Eucalyptus gall disease spreads in Punjab,elsewhere

The disease was first reported a year ago in Hoshiarpur,Gurdaspur and Ropar areas of Punjab in plants that were less than three-year-old.

The saplings produced by the cloning technique are said to be the worst-hit. Chief Conservator of Forests R K Luna said: “The problem is in plants being grown with the cloning technique. We had a meeting with the FRI about nine months ago; another meeting is due now. Though the disease has not spread like an epidemic,it needs to be controlled before it causes widespread damage.”

“Uncertified clones — which are most hit by the disease — are mushrooming in the market As of now,we have not grown many eucalyptus trees with the cloning technique in forest areas,but there are people who are buying trees from nurseries. There is no Act to certify seeds sold by private nurseries,so we have no idea whether the private players are getting genuine seeds or not,” Luna said.

While Luna denied the disease’s presence in normal eucalyptus trees,sources from the wildlife department said such trees too are sensitive to attack by the gall insect.

Former honorary wildlife warden Gunraaj Singh said: “I have grown more than 6,000 eucalyptus trees,all with cloning technique,as they grow faster. However,nearly 50 per cent of the plants are under the attack of gall insect.”

Luna said: “All eyes are on the experts at FRI. We are hopeful of some solution in the next meeting.”