Human society is development-oriented. In this development –driven world, two categories of people exist: people who enjoy the development and those who suffer its consequences.
The path that forests economic development and at the same time protects its environment is a sustainable one. The one that does not is heading for unsustainable destruction.
Any development program that is destructive towards the environment has t face legal problems and opposition from the public. These objections initially come from those living in the immediately vicinity of the area being enveloped. However, since the effects of environmental problems are not limited to the local area, the district, or even the country, the protests eventually become worldwide. For example, earlier the outlived ships from the developed world were sent to the ship breaking industry in t e developing world. But those affected by this activity are joining together under organization like Green peace to protest and stop the polluting ship breaking activity. Thus, any environmental damage in any part of the world is now opposed by the as a whole.
In an attempt catch people young, environmental awareness is being created even at the school and collage levels. These programs are being encouraged not only by the governments, but also by the non- governmental organizations. Students
Who are environmentally aware should use their knowledge not only to pass exams in the subject, but work towards bringing about a change in the attitudes of people and help protect the environment. This can begin with an awareness movement to popularize careful use of natural resources.
Social forestry in Andhra Pradesh
Tribal people have a great affinity towards forests. Through they live off the forest produce; their relation hip with forests is suitable and healthy.
In our state, 7000 vana samrakshana samithis with the participation of the local people have been started in the districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Mahabubnagar, Warangal, Khammam, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagar, Srikakulam, Kadapa, Nellore and Chittor. Half of them have been formed by women. The VSS decides how to use, protect and develop the forest area. It also carries out income –generating activities like collecting honey from the forests or leaves to make leaf-plats. They also grow grass (fodder) outside the forest area o prevent cattle herds from entering it and to conserve the soil moisture. These efforts have helped reserved forests survive, people in the neighborhood areas are partners in VSS.
People can work wonders
In kondamallipudi of Poderu Agency of Andhra Pradesh, on area of 167 hectares of decayed forests has been turned into a healthy one by the local vana samrakshana samiti. Trees and plants that were lost such as the Nallamalla, nallajeedi and thane have begun to sprout again.
In Eastern Ghats, tribal people from Malabodduvaru have protected 250 hectares of forest land planting such trees as the tamarind, custard apple, gooseberry and bamboo. The eighteen families living here are able to earn an average of Rupees 6000 a year from this program. Tribal people in Ganga Raju Madugula in Visakhapatnam have given up shifting slash and burn agriculture and built check-dams and planted trees. They are also growing the herbs they need for their traditional medicines.
In Jagatyala of Karimnagar district, the VSS has refused entry to cattle herders. They have allotted a separate piece of land for pastures were they are growing fodder for the animals. Those who supply information about smuggling timber from the forests are given 25% of the value of the catch. The VSS in Nallapalli of Medak district has built 23 water recharge tanks and canals and has increased the groundwater by 1.92 cubic meters. Now the area and its environs are green with trees.
The tribal people living near the forests in a few more areas are forming VSS to replicate the good results already seen in other areas.