Which of the following are objectives of National Forest Policy?

1. Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation
2. Checking soil erosion and denudation in the catchment areas of rivers, lakes, reservoirs
3. Diversion of good and productive agricultural lands to forestry

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a)1 Only
b)1 and 3 Only
c)1 and 2 only
d)1, 2 and 3

Ans-[C] 

Explanation – The basic objectives that should govern the National Forest Policy – are the following: ·
1. Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and, where necessary, restoration of the ecological balance that has been adversely disturbed by serious depletion of the forests of the country. ·
2. Conserving the natural heritage of the country by preserving the remaining natural forests with the vast variety of flora and fauna, which represent the remarkable biological diversity and genetic resources of the country. ·
3. Checking soil erosion and denudation in the catchment areas of rivers, lakes, reservoirs in the “interest of soil and water conservation, for mitigating floods and droughts and for the retardation of siltation of reservoirs. ·
4. Checking the extension of sand-dunes in the desert areas of Rajasthan and along the coastal tracts. ·
5. Increasing substantially the forest/tree cover in the country through massive afforestation and social forestry programmes, especially on all denuded, degraded and unproductive lands. ·
6. Meeting the requirements of fuel-wood, fodder, minor forest produce and small timber of the rural and tribal populations. ·
7. Increasing the productivity of forests to meet essential national needs. Encouraging efficient utilization of forest produce and maximizing substitution of wood. ·
8. Creating a massive people’s movement with the involvement of women, for achieving these objectives and to minimize pressure on existing forests.