With rainy season having set in, the western circle that more or less comprises the mountain state’s Terai landscape is all set to carry out plantation over 2,000 hectare land this monsoon season.Mention worthy, there are five forest divisions under the western circle- Haldwani forest division, Terai-central forest division, Terai-east forest division, Ramnagar forest division and Terai-west forest division.It is learnt that by now all preparations have been completed for the drive in the western circle, said Surendra Mehra, conservator of forest, the western circle, while talking to The Pioneer. Apart from plantation of saplings, sowing of seeds would also be carried out under this plantation drive, he said. After the plantation drive is over our main focus would be on protection of the saplings, he added.
The western circle of the Uttrakhand forest department is hometo a variety of tree species like Gutel, Amaltas, Oak,Sheesham, Thuner, Tejpat, Kaphal, Jamun, Belpatri, Eucalyptus andPoplar, to name a few.Interestingly, cultivation of Poplar hasturned out to be not just environment-friendly but commercially viable of late with the Terai- central forestdivision of the western circle earning about 10 times more than whatit had invested on poplar cultivation in its territory.
Notably, the said forest division had planted poplar trees over 185.82 hectare landin its area in 2002-2003, spending Rs 25,71,005 incultivation and protection.However, commercial exploitation of these trees in 2013-2014- after 12 years-fetched a net profit of aboutRs 2,30,74,050.for the Terai-central forest division in terms of royalty. Meanwhile, since this western circle is also known as a favourable habitat for the wild species the officials concerned are developing orchards of wild fruits in this circle along with all other varieties of plants in tune with the climatic conditions of Terai region.