On our first explorations of the town, we visited the Forest Research Institute, which is a 106 year-old teaching and learning institute founded by the British, in Dehradun. In this enormous facility, there are over 100 acres of forest, wide boulevards, several teaching and research institutes, and a central building which houses 7 small natural history museums that highlight different aspects of forestry in India.

With over 120 species of commercially-harvested trees in India, the challenges to managing tree diseases and pests, silviculture and reforestation techniques are incredibly diverse. I wasn’t allowed to take any pictures in the museum, but was very impressed with the displays of 700 year old tree cross sections, tables made from a single piece of wood, and medicinal products derived from tree crops. Our tour guide explained to me that cutting trees, even on private land, is illegal in India and requires a permit. There are also programs for the reforestation of right-of-ways along canals, railways, and rivers. Farmers are provided with financial incentives for planting alongside their fields, and agroforestry is pursued with several crop types, including fast-rotation eucalyptus.

Surrounding the Wildlife Institute, there are farmlands and wetlands, where the regrowth of trees can be seen. Wherever there are open, moist areas, many species of butterflies can be seen, sipping water from the damp ground, or seeking nectar from the few flowers that persist in the scorching heat.