Manali Nature Park

Centuries old Nature Park well cared at Manali
by Prem Thakur

Manali (HP): Nature Park, frequented by thousands of tourists at Manali in Himachal Pradesh, is an ideal example on conservation as evident from healthy century-old pine and oak trees and other flora alongside colourful flowering shrubs. Nature Park is literally a mini forest of pine and oak trees, which were originally planted by the British over 100 years ago. Unlike rampant deforestation elsewhere, this place has been well preserved with utmost care. So much so, the agricultural universities, Conservator of Forests and Horticulture Departments have evinced keen interest in this garden by facilitating extension centres for the research botanists. In turn, the tourists have gained from the fruits of these initiatives. "Idea behind plantation of arboretum and pinetum trees was to preserve the species of these trees in Himalayan region," said Dr. B S Bhardwaj, Senior Scientist, Hill Agriculture Research and Extension Centre, Bajoura, Kullu. The British colonials planted almost 650 species of trees between 1902 and 1935. Most of these trees are continental and also originally from the Americas and even Japan. Spanish Chestnut, Beach, White Poplar, Qurecus Serotina, Quercus Cerris, Tilla Europia were among the species planted by the Englishmen in 1902. Later, in 1935 they planted some other species such as Scot Pine, Red Cedar and Japonica, Erizonica among others. Fortunately, after the departure of the British and other European residents, the local people cared for these trees. Nature Park is not only famous for its temperate trees, but also a place where one can spot hundreds of migratory birds during winter. "This is one of the best places I have visited so far, one can find rare varieties of trees and birds over here. This place is really beautiful," said Ashwani, a tourist.
-Jan 29, 2009

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