Forest resources: its extent and decay in Osmanabad District of Maharashtra State

Rede H.N.^1
1Department of Geography, S.C.S.College, Omerga, Tal.Omerga, 413606, Dist. Osmanabad, Maharashtra, India

Received : -     Accepted : -     Published : 21-12-2009
Volume : 1     Issue : 2       Pages : 40 - 43
Int J Agr Sci 1.2 (2009):40-43
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.9735/0975-3710.1.2.40-43

Keywords : forest cover, depletion of forest, forest development strategy
Conflict of Interest : None declared

Present paper describes the prominent features of forest cover and its extent and decay in the Osmanabad district. The district having geographical area of 7512.40 sq.km., consists eight tahasils and is inhabited by 14,86,586 population (as per 2001 census). The area under forest during 1991-92 was 5062.76 sq.kms. (0.48% of the total geographical area), it increased to 7982.79 kms. (0.81%) till 2001-02. The percentage of forest area in the district is registered very less than the norms set by the (22%) National Forest Policy. The district has favourable physiographic conditions for the proper growth of natural vegetation (2.64% of land area not available for cultivation). But the main obstacles in the forest development are adverse climatic condition i.e. scanty and tiny rainfall, wherever, the drought are frequent. Although 0.33% positive changes in forest area are recorded in the district (2001-02). Because various forest and soil conservation programmes are intensified by government in the Osmanabad district. The hill tracts are covered by dry deciduous forest. However, the population, which inhabited this region is increasing over the decades. The economic activity of these people is mainly concentrated around agricultural practices and livestock rearing.

[1] Deshpande C.D. Geography of Maharashtra, N.B.T. of India, New Delhi  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[2] Dikshit K.R. Forest Ecology  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[3] Rail R.K. Deforestation and its Impact on Environment. McGraw Hill, Geographer Vol.XX (2004) pp.112  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[4] Reddy Kamlakar (Ed.) Land use Planning and Environmental Management, Printed by Director, Dept. of Publication & Press Osmania University Hyderabad  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[5] Shafi Mohammad & Mehendi Raza (Ed.) Geography of Environment, Rawat Publications Jaipur.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus  

[6] Census hand-book of Osmanabad District, 1981,1991 & 2001.  
» CrossRef   » Google Scholar   » PubMed   » DOAJ   » CAS   » Scopus