Eucalyptus trees becoming a headache for forest officials

The Eucalyptus trees planted in large numbers in the forest and the buffer zones in the Idukki district are becoming a headache for the forest officials.

 The National Tiger Conservation Authority in its Management Effectiveness Evaluation(MEE) of Tiger Reserve in India 2010-2011 report has also expressed concern over the Eucalyptus plantations in the grasslands of the tiger habitat in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

 According to the officials from Munnar, the Eucalyptus trees are being planted for monetary gains by the big establishments in Chinnar and Kanthaloor area.

 Even though the Forest Department has stopped distributing Eucalyptus saplings under the social forestry programme, the trees are being cultivated in some of the plantations in large numbers.