SHIMLA: The first- of- its kind Western Himalayan Native Species Arboretum at Potters Hill near Summerhill in the capital city will soon add another feather to its cap: The site will have the charming Butterfly Park and arboretum will also make its digital presence globally.
In their bid to to chalk out the long-term sustainability of the arboretum, Rajiv Kumar, Pr. Chief Conservator of Forests (Wild Life)- cum chief Wildlife Warden, Himachal Pradesh accompanied by Anil Thakur, Addl. PCCF (Wildlife/Biodiversity) visited the arboretum on Thursday. Rajiv Kumar said they would raise the visibility of the arboretum, not just locally but also on the national level and it will go digital soon. They will add Butterfly Park near Shimla and invited Dr. Pavan Rana, a scientist at Himalayan Forest Research Institute(HFRI) to submit a proposal for the same.
Anil Thakur applauded the efforts of the Institute for establishing the arboretum and suggested to further strengthen the same.
HFRI field scientist incharge of the arboretum, Dr Vaneet Jishtu, who worked on this project and nursed this unique tiny and thriving green island over the years, like his own baby, which today harbours over 121 rare native tree species and 34 native shrubs of the Himalayan region.
He explained: The idea of setting up an arboretum for Western Himalayan temperate native tree species is a novel initiative of the HP State Forest Department (HPSFD), which is being implemented by HFRI Shimla from 2008”. “The idea was based on the appreciation that most of the native tree species of the region have not been a focus of active forest management and that their status in wild was not good and also some of them were among the lesser-known tree species (LKTS)”.
Locally important, these native species need to be better understood and conserved. From the beginning of this programme itself, collection of germplasm of these species and its maintenance in the form of an arboretum was recognized as a big challenge, he added.
The HPSFD invited HFRI, Shimla for dedicated collaboration in the project as establishment of such an arboretum is a complex and multi-disciplinary activity requiring long-term commitment. At the onset, site selection surveys were conducted at many locations nearby Shimla by a combined team of HFRI, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and HPSFD.
The site at ‘Van Vihar’, Potter’s Hill, was finally selected as most suitable for the purpose. The site is ideally situated between 1700 to 2000 m asl with representation of all the four aspects having a rich varied flora which reflects a continuum from the sub-tropical to sub-temperate to temperate floral elements. Above all neighboring the HP University and also being easily accessible from Shimla Town. Today, the arboretum harbors 121 native tree species and 34 native shrub species.
The visit was to hold discussions with the HFRI for review and to plan further the activities of the arboretum.
Dr. S.S. Samant, Director, Dr. Vaneet Jishtu Scientist Incharge of the arboretum and Dr. Pavan Rana, Head Forest Protection represented the on behalf of HFRI. Dr. Jishtu, conducted the visit around the arboretum trails, explaining the various themes of the plants to the top officials of the forest department.
Dr. Samant informed that the Institute was making efforts to popularize the arboretum among various stakeholders and general public through awareness programme and through celebration of important international days bringing children and students to the site. To mark the occasion, the PCCF planted a Rhododendron arboreum (Burans) sapling besides releasing a memento of the arboretum designed by HFRI.
Earlier, Chief secretary, Ram Subhag Singh and additional chief secretary forest Nisha Singh and other officials also visited the arboretum and appreciated the efforts of HFRI and Forest department to shaping it up well.
