basic info:- West Bengal appears to be primarily composed of plain land,but it contains himalayan & tarai region in north & sea level area in south of sunderban.Maximum and minimum temperatures vary between 30-44 degree centigrades and 4-12 degree centigrades respectively, according to the locations of different zones. Likewise, annual rainfall is higher in the northern districts, about 400-532 cms, with 132 rainy days or more annually, while, in the western districts of the state, the rainfall may be 110-160 cms, with 70 or less days of rainfall per year.West Bengal is known for its riverine systems, the major ones being, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Subarnarekha systems.
Forest Resources :-
The forests of West Bengal could be classified under seven categories, such as Tropical Semi-Evergreen, Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous, Littoral and Swampy, Sub-Tropical Hill Forest, Eastern Himalayan Wet Temperate, and Alpine forest. Official report says that 13.4% of the total geographical area of West Bengal, is under forest cover, but the overall vegetative cover now stands at 19.4% of the total land area, Whereas requirement is 25%.
reserved forest :-nearly 60%
Protected Forests :-32%
The district of South 24 Parganas with Sundarbans, has highest forest area (4263 sq kms).The state has shown an accountable increase in forest area but in some specific areas it is declining.
Of the total consumption of fuelwood :-
Rural Area:-93%
Urban area:-7%
PROTECTION OF FOREST:-
A concept of participatory management of forest emerged in West Bengal in 1970s at Arabari in Medinipur district. The formation of forest protection committees were formalised through an order of Govt. of West Bengal in 1989.
Strict laws should be implemented for forest protection.
the duty of the “forst department” shouldn’t ended after plantation of some trees during the “banomahatsyab” week. The trees should be cared as soon as they are not grown enough.It has been seen that 95% of the tree planted during the “tree plantation week” are facing a dark future.
campaign & other meeting should be taken as mandatory by the panchayets for generating consciousness among the general people. Leasing of forest should be done with due care
The schools can play a vital role to maintain the greenery around their areas with the help of their students.
the govt can plant trees in the “khas” areas owned by them,this will generate income as well as improve environmentory situation.Some special schemes can be taken for this that will also give some temporary employment.
Govt. with the help of the local peoples can plant trees in both siders of every roads.
OVERALL THE BAD SITUATION WILL NOT BE CHANGED IF ALL PEOPLE THINK THAT IT IS THE HEADECHE OF ONLY THE GOVERNMENT,NOT OF US.
reference:-WB govt reports & some executive summary of govt etc
