The recent conferment of the National Award of Excellence for Outstanding Research in Forestry for 2019 was given to Kannan C S Warrier, a scientist associated with Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB). The award is reputed within its field and is bestowed by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), a renowned body dedicated to forestry research in India. The ICFRE has recently received the distinction of being dubbed a Centre of Excellence in confronting issues correlated to land degradation by the Prime Minister.
Award Recognition
Kannan C S Warrier was recognized with this prestigious distinction for his laudable achievement – the creation of three salt-resistant, productive clones of Casuarina specifically targeted for cultivation in regions with salt-inflicted soils. This innovative scientific development marks the first occurrence of such a feat in the country.
Significance of the Achievement
The significance of this achievement is further amplified considering that India is home to 6.73 million hectares of salt-affected land and is also globally recognized as the primary producer of Casuarina. Thus, it stands testament to the momentous nature of Warrier’s contribution to the field.
Importance of Casuarina
Casuarina, colloquially known as kattadi and savukku, exhibits immense diversity with over 17 species within its genus. Brought to India during the 19th century, Casuarina equisetifolia has played a critical role in symbiotic nitrogen fixation in conjunction with bacteria Frankia. Casuarinas are preferred choices for biomass-based power generation due to their fuel wood and pulp production qualities. Additionally, they are also frequently utilized at construction sites for scaffolding, as shelterbelts along coastal lines, windbreaks for protecting agricultural crops, and banana plantations, and are integral in reforesting nutrient-deficient sites and mined areas.
Conservation of Sacred Groves
Apart from his innovative work with Casuarina, Warrier has also invested significant effort towards the conservation of endangered sacred groves located in Alappuzha district of Kerala.
Understanding Sacred Groves
Sacred groves signify communally safeguarded forests housing a multitude of religious significance for the community involved in their protection. Across India, these sacred groves are known by different regional names such as Kaavu in Malayalam, Koyil kaadu in Tamil, Orans in Rajasthan, Devara kaadu in Karnataka, and Sernas in Madhya Pradesh, and encompass over a hundred thousand across various states. They serve as Biodiversity Hotspots, abode to many rare, endemic species with medicinal and economic values and critically endangered plant species’ gene pools.
Threats to Sacred Groves
However, sacred groves face numerous threats causing their depletion. The dissolution of traditional belief systems fundamental to sacred groves’ existence, transformation of nature worship into formal temple worship, rapid urbanization, developmental interventions like roads, railway tracks, dams including commercial forestry, invasion by foreign weeds, increased livestock pressure, and fuelwood collection have all contributed to endangering these biodiversity hotspots. In order to safeguard them, legal protection is granted under ‘community reserves’ in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.