India’s first ‘Grass Conservancy’, spread over an area of two acres, was inaugurated at Ranikhet in Almora district on Sunday. Chief Conservator of Forests (Research) Sanjeev Chaturvedi said the conservatory was developed over three years by the research wing of Uttarakhand Forest Department, funded under the CAMPA scheme of the central government.
He said that about 90 different grass species of important scientific, ecological, medicinal and cultural import have been grown in the conservation area.
The objective of this project is to create awareness about the importance of grass species, promote them Protection, and research facilities in the field, he said.
Chaturvedi said the initiative is important as the latest research has proved that grasslands are more effective in ‘carbon sequestration’ than forest land, Chaturvedi said.
He said this is also important because grasslands are facing a variety of threats and their area is shrinking, threatening the entire ecosystem of insects, birds and the mammals that depend on them. He said that among all flowering plants, grasses are economically most important because they have nutritious grain and soil-making functions.
There are seven distinct categories of grass species in the conservation area, including those known for their aromatic, medicinal, fodder, ornamental, agricultural and religious uses.
This story has been published without modification in text from a wire agency feed. Only the title has been changed.
Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint.
download
Our App Now!!
,