Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) Launches Scientific Tree Restoration Drive in Karka

Raipur: The Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) has launched a scientific tree restoration initiative in the Karka forest area to save approximately 3,500 trees damaged by girdling. Girdling involves removing bark around a tree trunk, which disrupts nutrient movement and eventually causes the tree to die.

Renowned tree conservation expert Vijay Nishanth, known as the “Tree Doctor” and associated with the Project Vruksha Foundation, arrived in USTR from Karnataka to guide the treatment and restoration of damaged trees.

The initiative follows drone surveys and comparative satellite imagery, which indicate that more than 1.25 lakh trees were cleared in the Karka landscape over the last decade. Satellite imagery and DGPS-drone surveys also revealed that encroachment expanded from 22 hectares in 2016 to 102.47 hectares in 2026.

Four-Tier Classification for Targeted Treatment

Under the guidance of Vijay Nishanth, officials classified the identified trees into four categories based on their condition and recovery prospects.

• Critical Trees: Trees requiring urgent primary treatment, including beeswax application and tree bandaging, to retain moisture and prevent further deterioration.
• Moderate Recovery Chance: Trees with an estimated 50% to 75% chance of survival, earmarked for surgical treatments such as bridge grafting and appropriate aftercare.
• Low Recovery Chance: Severely damaged trees with a survival estimate of less than 50%, requiring frequent monitoring, bridge grafting, root-strengthening chemicals, and tissue-growth hormone sprays.
• Dead Trees: Trees assessed as incapable of recovery will be selectively removed to facilitate coppice regeneration from surviving stumps or root systems.

Survey and Specialized Tree Treatment Techniques

Officials surveyed and numbered all identified girdled trees to document important parameters, including species, age, girth class, and extent of damage.

The restoration drive employs several specialized tree-treatment techniques, including bridge grafting, tree bandaging, wound-care protocols using beeswax and orange oil, root drenching, and plant-growth hormone applications.

More than 100 USTR field personnel participated in the initiative, working alongside Vijay Nishanth, horticulture extension officer Chandra Prakash Sahu, and grafting specialists brought from Nagri.

Ecological Significance of Karka Forest

The Karka area forms part of the upper catchment of the Pairi River, which originates in the Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary. The Pairi and Sondhur rivers merge at Rajim, forming part of the Mahanadi river system.

Field inspections revealed that some trees have shown signs of natural healing, generating new tissue over the girdled portions of their trunks.

Experts will study these naturally recovering trees to develop and refine species-specific surgical treatment strategies and improve future forest restoration outcomes across the landscape.