Silvicultural System for Mazri (Nannorrhops ritchieana)
SILVICULTURAL SYSTEM FOR MAZRI
Scientific name: Nannorrhops ritchieana
Family: Palmae
Common name: Mazri
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:-
· Dwarf palm, Nannorrhops ritchieana locally called Mazri is a hardy plant belonging to the wide group of palm.
· Mazri is usually a stemless, gregarious and low growing shrub. General grows in low arid mountains up to 1524 meter.
· It is light demander but can tolerate the shade in the initial stage of life for shorter duration.
· On hot aspects, requires shade during summer.
· It requires a moderate type of climate, though it can tolerate drought as well.
· It grows commonly on Rocky grounds derived from limestone, but can also grow on gypsum and sandy soils.
· For better growth, good drainage conditions are required.
· It leaves provide Raw material for a number of homemade products.
· The shrub can produce leaves up to the age of 50 years.
· Under favourable conditions it develops a trunk, reaches about 4.3 meter height.
· It is xerophytic in nature and propagated by means of seeds or Rhizomes.
· The natural regeneration occurs mostly by means of rhizomes and artificial regeneration is carried by means of seeds.
· Sowing is done in the month of February-March. Pre-sowing treatment is applied to seeds by keeping it in hot water for 24 hours
· Germination takes place in monsoon.
AREA:-
· In Pakistan Mazri is found in Karak, Kohat, Hangu, Orakzai agency, Kurram agency, South and North Waziristan agency and Khyber pass.
· It also occurs in Trans-Indus territory along the Eastern skirts of Suleman Range (D.I Khan and DG Khan) up to the Western boundary of Sindh and on a limited area on mount Sakeser.
· Also grows up to 1524 meter in Sibbi, Khuzdar and Mekran area of Balochistan.
SOIL:-
· Limestone, hard rock of gypsum, Sandstone and gravels
· The entire area is generally hilly and mountainous and is supposed to be rich in mineral deposits.
· In Mekran and Sibbi area Mazri mostly occur in nullahs.
ASSOCIATED FLORA:-
· Acacia modesta
· Monotheca buxifolia
· Zizyphus nummularia
· Olea cuspidata
· Dodonea viscosa
· Razia stricta
· Tecoma undulate
· Capparis aphylla
· Saccharum munja
FAUNA:-
· Grey and Black Partridge, Wolves, Leopard, Jackals, houbara and grous visit the area in cold weather.
· Wildlife feed on seeds helps in pollination and dispersal of Mazri seeds.
CLIMATE:-
· Temperature ranges from 30-45C
· The rainfall is very capricious. The rainfall is 53.34 mm.
· Humidity is lowest in May and June.
SILVICULTURAL ASPECT/SYSTEM:-
· A low shrubby palm with much divided palmate leaves usually arising in tufts from branched underground rhizomes, sometimes from an erect branching stem.
· It is light demander but can tolerate shade in the initial life stage for a short duration.
· It requires a moderate type of climate, though it can tolerate drought as well.
· It grows well under the rainfall conditions ranges from 50.8-63.5cm, and less severe summer as in Hangu Tehsil of Kohat.
· It can also tolerate low temperature in the mountains of Afghanistan and grows where covered with snow in winter sheltered places reaches to a height of about 4.54-7.57 meter.
· It grows on the soils derived from limestone which acts as mother Rock but can also grow on the gypsum and sandy soils. Good drainage is required.
· As in the Mazri growing area the major portion of the rainfall is received in winter, therefore lies under the Mediterranean climate, which is suitable for Mazri growth.
SEED:-
· The inflorescence is 60cm-1meter long. Fruits are generally Berry or drupe, size is 11-15mm, seeds are very hard.
· Seed store in dry places retains its viability for one year in pesticides/insecticides.
PROPAGATION:-
· It is propagated from seed and from offsets Rhizomes. The regeneration occurs both through Natural and artificial methods.
· The natural Regeneration occurs mostly by means of Rhizomes by seed but not common.
· The Artificial regeneration is carried out by means of seeds.
NURSERY RAISING:-
I. Polythene bags are filled with soil moisture of
Silt; Clay; Humus
2; 1; 1
II. Seed is treated to keep 24 hours in hot water (seed coat become soft).
III. Seeds are directly sown in polythene bags 5.08 cm deep in the month of January-March.
IV. Germination takes place in the month of April-June. Germination process is quite slow. At young age, seedling requires shade and poor care.
Shifting, grading is carried out in the nursery.
HARVESTING:-
· The cutting of leaves is allowed from mid-October to mid-April. Mostly rural women carry the harvesting tradition manner through sickle (Daranti).
· Local people carry out harvesting and authorized contractors purchases the finish Mazri products from the people.
· There are 60,000 Acres of Mazri scrub forests in Kohat.
UTILIZATION OF MAZRI PRODUCTS:-
· Mazri leaves are used mainly to make a variety of products, Ropes(BAN), Mats, Hand fans, Sandals, Baskets, Hats, Pouches and other daily use articles.
· The seeds are pierced and made into Rosaries and are exported to Macca.
· The leaf bud, young inflorescence, and fruits are eaten by local people.
· Young leaves, which have sweet astringent taste, are in use for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery. Also used as purgative in veterinary practice.
· The dry trunk and foliage are used as fuel.
· Mazri crafts are the major products. Women are traditionally engaged in leaves collection and in home-based cottage industries and livelihood of the local people.
· The main end-users of Mazri finish products are middle and lower-middle-class people. Upper-class people are also its buyer for special products like sandals, Hats and decoration pieces.
PROBLEMS:-
I. In Afghan refugee camps, refugees have uprooted Mazri plants for fuel purposes which local never did.
II. The auction of Mazri leaves based on rough estimates. Due to revenue of FD overexploitation.
III. Drought –Degradation of Mazri Resources.
IV. Due to a shortage of fodder Livestock develop taste for consuming Mazri leaves.
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For Correction and Improvements please use the comments section below.
Naeem Javid Muhammad Hassani is working as Conservator of Forests in Balochistan Forest & Wildlife Department (BFWD). He is the CEO of Tech Urdu (techurdu.net) Forestrypedia (forestrypedia.com), All Pak Notifications (allpaknotifications.com), Essayspedia, etc & their YouTube Channels). He is an Environmentalist, Blogger, YouTuber, Developer & Vlogger.
Thanku soo Much Sir you helped me regarding such information that will be much helpful to me for doing my research on it,,,
You are most welcome. The suggestions and corrections are always welcome. 🙂 Good Luck with your task.
sir can you please give me some of more information regarding its strength,,and its method of finishing for the purpose of its applications,