Native Ficus trees are being increasingly felled in the Mandya district of India in place of exotic species such as Eucalyptus and Casuarina, with negative consequences for farmers and the environment.

An article in the Bangalore Mirror says native Ficus trees are known to keep the soil moist and fertile through natural composting of fallen leaves under their canopies. They are also a source of fodder, firewood and timber.

Despite these benefits, Eucalypts seem to be preferred by farmers and are more readily available in nurseries in the district. The article’s author says there is a false belief that Ficus trees impact on crop growth because they block sunlight and calls for awareness raising about the usefulness of Ficus trees for farmers, their livestock and the ecosystem.

Scientists, Dr Syam Viswanath and Dhanya Bhaskar from the Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST) have undertaken a 4-year study in the value of Ficus trees in agirucltural landscapes.

"Low-input traditional agroforestry systems with native trees like Ficus ought to be included in our development policies,” says Dhanya. “Or else, we might lose invaluable ecosystem services from these trees that have sustained rural livelihoods for generations."

Read the full story: Ignorance axes Ficus trees in Mandya farms