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Forest
Department
The chief conservator of Forests is the Head of the Department. There are
three conservators of Forests under the chief Conservator of Forests with their
Headquarters at Port Blair. The Forest Department has been divided into 13
divisions i.e. five Territorial Divisions and eight functional divisions.
Management
Of Forests
The main functions of the Forest Department are :
Management of the Forests of these islands in a scientific and systematic
manner progressively increasing production and sale of industrial wood, firewood
and other forest produce. Raising of plantation of economically important
species like teak, padauk, soft wood, bamboos and canes. Regeneration of
forest areas and improvement of the Forests cover in the interest of soil and
water conservation regulation of stream flow and checking of erosion,
conservation and Development of wild life.
It also runs two departmental Saw Mills; one at Chathan and the other at
Betapur continue to function satisfactorily. The sawn timber was sold locally to
Government departments and the public for constructional and other purposes and
also shipped to the mainland depots at Madras and Howrah for sale by auction
/negotiation.
In 1982-83, the total outturn of sawn timber was 10,503 cum from chathem and
Batapur saw mills as against 10,756 cum. during the previous year.
There are research nurseries at
Nayashahar, Kalatang, Wimberlygung,
Parnashalla and Long Island and the Crocodile breeding is being maintained at
Hadoo with an object to rehabilitate their wild habitat.
The forest Department maintained the Mini Zoo at Port Blair with addition of
locally available animals and birds. Total number of animals /birds in the zoo
is over 300.
There is a forest Training School at Wimberlygung where nearly thirty Forest
guards are trained annually. |
