Forest

Assam Forest covers a major part of the total land available in the state. Going by a survey conducted by the Forest Department of Assam Government, in the year 2003, the state possessed a total of 26, 781.91 sq km forest land. Bamboo and timber are the two prime forest products of Assam.

Assam is regarded as an economically sufficient state of India. Pre-dominantly an agricultural state, Assam also generates revenue through its vast stretches of forest area. According to a recent estimate, by selling stone, thatch, bamboo, wood, sand and cane, the state of Assam generated total revenue of Rs. 1207.77 lakhs in the year 2001-02.

The entire governance and maintenance of the forests of Assam are taken care by the Forest Department of the state and district councils.

Since Assam receives the highest amount of rainfall throughout the year, hence the problem of devastating floods persist in the state permanently. Also, with growing concern over the rapidly diminishing forest contours, the Government of Assam has become conscious about the imminent effects of acute soil erosion.

In order to check soil erosion and to keep fertile qualities of the land intact, the forest Department of Assam is carrying various preventive measures like social forestry and afforestation mainly near the river banks.

Apart from being a prime source of livelihood for the local people, some parts forest in Assam are reserved for wildlife sanctuaries. Habitat of many rare species, these reserved forests offer an incredible scope to the tourists to have a glimpse of such exotic animals as Indian bison, one-horned rhino, sloth bear, hog deer, wild boar, capped langur, wild dog, Himalayan bear, wood duck and many others.

In the recent past, a drastic decline of the wildlife population has been noticed in the forest areas of Assam. As the wildlife sanctuaries are one of the biggest revenue generators, hence special emphasis is also given to restore and improve the near extinct species through initiatives like wildlife management.

Assam Forest, if preserved properly, can prove to be a vital factor in the exceptional growth of the state's economy.