Project to save chilgoza, gucchhi from extinction

Environment and Ecology Biodiversity

Experts will undertake mapping of the areas with the best seed variety of the endangered chilgoza nut through the Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (RS-GIS) techniques to improve its natural regeneration and save it from the threat of extinction.
Factors like unscientific extraction, grazing and its use as timber in the tribal belts have resulted in the reduction in the chilgoza trees found in the Sutlej valley in Kinnaur district and Pangi and Bharmour in Chamba district.
The Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE), and the Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI) have joined hands to conserve chilgoza and gucchhi (wild mushroom) plant through a Rs 1.96 crore project. Detailed studies on current harvesting practices, seed maturity indices, longevity and variability among seed sources in pinus gerardiana will be carried out for development of suitable strategies for its conservation.
It is one of the most important cash crops of tribal people of Kinnaur district. Unscientific extraction of chilgoza, also known as neoza nuts, grazing and its use as timber and resinous torchwood have made it an endangered conifer of the Himalayas.
A temporary research station is being set up at Reckong Peo. Additionally, a nursery is also being set up in collaboration with the Forest Department to raise seedlings of chilgoza pine.

Submit Error