PESHAWAR, Aug 29: The research and development directorate of the NWFP forest department has recommended that eucalyptus should not be encouraged as an agro-forestry species.

The directorate conducted a study tilted 'review of research on the environmental impact of eucalyptus' following reports that the tree had negative impact on soil, ground water and vegetation.

It suggested that eucalyptus should no longer be considered as primary species and its mono culture should be avoided. The report said the plant attracted widespread criticism when aprolonged drought hit the region in the 1990s, which resulted in reduction of underground water resources.

The situation created confusion among the farming community and in the public sector and a massive campaign was launched to eliminate the species from farmland and other areas, it said.

It said that in the rain-fed condition eucalyptus plantations had adversely affected maize and wheat crops to some extent as compared to other agroforestry tree species. It said the tree also reduced the production of wheat and sugarcane in irrigated fields.

It was found that eucalyptus leaves contained allopathic properties which affected fertility of soil. However, the report denied that eucalyptus plantations had reduced ground-water table. "This happened due to the 10-year-long drought and extensive pumping," it said.

It concluded that eucalyptus plantation had reduced pressure on indigenous forests and created an adequate supply of fuel and timber for rural communities. The plant had great contribution to the ozone layer due to its evergreen characteristics, it said.

The research was conducted in 91 selected sites in the NWFP and the tribal area to evaluate the impact of the species on soil, water, cropsand biodiversity. The species was imported from Australia under a USAID assisted project for reforestation in the NWFP, creation of an adequate supply of fuel andtimber for rural communities and feeding the paper pulp industry in Punjab.