Requirements for Forest Health Management in 21^st Century

In view of the global shift in the objectives of forest management, forests in 21 ^st century are no longer a timber and plantation management business but ecosystem management. In view of the climate change influencing the species ecology, the forest managers are today intertwined with the challenge of meeting the immediate fuelwood, fodder and timber requirements of the people on a sustainable basis on one hand and required to perform the role of a doctor of the forest ecosystems on the other hand. The present forest management scenario requires to look forest as a single entity and that includes all form of life existing in the forest right from the invisible microorganism to biggest terrestrial animal. The total number of tree species in India are around three thousand and they constitute less than one per cent of the total biodiversity of the country. The rest of the biodiversity yet required to be explored and studied for its role in nourishing and maintaining forest health and wealth. There is need to explore all forms of life other than trees like bacteria, virus, algae, lichens, ferns, herbs, shrubs, climbers, nematodes, earthworms, insects, arachnids, arthropods, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals for their role in maintaining ecological harmony. The forest health management in 21 ^st century requires holistic integrated ecosystem management approach of all life forms, especially in light of their response to climatic change.