Social forestry, agro-forestry | Biogeography | Principle Of Geography

 

Biogeography

Principle Of Geography

Geography Complete Study Material

(Paper - I)

Social forestry and Agro-forestry

                  Forests are ecological as well as a socio-economic resource. Forests have to be managed judiciously not only because they are source of various products and industrial raw materials but also for environmental protection and various services they provide. Approximately 1/3rd of the earth’s total land area is covered by forests. The forests provide habitat for wildlife, resources such as timber, fire wood, drugs etc. and aesthetic environment. Indirectly, the forests benefit people by protecting watersheds from soil erosion, keeping rivers and reservoirs free of silt, and facilitate the recharging of groundwater. Forest plays an important role in the cycling of carbon, water, nitrogen and other elements.

            Forest is a complex ecosystem consisting mainly of trees that support a myriad forms of life. The trees are the most important component that help to create a unique environment which, in turn, supports various kinds of animals and plants. Trees are the prime producers for the forest, purify and cool the air and control the climate. Forests may be subdivided into natural forests and plantations or man made forests. Natural forests are forests composed of mainly naturally grown indigenous (local) trees while plantations are forests established by growing trees by humans.

          Climate, soil type, topography, and elevation are the main factors that determine the type of forest. Forests are classified according to their nature and composition, the type of climate in which they thrive, and its relationship with the surrounding environment. India has a many types of forests: They range from rain forest of Kerala and North-East to deciduous forests in the plains, mountain forests to alpine pastures of Ladakh and deserts of Rajasthan.

Importance of Forests 

               Early life of humans on this planet began as forest dweller. In early days human were totally dependent on forest for food, clothing, and shelter. Even after agriculture was started humans remained dependent upon the forests for several of their needs. The source of fuel wood and provide raw materials to various wood industries. Indian forests also provide many other valuable minor products such as essential oil, medicinal plants, resins, turpentine etc. Forests are renewable resources which provide a wide variety of commodities. Forests satisfying aesthetic needs of humans and have been a source of inspiration for the development of culture and civilization. Forests are home to a very large variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms. This great richness of flora and fauna which has evolved

Social forestry

             Social forestry is the management and development of forests with afforestation on barren lands to achieve environmental benefit and rural development. The term was first used by National Commission on Agriculture, Government of India, in 1976. It was then that India embarked upon a social forestry project with the aim of taking the pressure off the forests and making use of all unused and fallow land. Government forest areas that are close to human settlement and have been degraded over the years due to human activities needed to be afforested. Trees were to be planted in and around agricultural fields. Plantation of trees along railway lines and roadsides, and river and canal banks were carried out. They were planted in village common land, Government wasteland, and Panchayat land. The government also extended incentives so that the planted sapling would be cared for and maintained. Initially, the government encouraged the free distribution of USUFRUCT species. Programme was launched as a mass mobilization programme with the intention of involving the common population. 

Agro forestry 

            Agro-forestry is defined as a land-use system that integrates trees and shrubs on farmlands and rural landscapes to enhance productivity, profitability, diversity, and ecosystem sustainability. It is a dynamic, ecologically-based natural resource management system that through the integration of woody perennials on farms and in the agricultural landscape diversifies and sustains production and builds social institutions. It combines forestry with: 

• Production of multiple outputs with the protection of the resource base. 
• Places emphasis on the use of multiple indigenous trees and shrubs. 
• Particularly suitable for low-input conditions and fragile environments. 
• It involves the interplay of socio-cultural values more than in most other land-use systems. 
• It is structurally and functionally more complex than monoculture. 

        Agroforestry systems include both traditional and modern land-use systems where trees are managed together with crops and or/ animal production systems in agricultural settings. Agroforestry is practiced in both irrigated and rain-fed conditions where it produces food, fuel, fodder, timber, fertilizer, and fiber, contributes to food, nutritional and ecological security, sustains livelihoods, alleviates poverty, and promotes productive and resilient cropping and farming environments. Agroforestry also has the potential to enhance ecosystem services through carbon storage, prevention of deforestation, biodiversity conservation, and soil and water conservation. In addition, when strategically applied on a large scale, with the appropriate mix of species, agroforestry enables agricultural land to withstand extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, and climate change.