Export of timber from Bihar will be severely hit this year as almost one-third of the seasum (dilbergia sissoo) tree plantations have died. Initially, the farmers and the State Forest Department who have taken up seasum plantation in North Bihar were of the view that most of their plantations have dried up following the emergence of a new tupe of virus which attacks only seasusm trees. The revelation made by the investigation report submitted by the head of the division of Forest Pathology Division, Dehradun (UP) has surprised one and all, including the forest department of Bihar. The major reason for death of the trees is water logging. North Bihar has poor irrigation facilities and the land is usually marshy and water-logged.