Notification

No. ........

The Ministry of Environment & Forests has been deeply concerned about the Sal borer attack in the forests of Madhya Pradesh and is constantly monitoring the situation. Minister for Environment & Forests took stock of the situation on 14-1-98 and ascertained the views of the members who have been associated in the various study groups appointed by the Central and the State Governments. It was felt that a wider appreciation of the problem and the solution adopted by the Government of Madhya Pradesh are required to test the efficacy as also severity of the large scale tree fellings in the affected areas.

2. Accordingly, to deal with the situation more effectively as also to remove public apprehension, the Government of India, hereby, constitute the following committees.

(A) Constitution of Task Force on Sal borer attack

A task force is constituted with the following members:

1. Dr.Ram Prasad, Director IIFM Bhopal - Member
2. Dr. Ranjit Singh, WWF-India, New Delhi - Member
3. Shri A.P.Dwivedi, Addl.PCCF(Research&Extension) M.P - Member
4. Shri V.R.Khare, Addl.PCCF(Development), MP - Member
5. Prof.J.S.Singh, Ecologist Department of Botany Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Member
6. Prof.K.N.Mehrotra, Entomologist IARI New Delhi - Member
7. Dr.H.R.Khan, Forest Entomologist FRI Dehra Dun - Member
8. Dr.K.C.Joshi, Forest Entomologist TFRI Jabalpur - Member
9. Dr.R.S.Bhandari, Forest Entomologist FRI Dehra Dun - Member
10. Dr.R.Ravindran, Scientist, Centre for Ecological Science Indian Institute of Science Banglore - Member
11. Shri P.K.Sen, Director Project Tiger MOEF, New Delhi - Member
12. Shri Valmik Thaper - Member
13. Shri Rajesh Gopal, Director Kanha National Park M.P. - Member
14. Shri R.B.Lal, Director TFRI Jabalpur - Convenor

The members at Sl.No.11 to 13 would constitute a separate sub group on Wildlife in the special task force to specifically look into the implication of problem of Sal borer attack in the Kanha National Park and buffer zone areas and the wildlife corridors and would visit the Kanha National park and other protected areas to examine the impact of Sal borer attack from the point of view of wild life, specially to assess the impact of epidemic in protected areas and bio-diversity. They would submit their report directly to the Ministry along with a copy to the Chairman Steering Committee and in no case later than 15 days from issue of this notification.

The terms of reference for the task force are as follows:

1. To determine the causes of the present epidemic and, the extent of damage.

2. To examine the previous records of such epidemics, if any, extent of damage, and the efficacy of theremedial measures adopted.

3. To examine the impact and the necessity or otherwise of felling of borer affected Sal trees with respect to management plan prescriptions.

4. To examine status of natural regeneration with special reference to the areas where felling was carried out in 1996 amd 1997.

5. To suggest appropriate control measures taking into account the expertise available including indigenous knowledge of Tribals and other communities and recommend long-term preventive measures.

The task force would immediately attend to TOR(3) regarding felling and disposal of borer affected trees and report on management/control in identification and disposal of fund and infected wood derived. It should submit its report within 15 days to the ministry. On other items of TOR, the task force should submit its report subsequently but not later than one month.

(B) Constitution of a Steering Committee on Sal borer

A steering committee is hereby constituted to review the entire situation relating to the Sal borer attack and monitor it periodically for a period of one year.

Constitution of the Steering Committee:

1. Dr.B.N. Gupta, DG ICFRE Dehra Dun - Chairman
2. Shri Samar Singh, Secretary-General, WWF India - Member
3. Shri C.S. Chadha, Principal Secretary Forests, MP - Member
4. Shri S.C. Dey, Addl. IGF ( Retd), - Member
5. Shri A.P. Dwivedi, Addl.PCCF(Research&Extension) M.P - Member
6. Dr.K.S.S. Nair, Director ICFRI Peechi Kerala - Member
7. Shri A.N. Chaturvedi, Retd.CCF U.P. - Member
8. Dr.K.P. Tiwari, Director SFRI Jabalpur - Member
9. Shri V.B. Sawarkar, Senior Scientist, Wild Life Instt.Dehra Dun - Member
10. Dr.R.S. Bhandari, Forest Entomologist, FRI Dehra Dun - Member
11. Prof. R. Gadagkar, Chairman, Centre for Ecological Science, IISC, Banglore - Member
12. Shri Suresh Chand, CF RCCF Bhopal - Member-Secretary

The reports of the task force would be the starting point for the work of the Steering Committee. The Committee would suggest appropriate guidelines on ecological and management aspects to prevent and control such epidemics. The Steering Committee would also visit other Sal forests for a comprehensive review of the situation.

The Task Force shall start work.

This issues with the approval of Minister for Environment & Forests, Government of India.

To

Copy to:

1. All Members of Steering Committee and Task Force

2. Chief Secretary, Govt.of M.P. Bhopal

3. Principal Secretary, Forest Deptt. Govt.of M.P. Bhopal.

4. PCCF, Govt. of M.P. Bhopal

Copy also to:

1. PS to MEF

2. PPS to Secretary(E&F)/IGF & SS

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