Planting fig tree to create a small sanctuary

          With shrinking forest cover, Planting a seedling as 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, its not possible to do in mass scale.

         As part of IFS training, during our field visit in 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 always find variety birds on the fig trees. Fruiting fig trees feed langurs, squirrels, hornbills, and many other wildlife. Wasps and figs symbiotic is well proven scientifically. Removing one fig species from floral treasury will lead to the disappearance of one wasp species from the faunal diversity. Figs are important key stone species, Disappearance of which will lead to disappearance of many other species. Planting one fig tree is equivalent  to planting many trees. Fig tree is a small sanctuary for the wide array wildlife. But, planting a fig seedling will take many years to become a fruit bearing tree. Is there any way to do a chooo mantar magic to get big fig tree around your area in short time? I have tried one way to plant fig trees. It may not be the best way, but will definitely help in supporting many  wildlife.

          This small experiment of planting peepal tree was done during my range training in Apalchand range in Kathambari (west bengal state). Peepal trees had grown on the compound of my range complex. This was detrimental to the compound. In the month of January, 2012 I thought of getting rid of it for the safety of compound. I remembered my teacher smt. Radhamani, who was collecting fig plants grown on the building for her Bonsai collection. She told me that fig grown on the buildings are old and best suited for the bonsai which gives the look of old tree. Also, it is easier to transfer into the pot. This encouraged me to translocate the Peepal tree from compound. Below are the few snaps of translocating the peepal tree.

          My staffs inspecting the peepal tree on the compound. Removing Peepal tree looked simple, initially. Once, the work was started; things started getting complicated, similar to how the prop roots of Peepal trees had formed a knot of web. The roots had penetrated the crevices in the compound in an uncanny way. Reaching out those roots to cut was too difficult.

       
          Shri. Bhidhan chand Dey, Forest guard cutting the roots of the peepal tree, which had penetrated the shop adjacent to compound. Initially we thought the branch which staff is cutting in the picture can removed with most of the roots attached to it. We were able to remove only two thread of roots attached to it.

           Shri. Abbas ali katham, cutting another peepal tree. The roots were attached to the compound so strongly that at one time the  whole compound wall was about to fall.

          After one and half hour of struggle, we were able to remove the Peepal tree. It was decided to spit this into two tree to plant separately. Even though tree had so much of roots on the compound we were able extract less than 5 % of it.

          You can see how much root came with the tree. I was doubtful of the survival of the tree. My staff said, it can establish. Staff know it by experience. But, only time can teach me.

          

          Choo... mantar!!!!1 the tall and main part of Peepal tree felled was planted behind range office. This picture was taken in May, after four months of planting. After the winter fall of leaves, the tree had produced new fresh leaves. I think this one must be about 10 year old. We can't be sure of planted seedling growing into a fruit bearing tree. But, this individual will surely start feeding birds within next few years. A staff who have been transferred out of this range before six months, in his next visit will surely wonder how such big tree growed within short time.

The second tree planted behind my residence. 

          The third one planted on the west side of the range. After completion of my range training in Kathambari, I have been posted  as Assistant Wildlife warden, Jaldapara national park. Before taking up the new assignment to protect wildlife of Jaldapara, I had the satisfaction of creating three small sanctuaries for wildlife in Kathambari. I hope to see an Oriental pied hornbill on one of these Peepal trees, when I visit Kathambari next time.