Seed bombing initiative may bomb

District officials getting ready to organise third phase of Telanganaku Haritha Haram

Even hillocks, like this one at Shivaguda hamlet in Kerameri mandal of KB Asifabad district, exhibit human interference.

Given the appalling record of forest protection and commitment of forest staff in Adilabad and neighbouring districts, the seed bombing initiative to increase green cover is more likely to bomb. Concerned forest officials concede that the need of the hour is protection to ensure natural regeneration of forests and revival of the rich biodiversity.

The government will soon take up dropping or scattering of seed balls in open forest lands to increase green cover as part of the third phase of ‘Telanganaku Haritha Haram’. Though final orders are awaited, administrations in respective districts are already gearing up for the exercise at their own level.

Trampling

For example, the Mancherial administration has plans to take up seed bombing on 100 hectare area around the Rallavagu stream which itself is being subjected to revival. The plan however could go awry as the area is not free from human interference, which means trampling by cattle can destroy the seed.

In fact, there is hardly any stretch in the forests which can be said to be inaccessible to grazing animals.

Non-germination

Felling of trees can be seen on steep hillocks even in the deepest of the forest areas.

“Then there is the question of rate of germination of forest or non forest variety of trees with no species having 100% rate which will have a telling effect on rate of success of seed bombing.

Germination problem

For instance, the anogeissus variety has only one per cent rate of germination and trees like ficus about 50%,” a forest official pointed out.

Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial and Kumram Bheem Asifabad, which once accounted for over 7,000 sq km of forests, out of a total geographical area of 16,000 sq km, have seen large scale destruction of green cover in the last two decades.

Felling of teak

The teak species, which once used to be the flagship species of the dry deciduous and mixed forests in these parts, has gone scarce owing to unchecked felling since the last four decades. The Forest Department faces problems when it comes to protecting the green cover, the worst of those being the commitment of the field level staff.

Forest fires

This year witnessed more forest fires across all the districts, the scene made worse owing to laggard patrolling by Forest Beat Officers who, incidentally have been given motorcycles by the government to effectively move in respective jurisdictions.

Vacancies

The question of vacancies is also a stumbling block for officials who mean business. For instance, the Asifabad forest Division in KB Asifabad district, which has the largest forest cover at over 2,400 sq km., has 60% of the sanctioned posts lying vacant which includes about 100 of the 144 posts of FBOs.