Technology for utilizing pine needles as natural fibers

The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, have signed an agreement for the transfer of technology for the utilization of pine needles as a source of natural fibers.

Key Points:

• Ajay Srivstava, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), signed the agreement on behalf of the state Forest Department while Arun Singh Rawat, Director-General of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, represented the FRI.
• In Himachal, about 1,25,885 hectares are estimated to be covered with Chil pine forests.
• About 1.2 tonnes of needles are shed per hectare of pine forest annually between April and June.
• Being highly combustible, they cause devastating forest fires during the summer and result in loss of timber, resin, plantations, wildlife and other rare biodiversity.
• With adoption, the technology will help prevent forest fires, while generating livelihoods for the local community.
• Successful implementation of this technology would involve much community involvement. Himachal Pradesh already has a policy about collecting and removing pine needles from the forest.