At present, large scale tree planting is going on throughout the State and country for a sound environment and specifically, to counter climate hazards.
Ecological loss invites disastrous situations. So before a forester considers taking up tree planting in a particular region or site, he must study the purposes for which such operation is taking place and the species which are most suitable.
No plantation of trees can be successful unless the ecological aspect is not paid due attention. The ecological aspects mean the geo-morphological structure of the sites, climate conditions, biotic factors and the purposes for which plantations are taken up.
The whole tree planting culture can be classified into (a) ecological plantations (b) economic plantations (c) avenue plantations (d) plan for beautifying town-cities, and villages (e) festivity of trees.
Ecological plantations can be raised within the forest lands and beyond. The ecological plants means the species raised must be indigenous and suitable to the geo-morphological factors and conditions. When the soil is fragile, erodible and also grossly sensitive, proper soil arresting and soil and water conserving species with adequate soil conservation measures are needed. Similarly, fruit bearing species, which are needed for sustainable living of flora and fauna, including avifauna, should be given prime importance. If such species are ignored and not sustainably maintained, how the flora and fauna and also the avifauna of a region will existIJ
At present, very often conflicts between man and animal are going on due to loss of habitats. The habitat means food, water, peaceful living and shelter without interference of man. Under the pretext of development, we harm the entire bio-diversities of the world, one way or the other.
At present the census of elephants is going on and shortly the census of crocodiles of the State was completed. The conflict between man and elephant and man and crocodile is a regular affair in Odisha. The whole reason of the conflict is due to loss of habitats not only of these two species, but also, the whole animal population. So the conservation of habits and development of habitats of every species, including man, should be scientifically maintained for survival of every one. This is termed as ecological management of the environment.
Swachha Bharat means scientific management of entire physiography of the bio-sphere, which also means scientific management of air, water and soil of a region. So the ecological management of the habitats of every individual is now most important. At present, the bee population of all types is drastically going down as the nectar yielding trees are vanishing from forests. The forester, who deals with silviculture of all types of species, should deal with this aspect of the species for raising adequate number of trees in the forests and outside for existence of bee population. The species like Kanchana (Bauhinia), Jamun, Neem, Shisham, Baruna and Amba etc should be raised, which are suitable for nectar yielding. The tribal communities of the State are very much capable of giving proper advice to the planters of the trees. We can get better ecological information from the tribal communities on tree culture. Similarly, different ficus species like Bara, Aswastha, Jaree, mango and bamboo and also other suitable species required for the voracious feeders should be included in the plantation activities including provision of water sources to mitigate the man-animal conflicts.
Again measures to control aggressive crocodiles, who are straying out of their habitats, solely because of insufficient food and shelter, should be ecologically sustainable. The ecology must be maintained and managed to avoid man-crocodile conflict and loss of human and animal resources of the State. Due to loss of habitats, these reptiles, especially the species of Gomaha, Baula and Ghadial (Magar) are losing their population, which should be brought under control. The habitat management in forestry is most important. Economy and ecology are correlated. The economic plantation means cash yielding trees and vegetations are to be encouraged for economic upliftment of forest dwellers and tribes. This also includes plantation of food bearing trees to fulfill social objectives of the society. Fruit bearing trees like mango, jackfruits, Kendu, Char, tamarind, jaman, etc are seasonal and very much associated with day-to- day culture of the tribals and forest dwellers. Similarly, other economic species like bamboo, palm, Simal, Khajur, Salapa with other grasses and herbs usually are needed by all kinds of forest dwellers to survive. Hence, these species of trees are to be included in the planting programme for sustainable management of the ecosystem. There are various minor forest produce yielding plants like Kochila, Harida, Bahada, Aanla, including oil bearing species like Sal, Karanja, Kushum, Mahul etc. These are to be included in the plantation programme.
To improve the smartness of the roads, cities and towns, landscape management is very much required, which amounts to avenue enrichment of the localities. The plants suitable for glorifying the sub-urban and town and cities are to be planted and properly managed. The species like Simal, Spathodea, Ashok, Nageswar, Krushnachuda, Polyathia, Kathachampa , Akashmali, Tecom, Kigelia, Palash, Jacaranda, Nagaballi, Amla, Ponang, etc. are selected for the purpose. The species, which improve the status of the town and city, should be preferred to be planted.The cities and towns should be properly planned including their parks for raising suitable flowering species and decorative plants to glorify their positions. Similarly, all types of institutions within the cities and towns should equally be planned for proper landscape management. The planters of the trees and shrubs should know the ecological, as well as socio-economic values of each species while going for propagating the said species.
There are certain species, which are worshiped in our culture like banyan tree (Bara), Aswasth (Bodhidruma), Bel, Aanla, Harida, Bahada, Nageswar (Mesua ferrea), Ashoka, Nagabali, Baruna, Neem, etc.
Generally people do not harm these trees including fruit bearing trees from which the people get direct benefits and worship these trees for better fortune. These trees should be widely cultivated in rural as well as urban areas.
Many economic species from our forests are dwindling due to mismanagement of our ecological systems and biotic factors. Forest based cottage industries can be possible throughout the State if our eco-systems can be properly and efficiently managed to provide employment to the rural poor.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)