Acacia plantations worsens drought

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The indiscriminate monoculture of acacia plantations in forest land has affected the catchment areas of both Peppara and Neyyar dams intensifying the effect of drought, say experts. The foreign species acacia mangium and acacia auriculiformis have  been a most preferred variety of forest departments across South India due to their demand in timber industry. However, acacia sucks high quantity of water from earth. It also alters the soil composition and makes it inhospitable for local species.

The tree is massively grown on the banks of dams, forest areas and even in villages that serve as the catchment area of Neyyar dam. Also, wide areas of land on both sides of road towards Peppara have  been lined with acacia plantation.     “This January,  dozens of trucks could be seen carrying timber from here ahead of drought. They were cut down exposing the soil to summer sun,” said Mohan Kumar, a local resident. As per botanist G. Narendranath, the tree which grows in arid regions consumes too much water when it gets the opportunity.

“It turns the soil acidic.  So even if we cut them down, native species won’t grow well,” he said. As per environmental activist Raj Kumar, the decision to plant acacia was taken  in haste without many studies before decades. “Acacia  and eucalyptus trees were planted by Kerala Forest Development Corporation during the ministership of Aryadan Muhammed. They thrive on the northern and western side of Agasthykoodam hills near the dams. This drought should serve as an eyeopener to replace them,” he said.