Journal of Forest and Environmental Science

Institute of Forest Science, kangwon National University (강원대학교 산림과학연구소)
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Role of Agroforestry Trees in Sustaining Livelihood: A Case of Communities in Western Himalayas

  • Nagar, Bhuvnesh (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, HNB Garhwal University (A Central University)) ;
  • Rawat, Sushma (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, HNB Garhwal University (A Central University)) ;
  • Kumar, Munesh (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, HNB Garhwal University (A Central University))
  • Received : 2016.12.17
  • Accepted : 2017.01.19
  • Published : 2017.05.31
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Abstract

Trees at farm are considered as one of the option to reduce poverty of smallholders by contributing to livelihood security and resilience to climate change. A perception based study was conducted to assess the cultural importance of tree species suitable for practicing agroforestry in randomly selected agroforestry-dominated villages in Alaknanda valley of Western Himalayas during 2015-16. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data on the provisioning services of major agroforestry tree species in randomly surveyed 87 households. Based on cultural importance (CI) index value, the most suitable agroforestry tree species was Morus alba (3.32) followed by Celtis australis (3.22), Mangifera indica (3.01), Grewia optiva (2.79), Toona ciliata (2.22), Bauhinia variegata (2.08), Leucaena leucocephala (1.76) and Emblica officinalis (1.74). The preference of use has also been governed based on their indigenous knowledge. This study will also facilitate in evaluating the importance of provisioning services of agroforestry tree species in improving livelihood as well as facilitates smallholder's resilience to climate change in Western Himalayas.

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References

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