Uttarakhand Forest Pine, which used to be a major cause of forest fires every year in Uttarakhand, has now started spreading fast in the oak forests as well. For this reason, the Forest Department has now started formulating a strategy to remove pine trees from the oak forests, which will soon be implemented on the ground.

State Bureau, Dehradun: Uttarakhand Forest: Every year in Uttarakhand, the pine, which has become a major reason for the spread of fire in the forests, has now started spreading fast in the oak forests as well. Due to this, the government has also become alert in view of the danger hovering over the biodiversity of oak forests.

As per the instructions of Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal, the Forest Department is now engaged in formulating a strategy to remove pine trees from the oak forests, which will soon be implemented on the ground.

Pine forests in 16 percent

If you look at the figures, the responsibility of forests spread over 25863.18 square kilometers in the state is purely with the Forest Department. About 16 percent of this is covered by Chir pine forests. The pine forests annually yield 23.66 lakh metric tonnes of leaves, which are called Pirul in the local dialect.

Due to the acidic properties of Pirul, which is not considered good for the soil, due to its layer being laid, the rainwater does not get absorbed in the soil. Not only this, when dry in summer, this Pirul works as ghee in the forest fire.

In view of all this, the Forest Department stopped planting pine from the year 2004, but it is growing fast naturally. Pine seeds are reaching other forests by flying in the wind. In the last few years, pine has also knocked in the oak (oak) forests situated at an altitude of more than five thousand feet.

Pine trees can be seen among the oaks in many places. In fact, apart from being an evergreen tree, oak is helpful in conserving water. In such a situation, there is concern that if the spread of pine in the oak forests is not stopped, then its serious consequences can come to the fore.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern

Some time ago, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had also expressed concern over the spread of pine-oak in the forests and insisted on formulating an effective strategy to deal with it.

Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal had also instructed the departmental officers to prepare an action plan on how pine forests can be removed from there after a detailed study of oak forests.

According to Chief Forest Conservator Anoop Malik, head of the forest department, a strategy is being chalked out in this regard. Soon it will be placed before the higher officials.