Our Lead Strategist, Dr. Kotru along with Trestle Management Advisor members has been busy for the past month in giving contributions to restoring the ecology of the Neugal River originating from the Dhauladhar mountains. With Palampur Welfare and Environment Protection Forum and as a member of Himalayan Mountain Trust, he has spearheaded the plantation of broadleaved species as future forests in a changing climate. 3rd August was the last day of planting as plants brought from the forest nurseries to the open landscape need at least 8 weeks to firm up in the new micro-climate and the monsoon has only six weeks left.
This year’s plantation involved only broadleaved species mostly Salix/willow, Terminalia species (Arjun, Harar, Bhera), Indian Gooseberry/Amla, Bamboo, Dalbergia sissoo/Shisham etc. saplings, especially Salix and Dalbergia bind riverbanks and have shown resilience despite heavy water flow and unrelenting massive showers under the Dhauladhar mountain range in Himachal Pradesh. It is always a good feeling to mix theoretical jargon with practical work on the ground and even if it is sometimes alone. But in nature you are never alone as it is a super-soul that always amazes us, challenges us but also cares for us, even if we may still be mundane and don’t look into its sheer beauty and eternal resilience! However, all this work would not be possible without the support of the Forest Department-Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, India, and scores of volunteers, all contributing to the collective effort. A big thank you to one and all. The time for monitoring starts now.
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