Raipur: Known to be germane to its land richness, the Chhattisgarh government has always made fullest utilization of its natural potentials to progress its economy.
In one of the biggest ecological restorations across the country, Chhattisgarh spearheads to outlaw all existing forests and introduce the country’s biggest human-made forest area by converting a 2,500 acre of barren land into natural habitat at Nandini mines located in the Durg district.
Taking a cue from the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration that aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems and to combat climate change and prevent mass extinction, the state administration decided to devise the project.
The project would span for five years, under which the initial plantation work commenced on a stretch of 885 acres of Nandini Mines located 25 km away from Durg town. Dense trees like Mahua, peepal, banyan and others that have a longer life span will be preferred.
Speaking to media representatives, Dhammshil Ganvir divisional forest officer, Durg range said, “It’s like a contribution for ‘UN decade on ecosystem’. With a scientific approach, we are planning to revive the ecosystem and taking reference from tropical dry deciduous forests sub-type, it will be replicated with similar species of plants. Following the Japanese botanist Miyawaki’s forest technique, Nandini will be converted into a multi-layered forest with herbs, shrubs, middle and high canopy trees. Around 3,000 seed balls will also be used for the spot where proper planting isn’t possible.”
The project would follow the Miyawaki forest method that involves planting two to four trees per square metre and that would in turn lower temperatures, reduce air and noise pollution, attract local birds and insects, and create carbon sinks. Subsequently, the revival of the three cycles of ecosystems of water, energy and nutrients would come into play.
With an initial budget of Rs 3.37 crore the administration determines to set up an Africa like Jungle Safari.