rainforest restoration - Ministry of Environment and Forests

ainforest restoration in the western ghats: practical aspects29predated (based on past knowledge or field experience)and these have to be planted in the rodent-proofenclosure only.• Sometimes seedlings tend to get browsed by snailsor hare. These also can be protected largely within anursery enclosure.• Although water is very important, sleeves should notremain waterlogged.• Weeds have to be regularly removed from the sleevescontaining seeds or seedlings, taking care that theroots of the seedlings are not damaged. Weedscompete with seeds and seedlings for nutrients andaffect their growth.• An occasional caterpillar or most other pests need notbe considered a major problem in most cases.• Use of pesticides is usually unnecessary. If the shadeis managed well, based on the seasons, even fungalattacks can be avoided without the use of fungicides.• Water is a major limiting factor for the germination andgrowth of seedlings. Therefore, in the first few weeks/months (depending on the species), they have to bewatered everyday, being mostly wet evergreen forestor montane shola species.• Seedlings earmarked for planting in the followingseason may be watered less frequently during theperiod of hardening.Top: Small-seeded species such as the Bischofia javanica here may be germinated in soil beds and later transplantedBottom: Seedlings are stacked in the nursery for easy care and monitoring; mixed-species collections may help reduce pest and disease outbreaks