Bihar: Environment, Climate change and Disaster management-II

Forest Resources

• The forests play a key role in maintaining ecological stability, providing habitat to wildlife and biodiversity, regulating climate and hydrological cycles. They affect various aspects of human and animal life.
• In their productive role, forests provide a variety of products such as timber, firewood, and fodder, which are beneficial to humanity. They offer natural resources such as soil, water, and vegetation in their protective role; besides providing opportunities for recreation.
• Share of Forestry and Logging in Agriculture GSDP (2015-16 to 2019-20)
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• Forestry and logging contributed to nearly 1.2 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in Bihar, growing at a rate of 6.9 percent per annum during 2015-16 to 2019-20. However, its share in Agricultural GSDP averaged around 7.9 percent in the last five years.
  • Within agriculture and allied sector, the contribution of forestry and logging stood at 8.2 percent of the Agriculture GSDP in 2019-20, increasing from 7.2 percent in 2015-16.
• Revenue and Expenditure of the Department:
  • The Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has a designated forestry budget to meet the set goals of conservation and restoration of forest resources and its products.
  • There has been a continuous increase in the revenue of the Department from Rs. 17.52 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. 24.13 crore in 2018-19, before showing a slight decline in 2019-20 to Rs. 20.3 crore. During 2015-16 to 2019-20, the Department’s revenue grew at a rate of 4.32 percent per annum.
  • In case of overall expenditure, an increasing trend can be seen since 2017-18. The expenditure increased from Rs. 286.76 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. 692.13 crore in 2019-20, registering a growth rate of 19.69 percent per annum.
    • Bulk of this increase is due to the rise in plan expenditure from 223.75 crore in 2018-19 to Rs. 560.5 crore in 2019-20.
    • The non-plan expenditure increased from Rs. 106.88 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. 131.62 crore in 2019-20, recording an annual growth of 5.6 percent.
• Forest Cover:
  • In Bihar, the district of West Champaran in the Terai region of northern plains constitutes the moist deciduous forest while the southern districts of Bihar such as Rohtas, Aurangabad, Kaimur, Jamui, Munger, Banka and Gaya occupy the rich deciduous natural sal forests.
  • As renewable resources, forest cover provides a wide range of ecosystem services which have implications for altering climatic conditions.
  • The forest cover includes all tree patches with a crown density of more than 10 percent, covering an area of 1 hectare or more without any binding to its legal status.
  • As of 2018-19, the recorded forest cover in the state is around 7306 sq. km, accounting for about 7.76 percent of the state’s geographical area which includes the natural forests in 12 districts and other tree- dominated vegetation that qualify as forests.
  • The forest cover has increased considerably from 5720 sq. kms. in 2000-01 to 7306 sq. kms. in 2018-19. This notable increase has been possible due to the afforestation efforts of the State Government.
  • In 2019, among all the districts, the highest forest cover was recorded in Kaimur at 1056.4 sq. kms, accounting for nearly 31.4 percent of its total district area, while the lowest was in Jehanabad, with no forest cover.
    • The districts of Kaimur (1056.4 sq. km), West Champaran (904.7 sq. km), Rohtas (672.3 sq. lcm), Jamui (648 sq. km), and Gaya (590.3 sq. krn) together accounted for 53.0 percent of the total forest cover in the state during 2019.
  • In terms of the forest canopy density, denser forests were found in the southern districts of Bihar relative to their northern counterpart. The largest very dense forest, which has a crown density cover over 70 percent, was found in West Champaran (249.2 sq. km), accounting for 27.5 percent of its total forest cover.
  • In case of open forest, constituting a crown density cover of 10 to 40 percent, Kaimur was the leading district, accounting for 531.3 sq. kms. (14.4 percent of total forest cover under open forest).
• Area under Different Types of Forest:
  • The trends in area under different types of forests for the period 201 1- 2019.
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  • Based on the forest canopy density, the forests are classified as —
    • Very Dense Forest (VDF) having a crown density of more than 70 percent,
    • Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) with a crown density between 40 and 70 percent, and
    • Open Forest (OF) with a crown density of 10 to 40 percent.
  • The largest amount of forest area was under the open forest at 3693 square kilometres in 2019-20, which has been gradually expanding since 2011-12.
    • Nearly half of the forest area is under open forests whose crown density covers an area of 10 to 40 percent.
  • There has been a substantial increase in the area under Very Dense Forests from 231 square kilometres in 2011-12 to 333 square kilometres in 2019-20. The area under Very Dense Forests constituting crown density cover area of more than 70 percent occupied about 4.6 percent of the total area under forests in Bihar in 2019-20.
  • Realising the short timeframe to combat the effects of global warming and climate change, the State Government is committed to increase forest cover and sustainable management of forest products.
    • Efforts are being made to not only improve the forest cover, but also their quality by carrying out forest growth-promoting and regeneration activities through the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission.
• Carbon Stock:
  • There is a global interest to enhance carbon stocks to minimize the effects of increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere of the earth, leading to global warming.
  • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that deforestation, degradation of forests, and burning of fossil fuels contribute to the greenhouse gas emissions. A significant way to minimize these effects is to increase the green cover to regulate surface temperatures and balance the climate system.
  • In this context, enhancing carbon stock becomes crucial as they absorb the atmospheric carbon dioxide and assimilate into biomass. Forests are an important reservoir and source of carbon.
  • As per the Good Practices Guidance (GPG) for Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry (2003) of the IPCC, the total carbon stock in the forests is divided in five pools to include above ground mass (tree trunk, branches, leaves, climbers, shrubs), below ground mass (root system), deadwood, litter, and soil organic carbon (SOC).
  • The living portion of biomass carbon is categorized in two pools, the above ground biomass and below ground biomass.
  • The FAO’s report on the Global Forest Resource Assessment Report (2015) suggests that the world’s forests store the maximum carbon stock in soil organic carbon, and in both above and below ground biomass. The SOC constitutes organic carbon in mineral and organic soils to a specific depth.
  • Bihar has a forest carbon stock of 55.24 million tonnes in 2019. In fact, the State Government is making efforts to grow more tress in the farmland to enrich the soil organic matter. The composition of the forest carbon stock in different pools in 2019:
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    • Overall, the forest carbon stock in soil organic carbon in 2019 stood at 33.93 million tonnes, which is higher than the previous estimate of 28.86 million tonnes for 2017.
    • The increase in the content of soil organic carbon is noteworthy for its benefit in enhancing the water-holding capacity of the soil. The highest contribution to carbon stock came from soil organic carbon (SOC) at 46.4 tonnes per hectare, accounting for 61.4 percent of the total forest carbon stock of Bihar.
    • This was followed by the carbon above ground biomass at 20.54 tonnes per hectare, constituting about 27.2 percent of the total forest carbon stock in Bihar.
    • The dead organic matter consisting of the pool of deadwood and litter constituted a carbon stock of 0.17 tonnes per hectare and 1.02 tonnes per hectare, respectively, accounting for 0.2 percent and 1.4 percent of the total carbon stock in Bihar.
• Forest Fire:
  • The occurrence of forest fires can dampen the ongoing efforts towards protecting the forest wealth and the biodiversity.
  • Climate change induces higher occurrence and intensity of forest fires, leading to degradation, increased soil erosion, loss of forest produce, and increasing spread of weeds which damage the forest ecosystem.
  • The possible fire-prone forest areas in the state, as per the estimates of the India State of Forest Report, 2019:
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    • Bihar constitutes a total of 7.15 percent of total forest cover as very highly prone to forest fires.
  • The division-wise forest fire incidents and burnt area in Bihar for the period 2011-12 to 2019-20 are given in Table 13.8. Chart 13.5 presents the trends in incidence of forest fires and affected forest area during 2011-12 to 2019-20.
  • A total of 423 instances of forest fires were detected in Bihar, accounting for a loss of forest area of about 425.34 hectares in 2019-20. (In 2018-19, there were 524 incidents)
    • In last decade, the largest burnt area was reported during the year 2013-14 (956.3 hectares).
    • Over the last 9 years, Valmiki Tiger Reserve(VTR) -1 forest division recorded the highest number of forest fire incidents at 1617, followed by VTR-2 forest division (761).
    • The lowest number of forest fire incidents was reported from the divisions of Aurangabad (1), followed by Nawada (11), and Nalanda (21).
  • The occurrence of forest fires has led to disruption of the standing rabi crops in the state. Since forests are a major source of livelihood for many poor people in Bihar, any damage through forest fires or degradation will have a direct bearing on their income.
  • Therefore, the State Government is taking suitable rehabilitation measures to help the vulnerable people in the forest fire-affected areas.
  • An advisory was issued by the Bihar State Disaster Management Department (BSDMD) to the villagers to cook during the feeble winds in the mornings to prevent the spread of forest fires in the state.
• Diversion of Forest Area:
  • The diversion of forest land to other purposes is necessitated by the need to cater to the growing demands of the population and urbanization. A number of proposals for conversion of forest land come about for non-forestry uses such as mining, development of road and railway network, irrigation, and other infrastructure projects.
  • In 2019-20, around 26 projects were undertaken in Bihar, where 432.78 hectares of forest land were diverted for carrying out developmental activities in the state to include road construction, laying pipelines, mining, and other infrastructure projects.
• Schemes of the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change:
  • Realizing the potential of the rich natural resource base, the Bihar State Agroforestry Policy of 2018 was envisaged to undertake various afforestation programs towards promoting environmental sustainability.
  • The State Government is encouraging farmers by providing incentives to involve in agroforestry which will also enhance employment of rural households besides assisting in minimizing ecological imbalances causing floods and droughts.
  • The Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of the State Government has undertaken various afforestation programmes to regulate environmental stability and conservation of natural resources. Besides these, the details of other schemes of the Department are given below:
  • Greening of Urban Spaces
    • The Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change is encouraging projects related to landscaping of urban parks and maintaining green spaces in urban areas.
    • During 2019-20, a total of 83, 369 saplings were planted, covering an area of 555.79 hectares in the urban areas of Patna, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Gopalganj, Mithila, East Champaran, Purnea, Saharsa, Samastipur etc.
  • Afforestation Programs
    • To promote agroforestry in the state, the scheme of Agro-forestry Poplar ETP scheme is being implemented in north Bihar to promote short rotation and commercial poplar plantation in farmers’ land to increase tree cover for environmental services.
      • For these purposes, the Department provides poplar ETP free of cost to the selected beneficiaries of this scheme.
      • Based on survival of the plants, farmers get incentive amount of Rs. 10, Rs. 10, and Rs. 15 per plants for three consecutive years.
    • The Har Parisar Hara Parisar Yojana was launched with an objective to increase greenery and purify the environment.
      • Due to limited forest land, this scheme aims to plant suitable species on vacant land on the premises of government and non-government institutions.
    • Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali campaign, is a flagship programme of the State Government, intended to increase the green cover in the state in view of climate change and environmental degradation.
      • In order to increase green cover, a target of 24 crore plants have been set, out of which, the plantations to the extent of 19 crore have been already completed.
  • Forestry Work by the Department during Covid-19:
    • The Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bihar is responsible for enhancing the quality of the natural environment in which the humankind lives. This is done by improving the quality of air, water, and other pollutants through various measures.
      • Some of the measures to improve the quality of the environment include planting trees outside the forest area, villages, and improving the natural forest.
    • For achieving these targets to improve the ecology and the environment, the government decided to set a massive plantation drive. For this, it was decided to plant 2.51 crores of plants through the Department as well as by mobilising various other organizations in the State.
    • The preliminary work of raising saplings began in the forest nurseries and mobilization of resources started in the year 2019-20. In February and March, the seedlings were raised in the nursery and a large number of labourers were engaged for this purpose. However, in the last week of March, during the nationwide lockdown launched to stop the spread of Covid-19, the ongoing work of the nurseries as well as other advance works had to be halted, thus, hampering the progress of the set targets of the Government.
    • In order to achieve the targets, the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change sought for relaxation during the lockdown and declare the forestry work to be an emergency work. The Department of Disaster Management, Government of Bihar declared the forestry work as an emergency work and issued guidelines to be followed towards execution of various works of the Forest Department.
    • With this relaxation, various forestry activities started again, however with some limitations. Very few labourers were available for work in the nurseries as well as in plantations. The transportation of plants to the plantation sites was badly affected.
    • Different organizations who were supposed to participate in the plantation drive also were required to follow the lockdown guidelines and maintain social distancing by curtailing the number of volunteers for the plantation drive.
    • The closure of educational institutions disabled the active participation of the students in these plantation drives.
    • The Department got help from various Government Organizations, JEEViKA Didis, Department of Rural Development through MGNREGA and army and para-military forces who volunteered in the plantation drive.
    • Because of their active participation, the Forest Department could not only achieve the target of planting 2.51 crores of plants but exceeded the target and the final count of the plantation was 3.90 crore.

Biodiversity and Wildlife

• The increasing influences of climate change, deforestation, extraction of natural resources, and burning of fossil fuels have affected the habitats of biodiversity and wildlife. In fact, biodiversity and wildlife not only contribute to preserving ecosystem services, but also to the well-being of the population by providing food, fuel, and fibre.
• Global warming has affected the biological diversity of the Shivalik-Gangetic Plain landscapes.
• The State Government’s efforts in conservation and protection of biodiversity and wildlife include many activities, including several bird and wildlife sanctuaries in Bihar.
• In Bihar, there is a national park (Valmiki National Park), one Tiger Reserve (Valmiki Tiger Reserve) and one zoo (Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna), with a total of eight wildlife sanctuaries and five bird sanctuaries.
  • Spread across 898.93 sq. km, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve housed a total of 36 Panthera Tigris in the state as of 2019-20.
  • The state also has several wildlife sanctuaries, such as Bheembandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary, Pant Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajgir), Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajauli Wildlife Sanctuary (Nawada) and Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • The bird sanctuaries in the state include Kusheshwarasthan Bird Sanctuary, Baraila Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Nakti Dam Bird Sanctuary, Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary and Kanwar Jheel Bird Sanctuary.
• Vikramshila Gangeya Dolphin Sanctuary:
  • Situated in the district of Bhagalpur, the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is spread across 60 kms from the river Ganga in Munger to Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur district.
  • The State Government is planning to set up a dolphin observatory to provide a safe habitat for these endangered Gangetic dolphins (Platanista Gangetica), by providing cleaner water and less human interference.
• The State Government is encouraging people’s participation through eco-development committees to protect wildlife and its habitat.
• Kalrav-Bihar’s first State Bird Festival:
  • To celebrate the arrival of migratory birds, the first-ever State Bird Festival of Bihar, Kalrav was held in Nagi-Nakti Bird Sanctuary situated in Jhajha in the Jamui district during 15th to 17th January 2021.
  • The main objective of celebrating the bird festival was to reiterate the issue of bird conservation and to recognize the importance of birds in the lives of humans.
  • The bird festival was also a proactive effort by the Department of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Bihar to promote Nagi and Nakti, two large wetlands and bird sanctuaries situated about 5 kilometers from each other, as a destination for bird watching and eco-tourism. The total budget for the 3-day bird festival was Rs. 85 lakhs.
  • The bird festival witnessed the participation of hundreds of bird watchers from across the state and country, ornithologists, photographers, schools and colleges.
  • Various stalls were set up to showcase items such as medicinal plants, philatelic exhibition on birds, marble-sculpting and handicrafts.
    • There were also stalls set up by self-help groups where organic products like moringa powder, honey, and ragi-powder were sold.
    • There were also stalls set up by the Garud Saviours of Kadwa diara in Bhagalpur, a stall dedicated to the depiction of birds through history.
    • A stall was set up by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) where various infographics on birds and their migration patterns were displayed.
  • Nagi reservoir, located on the Nagi river, was notified as a bird shelter in 1984 covering about 192 hectares of area while the Naqti reservoir, located on Naqti river covers about 332 hectares, was notified in the year 1987.
  • The migratory birds live in the Nagi-Naqti bird shelter during November to March. About 130 species of migratory and local birds are found here, which represent about 10 percent of India’s bird biodiversity.
  • The bird festival consisted of several events: setting up of bird village, bird race, boating, bird marathon, cycle rally, local sports competition, drawing and cinematography competition, bird quiz, cultural events, and training and awareness camps.
  • Along with creating a conducive environment for birds to thrive, this bird festival can also help the local populace to gain some income. The citizens of Jamui and surrounding districts, bird lovers from all over the state, and bird experts from different corners of the country participated in the program.
  • The event was a success in providing great impetus towards bird conservation, ensuring the safety of birds, creating an awareness of birds in the state. It has helped, and will continue to help, the migratory and local birds to gather safely and leisurely in a picturesque habitat.
  • Thus, Kalrav, the 1″ State Bird Festival of Bihar was instrumental in spreading the message of bird conservation and elevating Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries on a larger stage. It motivated the local communities to positively work for bird conservation and protect the rich habitat of Nagi-Nakti Bird Sanctuary.
  • Kalrav was also successful in bringing together thousands of people from different walks of life, including ornithologists, bird watchers, tourists and local communities.
• Wetland:
  • Any disruption to forest resources can not only impact the green coverage, but also affect the growth and habitat of the species. Also, Bihar is prone to floods and waterlogging which can affect the socio-economic activity, unsettle the lives of the people, and disrupt the hydrological process.
  • In this context, wetlands play an important role by assisting in conserving biodiversity and maintain the flow of ecosystem services. Wetlands are one of the most valuable ecosystems which provide benefits by providing habitat to the species, land replenishment, and control of soil erosion.
  • There is increasing stress on wetlands due to changes in catchment area, pollution, anthropogenic pressures, encroachments and land use changes, tourism, and over-exploitation of natural resources.
  • As per the estimates of the Indian Forest Report of 2019, Bihar has about 285 wetlands, with a total wetland area of 3992 hectares, accounting for nearly 0.6 percent of the total recorded forest area of the state.
  • Further, the highest area was recorded within the natural inland wetlands at 2573 hectares, accounting for 64.5 percent of the total wetlands in the state.
  • Considerable variations exist in the spread of wetland across the districts in Bihar. Among the districts, Begusarai has about 10.8 percent of the district’s geographical area as wetlands, followed by Katihar (10.3 percent) and Sahasra (10.1 percent).
    • The districts of Katihar, Bhagalpur, West Champaran and Saran together constituted nearly 25 percent of the total wetland area in the state.
  • Clearly, the water-spread area was higher in the post-monsoon period, compared to the pre- monsoons at the state level. The district of Katihar contributed to the highest share of total water spread during both during pre- and post-monsoons.
  • Realising the value of water resources for environmental and ecological sustenance, and growth of biodiversity, the State Government is committed to work towards better management and preservation of wetlands.
  • Recently, the Bihar State Wetlands Authority is striving to achieve the integration of wetlands in developmental processes across different sectors and developing a wetland site called the Kanwar Jheel under the Ramsar Convention.