Chhattisgarh seeks expert help for ‘surgery’ to save over 500 damaged trees

The Chhattisgarh forest department is seeking expert assistance to "surgically" save over 500 trees that were recently discovered girdled in the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR). Girdling, a damaging practice, involves cutting off a tree's nutrient supply by removing portions of its bark. This method has reportedly affected around 2,500 trees, primarily Sal, Bija, and Tendu species, in the reserve, which spans Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari and Gariaband districts.

Out of these, at least 500 trees are considered to be in a fresh state of damage, offering higher chances of recovery. The forest department uncovered the condition of the trees during an inspection from September 22 to October 10, which included a DGPS-enabled drone survey and satellite imagery analysis from 2010 and 2016. The findings highlight the need for restoration and stronger protection measures, as well as prosecution against the individuals responsible for the encroachment in Karka village.

To address the issue, the USTR is partnering with Vijay Nishanth, also known as Tree Doctor, who will provide technical assistance in the "surgical" treatment and restoration of affected trees through a technique called bridge-grafting. This method involves grafting a healthy branch across the girdled portion of a tree to reconnect damaged tissues.

The success rate of this technique is currently low due to limited research and time. Nishanth will assess the damaged trees, identify those that can potentially be saved, and recommend appropriate restoration techniques. This initiative will also offer an opportunity for USTR personnel to learn specialized treatment procedures and develop protocols for future care and monitoring.

Additionally, the forest department is consulting tribal communities and forest dwellers to incorporate their traditional ecological knowledge and indigenous practices in the tree care and healing process.