Jorhat, March 19: Save the trees and the planet. This is the message to be conveyed at the tree growers' mela beginning at Sotai tomorrow.

The fair, to be held at Rain Forest Research Institute, 17km from here, will witness a congregation of nearly 300 growers, foresters, wood-based industrialists and stakeholders who will chalk out issues relating to the cultivation of valuable wood and other trees and their uses.

"The mela is being held to sensitise tree growers on issues related to cultivation and management of tree species on farmland, the technologies and products developed, marketing of various non-timber forest products, livelihood options from forest-based industries and skills development," Rajib Kumar Kalita, a scientist at the institute, said.

Kalita said the importance of the tree growers' fair was the bringing together of a large number of farmers, self-help groups, NGOs, joint forest management committees, wood-based industries, state forest departments and forestry research organisations on one platform. This would help them understand the issues related to tree farming and exchange of ideas and sharing of experiences.

Farmers will be given an insight into how forest produce other than timber can be harvested in a sustainable manner and marketed.

One of the issues is using up of hillsides and other wasteland for the cultivation of tea by small tea growers.

"We will try to make them aware that they are growing tea, which is a mono-crop, on land where a large species of trees once grew. Growing tea on vast tracts is adversely affecting tree diversity and their preservation," Kalita said.

"Many have not seen the mulberry ( noni gos) on which the silkworms feed and how they are cultivated. We will have a stall showing the details of the mulberry. We shall also demonstrate how to propagate bamboo through seed, cuttings or tissue culture," he added.

Moreover, as trees meant for firewood are no longer easily available, they will ask the people to grow this variety, the scientist said.

Financial institutions like NABARD, departments such as agriculture, soil conservation, horticulture, sericulture, scientists, foresters, social activist working in forest related issues, national and international awardees in forestry, persons with success stories in forestry, and the Territorial Army have also been invited. There will be 11 exhibition stalls showcasing the activities of the institute.