Terai-central cashing in on Poplar cultivation

Cultivation of Poplar has turned out not only to be an environment-friendly but also commercially viable business, with the Terai-central forest division earning about 10 time more than what it spent on the cultivation of the Poplar trees in its territory in a span of 12 years.The Terai-central forest division planted poplar trees in 185.82 hectare land in its area in 2002-2003, spending an amount of `25,71,005 in cultivation and protection of these trees. However, after commercial exploitation of these trees i.e. felling of the poplar trees in 2013-2014 after a gap of 12 years,  the Terai-central forest division earned a net profit in terms of royalty about `2,30,74,050.

Apart from the amount of Rs 23074050 that  we earned as royalty from felling of the poplar trees, a sizeable amount of profit also goes to the Uttarakhand  forest development corporation limited (UFDCl)  which deals with commercial exploitation of the forest produce like felling of the poplar trees, said Sanatan, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), terai- central forest division, while talking to The Pioneer.

The UFDCl earned a total `5,90,79,755. After paying `2,30,74,050 as royalty to the terai-central forest division and paying some labour costs, the rest of the amount out of `5,90,79,755, goes to the  UFDCl as profit, as the forest officials concerned said.The Terai-central forest division planted a total 123756 plants of poplar in about 185.82 hectare land in 2002-2003.

However, our success rate in terms of protection of trees remained 62.86 percent trees   in a span of 12 years, claimed Sanatan, DFO, the terai-central forest division.Whereas we estimated  a total 11411.50 cubic meter production of the popular trees, but the net production was recorded 13128.83 cubic meter, added Sanatan.

Interestingly, people may argue that if the cultivation of poplar tress is commercially viable, it also engages a piece of land for cultivation of poplar tree for 12 years. But the fact remains that during the period of 12 years the poplar forests also contribute significantly to the environment protection by way of providing clean air, maintained the forest officials concerned.

Besides, the extract from the popular tress is used in making valuable timber wood like interior decoration items, plywood and more importantly, the wood of the poplar tree has also proved to be useful for match box industry.So the  farmers who wish to earn better returns must also try their hands in the cultivation of poplar tree.