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P. K. Roy Choudhuri

Abstract

This paper deals with the prospect of raising mangrove plantation at Nayachara in the Midnapore District far away from the mangrove habitat. The plantation were initiated during the year 1990 and covered foreshore areas of Nayachara along the river Hooghly. Sonneratia apetala, with Avicennia Spp. Should be the principal species with minimal percentage of Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L) Lam and Rhizophora Spp. Tansplanting of longer and stouter nursery raised mangrove seedling in polypack in the interspaces of laterite boulders over geo-jute covering should ensure better performance in vulnerable areas. Such attempts have never been made earlier and there is very little information about artificial regeneration of mangrove species in these areas.

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P. K. Roy Choudhuri

Abstract

This paper deals with biomass productivity of mangrove plantation in the sunderbans (out side the reserve forest). The plantation works were initiated during the year 1982 by social Forestry division of the sunderbans development board as component of the sunderban development project (financed by International Fund for Agriculture Development). The distribution of biomass of different plant components viz. stems, twigs and branches, leaves and ischolar_mains of different mangrove species in pure form has been discussed. On the basis of utilisable biomass recorded Aycennia spp was higher than Sonnerana apetala Buch-Ham Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L) Lam, Ceriops spp and they wereranked I, II ,III,&IV respectively. Rhlzopora spp are not included in this study as they cover larger surface area by its long spreading stillt ischolar_mains and spreading umbrella shaped crown. The author concludes that in raising mangrove plantationin sunderban out side reserve forests. Aycennia spp should be the principal species with Bruguiera gymnorhiza, ceriops spp and Sonneritia apetala as quantitative assessment of biomass productivity of Aycennia spp-122.29 MT per ha Sonneratioa apetala 34.51 MT per ha. Bruguiera gymnorhiza 9.48 MT per ha at the age of 5 years and ceriops spp 4.77 per ha at the age of 6 years.

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A. K. Lahiri , P. K. Roy Choudhuri

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The study reveals that the growth of Pinus cariboea was distinctly superior to other pines. The height growth of FRI-660 was better than FRI-659, 649, 662 and 562. The provenance FRI-660 proved the best performance.

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P. K. Roy Choudhuri

Abstract

This paper deals with the propagation, protection and prospects of raiSing Sonneralia apetala (Bucb -Ham) on the, foresohre areas of Sundarbans (outside Reserved Forest). The plantation works were started during tbe year 1982 by Social Forestry Division of the Sundarban Development Project financed by International Fund for Agricultural Development. Pretreatment of Sonneratia apetala seeds are necessary prior to sowing in nursery beds or in tbe field. The different methods of treatment were discussed. Soaking in saline water and thereafter sowing after drying has shown the best performance. The author concludes that it is possible to implement Sonneralia apelala plantation artificially in Sundarban belt and thereby enhancing the prospect offorestation work in this region. The benefits from afforesfation of such unused land coold he significant and has shown high potential for further extension.

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U. Banerjee , P. K. Roy Choudhuri

Abstract

The paper deals with the prospect of raising mangrove plantation in the Sundarbans areas and related problems. The plantation works were initiated during the year 1982 by Social forestry Division of the Sundarbans Development Board as a component of the Sundarbans Development Project(Financed by International fund for Agricultural Development). These plantations covered foreshored of a number of major rivers in Gosaba, Mathurapur and Namkhana blocks. These plantations have been termeo 'experimental' because such attempts have never been made earlier on any appreciable scale and there is very little information about artificial regeneration of Mangrove species in these areas. Nevertheless, Mangroves hold high promise in these areas not only in the matter of improving the rural wood situation but also in controlling wind and wave induced erosion which are constantly threatening the safety of neighbouring agricultural lands. The preliminary studies reveal that a number of species such as Avicennia spp. Officinalis, A. Officinalis, A. marina, A. alba Bruguiera gymnorhiza (l) Lam. Rhizophora muctonata Lam and Ceriops tagal (Per) Rob. along with other associates viz. Sonneratia apetala Buch-Hum, Xylocorpus granatum K eonig, Xylocorpus mekongensis Pierre and Excoecaria agallocha (L) etc seem to respond favourably to artificial regeneration and have shown high potential for further extension both from technica1 and economic considerations. Average cost of creation of one hectare of plantation including the second year maintenance has been found to be Rs 4300/- (Rs. 3200 creation as first year's cost, Rs. 1100/- second year cost). The authors conclude that ultimate success of this programme however would depend more upon the level of popular participation and active assistance from the local Panchayets than mere technical perfection.

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