SOBHAPATI SAMOM
IMPHAL, NovEMBER 8
Scientists of Jorhat based Rain Forest Research Institute(RFRI) have started to conduct research work in a move to save the dying of khasi pine trees in Manipur and Meghalaya and also the dying of parkia or tree bean in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram.
“We have started to conduct a research work on these issues to find out the causes on why these trees are dying so that we can control it on time,” says Dr RK Borah, a forest pathologist in the RFRI Jorhat. “The reason for dying could be of fungal or insect invasion or may be because climate change impact in the region.”
Twenty seven year old RFRI is one of the eight institutes under Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education to conduct forestry research, education and extension in NE states.
Dr Borah added that they’ve witnessed similar trend of dying tree bean in neighbouring Nagaland state.
The RFRI scientist was speaking on issues relating to the impact of climate change in the rain forest of the North Eastern states during the first day session of the 4 day media workshop on adaptation to climate change in the Indian Himalayas was organised by Centre for Environment Education & Third Pole as part of the Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation programme and national mission for sustaining the Himalayas eco-system in Jorhat on November 2,to improve creative thinking and effective communication on adaptation to climate change in a local context,here in upper Assam town(Jorhat).
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change were the knowledge partners of the workshop.
Dr Borah also admitted that the institute is also conducting similar research to find out the root cause of the large scale dying of khasi pine trees kin Manipur’s Ukhrul district and NEHU area in Meghalaya’s state capital.
“Most of the said tree species is dying in Ukhrul and Tengnoupal area in the last few years in Manipur.We did not know the reason behind even though we find the sign of fungus or insect invasion in these areas,” he added.
Few years back, Manipur’s favourite delicacy – Yongchak (stink or tree bean) trees which have already dried up in many parts of the State due to insect invasion, aging of the tree, lack of proper management and also factors relating to climate change.
Yongchak Eromba, prepared with fermented fish, is one of the most delicious and sought after dish of Manipuris during winter. Yongchak was sold at Rs 20-30 per piece(pod) during the annual Ningol Chakkouba,the greatest festival of the state which falls in the November this year.
