EUCALYPTUS PLANTATION

Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees and shrubs, predominantly native to Australia. Over 700 species of eucalyptus exist, and they have been widely planted in many other parts of the world, including India, due to their fast growth and valuable wood properties.

Characteristics

Eucalyptus trees are known for their distinctive leaves, which are often long, narrow, and aromatic due to the presence of essential oils. Their smooth bark sheds in strips, revealing a colourful, mottled trunk beneath.

Uses

1. Eucalyptus wood is used for construction, furniture, and paper production due to its durability and fast growth.
2. Eucalyptus oil is extracted for medicinal purposes, including use in cough drops, inhalants, and antiseptics.
3. Some eucalyptus species are planted as ornamental trees in gardens and parks.

Environmental Impact

Despite its economic benefits, eucalyptus cultivation has several environmental downsides:

1. Eucalyptus trees have high water requirements, which can deplete local water resources and affect surrounding vegetation.
2. The leaf litter from eucalyptus trees contains allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plant species, leading to reduced biodiversity.
3. Eucalyptus trees are highly flammable due to their oil-rich leaves and bark, increasing the risk and intensity of forest fires.
4. eucalyptus can become invasive in non-native areas, outcompeting indigenous flora and altering local ecosystems.

The Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) was established on January 24, 1975, as part of a dynamic production forestry enterprise. According to the KFDC website, the corporation manages approximately 7,000 hectares (ha) of plantations.

Plantation Working Circle

• The KFDC's plantation working circle includes the following species Eucalyptus grandis, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Acacia crassicarpa, Acacia pycnantha (also known as wattle), Alnus nepalensis, Casuarina equisetifolia and Pinus patula. 
• Different species within the plantations have varying rotation ages Eucalyptus plantations: 9 years, Acacia auriculiformis: 18 years and Acacia mangium: 7 years. 
• At the end of each cycle, plantations approved by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change are felled.
• Clear-felled plantations are replanted with species listed in a management plan. Before replanting, experts assess soil quality and consult with the Kerala Forest Research Institute.
• As of this month, the KFDC website also indicates that plantations of exotic species, including eucalyptus, will be converted to those of indigenous species once the exotic flora has been felled, aiming to be more ecologically and environmentally friendly.

In 2021, the State government published an eco-restoration policy aimed at addressing several environmental concerns. A key focus of this policy was the "proliferation of invasive species that are not suitable for our environment" and the consequent "depletion of natural forests." According to the policy, this depletion was forcing wild animals to encroach on human-occupied land in search of food, thereby increasing human-wildlife conflicts.

Impact of Invasive Species

A recent study by the Kerala State Forest Protective Staff Organisation an association of frontline forest officers highlighted the benefits of replacing exotic plants with native species in forested areas. For instance, ensuring food availability for wild elephants at Chinnakanal in Munnar could be achieved by replacing eucalyptus trees, which dominate the prime elephant habitat in the Munnar forest division, with natural species.

Policy Acknowledgements and Priorities

The policy also acknowledged that invasive species of plants and animals had caused "serious damage to natural habitats and ecosystems." It emphasized that "eradicating such invasive species" was a high priority.

Environmental Activists' Concerns

Environmental activists argued that the State’s order permitting the KFDC to plant eucalyptus trees contradicted the eco-restoration policy's goals. They claimed it undermined efforts to combat invasive species and mitigate human-animal conflicts, thus jeopardizing the policy's aspirations.

5. Eco-Restoration