Scientific grassland mgmt in Dudhwa
LAKHIMPUR KHERI: The depleting number of herbivores has forced the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) authorities to finalise an action plan to scientifically manage grassland coverage in Dudhwa.
A two-day workshop in this regard to suggest scientific ways to improve and upgrade the grasslands in the Terai forests was jointly convened at Dudhwa by DTR and WWF from Nov 28, in which eminent experts RK Pandey from Jabalpur and Rajni Kant Mishra participated. The experts inspected the Dudhwa grasslands and suggested measures to improve them. The workshop, which was inaugurated by PCCF (wildlife) Pawan Kumar, concluded on Thursday.
Field director and chief conservator of forest Ramesh Kumar Pandey said, “Following a healthy discussion, spot observation and exchange of notes, an action plan has been finalised for the scientific management of Dudhwa grasslands and soon it will be implemented.”
Pandey said, “The need for such a workshop with grassland experts was felt after the number of spotted deer and other herbivores were not up to expectations.”
He said, “It’s a very healthy sign that Dudhwa forests have 20% of grasslands suited to rhinos, tuskers, swamp deer, etc. What we need is scientific management of these grasslands which stretch right from upland grasslands, suited to spotted deer to lowland, suited to swamp deer”, he added.
Pandey said, “Dudhwa grasslands composition involves both palatable and non-palatable grasses, and also those hard grasses like ‘moonj’ (sachchrm munja) which are palatable to some species and non-palatable for others.”
DEO KANT PANDEY