Shillong, Sept 26: The Forest and Environment department of Meghalaya would be establishing a seed bank at Upper Shillong with 10-15 ton seed capacity intake capacity of prioritised species.

Under the project “Establishment of a Supply Chain to Ensure Assured Supply of Seeds and Other Plant Propagules of Superior Genetic Makeup”, the seeds would be able to be stored in the unit for a period of ten years.

According to officials, the aim of the project is to develop an end-to-end supply chain for assured availability of seeds and other plant propagules of superior genetic makeup.

In the first phase, the project would cover 50 commercially important tree species. “The project aims to establish 500 hectares in–situ and 60 hectare ex-situ sources of seeds and other plant propagules of superior genetic makeup of 50 prioritised tree species,” officials informed.

The project would also identify, document and take measures for long term preservation of old growth, heritage trees available in different parts of the state.

Moreover, about one kilogram of seeds of as many seed-bearing wild plants in the state as possible will be collected and deposited with the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) for long term preservation.

Half of the seeds stored in long term storage units of the NBPGR at minus 20-degree Celsius temperature and 5 percent relative humidity will be available to the Forest and Environment Department, whenever required to restock and reintroduce the wild population of these plants.

“Preservation of seeds with the NBPGR will act as an insurance against possible extinction of any native tree species in the state,” the officials said adding two workshops were held on Wednesday on this project and another one.

Moreover, the department discussed on “Development of Schedule of Rates for Afforestation Works in Meghalaya”. Under this project site-specific models for afforestation and restoration of different areas in the state would be developed.

Cost effective scientific models for successful reclamation of abandoned mines and such other refractory sites available in the state will also be developed under the project.

Apart from assessing the quantity and cost of manpower and different materials and services required for various nursery and plantation activities, the project aims to standardise and document various nursery and plantation operations through a detailed method study.

The project also aims to institutionalise use of modern tools, equipment, plants and machineries for execution of various afforestation activities.

Both projects were conceptualised and steered by H.C. Chaudhary, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Working Plan, Research and Training and District Council Affairs, aims to build capacity of the Department to afforest and restock barren and degraded forest areas in an efficient and cost-effective manner with assured success.

Also Read: Meghalaya Govt intensifies war on drugs, Conrad seeks society’s support

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