Despite the fact that pine forests are very pretty, the truth is they are an ecological disaster.  During our meetings with the Kumaoni people, they were quite vehement about the nuisance these trees were.  Some wanted to set fire to the forests, the others cut them down, and a small minority pull them out with their bare hands! Pine is easily combustible and the increase in forest fires in the states has been attributed to this. Ironically, the people are not allowed to use pinewood as fuel because most pine forests are in the government reserve forests - which are roughly 65% of the forested area in Uttarakhand - which in turn is two-thirds the total area of the state. They run the risk of being jailed if caught, but many are left with no choice.

We saw lots of trees like this because of the use of branches as firewood. The lower branches are within arms reach and chopped for fuel. As the trees grow, their conical shape becomes a spindle. Much of the deforestation is for  firewood , but the rapid growth of tourism and retirees’ bungalows is a looming threat to the forests.

Along the roads were numerous bales of pine needles the the local had collected. Being acidic in nature, pine needles alter the pH of the soil, preventing the undergrowth from florishing. For the same reason it cannot be used as compost or mulch. The goats and cattle won’t eat, so its useless as fodder. We tried sitting on them, but they’re really sharp!

However, Grassroots has achieved some success in using it as fertiliser after mixing it with manure.

The use of pine resin for the manufacture of  turpentine is a Rs. 200 crore business annually. However, as Anita Paul told us, when turpentine can be made artifically in a factory at a much cheaper cost, there’s no justification for continuing with this practice. Especially when the cost of the damage is far more!

Pine cones are hardy and responsible for the invasiveness of the species. They spread rapidly and easily, often preventing the growth of other trees. Pine trees do not check the flow of rainwater down the slope, and thus play no role in recharging the groundwater, something crucial in a region having no water-security for as much as six months a year.

Oaks, Deodar and Sal are the traditional species here. Oak is a source of charcoal, and vast  forests have been denuded for this. Deodar and Sal are sources of commercial wood. Interestingly, one of the ladies at the Naula in Majkhali told us that the roots of the deodar trees keep the  water cool, something we tasted firsthand there!