Sustainable Harvesting of Bark of Alstonia Scholaris (L.) R. Br. And Crataeva Nurvala Buch.-Ham.

Unsustainable bark harvesting practices can result in severe consequences, ranging from partial damage to the complete mortality of trees. Standardizing species-specific, non-destructive bark harvesting techniques that facilitate bark regrowth and recovery is therefore critical for conserving these valuable non-timber forest resources and safeguarding their long-term viability. A study was carried out to evaluate bark regrowth for deciding sustainable harvesting procedure in Alstonia scholaris and Crataeva nurvala. Bark regrowth (regeneration) after extraction in partial strips was recorded at six month intervals over a 24 month period. Wound healing was evident in both species one year after harvest. However, in A. scholaris, the regenerated bark exhibited marked differences in appearance compared to the unextracted portion. In contrast, C. nurvala demonstrated faster regrowth, with complete bark regeneration achieved within 12 months, although the regenerated bark was approximately half the thickness of the original. A similar pattern was observed in A. scholaris, where regeneration occurred after 18 months. By the end of the observation period, the regenerated bark showed no discernible differences in thickness or quality compared to the original bark—after two years in A. scholaris and 18 months in C. nurvala. We recommend strip harvesting of bark (15 cm × 15 cm) from opposite sides of the trunk in alternating years as a sustainable practice for A. scholaris and C. nurvala.