Community-backed green model developed with Nauni scientists sees early success in moisture-prone slopes
Munish Sood
MANDI:
In a forward-thinking move to restore forest health and combat severe soil erosion in Himachal Pradesh’s mid-hill regions, the Nachan Forest Division in Mandi district has been quietly scripting a grassroots success story through its innovative “Salix for Soil” campaign.
Launched in 2023, the “Hybrid Salix Plantation” initiative involves large-scale plantation of hybrid Salix cuttings, a special variety of willow plants known for their water retention capacity and deep, soil-binding roots. The saplings have been scientifically developed by the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, with technical and financial backing from the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.
“These plantations are not just about growing trees but are about stabilising the land, conserving water and empowering communities,” said Surinder Kashyap, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Nachan, while speaking exclusively to TNR. “This model shows how local participation and scientific innovation can work hand in hand to protect our fragile ecosystems.”
What is Hybrid Salix Plantation?
The Salix genus — commonly known as willow — includes moisture-loving plants with fibrous roots that naturally bind loose, erosion-prone soils. The hybrid Salix poles being used in the campaign are about four feet long, soaked in water for three days, and then planted 8 inches deep into soft ground near perennial streams, nullahs and steep slopes.
This low-cost technique, especially suited for monsoon conditions, allows rapid root establishment and excellent survival rates.
Ground-level impact: Numbers speak
According to forest department records, 4,000 hybrid Salix cuttings were planted in 2023 and 4,100 more were added in 2024.
These plantations were implemented in some of the most vulnerable forest beats with active support from local villagers, panchayati raj institutions, eco-clubs and front-line forest staff. “We chose sites where unchecked runoff was damaging slopes and silt was choking water sources,” said DFO Kashyap. “Today, after just two years, we can visibly see stabilization, regrowth of grass cover and reduced surface runoff.”
Correcting misconceptions: No foreign link or real estate angle
When asked about social media chatter regarding a so-called “Halix Plantation,” DFO Kashyap was quick to clarify: “There is no such thing as a Halix Plantation in Nachan. It’s likely a misheard or misspelled version of Salix. People must understand that this is a government-backed ecological intervention, not a commercial or real estate project.”
Kashyap added that no foreign golf resort-style plantation or housing scheme exists or is being considered in the division. “These are pure forest-sector efforts to rejuvenate degraded land and reduce climate impact. There’s no profit motive—only planet motive,” he emphasised.
Looking ahead: Scaling up in 2025
Buoyed by early results, the Nachan Forest Division now plans to scale up the campaign in 2025, integrating Salix plantation into the state’s monsoon afforestation drives.
The strategy aligns with key goals of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department towards mitigating climate change impacts, conserving soil and groundwater, protecting native biodiversity and promoting sustainable and participatory forest management.
“We’re proud of what this community-scientist partnership has achieved,” said DFO Kashyap. “With proper support, Salix can become the green shield that protects our hills for generations to come.”
