Forest & Climate Change Department, Govt of Chhattisgarh, India

The geographical area of Chhattisgarh state is 1,35,191 square kilometers, which is 4.1 percent of the country’s area. Forest area of State approx 59,772 square kilometers, which is 44.21 percent of the state’s geographical area. Third rank in th the state’s geographical area. Third rank in the country In terms of forest covers. Chhattisgarh state extends 17 ° 46 ‘degrees, 24° 06′ degrees north latitude and 80 °15′ degrees, 84° 51’ degrees in the center of east longitude. There is four major river systems and there catchment area in the state, respectively, Mahanadi, Godavari, Narmada and wainganga. Mahanadi, Indravati, Hasdev, Sivanath, Arpa, Ib are major rivers in the state. Climate of the state mainly co-humid and the average annual rainfall is 1200 to 1500 mm. Forests of Chhattisgarh state divided into two major categories, namely Tropical Humid Deciduous forest and tropical dry Deciduous forest. The state’s two main tree species are sal (Shorea robusta) and teak (Tectona grandis). In addition, the Top Canopy species are bija (Pterocarpus marsupium), Saja (Terminalia tomentosa), Dhavdha (Anogeissus latifolia), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon). Mid-Canopy species are Anwala (Embilica officinalis), Karra (Cleistanthus collius) and bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) etc. There are various vegetation found in state and which are so important in terms of environmental balance, as well as they are the principal means of livelihood of forest-dwellers. Bio geologically Chhattisgarh state include in Deccan Bio region, and representatives of central India wildlife, such as tigers (Panthera tigris), the leopard (Panthera pardus), gaur (Bos gaurus), sambar (Cervus unicolor), chital (Axis axis), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and wild boar (Sus Scofa ). Rare wildlife such as forest buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and hill myna (Gracula religiosa) valuable asset of the state, respectively, which have been declared, state animal and state bird. Sal tree announced state tree. The state is full of mineral resources like, coal, iron, Boksait, lime, corundum, diamond, gold, tin etc. which are mainly found in forest area. About 50 percent of the villages lie within 5 km radius of forest, where the inhabitants are mainly tribal and economically backward whom Livelihoods depend on mainly on forests. In addition, a large number of non-tribal, landless AND economically disadvantaged communities are dependent on forests. Nearly 07 million man-days of forestry jobs are created annually. Forest villagers receive 2,000 crore from minor forest produce and other nistar facilities. Thus, forest is essential to sustainable and multipurpose development of state. In the year 1972, National Commission on Agriculture, in its report on “Production Forestry-Man Made Forests ”expressed concern over fast depletion of forests and recommended- To enhance productivity of the forests by adopting Intensive Forest Management Technique and plantation of species of higher economic value.