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 Divisional Forest Office, Middle Andaman 

Department Of Environment & Forest
Andaman & Nicobar Administration
"Conserving Forest & Wildlife"
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Major Activities










Forest
Conservation







Timber
Extraction







Saw Mill
Operation







MANGROVE & LITTORAL SWAMP COASTAL-BELT CONSERVATION WORKING CIRCLE

In this working circle, the degraded Mangrove patches are planted with suitable species. The total area under this working Circle is 13533 Ha. including mangrove areas which overlaps with Wildlife Protection Working Circle.

1.OBJECTIVES:
i) To check reclamation, encroachment and destruction of mangroves.
ii) Eco-restoration of degraded and critical mangrove areas by afforestation of suitable salt tolerant species.
iii) To educate younger generation about the usefulness of the eco-system through adequate publicity, organization of nature camps and interpretation centres etc.

2.CARRIED OUT:
Details of works carried out during the year 2014-2015 are as under –
a) For eco-restoration of degraded mangrove areas/ patches, 1 Ha. area in Yeratta under Rangat Range were afforested at a cost of Rs.1,50,000/- by planting suitable salt tolerant species. Mangrove seedlings of species ceriops tagal, bruguiera gymnorheza, bruguiera parviflora etc. have been planted at an espacement of 1m by 1m. A mangrove nursery of area 0.368 Ha. situated at Yeratta under Rangat Range caters to the departmental needs and individuals whose lands are in proximity to the tidal regions. Species of rhizophora mucronata, bruguiera gymnorrhiza, bruguiera parviflora, ceriops tagal and phoenix paludosa are raised here.
b) In addition to the above, maintenance works of 1 Ha was carried out at plantations raised in the year 2013-14 at Yeratta under Rangat Range with a cost of Rs. 2,00,000/-
c) Strict protection is also being given to the mangrove areas against unauthorized felling, destruction and hunting of associated fauna & flora. However, due to inadequate infrastructure facilities especially conveyance and communication facilities with the frontline Forest Executives, the protection and conservation activities are suffering a lot.
d) Moreover, in order to create awareness among the general public about the usefulness of mangrove and its eco-system, the division in the recent past, has established various infrastructure at Yeratta under Rangat Range i.e. Mangrove Interpretation Centre(MIC), Mangrove Watch Tower, Mangrove bench walk, eco-huts etc. The MIC has attractive display panels depicting various species of mangroves found in these Islands. From Mangrove Watch Tower, the visitors can have a panoramic view of mangroves and adjacent forests. The 350 mtrs. stretch of bench walk passing through the natural mangrove forest is an important tourist attraction here. As a whole, Yeratta is now posing as a hub of conservation activities of mangroves.

3.DEVIATION
No Deviation.


REFERENCES:
  Document from Divisional Forest Office, Middle Andaman

TIMBER HARVESTING : GENERAL OBSERVATIONS REGARDING THE SUITABILITY OF PARTICULAR METHODS OF EXTRACTION

The method of extraction is being followed which are most suitable in this area. In the past, tramlines were laid for loco mobility and major transportation of logs were done from Forest depot to Ghat depots and Road depots by locos, which facilitated all weather transportation whereas, presently no such facility is available. Moreover, the areas of coupes are large and inaccessible in terms of timber harvesting. Earlier tramlines were laid in interior areas, which are useful and economical, where distance is longer. Now the lead is 4- 6 kms. in distance where dragging of logs from the stump site to Forest / Road Depots by elephants will result in lower output.

This process will eventually strain the elephants of their physical strength and good health. Through there are fair weather roads in the interiors, gully plugging of the areas have not been done. This has resulted in soil erosion and hence degradation of vegetative cover. Hence, laying of more fair weather roads is not advisable. The unique combination of elephants, tractors, diesel trucks and towing motor boats has become defunct as most of the tractors, diesel trucks and towing motor boats have outlived their utility. There is also shortage of skilled manpower with reference to Mahout, Raftman & Feller-cum-Loggers. Departmental personnel are not opting for this work, as it is more arduous in nature. There is a need to recruit sufficient number of skilled workers to carry out the forestry works in more efficient way.

Location of Timber Extraction: The timber extraction area (ERWC) is located at McCarthy Valley forest area under Bajalungta range. The thinning areas (PRWC) are located at Kalsi under Bakultala range.

Details of harvesting /extraction of timber of Middle Andaman division upto 30.11.2015

 COUPE - I
Total target as per marking list : 2665 Trees 10328.670 Cbm
Date of starting of extraction : 28.07.2005
Area of the Coupe : 800.5 Hect.
Extraction during the financial year 2007-08 : 6082 logs - 6504.958 Cbm
Extraction during the financial year 2008-09 : 2894 logs - 3651.135 Cbm
Extraction during the financial year 2009-10 : 1352 logs - 1694.610 Cbm


COUPE - II
Total target as per marking list : 2936 Trees 10348.660 Cbm
Date of starting of extraction : 03.11.2009
Area of the Coupe : 1164 Hect.
Extraction during the financial year 2009-10 : 865 logs - 976.390 Cbm
Extraction during the financial year 2010-11 : 2601logs - 2771.654 Cbm
Extraction during the financial year 2011-12 : 3499 logs - 3376.073 Cbm
Extraction during the financial year 2012-13 : 1347 logs - 1340.630 Cbm
Extraction during the financial year 2013-14 : 408 logs - 413.688 Cbm


COUPE - III
Number of trees marked for felling : 1450 Nos.
Volume marked for felling [in Cum] : 5260.680 Cbm.
Area of the Coupe : 534 Ha.
Starting date of felling : 21.12.2010
Extraction during the financial year 2010-11 : 425 logs - 520.409 cbm.
Extraction during the financial year 2011-12 : 1001 logs - 1039.950 cbm.
Extraction during the financial year 2012-13 : 2357 logs - 2535.511 cbm.
Extraction during the financial year 2013-14 : 1379 logs - 1480.357 cbm.


COUPE-IV
SI No. Coupe-IV Forest Dept. ANIFPDC Ltd. Forest Dept. Total (Div-1 to Div-4)
Div-1 Div-2 Div-3 Div-4
1 Total trees marked (in Nos.) 187 271 350 569 1377
2 Volume marked for felling (in Cbm) 1123.26 1001.98 1212.51 1527.70 4865.45
3 Area of coupe (in Ha.) 210.50 180.20 121.80 288.00 800.50
4 Starting date of felling 03.02.14 17.02.14 21.08.13 25.09.13  
Extraction during the financial year 2013-14 : 3545 logs - 3241.180 cbm.
Extraction during the financial year 2014-15: 950 Logs – 1017.090 Cbm

COUPE-V
SI NO. Coupe-V Forest Dept. Total (Div-1 to Div-3)
Div-1 Div-2 Div-3
1 Total trees marked (in Nos.) 429 778 545 1752
2 Volume marked for felling (in Cbm) 1815.21 3090.01 2335.03 7240.25
3 Area of coupe (in Ha.) 244.00 356.50 200.00 800.50
4 Starting date of felling 01.08.14 10.10.14 01.08.14  
Extraction during the financial year 2014-15: 4918 Logs – 4850.860 Cbm
Extraction during the financial year 2015-16 upto Nov. 2015 : 748 logs - 722.045 cbm.

COUPE-VI
SI NO. Coupe-VI Forest Dept. Total (Div-1 to Div-3)
Div-1 Div-2 Div-3
1 Total trees marked (in Nos.) 460 449 516 1425
2 Volume marked for felling (in Cbm) 1522.93 1349.01 1301.63 4173.57
3 Area of coupe (in Ha.) 290.50 220.00 290.00 800.50
4 Starting date of felling 01.12.14 09.01.15    
Extraction during the financial year 2014-15: 725 Logs – 700.082 Cbm
Extraction during the financial year 2015-16 upto Nov. 2015 : 2434 logs - 2262.845 cbm.


REFERENCES:
 Document from Divisional Forest Office, Middle Andaman

SAWN TIMBER: BETAPUR SAW MILL
The sawn timber is of high demand from general public and various user agencies. The requirement of people of North & Middle Andaman is being maintained through a Saw Mill at Betapur. Details of sawn timber produced and supplied to various indenters from Govt. Saw Mill, Betapur during the year 2014-2015 are furnished below –

Category & sawn timber produced:
 1. Category-IA (Ornamental Wood):593.014 Cbm
2. Category-IB (Ornamental Wood):355.786 Cbm
3. Category-IIA(Superior Hardwood):365.883 Cbm
4. Category-IIB (Gurjan):224.608 cbm
5.Category-III(Standard Hardwood): 571.230 Cbm
6. Category-IV (Softwood): 231.767 Cbm
Total :2342.288 Cbm
S.No Supplied to Cat-IA
(in Cbm)		 Cat-IB
(in Cbm)		 Cat-IIA
(in Cbm)		 Cat-IIB
(in Cbm)		 Cat-III
(in Cbm)		 Cat-IV
(in Cbm)		 Total
(in Cbm)
1 Private/ General Public 305.479 144.68 166.99 37.119 382.059 161.879 1198.222
2 Govt. Contractors 23.407 163.756 72.252 112.908 38.410 51.408 462.141
3 SSI Units 145.214 6.388 0.720 0.293 1.419 0.027 154.061
4 Forest Dept. 6.859 7.064 53.338 10.996 48.350 10.644 137.251
5 APWD & other Depts. 9.845 1.194 3.863 0.306 5.884 2.296 23.388
6 Fishermen 0.215 0.586 17.405 17.354 6.709 2.591 44.860
  Total 491.019 323.676 314.576 178.976 482.831 228.845 2019.923


REFERENCES:
 Document from Divisional Forest Office, Middle Andaman