Review Article | Published: 30 December 2024

Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of India: Importance, threats and future potential

Nandkishore Thombare, Vaibhav Daulat Lohot, Usha Kumari and Niranjan Prasad

Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products | Volume: 31 | Issue: 4 | Page No. 269-279 | 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2024-M9U3UB | Cite this article

Abstract

Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.f.) is the most abundant tree species, spreading across 10 Mha, covering 10.62% share in India. The local population has been profoundly dependent on sal forests for their livelihood. Besides acting as  wild animal’s habitat and controlling soil erosion, sal forests have the largest share in carbon sequestration in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, ranging from 30 to 170 Mg Carbon/ha. Due to excessive population pressure, dense sal forests are being converted into thin and dispersed forest; hence, it is essential to critically review the lapses in the existing system and take bold steps to address them. Government-community collaborative efforts for conservation, rejuvenation, mass-scale afforestation, and establishing non-timber sal-based cottage industries can help maintain a healthy forest cover and sustainably support livelihood.

Keywords

Carbon sequestration, leaves, livelihood, Sakhua, tribal

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Thombare, N., Lohot, V.D., Kumari, U. and Prasad, N., 2024. Sal (Shorea robusta) forests of India: Importance, threats and future potential. Journal of Non-Timber Forest Products, 31(4), pp.269-279. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps2000-2024-M9U3UB

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 05 November 2024

Manuscript Revised on 23 December 2024

Manuscript Accepted on 27 December 2024

Manuscript Published on 30 December 2024

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