A Secular Forestry

Ashok Kumar, Agartalla, India


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 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

 

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 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

 

 

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