AGROFORESTRY INTERVENTIONS IN DEGRADED MINED AREAS - A CASE STUDY.

Abstract

THE TOPICS DEALT WITH THIS STUDY INCLUDE SOCIO- ECONOMIC PROFILE, LAND HOLDINGS , INVENTORY OF FARMING ASSETS , LIVESTOCKS , SOURCE OF ON- FARM INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT EXISTING LANDUSE SYSTEMS AND PRESENT SITUATION OF FOOD, FODDER , FUEL AND FIBRE AS THE BASIC NEEDS PERTAINING TO DEGRADED MINED AREAS IN MUSSOORIE HILLS. FOR BETTER SOCIAL ACCEPTABILITY , THE FARMERS OPINIONS WERE TAKEN INTO DIAGNOSIS BEFORE DESIGNING SOME AGROFORESTRY MODELS. BASED ON THE DIAGNOSED PROBLEMS , COMPREHENSIVE DESIGNS ON VARIOUS AGROFORESTRY ASPECTS ARE SUGGESTED FOR UPLIFTING THE RURAL ECONOMY AND REHABILITATION OF DEGRADED MINED AREAS. ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD TO ENABLE FARMERS TO OPT FOR A BEFITTING PACKAGE. THE SUGGESTED TECHNOLOGIES ARE BASED ON PARTICIPATORY RURAL APPROACH AS THE FARMERS OPINION IS INCORPORATED. THE APPROACHES ARE ESSENTIALLY NOT TOP- DOWN BUT BOTTOM UP IN NATURE CALLING FOR READY ADOPTION. UNDER EXISTING BIO- PHYSIO - AGRO ECOLOGICAL SITUATIONS , AMPLE STRESS HAS BEEN GIVEN TO INTEGRATED VARIOUS AGROFORESTRY COMPONENTS AND THEIR SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT.