Silviculture is the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values. It is derived from the Latin word silvi which means forest and culture as in growing. The study of forests and woods is termed Silvology. Silviculture also focuses on making sure that the treatment(s) of forest stands are used to preserve and to better their productivity. It is the oldest conscious application of the science of ecology and is a field recognized before the term ecology was coined. Many ways of governing the development of forest stands rest heavily on cuttings and other treatments that alter or modify the factors of the stand environment that regulate the growth of the vegetation.

The enriched existing Botanical Garden has been improved by adding better recreational facilities in the midst of natural surroundings. Conservation of biodiversity – the rare and endangered species is the main concern and the garden acts as a centre of excellence for research catering, training and awareness programs. The garden has well constructed sitting/waiting shades, children play ground and footsteps with hand rails leading to the view tower providing a panoramic view of the capital.

The garden is blessed with a variety of flora species despite its close proximity to the capital city. Visitors to this garden gain enormous knowledge and form a sense of healthy relaxation and aesthetic beauty

Altogether, 95000 (Ninety five thousand) of high quality seedlings of various indigenous economic species ranging from timber, medicinal herbs, aesthetic species etc. are raised and prepared for public distribution at Silvicultur Range Nursery, Kohima and Rangapahar Nursery, Dimapur .

Orchidorium

The State is blessed with its rare and endangered orchids species. It has about 360 species under 59 genera. This Division has created orchidorium for conservation and propagation of some rare & endangered species by adopting means of in-situ & ex-situ conservation.

Propagation of Aesthetic species

Ginkgo biloba and Salex babylonica cuttings were extracted from healthy mother trees and prepared for propagation at Silviculture Range nursery, Kohima. The cuttings were dipped in root hormones and directly planted into poly bags and with a low mortality rate of 3% in both the species. The matured cuttings were distributed to the public.

Established during October 2016, Funded by Department of Biotechnology(GOI)

The lab is equipped with laminar air flow, hot air oven, autoclave, tissue culture rack, microwave oven, Distillation unit, Magnetic stirrer, Hot plate ,Weighing Machine, PH meter, Refrigerator and Glass beat sterilizer . Two Junior Research Fellows (Mr.Sunep L Imsong and Mr. KeheibamdingThou ) are engaged on contract basis for a period of 3 years working on two tree species namely Dipterocarpus macrocarpus Vesque, Duabanga grandiflora and some species of orchids and bamboos

Activities:

• To develop tissue culture methods for mass propagation of the selected plant species.

• To harden micro-propagated plantlets and transfer them to soil.

• To reintroduce the micro-propagated plants into the natural habitat and monitor their performance.