One Species of Trees Do Not Make a Forest

Z. K. Pahrü Pou BTC, Pfutsero We, the Hostellers of Baptist Theological College, Pfutsero, had chosen “Revitalizing God’s Creation” as our theme for this academic year. We believe that one of the best ways to take care of God’s beautiful creation is through planting trees. On two occasions, in the month of June and July, the hostellers have planted trees of local species (around 1500 saplings mostly alder and wild apple saplings) at Pfutsero around NAP Camp, Glory Peak and Mission Compound. Local variety of trees allows other trees and plants to grow and live together. We do not plant trees for commercial purpose. We plant trees to replenish nature, to get fresh air, to regenerate water sources, to enhance and protect soil fertility, as well as to provide habitats for birds and animals, reptiles, and countless insects. We plant trees to renovate the decaying environment and maintain ecological balance. Land gives. Water gives. Forest gives. Animals and birds give. Everything gives to human beings. We must take care of them so that they all flourish. Diversity is God’s plan. God wants all creation to be fruitful and multiply. Many people under the influence of market forces are clearing large part of forest and planting just ‘one type of tree’ that fetch good price in market. Therefore, our objective is starkly differently from that of money-oriented market ideologues who propagate, “money grows on trees” and who encourage mono-culture of tree plantation to earn money. Plantation of only one type of tree on a large scale in a particular area disturbs ecological balance rather than regenerating the nature. In our land, one can see large scale plantation of teak, pine, eucalyptus and rubber trees. Although we may be able to make the whole mountain looks green by planting of a single species of tree, but in its truest sense, the definition of forest is lost because only one species of tree does not make a forest. Forest is forest because there are variety species of trees, bamboos, canes, plants, green leaves, tubers, herbs, mushroom, flowers, animals and birds. In forest, there are millions of seeing and unseeing flora and fauna that depends on each other for survival. When the varieties of trees and plants species are cleared for plantation of mono commercial tree, it destroys the habitats of birds, rodents, insects, reptiles, and wild animal. This practice also destroys food webs of living creatures. One can see how plantation of pine trees on a large scale destroys river sources and soil fertility. Therefore, the priests of market who preach ‘money grows on trees” and encouraging planting only one species of trees is harmful to ecological health. Tribal people hugely depend on forest is evident from their livelihood needs. Leaves, fruits, flowers, herbs, seeds, roots, medicinal herbs, mushroom, and fruits are integral part of their daily diet. In fact, the estimation varies from 50 per cent to 80 per cent of tribes’ food requirement came from forest. Besides food, tribals are also dependent on forest for materials required for setting up their hut/house as well as for preparing tools, implements required for their routing economic and household activities. Hunting and fishing tools, agricultural implements like plough and yoke, and different types of baskets are all made from forest products. Almost all the diseases are cured by using medicinal leaves, roots, bark of trees and plants grown wild in the jungle. From forests they also get a large amount of their monetary value through non-wood forest produce (NWFP) by selling such as bamboo, fruits, flowers, leaves, mushrooms, etc. The collection, processing and sale of NWFP and firewood provide several days of employment to the tribals. Another mode of existential dependence on forest is slash and burn or shifting cultivation which is widely practice by tribal people. All these activities show that the tribal had a symbiotic relationship with the nature. Today, development projects and state revenue demands leads to destruction of forest resources more than by the needs of the forest dwellers. More forest land was converted into national park and wild life sanctuaries. There are also strong commercial forces at work. For many people, forest is nothing but just a source of money- making industry and rampantly destroying forest for timber business. In many hill areas, with unabated deforestation, one can see the depleting water sources threatening agriculture and fishing activities. The population of birds and wild animals decreased affecting their food security. Social tension is gearing up due to conflict over scarcity of water and fuel resources. With destruction of environment, different kinds of disease are invading us and frequent erratic winds and stormy rains attack us. There is increasing encounter between animals and human beings for living space. Conservation and preservation of forest is the need of the hour to provide security of life to all living beings. Forest, soil and water are the basic life supporting systems of this planet and our life itself. With deforestation taking place at fast pace, dilemma exists about the sustainability of life on earth in the long run. We must educate our people about the importance of protecting and conserving forests, soil and water if we are to survive and live healthy life. This earth belongs not only to our generation but also to the hundreds and thousands of future generation. It also belongs to all flora and fauna. Let’s all join hands in “revitalizing God’s creation.” BTC students haves started. Join us!