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The
Forest means any land so regarded as per Indian Forest Act, 1927.
Scientific forestry in India started long before the enactment of this
Act. Systematic works had been done for the management of the forests.
Due to increase in population and scientific development in the field of
industries and agriculture, the demand of land has increased and in turn
pressure on forest land increased too. Physically, land is limited but
human needs are unlimited hence, conflict is inevitable. This conflict
is a prelude to the concept of people’s participation in Forest
Management. The concept & implementation is different from the
traditional way of Forest Management. The secular forestry is the middle
path between traditional way of forest management and participatory
Forest Management. Although there is no term like secular forestry, but
to put my idea I have chosen the word “Secular Forestry”. There had
been a long subtle fight and debate between traditional and
non-traditional forestry in the minds of many. This is a causal level
fight. In the astral realm, both the warring thoughts are engaged in a
long neither winning nor losing game. The term “Secular forestry” in
not related to any of the existing religions of present day world.
The forestry education in India has got long glorious history. Tradition
is still fully alive and vibrant. It is moving towards its climax rather
than to catharsis. It is the Law of Nature that light has always a
shadow with it, like two faces of a coin which can not be separated.
This fact is as true as the truth. At the National level forestry
Institutions, traditional forestry is taught religiously. The training
in forestry is imparted some what like a Gurukul
system,
although there is no recitation of hymns of Rig
Veda or Sam Gaan. The
fresh new recruits to this services are imparted training in Indias traditional Forestry including participatory forest
management. The norms, traditions as taught during early age, are
generally retained as long lasting memories which is termed as Samskar
in religious texts. This Samskars are retained always at the back of
mind and generally act as a guide while executing forestry activities.
The samskars are a good thing, but to attain salvation or moksha; one
has to get rid off all the samskars; be it good or bad. The ultimate aim
of life and creation is to tune itself to the infinity, to become one
with cosmic consciousness. At the cosmic consciousness duality is
dissolved. But, it is very difficult to shed off all the acquired
samskars. The concept of people’s oriented forestry, traditional
forestry management etc. are the samkars for the foresters.
Secularism generally means coexistence of various religions, traditions,
customs, faith and principles in perfect harmony with no interference.
Some times the traditions practiced in an orthodox manner, reach to an
unreasonable level and become ridiculous in its manifestation. The same
thing has happened to forestry management too. We stick to the rules and
guidelines to an unreasonable level. We start working as mere follower
of the guidelines and theories. One becomes conservative in one’s
approach. Sometimes we put forward logic for the sake of only logic. The
conservative and orthodox people are generally called as communal (in a
wider sense).
Now, question comes that who are secular foresters. The readymade answer
is the foresters who are working for the benefit of the people and who
help in the developmental process. This logic is true to some extent but
not in its entirely. The logic is given that forest is necessary for
oxygen, water, clean air, timber, fibre, food, fodder etc. If the forest
is destroyed then there would be floods,
desertification, siltation of reservoirs, lowering down of water
table, lots of pollution, global warming etc. etc. These points are now
taught in all the schools and debated at various levels. Every body
shows their concern in their drawing room chat. This is the favourite
topic for intellectual discussion. Let us term it as secular adhyatma.
In the modern scientific society one of the adhyatmic topic is
Environment. During this type of modern adhyatmic discussions, the
traditional foresters are treated, as an object of laughing stock, they
are ridiculed by these thinkers. For a thinker it is essential to know
the matter and subject with intricate details. One has to go into depth
and understand all the elements (Tatwa) of the matter. One has to
discover the truth after great contemplation, only then, realization
will come, and this state of mind is called enlightened state. The
Enlightened ones only possess wisdom (the third eye or divyadristhi).
This is the matter of true experience and self realization. By only
reading voluminous books, Articles, data etc. one can not achieve
enlightenment and vision (to see future vividly). These Enlightened ones
are thinkers who can guide people from darkness to light. Unfortunately
such thinkers are usually rare in the society. The real thinkers can
think on forestry matter without attachment. Because, attachment to any
thing, any subject, any principle, any idea may poison the thinking
process, leading to wrong inference or a state of hallucination, may
become a fanatic.
It is probably true that the survival of forest is necessary for the
survival of human beings of this planet. No doubt, civilization has
developed after removal of forests. But it is never said that forest is
harmful for civilization, rather civilization flourishes in the vicinity
of forests. Therefore both civilization and forest has to live side by
side mutually, symbiotically and in a perfect dynamic harmony. And to
achieve it, the path is “secular forestry”.
You live and let others live here too. Others mean all kinds of
creatures, creation of Mother Nature. If you love the creation of Mother
Nature, Mother Nature may love you. If you hurt the creations of Mother
Nature, she will feel hurt. Please do not hate the creation of Nature,
try to love it. Spread the message of love. This love has great healing
power. It will bring happiness and prosperity to all. Love for the
nature and its creation is the essence of secular forestry. |
