CONCEPT OF SOCIAL FENCING IN HILL DENUDATION CONTROL

Abstract

N IN THE REHABILITATION OF DEGRADED FOREST LANDS , THE HUMAN FACTOR WAS NEVER CONSIDERED AS A VERY STRONG VARIABLE , WITH THE RESULT , ALL OUR PERSUATIONS , PREACHINGS AND THE LEGISLATIVE MEASURES HAVE FAILED TO MOTIVATE THE PEOPLE TO PROTECT THE FOREST. UNTIL AND UNLESS THE ECONOMIC INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY IS STRONGLY TIED UP WITH THE PROTECTION OF THE HILLY AREAS, THERE IS VERY LITTLE SCOPE OF CONTROLLING HILL DENUDATION. THE EXPERIENCES GATHERED IN AN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT, SUKHOMAJRI NEAR KALKA IN HARYANA STATE SHOW THAT THE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE PROGRAMME OF STORING EXCESS MONSOON RAINWATER AFTER CATCHMENT TREATMENT IN STORAGE RESERVOIRS BY CONSTRUCTING EARTHEN DAMS AND UTILIZATION OF THE STORED WATER FOR SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION IN RAINFED AGRICULTURAL LAND NOT ONLY TRIPPLED THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, DOUBLED THE MILK YIELD BUT ALSO DEMONSTRATED THE CHANCES OF RAISING FISH, FRUITS , VEGETABLES AND FODDER IN THE VILLAGE. THE COMMUNITY THEN TOOK THE BURDEN OF PROTECTING THE HILLY WATERSHED BECAUSE OF DIRECT VISIBLE PRODUCTIVE BENEFITS FROM PROTECTION OF THE HILLY AREA. SUCH A CONCEPT OF SOCIETY FENCING THE FOREST LAND HAS BEEN EMPHASISED FOR LARGE SCALE ADOPTION IN OTHER SIMILAR AREAS AFTER IDENTIFYING THE POTENTIAL THROUGH THE USE OF MODERN TECHNIQUES OF AERIAL PHOTO- INTERPRETATION.