Restoration of degraded ecosystems

India enunciated its National Forest Policy 1988 with focus on conservation of forests with principal aim to maintain environment stability and ecological balance. The aim is to safeguard ecological security of the nation by ensuring protection and conservation of natural wealth including forests. It aims at building natural wealth in the shape of forest/tree cover to the tune of 1/3 of GA of the country.

In view of prevailing forest/tree cover that is far short of desired limit National Afforestation Program has been undertaken since 1999 for 20 years. The objective is to restore natural forest wealth/ capital by plantation of denuded forest and non forest tracts by plantation of suitable species and to regenerate degraded forests by ensuring regeneration.

Plantations undertaken over the years reveal that selection of suitable species for plantation was not given due focus that con-sequenced in low survival and unsatisfactorily growth.

Moreover, objective is restore ecological status and biodiversity index so as to build a healthy and productive forest ecosystems. Thus, restoration of ecological status of degraded ecosystems is prime aim and objective of plantation and regeneration.

Selection of species is a crucial factor in success of plantation as well restoration of degraded ecosystems.

1 Billion plantations program each year for a period of five years would would be a significant step in direction of restoration of degraded ecosystems. Native species fitting into ecology and landscape of ecosystems and having functional and utility values would suit the end.

Thus, what to plant where and how is crucial. List of 60 native species for Khan Desh would indeed help restore ecology of this region. It would also help restore ecology and biodiversity value of Satpuda Hills in the region.

It would help achieve Mission Green India aiming as greening India. To this end, what is desired is;

Think Green

Act Green

Live Green.