The Ficus Park being set up by the Forest department has started taking shape here with species from across the nation being planted here. Of the 850 Ficus varieties found across the world, about 115 are found in India and of these about 80 varieties have been plated in the Ficus Park. Chief Conservator of Forests, Biodiversity Conservation Development and Research, SK Singh said that similar initiatives would also be taken in other places by the department in order to maintain forest cover in the State.
Speaking about collection of Ficus varieties, he said that Ficus arnottiana had been collected from amidst rocks, the endangered Ficus assamica that spreads on the ground was found in the Dudhwa national park in Uttar Pradesh. Ficus glaberrima, used for fodder was found from the Kalsi area in Uttarakhand while a variety found from Kilbury in Nainital has also been collected though no description could be found for this variety yet.
Apart from Ficus varieties brought from mountainous regions, 10 varieties from the State of Kerala have also been planted in the Ficus park. Referring to the importance of Ficus, Singh said that while its leaves were used as fodder, the figs are consumed by humans, animals and birds.
In view of increasing urbanisation, various Ficus varieties had been planted in the park to raise public awareness. Many of these varieties could also be developed into Bonsai versions for homes, he said. In the future, the department will sell saplings of ornamental varieties to the public for cheap.
Forest ranger Rajendra Singh Bisht said that apart from the comparatively commonly know Ficus varieties with multiple uses, visitors to the park will be able to learn about the lesser known varieties and their uses.