(a) whether the shisum trees which provide high quality of timber wood have almost dried up in
Bihar;
(b) if so, the reasons therefore;
(c) whether the Government propose to encourage farmers for the re-plantation of shisum trees in
the State; and
(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to provide improved variety of the shisum saplings or
economic assistance to the farmers in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a): A large number of Shishum trees have wilted and dried in the Gangetic plains of North Bihar in
localized pockets.
(b): As per the report of Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), the roots of the
tree are damaged due to water logging, low aeration, soil compaction or wrong agricultural practices.
This results in the attack of a soil inhabiting fungus-Fusarium solani, which obstructs the flow of
ascending sap causing the wilting of leaves. Subsequently the leaves dry up and fall, leaving the terminal
branches bare. Then girdling of the stem by cankers disrupt transportation of nutrition from the leaves to
the roots, subsequently causing the drying of the tree.
(c) & (d): The Government is encouraging the farmers for re-planting Shishum trees along with
other species to discourage monoculture. For this, the Environment & Forests Department, Government
of Bihar, besides giving technical know how, published a notice in the daily news paper (Hindustan dated
19-10-2000) asking the people to take up Shishum plantations with the following precautions:
(i) Remove all wilted & dried Shishum trees
(ii) Use shishum stumps for re-planting
(iii) Take mixed plantation i.e. plant Shishum with Jamun, Semal, Kadamb, Neem, Siris, Gambar,
Arjun, Babul etc.
(iv) Avoid water logging in the plantation area
(v) Do not allow girdling of stem (removal of barks)