HP to study impact of plantation in cold desert

The Himachal Pradesh government is gearing up to commission a detailed study by scientific experts on the impact of plantation.

The Himachal Pradesh government is gearing up to commission a detailed study by scientific experts on the impact of plantation in the states cold desert the Lahaul-Spiti district. The decision comes in wake of the natural calamity that struck at Leh and the unnatural phenomenon of heavy rainfall in Spiti.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said: We fear nationwide implications of changes in climatic condition in eco-sensitive areas. We will requisition services of scientists to advise the state government whether carrying out plantation in Spiti valley was ecologically safe and in the interest of the nation.

He was speaking at the foundation day function of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at Palampur on Sunday. Treading cautiously on the agriculture advancement front,the government has also decided to proceed with scientific advice to try out new varieties in the high altitudes. For this,a high-altitude biology centre will be set up in the Lahaul valley in collaboration with the CSIR, the CM said.

The centre will help farmers test new cash crops like lilium,apart from peas and potatoes that are being grown in Lahual-Spiti at present, said Dhumal.

Dr P S Ahuja,Director,Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology,Palampur,said cultivation of lilium was gaining popularity and could be conveniently cultivated in the Lahaul valley.

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