The Forest Service - Changing Perceptions

Abstract

Forest of India have been subjected to innumerable pressures exerted by the various migrant races puring in to their bowls from the northern frontiers, since time immemorial. Forests have been the sub-centre of genesis, growth and blooming of the Indian philosophy and religion ever since their people's concern for forests and wildlife was reflected in the moral authority that the great sages exercised in managing them for posterity. Perceptions about forest management continued to change till a stage came when these 'vital lungs' of the earth were redueed to the status of a no mans land by the medieval times. Introduction of scientific management in forestry in 1855 tremendously increased the pace of perceptions about forests and forestry. Thc paper traces these changing perceptions from 3800 years ago to the present.