'Shisham' decay due to cold weather conditions

Chandigarh, Jun 8 (UNI) The high mortality rate of the Indian Rosewood tree or 'shisham' in recent years is not a phenomena confined only to Punjab or parts of the country, but is also quite noticeable in neighbouring countries because of the changing weather conditions.

Stating this fact, Punjab State Forest Development Corporation, Managing Director Gulzar Singh told UNI that intially the decay of 'shisham' trees was noticed in the late 1990s in Punjab. But subsequent surveys and studies showed a similar trend in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, East Bengal, North East and in other states of India.

In fact the decay of 'shisham' was also noticed in the neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, he added.

Subsequently, a research project was conducted and the results showed that cold climatic conditions were responsible for the loss of 'shisham' trees, which are known for their hardness and are used for making furniture. In recent years, the number of frost days in the winters have increased and this has damaged the trees and affected their resistance power.

Mr Singh further stated that when the resistance power of the 'shisham' gets affected, it becomes easy prey for insects like stem borrer, fuscridim and ganoderma. In fact these insects have virtually washed away entire plantations of 'shisham' and even 'babul' trees in the country, he added.

MORE UNI HS LPB KN1607