Forest Resources in Hills Districts of Assam - Constraints for Development

Abstract

The State of Assam can be broadly divided into 3 physiographic domains viz. Brahmaputra valley, Central Assam Hills Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hill districts and Barak valley. The district of Karbi Anglong with a Geographical area of 10,434 Sq.Km has significant areas under forest cover with more than 42% of the total geographical area. The forest cover of N. C. Hills is 88.71% out of the total geographical area of 4,888 Sq.Km including dense and open forest. These forest areas are full of forest resources like sand, limestone, coal, medicinal plants, herbs, bamboo etc. Inspite of having these resources, the tribal communities are not getting the desired benefits as most of these goes outside the districts as raw materials. At the same time increased human pressure due to shifting cultivation and raw material extraction for industrial purposes are heavily altering the forested landscape. To have a better understanding of the existing situation and finding a way for use of minor forest produces without disturbing the balance as renewable natural resources a seminar with title Forest Resources in Hills Districts of Assam Constraints for development is organized at Diphu , Karbi Anglong on 12th and 13th December. A total of 7 papers are received from the eminent expert on the subject. This book is a compilation of these 7 papers, a separate chapter is also included where all the suggestion and recommendation are placed together.