Planting fig tree to create a small sanctuary
With shrinking forest cover, planting a seedling has become popular slogan everywhere. Lot of money is spent on afforestation. How many of the seedlings planted grows to become fruit bearing trees? Many die naturally, some are cut by villagers for the firewood or will get damaged for one or the other reason. It would have wonderful if fully grown trees are planted directly in the field. Many trials have been done in this direction. But it's not possible on a mass scale. As part of IFS training, during our field visit to Bandipur, I remember Dr. A.J.T. Jonhsingh saying that the forest department should take up planting of fig plants and other fodder species in wildlife areas. But raising nursery of fig plants is very difficult. If small fig plants are planted in forest, they will immediately be browsed by herbivores and will not be allowed to come up. The fact is that fig trees are abode for wildlife. One will ...