Saving and preserving the precious trees of Mussoorie 

Saving and preserving the precious trees of Mussoorie

Vipin Kumar

Mussoorie, March 16

It was in the nineteenth century when Mussoorie  was growing westward, the British introduced certain species which thrived in the Hills of British india. Deodar, a timber tree was introduced in Mussoorie from the Deoban forest of the Chakrata Range.

The survival rate was high and therefore it was planted in the lawns of cottgaes owned by the Irish, Scott and the British residents. These trees made a beautiful canopy in Mussoorie Cantonment and still thrives in the old homes. The objective was to harvest them for timber used in furniture,  doors and windows. The eco-task force planted a few Deodar during reclamation of the lime stone mines in the nineties of the last century. To-day the builders and the contractors fell them for extra space for construction. They hardly care for it’s  ecological value.

An another Tree Chinar (Platanous orientalis) was introduced  in Mussoorie in the Snowdon and Bansi  estate in the West of Mussoorie A couple of them on the declivity of St. Mary’s indoor Hospital and the Modi Estate. The leaves unlike Kashmir do not turn Red but become Brown before they fall.

Inspired by the survival of Chinars, local citizens planted about 15 trees on The Mall out of which Twelve are surviving. The genotype of Snow Don Estate have been planted below Allahabad Bank in the memory of the Late ex-Prime Minister Rajiv V Gandhi. Inspired by the Survival of this Maple Tree (Chinar) Wajahat Habibullah, a senior bureaucrat planted about Seventy Trees in the LBSNAA campus, the saplings of which were brought by him from Kashmir.

Another tree of significance is Moru (Quercus dilatata) of Oak variety which has vanished from vast tracts of the town. So much so the saplings for re-plantation are not available even with the forest department.  A few hundred were planted by citizens in various localities of the town which in twenty years have attained a height of five feet. The forest department needs to replant them in a large number for conserving the springs. The depleting forest cover of Mussorie needs to be restored to be called as the Queen of Hills.

An another tree of significance is the wild palm (Phoenix sylvestris) which is a fossil tree. It once thrived on the Southern aspect of the town in the old cottages. One can still see them in The Grange cottage near Hampton Court School and in the Pine retreat Hotel once the YWCA. Thanks to the builders who have ransacked this fossil tree from the town in a bid to renovate and build.

Arjun  (Lagerstoemia indica) was introduced in Mussoorie by the British  from Shimla. It can be seen with pink flowers during Monsoon in the back yard of Methodist Church on The Mall. Every old cottage in the Cantonment and Mussoorie have these flowering trees. The bark of this tree has medicinal properties in curbing the Blood Pressure. The citizens of Mussoorie planted ten saplings on The Mall which were uprooted by Hoteliers who in a bid to carve some space for parking made sure that they do not survive. Archana Geherwar, the then SDM of Mussoorie booked the hotelier for unscrupulous attitude but to no avail.

Utis (Alnus nepalensis) an endemic species has practically vanished from Mussoorie except around the Woodstock stream of the Dhobhi Ghat area. Under the Rotary Seattle programme, 150 saplings were planted in the Environment Park mixed with Oak trees. They have grown and gained height. It needs to be mentioned here it is a rain water harvester and the Jal Sansthan should plant them around the  water catchment area of the springs. About hundred trees can be seen in the Nabha State planted by the Late. Raja Hanuwant Singh. It is a fast growing specie and the forest department should nurture in it’s nursery for massive plantation.

Camphor (Cinnamom camphora) is a medicinal ornamental tree which grows rampant in the Doon Valley and Mussoorie. One fully grown tree can be seen adjoining the library of LBSNAA. A cluster of such trees can be seen in the Pari Tibba forest. Two trees are surviving on The Mall after struggling against the destroyers. Credit goes to the Inner wheel club which provided sturdy Tree guards.

The list is endless. However well meaning citizens should join hands and plant trees on government land in a bid to conserve forests. The Mall should be more green. We can lead but for the age and depleting strength. We urge the younger generation to make use of our experience and try to restore the glory of the town. Any Takers?

(Vipin Kumar is an eminent environmentalist)