SHILLONG, Sep 25: The Forest and Environment department on Wednesday introduced two significant projects aimed at providing a fillip to the state’s afforestation endeavours and supply of seeds with the establishment of a supply chain.
A workshop in this regard was held here on the projects, viz. ‘Development of Schedule of Rates for Afforestation Works in Meghalaya’ and ‘Establishment of a Supply Chain to Ensure Assured Supply of Seeds and Other Plant Propagules of Superior Genetic Makeup’.
These projects, spearheaded by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, HC Chaudhary, aim to enhance the department’s capacity to efficiently restore degraded and barren forest areas across the state.
The first project focuses on developing site-specific afforestation models and scientifically reclaiming abandoned mines and other degraded lands in Meghalaya. It aims to standardise the nursery and plantation operations by assessing the manpower, materials and services required, and to institutionalise the use of modern tools and machinery for afforestation activities.
On the other hand, the second project seeks to create a reliable supply chain for seeds and plant propagules of superior genetic quality, starting with 50 commercially important tree species.
It plans to establish 500 hectares of in-situ and 60 hectares of ex-situ sources for these seeds and set up a seed storage facility in Upper Shillong with a capacity to store 10 to 15 tonnes of seeds for up to 10 years.
It also aims to collect and preserve seeds of wild plants in collaboration with the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), ensuring long-term preservation and protecting native tree species from extinction. During the workshop, deliberations were held to finalise micro-details of activities to be undertaken under these project.
Several areas of collaboration with different departments, agencies and organisations in implementation of these projects were also identified. Further, list of species to be covered for development supply chain were also finalised during the workshop.
Others who were part of the workshop include senior officers from various departments including Forest and Environment, Agriculture, and Horticulture, as well as officials from Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, and scientists from Rain Forest Research Institute Jorhat, Assam Agriculture University and North-Eastern Hill University.
