Which plants
should be selected for plantation drive?
Hi all, with the
arrival of rainy season, many Nature lovers either groups or individuals will
carry out Plantation programs/activities. These are some guidelines which
should be considered. It is always advised to promote Native species for
plantation; and to avoid suggesting Non-native /exotic species. Here are the
reasons:
1. Exotic species are those plant species, which are not native to a
particular area. These species have been introduced by human activities to a
location where they do not naturally occur and so they are termed
"exotic", "non-indigenous", "non-native" or
simply "alien". The exotics threaten to alter the natural composition
of forest; they restrict, prey on or compete with native populations and
disrupt the integrity of site. They are major ecological threat. Some research
suggests that the plant inhibits the growth of other plants in its vicinity.
2. Non-native trees may not adapt completely to local ecology and
cannot support the local biodiversity which includes local birds, local
insects, bacteria, fungi etc. E.g. Indian/local birds do not build their nests
on trees like Gulmohr, rain tree, Nilgiri (Except crow). Nilgiri’s leaf litter
takes major time to biodegrade as the required bacteria’s are not present in
Indian soil. No other vegetation could grow beneath Nilgiri. On the other hand,
Native plants always support other vegetation and biodiversity.
3. Some of the non-native species cause ecological problems; they are
termed as "invasive" or "harmful exotic species". Many
times they turn out into a weed. Such species primarily invades disturbed
habitats, degraded forests / thickets and left out or fallow fields crowding
out native vegetation of upland forests, forming single species stands. For
Example: In India, once introduced, the species like Lantana camara (Tantani)
becomes invasive and slowly suppresses the growth of original vegetation. Once
it starts flowering and fruiting, the seeds spread over a large area and
germinate very fast. Then it becomes very difficult to eradicate them. Some of
them are prolific seed producers. One can observe many such examples like
Australian Acacia, Gliricidia spp. and Leucaena leucophyla (Subabhul). They
start growing easily from the cut stump.
4. We should consider whole ecology for conservation. Everything has a
special role in ecosystem. Trees, shrubs, grasses, birds, bacteria, fungi -
everything plays very important role in local ecology; even the leaf litter
which we generally term “Kachara” and burn away, provides important nutrient to
plants, after its decomposition and natural cover to the soil keeping moisture
maintained. Human have not yet explored the co-relation in all the forms of
life; till date Human has done lots of interfere in nature. We do not have
right to disturb natural vegetation by introducing foreign species, just
because of anthropocentric benefits. Trees are the base of ecology, as they provide
food and habitat to other biodiversity.
We should not promote trees based on their aesthetic or fuel values but
choice should be based on study of local-reference-natural ecosystem. If such
study is not possible, we should/we can at least avoid planting non-native
trees.
5. Most of the countries have very stringent rules about use of Native
trees for plantation. E.g. Australia has very strict rules when it comes to
quarantine. We r not allowed to bring in any plants, seeds, roots, wooden
pieces even dirt from our shoes and slippers is removed sometimes. I hope
Indian government wakes up before we loose our native species and be taken over
by non-native trees and plants.
6. We should and we can also avoid monoculture of one particular specie
– meaning - Diversity should be preferred. Different trees develops different
ecosystem giving rise to overall biodiversity.
7. Ideally, before plantation, one should first study nearest Natural
ecosystem and list the naturally occurring species and same species should be
planted. Most of the exotic/non-native samplings are easily available in local
nurseries because of their popularity, But when demand for natives will grow,
their availability shall also grow.
Please note the
following list of non-native trees which should not be promoted for plantation.
1. Gulmohr (Delonix Regia)
2. Rain tree (Albizia saman) (Mistakenly also called Shirish, Shirish
perhaps is a local variety and best alternative to Rain tree)
3. Nilgiri (Eucalyptus)
4. Gliricidia
5. SUbabhul (Leucaena leucocephala)
6. Pink Cassia
7. Australian Acacia
8. Casurina
9. Silver oak
10. Spathodia
11. Cassia spp
12. Mahogany
Following are the
native alternatives for Non-native trees
There are some
common trees all over India which are easy to plant and can be made available
in the market:
- Satwin/saptparni (Alstonia scholaris)
- Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba)
- Phanas/Jackfruit (Artocarpus hetrophyllus)
- Wad/Indian Banyan/Bargad (Ficus Benghalensis)
- Sair/Kate Sawar/ Semal/Shalmali (Bombax Ceiba or Bombax malabaricum)
- Palas/Palash/ Muthuga /Porasum (Butea monosperma)
- Bherli Maad (Caryota urens: Note: there are many other false varieties available, beware of the right one)
- Bahava/ Amaltaas/Kakke/ Konrai/raela/garmalo (Cassia Fistula)
- Pangara (Indian Coral tree)
- Umbar/ Oudumbar (Ficus recemosa)
- Nandruk (Ficus microcarpa)
- Pimpal (Ficus religiosa)
- Bondara/Tamhan (Lagerstroemia flos reginae)
- Bhend/ Indian tulip tree(Thespesia populanea)
- Amba/Mango (Mangifera indica)
- Sonchaapha (Michelia champaca: Please note that Plumeria/dev-chapha)
- Bakul (Mimusops elengi)
- Chinch/Imali (Tamarindus indica)
- Sita – Ashok / Vanjulam (Saraca asoca/saraca Indica – And not Polyalthia Longifolia which is mistakenly known as Ashoka)
- Jambhul/Jamun (Syzygium cuminii)
- KaduNimbm/ Neem tree (Azadirecta indica)
