Borer Infestation Takes Epidemic Form in MP’s Sal Forest
Central nod sought to cut 1.5 lakh sal trees
Bhopal: Borer infestation has taken epidemic form in the forests in Dindori district in Madhya Pradesh, forcing the state government to seek the Centre’s nod to fell around 1.5 lakh sal trees, invaded by the insect.
As many as 1,47, 380 sal trees in three forest ranges, spread over 30,000 hectares, in the district have so far been identified as being affected by borer infestation, local forest officials said on Thursday.
The three forest ranges affected by the outbreak are East Karanjia, West Karanji and Samanpur.
“East Karanjia range is the worst affected by the borer infestation”, local sub-divisional officer of the Dindori district forest department Surendra Jatav told the media.
The forest department has launched ‘Tree Trap Operation’ to catch the insects and destroy them later, sources said.
The local tribals and forest committees have been deployed for collection of the sal borers with a payment of Rs two per an insect for their destruction later, a forest officer said.
According to Mr. Jatav, more than 14 lakh sal borers have been collected by July 21 and an amount of Rs 29.4 lakh has been paid for purchase of these pests from the local residents.
“As many as 1,417,915 insects have been bought by July 21. We estimate that the number may go up to 25 lakhs”, a senior forest officer said.
The rainfall and humidity make favourable conditions for the sal borer to proliferate.
The insects gather near the human habitations being attracted by household lights.
The sal borer infestation has taken an epidemic form with the onset of the current monsoon, sources said.
The state forest department has sought permission from the Centre to fell around 1.5 lakh trees affected by the borer infestation, a forest officer said.
It is expected that the affected sal trees would be felled in September or October this year after the Centre granted permission for it, the forest officer said.
Mutants of sal borer develop in every 30-year cycle, the forest officer said.
Last time the sal forest in the district was affected by borer infestation was in 1997 when around three lakh sal trees had to be felled to check the outbreak, sources said.