Maharashtra Minister Ganesh Naik Announces Statewide Jambul Tree Plantation To Support Herbivorous Wildlife

Palghar, Maharashtra: In a significant ecological initiative, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has announced that Jambul (Syzygium cumini) trees from Bahadoli village in Palghar district, which have received Geographical Identification (GI) status, will be planted across Maharashtra, including Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Western Maharashtra, to provide food for herbivorous wildlife.

The Minister has instructed the Forest Department to purchase all available Jambul saplings from various nurseries within Palghar district. Highlighting the success of recent wildlife conservation efforts, Naik pointed out that the population of wild animals in Maharashtra has risen rapidly.

However, this growth has led to conflicts between wildlife and human settlements due to limited forest space. In several areas, the disappearance of domesticated animals such as goats and sheep has been linked to such conflicts. To help maintain the food chain for wild animals and curb these conflicts, the state is undertaking strategic ecological planning, including the planting of Jambul trees.

Jambul is a favorite food source for many herbivorous animals in the forest. The Jambul plantation project will be carried out ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. Around 20,000 saplings, including the 17,500 currently available in government nurseries in Palghar district, will be purchased and distributed across forests throughout the state. The plantation drive is intended to continue for the next few years, with plans to ramp up the production of Jambul saplings accordingly.

The Jambul trees planted in various forest areas will be maintained using solar-powered systems. This will ensure a readily available food source for animals like monkeys, rabbits, and other small creatures, the minister said.

Jambul Sapling Production Timeline

The process of grafting Jambul trees from Bahadoli typically begins in July and August. However, the grafts take until January and February to become strong enough for planting. The agriculture department in Palghar has indicated that preparations for the Jambul saplings required by the forest department for next year's plantation drive will need to begin this monsoon season.

Surangi Plantation in Palghar

In addition to the Jambul tree initiative, the forest department is also planning to plant Surangi trees, which are found in abundance in the Vengurla region, across at least 100 acres in Palghar district. The project will involve bringing 5,000 Surangi saplings from Vengurla to Palghar. Ganesh Naik stated that this fragrant tree will be beneficial for honey production and flower pollination, and funds are being allocated for this project.