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