Monoculture gives way to multiculture

KARWAR: The era of monoculture adopted by the Forest Department to develop forest seems to have ended now. The department has stopped growing acacia this year and eucalyptus two years ago in the forest region of Uttara Kannada district, said Canara forest circle conservator of forests Subhash Dhulkhed, in a statement.Now the focus is on developing only those species suitable for the geographical and natural conditions of Western Ghats region in the district, he added. For instance in Yellapur and Sirsi forest divisions the emphasis is on growing species such as jackfruit, wild mango, rose wood, cinnamon, emblica (nelli), garcinia (Muragala), jambool (Nerale), uppage and ramphal.In Haliyal forest division preference is laid on growing rosewood, cane, jambool, teak wood and tamarind. He said other fruit bearing trees, which can provide food to the birds and can generate minor forest produce for the local population would also be grown in all forest divisions.As many as 67 lakh plants of different species would be planted this year, Dhulkhed said. There are as many as 57 nurseries in the district and there would be no shortage of plants, Dhukhed said.With the onset of monsoon, the forest staff is engaged in raising multiculture plantations in U-K region forests so that the past grandeur of the forests can be restored, he said.