Union minister Kritivardhan Singh releases book on Sal mortality in Jharkhand

Ranchi: Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Kirtivardhan Singh, released a book “Factors responsible for Sal mortality in Jharkhand state” written by Institute of Forest Productivity (IFP) chief technical officer Dr Sambhu Nath Mishra and Dr. Rahul Kumar in the 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education.

The book is based on the study of factors responsible for the death of Sal tree in Jharkhand. The study funded by the forest department of Jharkhand government was completed during the year 2020-2024 by Dr. Mishra and other members of his team under the aegis of IFP, Lalgutwa, Ranchi.

The study basically identifies the suitable habitat of Sal in Jharkhand using MaxEnt species distribution model of remote sensing over a period of four years and categorizes it into four groups: highly, moderately, poorly and unsuitable habitats.

The results of MaxEnt indicate that the “highly suitable area” in terms of Sal mortality was estimated to be 9.50% (7574.96 sq km) of the total geographical area, confirming that more than 90% of the geographical area is less affected by Sal mortality, which is a very good indicator for forest health.

Field survey analysis has indicated some important factors that may be responsible for Sal mortality, including staghead (dieback), lightning, waterlogging, anthropogenic stress, soil erosion and injury. This book will play an important role as a better guideline for farmers and the forest department associated with Sal.

Those present during book release included Director General of Forests, Director General, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, Director, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun, Directors of other institutes of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Principal Chief Conservators of Forests, Vice Chancellors, dignitaries of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, progressive farmers besides others.