Chhattisgarh Forest Department Seeks Expert Help to Save Girdled Trees in Tiger Reserve

The Chhattisgarh forest department is seeking expert help to save over 500 damaged trees in Karka village inside the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. Encroachers allegedly girdled these trees, which is a process where parts of the bark are removed to stop nutrient supply and kill the plant. An inspection carried out between September 22 and October 10 revealed that around 2,500 trees were found girdled in the reserve, which spans the Dhamtari and Gariaband districts. Predominant tree species affected include Sal, Bija and Tendu. At least 500 of these trees are freshly girdled, giving authorities a higher chance of saving them.

Expert Intervention

To save the damaged trees, conservationist Vijay Nishanth, known as the Tree Doctor from the Project Vruksha Foundation, will visit the tiger reserve to provide technical help. The department plans to use a tree surgery or bridge-grafting technique to reconnect damaged tissues. The reserve previously tried bridge grafting in the Tourenga Range in 2022, but that effort only had a success rate of about 10 percent. Officials currently apply a mixture of cow dung and soil over the wound and wrap it with gunny bags. Along with expert help, the forest department is also consulting tribal communities and forest dwellers to use their traditional knowledge for tree care.

Context

Tiger reserves serve as critical protected zones for conserving endangered wildlife and vital forest ecosystems in India. Girdling is often used illegally to clear forest land for farming or other commercial uses by slowly killing trees without cutting them down immediately. Protecting these landscapes is essential for maintaining local biodiversity and water sources.