 Critically small “germination period” of 7 days. Monsoon is
shifting to July and August. Genetic incompatibility.

19. Invasive species in Sal forests, CG - 1
 Invasive species of Opuntia and Cactaii observed in
Korba and Surguja districts of C.G. These species
were not found about 30 years ago.
 These invasive species signify drying of Sal forests.
 Serious “genetic erosion” observed in Sal crop.

20. Effect of opening of canopy in Sal forest
Encroachments are opening canopy in Sal forest, leading to
drying of forest floor and consequently invasion by invasive
species – making Sal seed germination and
regeneration impossible.

21. Invasive species in Sal forests, M.P.
Calotropis procera, C. gigantia, Argemone maxicana, one more
species of Argemone genus observed recently.

22. Invasive species in Sal forests, M.P.
 Invasive species of Ocimum grandisimum (new
invasive species) observed in Mandla, Dindori,
Shahdol and Umaria districts. These species were
not present about 30 years ago.
 Signifying drying of Sal forests.
Solidification of forest floor and baking due to recurrent forest
forest fires biggest hurdle in Sal seed
germination & regeneration

23. Dried Sal Forests

24. Dried Sal Forests

25. Assessing Stem Condition in Timber Depot

26. Assessing Stem Condition in Timber Depot

27. Impact of Sal Borer & consequent heavy
mortality in crop - 1
Caused by larvae of Haplocerambyx spinicornis, Order
Coleoptera. Insecticide or fumigation not possible since
infestation is caused in Monsoon.

28. Impact of Sal Borer & consequent heavy
mortality in crop
Promote “Biological Control” or increase proportion of
associate species to reduce vulnerability of “Pure Sal” crop.
Root cause of Sal Borere attack – Removal of associate
species of Sal and consequent creation of monolith Sal stands,
poluculture Sal less susceptible to Sal Borer attack.

29. Drying of Sal forests in underground mining areas
Sal forests are drying due to moisture stress developing
in underground coal mine operations.
Compartment RF 830, Beat Karkatti Compartment RF 825, Beat Sironcha
(South Shahdol Division, MP)

30. Trees and other vegetation are drying & dying within
10 years of underground mining – study may be
carried-out to establish truth.
Compartment RF 825, Beat Sironcha Compartment RF 830, Beat Karkatti
Urgent action required for appropriate decision

31. Sal Regeneration Technique to be adopted on
Technically reclaimed sites and degarded sites
• Protection against biotic interference.
• Deep soil working upto 45 cms depth.
• Collection of winged Sal seed and direct sowing of five
kilogram seeds per ha.
• Monitoring of germination of Sal seeds and
maintaining soil moisture regime if monsoon is
delayed. The soil moisture regime shall be maintained
with the use of geo-textiles, if required.
• Humus enrichment by farm yard manure / sewage
sludge.
• Standardise Sal Nursery and plantation technique for
wide spread application.
Commendable effort of Sh. JP Sharma, IFS, APCCF, MP.
Article published in Indian Forester, 2004.

32. Assisted Sal Regeneration
Forest School, Distt. Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh

33. Assisted Sal Regeneration
Site Ambikapur Nursury, Distt. Surguja, Chhattisgarh. Sal Crop raised in 1984-85

34. Sal Plantation
Rajgamar Plantation,
CG Forest Department,
Korba Range,
Korba Division,
Chhattisgarh
Chotia Mine,
Prakash Industries
Hasdeo- Arand Coalfield,
Distt. Korba,
Chhattisgarh
Urgently develop “techniques for Sal plantations”

35. Typical Teak forests in the country
Site quality degrading very fast, soil fertility going down,
depleting moisture regime

36. Typical Teak forests in the country
 Economic value fast declining.
 Re-assess site quality of these Teak forests.
 Root-Shoot planting technique is required to be
replaced by Pre-sprout or poly-pot.
 No reduction in “selection girth” below 120cms gbh

37. Effect of repetitive coppicing in Teak crop
Stump vigor seriously declined due to repetitive coppicing

38. Effect of repetitive coppicing in Teak crop

39. Serious Phoenix sylvestris infestation in Teak
plantations in Mixed forests

40. Serious attack of Teak Powdery Mildew on
Teak Crop

41. Serious attack of Teak Leaf Skeltonizer and
Teak Leaf Defoliator in Teak crop

42. Serious attack of Teak Leaf Skeltonizer and
Teak Leaf Defoliator in Teak crop

43. Teak logs exhibiting signs of senescence
and fire damage

44. Teak logs exhibiting signs of senescence
and fire damage

45. Gall formation and un-sustainable resin
exploitation in associate species
Sterculia urens Boswellia serrata Butea monosperma

46. Miscellaneous Observations
• Differentiate forest area into protected areas,
biodiversity zones, Nistar forests and production
forest. Define management objectives.
• Sal and Teak “Yield Tables” prepared in 1950s and
1960s. High time to revise growth parameters,
because it is leading to over fellings.
• Attention on “coupe control forms” to regulate yield
in right perspective.
• About 2,87,767sq.kms degraded forest area
available, require Rs. 20,00,000 Crores. Cannot
mobilise resource, provide this degraded forest land
on lease to plantation industry,

47. • High time to give-up “economic rotation” and
gradually adapt “carbon rotation” in forest
management.
• Demarcate “Disease Surveillance Plots”.
• Revive Preservation Ploys, Seed Orchards, Yield
Plots; also demarcate Ecosystem Services Plots.
• Develop protocol for “Tree Transplantation” to
conserve genetic resource. Unnecessarily trees are
being felled.
• Promote plantation of associate species of Sal. Also
promote large scale plantation of Bamboo species.
• Monitor status of “invasive species”.
Miscellaneous Observations

48. Thanks for your kind Attention

49. Status of mining & infra-structure projects in the
Central India
• Minerals available except petroleum.
• 584 coal blocks, 17 CBM blocks (all in Sal
forests, area more then 600 sq.kms.)
• Resisting forest area diversion is impossible –
develop “Mitigation Planning Techniques”.

50. Topographic Map exhibiting opening of opencast mine and
sequential reclamation planning – active mining area at a
given time is just 400ha in a mine of 2300ha. extent

51. Angle of Repose & Staggering in Reclamation Planning
Contouring of outer OBD Angle of Repose

52. Reclamation Planning & Use of geo-textile along with
Acacia auriculiformis, Stylosanthus scabra

53. Big John Tree Transplanter
Develop “Protocol for Tree Transplantation” – urgent need

54. Obtain photographs before starting work & after completion of operations

58. Provide geo-references and details of micro / milli-watersheds,
install stone masonry boards for display