. Introduction

The undivided Karbi Anglong district has a total geographical area of 10,434 sq. km, which accounts for 13.3% of the total geographical area of the State. It mostly consists of undulating and hilly terrain with numerous rivers and streams. The district can be broadly divided into two physiographic units, namely hills and plains. About 85% of the district is covered by the hills. The highest peak in the district rises to a height of 1360 meters. The area located between the northern and southern hills in the Diphu sub-division is characterised by undtng plains of subdued relief. The plain areas consist of valleys of the Jamuna, Kapili, and Dhansiri rivers lying in the eastern part. Besides these three major rivers, other minor streams include Kaliani, Barapani, Patradisa, and Dikharu. The landscape ecological studies of forests in Karbi Anglong indicate a high amount of landscape heterogeneity promoting greater biodiversity. These forest areas are natural museums of living giant trees, a treasure house of rare, endemic, and endangered species, a dispensary of medicinal plants, a garden for botanists, a gene bank for economically important organisms, a paradise for nature lovers, and a laboratory for environmentalists. According to the 1991 Census, the population of Karbi Anglong District is 663,000 and is dominated by the Karbi Tribe. Besides the Karbis, Lalungs (Tiwas), Dimasa Kacharis, Rengma Nagas, Kuki, Garos, Khasis, and Shyams occupy various pockets of
the district and maintain their own ethnic identity.

. Forests and Administrative Setup

In pursuance of O.M. No. HAD. 57/95/309 dated 31-12-1996 from the Govt. of Assam, the administrative control of the forest department has been transferred to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, while the role of the State Government has become advisory in nature. The forest areas are controlled by three territorial divisions: Karbi Anglong East Division, Karbi Anglong West Division, and Hamren Division. Besides, there are three functional divisions: Northern Afforestation Division, Working Plan Division (Hills), and Silvicultural Division (Hills). Each division is headed by a Divisional Forest Officer. All these divisions are under the supervisory control of the Conservator of Forests, Karbi Anglong Circle, Diphu. According to the State of Forest Report 1999 of the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, 6044 sq. km of the district is under dense forest cover, while 2776 sq. km is under open forest cover. The important forest types found in Karbi Anglong District are:
      ˆ Moist Semi-evergreen forests (2BC 1/b and 2 BC)
      ˆ Moist Mixed Deciduous forests (3C/C 3b)
      ˆ Riverain Type
      ˆ Miscellaneous type with scattered pure or mixed patches of bamboos Moist Semi-evergreen forests are widely prevalent in the district and have commercially important species like Badam, Amari, Cham, Tita Sopa, Nahar, Bhelu, Gomari, Poma, Bonsum, Dhuna, Myrobalans, Bhola, and Bon Am, among others, in the top canopy. Mixed Moist Deciduous Forests have Haldu, Bohera, Simul, Ghogra, Azhar, Odal, Outenga, etc., in the top canopy. The Riverain type of forest occupies the localities with alluvial soil of more recent origin near rivers and streams in the district.

The common species of importance are Khair, Sissoo, Simul, Urium, Kokoli, etc. Miscellaneous types of forests comprise Amari, Sopa, Cham, Bonsum, Bogipoma, Gonsoroi, Dhuna, and Hingori, among others. Principal species of bamboo include Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (Kako) and Bambusa tulda (Jati), along with a small proportion of other bamboos. Kako and Jati bamboos are mostly harvested by Hindustan Paper Corporation, Jagiroad. The forests of Karbi Anglong are extensive and rich in minor forest products like Cane, Patidoi, Dhuna, Agar, Ekra, Thatches, Barks of Baghnala, Laham, Dalchini, Patihunda, Rema, Satkora, and various medicinal plants.
Legal Status of Forest Land

Although a large part of Karbi Anglong District is covered with thick forest, the legal status of the notified forest areas is as follows:
            ˆ State Reserved Forests: 1962.06 Sq. Kms.
            ˆ District Council Reserved Forests: 1011.26 Sq. Kms.
            ˆ Proposed Reserved Forests: 1317.01 Sq. Kms.
From the above statement, it is evident that only 41.12% of the geographical area of Karbi Anglong is under forest cover, and some of these areas need improvement and restocking. Up to the 8th Plan, 63,605 hectares of plantation, comprising species such as Teak (Tectona grandis), Gamari (Gmelina arborea), Titasopa (Michelia champaca), Simul (Bombax ceiba), Udal (Sterculia villosa), Ajhar (Lagerstroemia flos-reginae), and Pine (Pinus khasya), were planted to augment the green cover.

Objectives

The key objectives of the Forest Department include:
          ˆ Achieve the goal of bringing 60% of the geographical area under forest cover by creating more reserved forests and extending                     tree cover over degraded lands.
          ˆ Afforest degraded and ecologically unstable catchment areas.
          ˆ Increase biomass in degraded and poorly stocked areas to improve water and soil holding capacity, thus reducing soil and water                 erosion.
          ˆ Re-stock Jhum-abandoned areas under forest cover to prevent soil erosion.
          ˆ Manage existing forests on a sustainable basis as per working plan prescriptions.
          ˆ Increase the productivity of forests per unit area and time to augment the production of forest produce to meet industrial and                   household demands.
          ˆ Meet the local people’s requirements for fuel, fodder, and small timber, and augment their income through sustainable harvest                  ing of minor forest products via joint forest management.
           ˆ Create sanctuaries and bio-sphere reserves to provide habitat for the survival and multiplication of wild flora and fauna, pre                        serving the gene pool and biodiversity of the region.

Developmental Activities
The territorial divisions are tasked with the overall protection and management of forests and wildlife. These divisions carry out the extraction of timber and other forest produces to earn revenue for the Council’s exchequer. They are also engaged in extensive planta-
tion works, improving infrastructure, and conserving flora and fauna. Plantation schemes undertaken include Teak Plantations, Rehabilitation of Degraded Forests, Plywood Plantations, Matchwood Plantations, and Bamboo Plantations. The Northern Afforestation Division is responsible for planting quick-growing species and social forestry plantations. The Working Plan Division (Hills) is tasked with preparing working plans for the scientific management of the district’s forests. Field surveys and data collection have been completed, and the compilation of working plans for the Karbi Anglong East Division, Karbi Anglong West Division, Hamren Division, and Bamboo
Management Plan is currently in progress. The Silvicultural Division (Hills) focuses on research to determine suitable management practices and tree culture methods. Additionally, two botanical gardens are maintained by this division, and it is responsible for cultivating medicinal and rare plants.

 Creation and Development of Wildlife Areas 

Karbi Anglong is rich in diverse wildlife. In areas adjoining Kaziranga National Park, the one-horned rhinoceros, wild buffaloes, and bisons are commonly found. Tigers, leopards, wolves, and bears are also present in various parts of the district. Elephants, particularly
near the hills, often cause significant damage to crops, especially during the harvesting season. Other wildlife species include deers, monitor lizards, and pythons.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

Though Karbi Anglong is rich in fauna, it did not have any sanctuaries or protected areas until 1999-2000. Following the government’s guidelines to notify at least 4% of the geographical area as wildlife areas, four sanctuaries have been notified, covering 360.86 sq.
km, approximately 3.49% of the district’s geographical area. The details are as follows:
        ˆ Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary: 37 sq. km, notified on 27-07-2000.
        ˆ East Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary: 221.81 sq. km, notified on 27-07-2000.
        ˆ Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary: 96 sq. km, notified on 27-07-2000.
        ˆ Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary: 6 sq. km, notified in 1952.
        ˆ Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary (proposed): 451.87 sq. km, proposed as of 1999-2000.

For the development and management of these sanctuaries, proposals for funding infrastructure development, including patrolling roads, watch towers, vehicles, and water sources, have been submitted. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has made significant strides in the scientific and sustainable management of forest resources. A complete ban on green felling has been imposed since 1995, and surveys for sustainable harvesting have been conducted. New protected areas are being notified to conserve the region’s gene pool and biodiversity, with ethnobotanical studies underway to document indigenous knowledge on forest conservation. These efforts will go a long way in preserving the flora and fauna of Karbi Anglong, ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations.