OUTCOME OF SEMINAR

1. DALBERGIA SISSOO DIE-BACK – A COMMON SUB-REGIONAL PROBLEM

Dalbergia sissoo is an important multipurpose tree species in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and many other countries. Generally, the plantations have a narrow gene base and the source of the seed source/planting material is unknown. The tree is variously grown by government organisations, communities, individual fanners and private landowners, and generally management appears to be inadequate or non-existent. The tree is mostly grown in single stand species by individual fanners to provide ready cash at time of harvest, starting from 20 years onwards. However, with the increased incidence of die-back, farmers are being discouraged from planting and/or replanting and land use may consequently be altered.

The cause of die-back may be multi-faceted and the primary causes are as yet to be confirmed. Common with all countries is the increased incidence of symptoms occurring with increasing clay content of the soils and water logging, both of which are known to impede the normal growth of the tree and to increase stress. Highest incidence was recorded in trees grown on the margins of agriculture land, particularly paddy fields.

Possible pathogens associated with the die-back included a wide range of fungi, but particularly the Fusarium and Ganoderma spp. These were strongly implicated, but the pathogenicity tests have not been completed to confirm it. A complex of insect species have been associated with the later symptoms of the disease, but these are likely to be secondary agents.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REGIONAL CO-OPERATION AND FUTURE STRATEGIES

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

• Shared problem,
• Government priority in response to pressure from the people and forestry professional.

INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES NEED TO:

• Evaluate the magnitude and extent of the problem in relation to socio-ecological and economic issues,
• Determine causative agents (Biotic and Abiotic) related to expression of symptoms,
• Monitor developments in the field,
• Assess farmers' perceptions of the problems,
• Determine best management practices and acceptability to stakeholders,
• Promotion of alternate species for non-specific sites,
• Initiate programmes for provenance testing,
• Determine most suitable short, medium and long-term management options,
• Identify organisations involved/interested in sissoo/agroforestry,
• In-situ conservation,
• Develop protocols for seed/germplasm certification.

REGIONAL ACTIVITIES:

• Critically review the probable causes of the problem to narrow down the research focus,
• Review and collate all available information about die-back,
• Prepare database,
• Determine protocols for joint/individual activities,
• Focus on selecting improved varieties with regional potential (per eco-region),
• Develop protocols for seed/germplasm certification and save movements between countries,
• Determine best management practices and acceptability to tree growers/stakeholders.

MECHANISM OF CO-OPERATION:

• Establish and have a mechanism to expand network,
• Appoint country focal point (contact person),
• Appoint a regional co-ordinator or institution for the network,
• Establish mailing list for information exchange and as a discussion tool,
• Publish and exchange bulletins and in-country notes periodically,
• Combine research efforts and share research findings,
• Determine in-country and regional training needs and study tour/exchange visits,
• Prepare joint proposalsfor external funding.

CO-OPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS:

• Enlist international agencies/NGO's/Regional co-operatives to provide technical and financial support to the network:

- FAO/FORSPA

- CIFOR

- IUFRO

- ICRAF

- USAID

- World Bank

- ADB

- UNDP

- ACIAR

- DANIDA/DFSC

- DFID

- FINNIDA

- EU

- JBIC (Japan Bank of International Co-operation)

- JICA

- GEF

- ICIMOD

3. SEMINAR RESOLUTION – KATHMANDU RESOLUTION

Whereas the participants of the Sub-regional Seminar recognise that die-back of Dalbergia sissoo has occurred and is further spreading in all the countries of the sub-region with related socio-ecological and economic losses;

Whereas the causes (both biotic and abiotic stresses) and effects of the die-back problem are unsolved; the participants have agreed on the following:

• In each country the selected focal institution/person will co-ordinate to undertake additional studies, analyse the problem in more detail, and provide immediate, short and long-term solutions;
• The focal institutions and individual(s) of the participating countries will communicate and collaborate with other institutions and individuals.

Whereas further resources are required to analyse and resolve the sissoo die-back problem, each focal institution/person will seed respective Government and donor support for the same;

In order that this problem of sissoo die-back is pursued in a timely fashion, the Department of Forest Research and Survey, Ministry of Forests and Soil

Conservation, Nepal, has been unanimously selected to act as Regional Co-ordinator for the network to be established and implemented.

We the participants hereby declare our agreement to accept the Kathmandu Resolution and the recommendations resulting from the sub-regional workshop.

Date: 28.4.2000
Place: Kathmandu