Sal Borer Outbreak Hits Dehradun and Kalsi Forests, Nearly 4 Lakh Beetles Destroyed

Current Summary

A renewed outbreak of the sal borer pest, Hoplocerambyx spinicornis, locally known as 'Hoplo', has triggered an extensive control operation in the sal forests of Dehradun and Kalsi. Uttarakhand Forest Department officials say the pest, whose larvae bore into the trunks and heartwood of sal trees, could damage large numbers of trees if left unchecked. The department has so far caught and destroyed about 3.96 lakh adult beetles and formed a dedicated task force — comprising the Forest Department, the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation and the Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute (FRI) — to monitor affected areas and review the response. Field teams are identifying affected trees, conducting regular inspections, using trap-tree operations and catching adult beetles. Rajiv Dhiman, Conservator of Forests, Shivalik, said the operation is being carried out under permissions received from the Union government and in accordance with the approved working plan and scientific protocols. Officials fear an uncontrolled outbreak could spread to other sal forests and leave trees so badly damaged they may need to be felled. The department noted sal borer outbreaks are not new to the region.

What Changed

• 5 Oct, 06:00 am
  Signal detected: Sal Borer Outbreak Hits Dehradun and Kalsi Forests, Nearly 4 Lakh Beetles Destroyed

Background

Sal borer outbreaks have occurred in the region before, according to the Forest Department, which noted Kalsi's sal forests have a history of such infestations.