Bastar region of Southern Chhattisgarh is known for its rich biodiversity and natural resources around the world. The researchers from different corners of the world are eager to visit and conduct research work on this part of the earth. The forests of this region are dense like Amazon forest. Thousands of herbs grow naturally in this forest. There are hundreds of herbs that are endemic to Bastar. These herbs are not present in any other part of the world. The visitors visiting Bastar regularly from years are now seeing the changes coming in Bastar. These changes are due to the greed of the humanbeings and this greed is leading to the great destruction of natural habitat of native flora. The planners are changing the natural landscape of Bastar without considering local views and suggestions. The effort by the authorities to attract foreign tourists is becoming potential threat to the biodiversity.
Once having rich natural population of Desi trees like Mahua, Char, Parsa, Ama, Sagon, Kalmi, Tendu, Koria, Sal etc. now the exotic plants are spreading in Bastar region. When you travel to Bastar from the Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, you will find the thick plantation of Eucalyptus, an Australian species. When you will find the plantation thicker it means you are reaching nearer to Bastar. The natives of this region are well aware of the harmful effects of this foreign tree. They are now experiencing these harmful effects. But new plantations are still in progress. During recent visit to Bastar when Halbi tribal youth raised the question of water scarcity in Bastar region I got surprised. Water scarcity in heaven? The tribal blamed many things for this water scarcity. The large scale of Eucalyptus plantation is one of major reasons. Are our planners not aware of indigenous trees having economic value? Why they are promoting the plantation of this exotic species?
Bastar region is well known for wild fruits having miraculous medicinal properties. The traditional healers of this region treat many diseases including cancer with the help of these wild fruits. The authorities are ignoring the tree species having such useful wild fruits. Whole world is mesmerized by the miraculous therapeutic properties of these wild fruits. Instead of conserving these species the authorities are promoting the plantation of Kaju (Cashew nut) in this region. The Agricultural scientists feel that the climate of Bastar is suitable for commercial cultivation of Kaju. When you visit Bastar you will see Kaju plantation in both sides of the road. It looks very nice from road but from field level you will the situation very different. Kaju plans are not giving desired yield in Bastar region. Most of the plantations are in loss. The authorities are investing crores of rupees in the name of research and plantation. The effort to develop Kaju variety specifically for Bastar is very slow. In village haat tribal having Kaju fruits can be seen but they are not getting good returns. The exploitation is at same level. The experts also accept that marketing is a big constraint in case of Kaju. The senior natives of Bastar see this type of project with great suspicion. They still remember the days when the Agricultural researchers have forced them to stop the cultivation of traditional crops like Kodo, Kutki, Ragi etc. and start the cultivation of high yielding rice. Now the authorities are again motivating for the traditional crops. They are much worried and expecting that the researchers will force them very soon to stop thinking of Kaju.
In forest different flowers bloom in different season. You will find the forest in new form every month .To observe the nature's extravaganza the tourists as well as researchers visit to the forest round the year. The authorities are not much impressed from this great show. This is the reason they are planting their choice in nature's garden. While travelling to Bastar from Keshkal valley you will get the glimpses of human interference in nature's arrangement. The authorities have planted Bougainvillea plants in valley. You will also find the Gulmohar, Cassia Siamea and Peltophorum trees in the region. Our metros are having enough population of these trees having short life span. The beauty of Bastar is complete as well as perfect. These ornamental trees are causing much odd scenario. If plantation is required in any place the authorities can pant native plants having beautiful flowers. The Mother Nature also supports these native trees. It is hard to say whether our planners are lacking in thoughts or they are doing it intentionally?
The planners will try to get clean chit by saying that Eucalyptus was planted in Bastar long time back and it is not their fault but the biodiversity of Bastar is in great danger again. The authorities are planning for large-scale plantation of Biodiesel plant Jatropha curcas in Bastar. The thousands of acres will come under this plantation. No one is bothering to study its impact on biodiversity of this region. Many species of Jatropha are growing in wastelands and forest of Bastar region. According to the traditional healers these species were introduced by the authorities decades back as fence plant. These species are known as Ranijada. Living in Bastar region since generations these species have lost its toxic properties. These species are not toxic like Jatropha curcas that is under promotion by the authorities. Our planners are ignoring these local types for large-scale plantation. The promotion of these types can generate much employment opportunities to tribal youth but it will give no earning to corrupt planners. Another native species having immense potential as biodiesl source i.e. Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) is growing naturally in Bastar region. There is no need of large-scale plantation of Jatropha in Bastar. The existing population of other species of Jatropha and Karanj can fulfill the need.
On the one hand the exotic species like Eucalyptus and Jatropha are under promotion in Bastar and on the other hand indigenous species like Sulfi (Caryota urens) also known as Bastar Bear, is in great danger. Due to unknown cause the natural population of this tree species is decreasing at alarming rates. Much money has been invested to search the root cause of the death of this unique species. The Entomologists say that Sulfi is dying because of insects. The plant pathologists blame the disease for the death. The soil scientists are saying that due to lack of sufficient nutrients Sulfi is dying. All these recommendations are limited to the research reports. It is having no practical importance as Sulfi plants are still dying. The experts are unable to explain about the basic reasons. Sulfi is present in Bastar since time immemorial then the big question is that why the infestation of insect and pathogen has increased from last decade. Why Sulfi plants are loosing its natural resistance? The traditional healers and natives of Bastar region are having remedies to stop the death of these plants but the authorities and researches are ignoring the importance of local knowledge.
Fifteen years back when I walked along with Indravati River with the traditional healers of Bastar region I observed rich population of Nirmali tree. The natives use its fruits for water purification. The healers informed that the presence of these trees help in purifying the water of Indravati river. Few months I walked through the same route and shocked to see the very less population of this tree. This is not a good sign.
Modern planners are eager to inter-link the rivers. They are also exploiting the natural resources without any consideration for natural balance. The ignorance of local knowledge in Bastar will lead to the great damage to the biodiversity. When human is ignoring human than who will understand the problem of worried Bastar Maina searching his nest in the dense population of exotic trees of Kaju and Eucalyptus?