Planting of eucalyptus, akashmoni banned

The government has banned the planting, collection and sales of eucalyptus and akashmoni saplings to protect the environment, ecosystems and biodiversity in the country.

To this effect, the Forest-1 Wing of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued an official notification on Thursday.

According to the directive, in line with national and international commitments, all government, non-government organisations, and individuals must now replace these invasive species in afforestation programmes with native fruit-bearing, timber and medicinal plants.

The ministry said that these invasive species absorb excessive amounts of groundwater, which depletes soil moisture and severely affects dry and seasonal climate zones.

The leaves of these trees contain toxins that fall to the ground, rendering the surrounding soil infertile and unsuitable for other plant species.

Moreover, these trees pose a threat to local biodiversity, as many native plants, insects and birds cannot find shelter or food in them.

The ministry has urged all organisations and citizens to promote and participate in the plantation of native species to protect the environment and conserve biodiversity.

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