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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Forest dept revives traditional crop protection methods in Bageshwar
Bageshwar: On the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5), the forest department in Bageshwar has launched an innovative initiative to plant Timur (Zanthoxylum Armatum) and Rambans (Agave Americana) along agricultural fields, with an aim to protect crops from wildlife while offering financial benefits to local farmers. The initiative is centred on raising awareness among farmers about the dual advantages of these plants -- they serve as natural barriers against wildlife, particularly monkeys and wild boars, and also generate marketable produce. Forest officials said that the plants will act as living fences around agricultural plots, offering both protection and economic value. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Dhruv Martoliya said, "Farmers in hilly areas often incur heavy crop losses due to wild animals. To combat this, we've introduced a natural method by planting Timur and Rambans around farmlands. These species not only deter animals but are also in high market demand." The DFO added, "The programme will not only reduce crop damage but also encourage farmers to return to cultivation as many hillside fields remain fallow due to repeated wildlife-related losses. By blending traditional ecological practices with modern outreach efforts, we aim to restore farming confidence and strengthen rural livelihoods in the region." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fastest Selling Plots of Mysore from 40L | 40+ Amenities PurpleBrick Learn More Undo Rambans, a hardy, thorn-covered plant, has long been used in arid regions to demarcate land boundaries. It yields strong natural fibres used in rope-making, mats, and handicrafts. Timur, on the other hand, is prized for its medicinal properties and is commonly used in organic and herbal products. Bhagwat Singh, a 76-year-old retired schoolteacher, recalls how such practices were once the norm in hill communities. "Our elders used these methods to protect their fields. Over time, those traditions faded. With the growing threat from wild animals today, this initiative is both timely and necessary." Bageshwar: On the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5), the forest department in Bageshwar has launched an innovative initiative to plant Timur (Zanthoxylum Armatum) and Rambans (Agave Americana) along agricultural fields, with an aim to protect crops from wildlife while offering financial benefits to local farmers. The initiative is centred on raising awareness among farmers about the dual advantages of these plants -- they serve as natural barriers against wildlife, particularly monkeys and wild boars, and also generate marketable produce. Forest officials said that the plants will act as living fences around agricultural plots, offering both protection and economic value. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Dhruv Martoliya said, "Farmers in hilly areas often incur heavy crop losses due to wild animals. To combat this, we've introduced a natural method by planting Timur and Rambans around farmlands. These species not only deter animals but are also in high market demand." The DFO added, "The programme will not only reduce crop damage but also encourage farmers to return to cultivation as many hillside fields remain fallow due to repeated wildlife-related losses. By blending traditional ecological practices with modern outreach efforts, we aim to restore farming confidence and strengthen rural livelihoods in the region." Rambans, a hardy, thorn-covered plant, has long been used in arid regions to demarcate land boundaries. It yields strong natural fibres used in rope-making, mats, and handicrafts. Timur, on the other hand, is prized for its medicinal properties and is commonly used in organic and herbal products. Bhagwat Singh, a 76-year-old retired schoolteacher, recalls how such practices were once the norm in hill communities. "Our elders used these methods to protect their fields. Over time, those traditions faded. With the growing threat from wild animals today, this initiative is both timely and necessary."
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Peacock sighting at 7,000 feet sparks climate shift concerns
1 2 3 4 5 Bageshwar: A peacock was seen perched atop a pine tree at an altitude of nearly 7,000 feet in Khrkuguler village in Bageshwar, sparking concern among experts over signs of shifting climate patterns and ecological stress in the Himalayan region. The bird, usually found in lowland tropical areas, was spotted on Sunday at an altitude where temperatures remain low for most of the year. Bageshwar divisional forest officer Dhruv Martoliya called the incident "unusual but significant", and said it showed that climate change was affecting biodiversity in the Himalayas. Forest department sources added that rising temperatures and changing weather patterns were prompting species like peacocks to move towards higher altitudes. The Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), India's national bird, typically inhabits warm, lowland environments such as the Terai belt of north India, grasslands, and agricultural fields. Its presence at elevations above 6,500 feet is rare and signals potential shifts in habitat suitability due to climate change. Experts warned that the upward migration of warm-climate species could displace cold-adapted wildlife, increase interspecies competition, and disrupt the fragile ecological balance of mountain ecosystems. Environmental activist Ashok Lohani said rapid infrastructure development, including road construction, hydroelectric projects, and mining operations in Bageshwar's upper reaches, had intensified the impact of climate change. "Heavy machinery used in these activities burns large amounts of diesel every month, emitting carbon dioxide and black carbon," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Was Everyone's Dream Girl In 90's, This Is Her Recently. Investructor Undo Experts also pointed to visible signs of ecological stress across the region, such as retreating glaciers, shrinking water sources, erratic rainfall, and declining crop yields. Such changes, they said, reflected the broader effects of climate disruption on the Himalayan landscape. Environmentalists have urged immediate policy-level intervention to curb further ecological damage. Their recommendations include tighter carbon emission controls, limiting deforestation, promoting eco-friendly infrastructure, and involving local communities in biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts.
