Belatedly though, the Forest Department has decided to focus on the long neglected area of forestry research and undertake projects to generate scientific data to help improve regeneration and pave the way for sustainable management of forests.

To begin with, the department will introduce certified seeds for raising plant material in the nurseries for various important species like deodar, fir, spruce, pine, kail and other conifer varieties. Seeds will be collected from selected genetically healthy plus trees and tested for qualities like germination in laboratory before supplying these to various nurseries. The conservator in charge of silvicultural research based at Sundernagar will function as the seed-certifying agency for the purpose.

Healthy seeds with high germination rate will ensure proper growth of new plantations carried out by the department, explains principal chief conservator of forests Vinay Tandon. The equipment required for testing of seeds was already available with the department and certified seed will be introduced from the next planting season at some of the nurseries.

The department has also decided to carry out scientific studies to work out the optimum levels for extraction of forest produces like herbs and wild edible mushrooms, grazing in high pastures and lopping of trees for fodder. Local people having usufruct rights will also be involved in the research as it would help educate them about the benefits and need of sustainable management of forests.

Tandon said the shifting of vegetation due to global warming would be a major area of research to help combat the challenge of climate change. With the average temperature rising and snowline receding, a host of forest species were gradually moving up hill. For instance, apple had vanished from lower areas and new orchards were mostly coming up in high-altitude areas, he said.