Study on Forest Raw Materials for Pulp, Paper and Newsprint

Abstract

Consumption of paper and newsprint is regarded as a good index of the development of a country. Judged by this standard, India is far behind: its per capita consumption of paper is only 1.4 kg. as compared to 7 kg. in UAR, 16 in USSR, 57 in Japan, 106 in UK and as much as 205 in USA. This low consumption is also the result of non-availability of adequate cellulosic raw materials and to some extent due to the difficulty of obtaining foreign exchange. The country has made some progress in the production of paper and newsprint after independence. Even so nearly 75 per cent of the newsprint worth over Rs. 6 crores is being imported. The demand for paper and paper products is rising rapidly and is expected to be as much as six fold of the present consumption in 1980. Manufacture of paper requires a certain percentage of long-fibre to give it strength. So far the only long-fibre forest material used has been bamboo.