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 topics 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
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.
Shri Ashok Kumar is IFS CF (WRT), Agartalla,Tripura
