Herbivores of the jungle are said to be the forester's friends, while the earthworm
is said to be the farmer's friend. The friends of the forester include insects,
birds, squirrel, rabbit, monkey, deer, gaur (Indian bison), bear and elephant, to name
a few. It is known that herbivores play a significant role in forest ecology by dispersing seeds through their eating, migratory and other habits. They disperse seeds as part of a natural ecological cycle and strengthen the forest ecology by ensuring the diversity and density of trees in the forests. (Correspondence)

Some 225,000 square kilometres of Ontario's boreal forest have been set aside in the biggest conservation initiative in Canada's history. But mining and logging will still be permitted, with strict regulations, in the region.

A high-profile group of thinkers has come up with a straightforward way to integrate long-term forest management into an international agreement on halting deforestation. It is not clear whether the proposal

Enlarge View The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Ashutosh Mishra

The traditional forest dweller has had very few entitlements down centuries. Guardian of the forest, he has been regarded as encroacher by the State. All that is changing now as the Forest Rights Act of 2006 is being implemented across the country since January this year. Down To Earth tracks the progress of the new law