Protecting Cashew Forests a daunting task for Forest Department

Mail News Service

Baharagora, Feb 9: Protecting the Cashew Forest spread across nearly 1,200 hectares in Chakulia and Barsole forest regions, is a daunting task for the Forest Department due to the handicap of prompt firefighting aid. The cashew production accounts for generation of produce worth millions of rupees annually. Currently, the cashew trees are in bloom and by March and April, they will be laden with fruits, marking the beginning of cashew nut harvesting. However, the protection of cashew forests poses a significant challenge for the Forest Department.

Famous for cashew production during the flowering and fruition seasons, the Chakulia and Barsole forest areas present a daunting task for the Forest Department to safeguard the cashew forests. With the onset of summer, the risk of forest fires increases, often resulting in damage to the blooming cashew trees. Lack of resources and the absence of fire lines in the forests make it difficult for the Forest Department to control the fires effectively.

Moreover, the abundance of dry and fallen leaves and branches in the cashew forests exacerbates the spread of fires during the summer months. If a fire breaks out, it spreads rapidly, engulfing the entire forest and causing significant damage to wildlife and cashew trees laden with fruits. The forests affected by fires are unable to produce cashew nuts.

Due to the moderate size of the trees, they are engulfed in the forest fire flames and destroyed. Unfortunately there are no specific plans for the maintenance of cashew trees by the Forest Department or the government. The responsibility for forest protection is with forest protection committees. Every year, forest fires cause extensive damage to cashew forests. With the impending arrival of summer, protecting cashew and other forests poses a significant challenge for the Forest Department.