📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Yann Forget
Agriculture
Madhya Pradesh to cut 140,000 sal trees to curb beetle infestation
✍️ indianexpress.com
🗓 05 Oct 2026, 04:31 AM
👁 8
The Madhya Pradesh forest department has approved the removal of about 140,000 sal trees as a measure to control a beetle outbreak threatening the state’s forest ecosystem.
The forest department of Madhya Pradesh announced a plan to fell roughly 140,000 sal trees across several forest blocks. Officials say the action is aimed at halting the spread of a beetle species that has begun to damage mature sal stands, which form a critical component of the region’s biodiversity.
According to the department, the targeted trees show clear signs of beetle infestation, and their removal is expected to protect surrounding healthy vegetation. The cleared areas will be monitored and later replanted with disease‑resistant saplings as part of a long‑term restoration strategy.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the scale of the felling, urging the government to consider alternative pest‑control methods. The department, however, maintains that the drastic step is necessary to prevent a larger ecological collapse.
The operation is slated to begin next month, with field teams equipped to identify and extract only the affected trees, minimizing collateral damage to the forest canopy.
According to the department, the targeted trees show clear signs of beetle infestation, and their removal is expected to protect surrounding healthy vegetation. The cleared areas will be monitored and later replanted with disease‑resistant saplings as part of a long‑term restoration strategy.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the scale of the felling, urging the government to consider alternative pest‑control methods. The department, however, maintains that the drastic step is necessary to prevent a larger ecological collapse.
The operation is slated to begin next month, with field teams equipped to identify and extract only the affected trees, minimizing collateral damage to the forest canopy.