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19th, Feburary, 2022

The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, have signed an agreement for the transfer of technology for the utilization of pine needles as a source of natural fibers.

Ajay Srivstava, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), signed the agreement on behalf of the state Forest Department while Arun Singh Rawat, Director-General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, represented the FRI.
In Himachal, about 1,25,885 hectares are estimated to be covered with Chil pine forests.
About 1.2 tonnes of needles are shed per hectare of pine forest annually between April and June. Being highly combustible, they cause devastating forest fires during the summer and result in loss of timber, resin, plantations, wildlife and other rare biodiversity.
The department spends crores of rupees on forest fire preventive and control measures every year,” said forest officials.

With adoption, the technology will help prevent forest fires, while generating livelihoods for the local community. Successful implementation of this technology would involve much community involvement. Himachal Pradesh already has a policy about collecting and removing pine needles from the forest.
Ajay Srivastava, PCCF, expressed hope that this technology will transform the forest fire scenario in the state. “In a state where about 90 per cent of the population is rural, this technology offers an option of income generation using a resource that was considered a waste so far.” Chemistry and Bioprospecting Division of the FRI, Dehradun, has developed a technique to extract fiber from pine needles.

(Source: HP Tribune)

The participants from the Indian side include Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of State for Internal Affairs; and MJ Akbar, journalist-turned politician, while those from Bangladesh include Muhammad Shahriar Alam, Minister for Foreign Affairs.