MIZORAM FOREST AFTER INDIAS INDEPENDENCE: TYPES AND RESOURCES

After Indias independence, forest in Lushai Hills district falls under the shared supervision of Cachar forest division and the Mizo District Council. A fairly large area was reserved, but extraction was confined to river banks. The poorly staffed district administration made little contribution in organising trade in forest produce. There was no proper management of Forests during the initial stage except the enactment of Acts and Regulation that prescribed royalty rates to be levied for various forest produces and also classified forests in various categories and non-reserved forest and regulation of the practice of Jhum. The Inner Line regulation prohibiting entry of outsiders into Lushai Hills without obtaining prior permission from the Deputy Commissioner certainly helped in the prevention of the hill tribes and from exploitation of forests by outsiders. The main factors leading to deforestation are political upheaval during 1966 and continued practice of shifting cultivation. While Major Forest Produce mainly comprises of Sawn Timber, Firewood and Poles Minor Forest Produce (MFP) has a great potential in the state of Mizoram. The hilly topography with high rainfall and humidity favours the luxuriant growth of such MFP species including valuable medicinal plants, flowing Orchids, etc. The states rich forest resources remain vital for its ecological balance and the livelihoods of the people.