Dalhousie forest division lights the way for sustainable forestry

In a significant step towards wildfire prevention and biodiversity conservation, the Dalhousie forest division has launched a robust community-driven initiative to curb recurring forest fires. The strategy combines forest fuel reduction, ecological restoration and sustainable livelihood creation — all with the active participation of local communities.

Dalhousie Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rajneesh Mahajan emphasised that long-term environmental protection and biodiversity conservation are only possible through grassroots involvement. He explained that recurring fires disrupt natural ecological succession, pushing forests into retrogressive cycles that severely threaten native flora and fauna.

To break this cycle, members of Joint Forest Management Committees have been mobilised to remove dry and highly flammable chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) needles from plantation areas. Over the past two years, fire-affected zones have been reseeded with indigenous species and willow saplings have been planted along stream banks to restore moisture corridors.

In a novel intervention, 171 check dams made of jute ropes were constructed last year, trapping over 10.6 quintals of chir pine needles. These dams not only reduce the forest’s fuel load but also stabilise water channels and prevent soil erosion — an effort carried out entirely through community participation.

The division is also nurturing sustainable livelihoods by cultivating wild fruit-bearing species such as Lasura (Cordia dichotoma), valued for its high market demand but difficult to propagate due to pest-related challenges. Special training sessions for nursery workers were held in collaboration with the Regional Horticulture Research and Training Station, Jachh.

“A mature Lasura tree can yield up to 50 kg of fruit annually, fetching Rs 70-80 per kg,” noted DFO Mahajan, calling it a “reliable income source” for rural communities.

To further support local economies and forest conservation, native species like walnut, harad, behda, amla and soapnut will be planted along forest edges near villages during the upcoming monsoon. This approach not only diversifies rural incomes but also promotes a stronger sense of forest stewardship.

For high-risk fire zones, the department is introducing fire-resistant species such as Kaith, wild date palm, Dadu, Phagura, Amaltas, Tor and Tremble — species that have demonstrated higher survival rates in chir pine-dominated ecosystems.

In line with modern nursery practices, the division has also upgraded several nurseries into “Biodiversity Nurseries,” where indigenous saplings are raised in root trainers using cocopeat and vermicompost. This technique boosts root development, retains moisture and ensures easier transport. Over 30,000 saplings of species such as Peepal, Banyan, Phagura, Rumbal and Palakh have already been propagated. These will be planted along highways as part of the “Ficus Forest” initiative, envisioned as green corridors and habitats for birds and wildlife.