Project to save Chilgoza in Kinnaur

Himachal Pradesh Forest department has taken up an ambitious project to save Chilgoza trees,a valuable non-wood forest trees found only in Kinnaur and some parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Chamba in Himachal Pradesh.

Dr Rinki Sarkar,a noted social economist and visiting fellow at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Environment and Development,Bangalore,who had done an extensive study on the status of Chilgoza trees,has sought intervention of the community and state government for regeneration of the species. A workshop organised on Saturday by the Forest department focused on strategies needed to conserve the specie and also ensure that Kinnaur does not lose the value asset.

Sarkar made a detailed presentation on the specie and highlighted the issues,which she had found relevant for interventions since Chilgoza has also become a subject of livelihood and local economy in Kinnaur. The developmental activities and lack of care has caused a serious affect on the specie in the area,beside adverse climatic conditions,she said.

Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife),Ashwani Gulati,said “Proper planting techniques of Chilgoza pine are needed to supplement the efforts on conservation of the specie.”