Management of Lantana camara

Lantana camara is an abnoxious weed in the forests. It is highly adaptable species and has good regeneration capacity both from seeds and coppice shoots. The eradication of this weed from the forest areas is a serious issue of forest management. It poses great challenges to the foresters as it hinders the regeneration of the local species. It suppresses the local species by competing with recruits of local species for various resources. Keeping these points in view, the Uttaranchal Forest Department has taken up the management of Lantana camara in the Sal forests.

Methodology

The present work has been carried out in the Sal forests of Barkot Range, Dehradun Division under the centrally sponsored Integrated Forest Protection Scheme. The Lantana camara bushes were cut in the collar region about 3-4 cm below the ground level. This process was repeated atleast four times. Even all the staff members of Forest Department were undertaken the ‘Shramadan’ at four times to eradicate the weed. The cut bushes were heaped and burnt to avoid the further establishment. About four lakh Rupees has been spent in the clearing an area of five ha. In the coming mansoon season, the Department is planning to raise a plantation in this area.

Results

Due to the efforts of the Forest Department the Lantana has been completely removed in an area of five ha. The technique of cutting the Lantana bushes in the collar region at a depth of 3-4 cm below ground level was found to be effective. The height of cutting the bushes is very important. Because if they are cut above the ground level, the Lantana produces number of coppice shoots and spreads vigorously. Again the process has to be repeated many times in order completely eradicate the weed. And also the seeds of this weed have longer viability, its necessary to carry out the exercise repeatedly. The area has been burnt after heaping the cut bushes of Lantana. This could have been avoided as much of the advance growth of native species has been burnt.

As this area is adjacent to the stream, the raising of plantation is better idea. The native species should be selected by taking into account the soil conditions, availability of moisture and also the stage of succession of the site. The species which could be preferred to raise the plantation includes Syzizium cumini, Shorea robusta, Terminalia tomentosa, Lagerstoremia parviflora, Mallotus phillippinensis, Mangifera indica and Bamboo sps. The Bamboo sps could be preferred in the present area owing to the proximity to riverine system. But the protection is an issue as this area is frequented by elephants.

Cut root stock method

Together we will Win

Friends, I would like to share with you an inspirational incidence. At a Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100 meters race. At the starting signal, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All others except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back......every one of them. One girl with Down's syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better" Then all nine linked their arms together and walked together and finally reached the destination. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. I would not say that, you have to slow down. Rather by helping difficult areas, the feed back will make you go faster. If you pass this on, we may be able to change our hearts as well as someone else's. "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle".

Pangong Tso, Leh (J&K)

Pangong Tso, The beautiful Lake in Himalayas
A place too easily arrived at, is scarcely worth travelling to at all. Consider the ‘tired tourist’ who simply seeks solace in much talked about destinations, where he tends to relax and stroll the evening’s away, buy a few souvenirs and sample the cuisine from the endless menu. And there’s the ‘tireless traveller (Probationer)’ - learning by living person who opts for a destination in order to explore and experience the unknown. The 160 km trip to Pangong Lake from Leh was one such experience. The topography throughout the journey shoots up so abruptly that they throw off all calculations of distance. At times, it appeared as if so many of nature’s forces were warning us away at the steep slopes and uneasy bends and the great chunks of ice appearing static and frozen in time. Not to forget the funny (but informative) road side boards indicating to go slow. The Himalayan marmots were grazing in the marshy areas and peeping out to welcome the probationers. Villagers were seen here along with their large herds of Pashmina sheep and long tailed yaks.
Pangong Tso (or Pangong Lake) is a brackish lake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4,250 m (13,900 ft). It is 140 km long and extends from India to China. Two thirds of the length of this lake lies in China. The lake is 5 km wide at its broadest point. In winter, the lake surface freezes completely despite being salt water. The road traversed through the third-highest pass in the world, the Changla pass, where army sentries and a small teahouse greet visitors. Indian Armed forces maintain the roads in this region and have done commendable job to upkeep these roads. The journey to Changla was tough and upon reaching the top, we were greeted with a Sign that says "You have reached the Mighty Changla". The road Down from Chang-La was very good and passed though Tangste and other smaller villages. The final hurdle on this road was called Pagal nala or "The Crazy Stream". It has been known to wipe away trucks and other large vehicles in its flow. Crossing it is at times difficult. Once we crossed the stream we were welcomed by the first View of Pangong Tso. The spectacular lakeside is open during the tourist season from May to September. In fact it’s even said that the border security forces stationed around the lake use the frozen surface as roads for a bit of adventure during the slack and laid back winters. The lake was surrounded by barren mountains all around. Sri. Balaji, IFS informed that there is no aquatic life in the lake, no fish, except for some ducks and gulls over and on the lake surface. The lake is in the process of being identified under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. This will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the convention. The brackish water of the lake is devoid of any micro-vegetation. The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a variety of birds including a number of migratory birds. During summer, the Bar-Headed goose and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen here. The region around the lake supports a number of species of wildlife including the Blue sheep and the Himalayan Marmot. It was indeed photographers’ paradise notwithstanding the skills of photography thanks to the absolute clear sky, barren mountains, snow laden China border and bluish Pangong Lake. The journey back to Leh was full of memories of picturesque Pangong Lake.
(Vasantha Reddy, K.V., IFS(P))
(Photo by Prabuddha)