DEVELOPING SAPLINGS IN DISPOSABLE PAPER GLASS INSTEAD PLASTIC BAGS

Abstract

Keeping in view of durability and availability easily at least cost price, since decade, the plastic bags are being used for developing saplings from seeds, cuttings of stem/ branches/ twigs of endemic and threatened species in Government and Private nurseries for mass plantation to develop greenery over vast land areas and/ or restoration of degraded lands/forests, avenue plantation, recreation, etc. In forthcoming years, to meet the requirement of Goal 5 of New York Declaration on Forests, 2014, country-wide mass plantation programme has already been launched to curb tons of ambient CO2, create congenial environmental conditions for future generation and prevent loss of forest by 2030. Hence, while doing so, if the same is used in huge quantity and left on/along plantation area, it may create nuisance and pollute soil, water, landscape as well as surroundings, may affect drastically to the microorganism and even also causes health hazards to living beings due to its non-biodegradable properties. Thus, to find out an alternate and sustainable means to develop saplings, the biodegradable paper glass was used since Jul, 2019 and grown >5,000 individuals of 30 plant species from seeds by devising a methodology and proper implementation. The devised method is cost effective, convenient in procurement or reuse after any ceremony, plantation and if left unattended in the field, degrade naturally in due course of time.