Agroforestry for Rehabilitation of Degraded Community Lands: A Case Study in the Garhwal Himalaya, India

SUMMARY An agroforestry approach for rehabilitation of degraded village community lands was developed and tested in a mid-altitude village (1200 m amsl.) in the Garhwal Himalaya. Components of the rehabilitation project were based on informal discussions with villagers. The approach involved creation of supplemental irrigation capacity through water-harvesting tank technology and planting of native multipurpose trees, and economically important crops preferred by the local communities. Involvement of the whole village community in the decision making process was identified as a potential mechanism of securing local participation. Supplemental irrigation improved survival and growth of tree species, and also crop yield. The increase in survival of trees ranged from 39% in Albizzia lebbek to 164% in Boehmeria rugulosa. Growth response to irrigation was most prominent in Grewia oppnsitifolia, in terms of height, and in B. rugulosa, in terms of diameter at collar height. Irrigation enabled higher crop yields with substantially lower organic manure and seed inputs compared to the rainfed, or non-irrigated system. Monetary output: input ratio of crop component in irrigated system was 1.97 compared to 0.86 in the non-irrigated system. Total rehabilitation cost of irrigated system was recovered over a period of three years. It is concluded that agroforestry systems, based on traditional knowledge system with water management as an integral component, would be more effective for rehabilitation of degraded community lands than afforestation in the Himalaya.