Alternate land use and agroforestry systems for resource conservation and enhanced productivity in the hills

Abstract

Sustainable development in the Himalayas’ is linked with the development of environment, capacity building of the local people, marketing forces, socio-political situation and the global trade and other related aspects. The challenge before us is to identify meaningful strategies and workable action plans aimed at bringing about the necessary changes in the agricultural production patterns and lifestyle of the people keeping in view the social and developmental priorities. The Indian Himalayas (IH) covers 16.4 per cent of the total geographical area of the country. Ecosystem diversity, fragility, marginality, poor accessibility, biodiversity and cultural heterogeneity are the major issues of livelihood gathering and resource conservation in the region. Agriculture is the main stay of the people in the region. However, faulty management practices coupled with ever-increasing human and animal population are threatening the very base of livelihood in the region. About two-third of the total geographical area in the Himalayan region is affected by land degradation problems. Farmers with small landholdings rely heavily on the common property resources’ (CPRs) of forests and grazing lands to provide fuel and fodder supplies. However, invasion of exotic obnoxious weeds in the CPRs is a matter of concern.