While agreeing with concerns raised by environmentalists on need for more focus on native flora and preventing introduction of exotic species in forests, chief conservator of forests, Biodiversity Conservation Development and Research, SK Singh has stressed that the trial involving the giant Sequoia in Uttarakhand will not pose any threat to the native biodiversity of the Himalayan region.
He said that the department is also focusing on various native tree species for fodder development and mitigation of human-wildlife conflict among other issues.
It will be recalled that the decision of the State Forest Department to undertake suitability trial of the giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron Giganteum)-believed to be the largest and oldest living tree species in the world- had been questioned by noted environmentalists here. Three hundred seeds of this tree had germinated in the department nursery in March this year.
leading environmentalists of the Chipko Movement, Sunder lal Bahuguna and Chandi Prasad Bhatt had said that in stead of planting and researching this unique tree native to USA, the department should rather focus on research and plantation of native species of this Himalayan region. Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) founder Dr Anil Joshi had termed it a mockery opining that planting this alien species appeared to be guided more by a romantic notion than a logical aim.
However , Singh stressed that the department is also against introduction of exotic flora in natural forests. “The giant Sequoias will be kept in the department nursery for at least one and a half years. The tree attains maturity in about 20 years, who knows whether it finds the environment here suitable for growth till thenIJ In any case, these trees are not to be planted in forests,” he said. Referring to work undertaken by the department on native tree species Singh said, “We are working on various native species in both the mountainous areas and the plains. We are working on species like the Bhojpatra, Thunair, juniper and Kilmora among other species in the mountainous regions apart from Sal and other species as individuals elsewhere. Our focus is on capitalising on native species to address issues like fodder development, conservation and human-wildlife conflict among others,” said the CCF.
It should be noted here that as part of the suitability trial of the giant Sequoia, the department plans to eventually plant the trees in about half a dozen locations in the State.