How can we ensure that our forests are managed in a sustainable way?

Nature is the source of innumerable raw materials mankind uses even today. The world’s forest cover which still supports the booming global population is under a constant threat from over-exploitation and natural calamities like bushfires. The fast receding forest area across the earth has severe environmental and existential consequences and thus demands the adoption of sustainable forest management practices. Here are some methods to manage our forests more sustainably.

Forest analysis:

A preliminary analysis of a forest area is an indispensable part of forest conservation. Knowledge of the variety of species of flora and fauna in a forest patch is an essential tool for judicious use of forest resources and protecting young, endangered plants and animals of the area as well. Analysis helps assess production capacity and calculate the economic value of a forest area. Thus, the information can be used for effective planning of extraction of forest resources and identifying challenges hindering sustainability of forests.

Sustainable logging:

Instead of indiscriminate deforestation to support the rising demand of timber, selective logging can help maintain a balance between demand and sustainability. Identifying old and diseased trees and excluding young trees from commercial utilization is a simple method for this. Another method widely adopted is pruning of timber instead of cutting an entire tree and techniques to reduce impact and protect trees in the vicinity of a newly cut tree. Therefore, sustainable logging allows regeneration of plants and maintains the ecological health of forests.

Reforestation:

Wood being a renewable resource, is an important player in the carbon cycle as growing trees absorb carbon. Also, tree cover in forests offer resilience against soil erosion, natural calamities and bush fires. Therefore, it is crucial to grow new trees in forests for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. Effective forest management includes regrowing new trees after harvesting timber. Based on the age, distribution and ecological value of the trees in a forest area, two different reforestation approaches can be followed — removing a group of mature trees to allow space for young ones or completely removing mature trees in a patch for penetration of sunlight to new saplings.

Continuous monitoring:

It is also important to device methods and monitor the effects of implemented forest management plans to deduce their efficacy and impacts. This enables a check on the overall forest health and helps detect illegal activities in the forest. Monitoring allows maintaining track of planned and actual deforestation and assess forest regrowth as well. Modern tools equipped with modern technology like remote sensing provide fast and cost-effective methods for monitoring.

A skilled workforce is imperative to a successful forest management plan. Therefore, proper training to staff and awareness among consumers can be a game-changer in the conservation process.

Sustainable forest management thrives on a well balanced social, economic and environment friendly model. Thus, collaborative efforts

governments, forest managers, ecologists, local communities and consumers are required to ensure positive results.

We aim to contribute to a continuous availability of forests. Contact us for an assessment of your forest area and let us be a part of your conservation journey.