Section 2 in The Chhattisgarh State Forest Policy, 2001
2. Basic objectives.
- 2.1. The basic objectives that should govern the State Forest Policy are the following ;* Unlocking of the vast array of forest resources on sustainable basis enhanced well-being of local people by converting these Open Access Resources (OAR) into community controlled, prioritized, protected and managed resources.* A shift in accent from major to minor forest produces, from crown to multi tier forestry and from flagship species to smaller denizens of the forests.* Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and where necessary, restoration of ecological balance that has been adversely disturbed by serious depletion of forest in the State. Conserving the Bio-cultural heritage of the State by preserving the biologically rich natural forests that provide the essential cultural milieu to the tribals of the State.* Checking the denudation of forests and soil erosion in the catchment area of the rivers, and reservoirs for soil and water conservation; mitigating the floods and droughts; recharging of water bodies, aquifers and for the retardation of siltation of the reservoirs.* Increasing the forest/tree cover in forest deficient districts through afforestation and agro forestry/farm forestry programmes, especially on all denuded, degraded and unproductive lands.* Meeting the requirements of fuelwood, fodder, minor forest produce and small timber of the rural and tribal population with due regard to the carrying capacity, of the forests.* The derivation of direct economic benefit from the forests of the State shall be subordinated to the requirements of the environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance in the State.* Creating appropriate policy and legal framework for the achievement of these objectives.
