46
S. Dhyani and D. Dhyani
to encroachment of invasive species due to degraded habitats. The average family
size in all the sites of the study area was observed to be 6–8 individuals/household.
Local communities in the study area utilize a large number of plants from forests in
their day-to-day life. Plant species used by locals besides timber yielding are also
oil yielding, fodder yielding, species supporting livestock rearing, agriculture, spices
and many other wild edible species.
During the survey, data on biomass demands and extraction by locals around the
year was collected to understand quantities of forest resources in specific seasons
(Fig. 4).
Informants reported variations in biomass collection from forests, and it was
observed to be dependent on socio-economic status of local inhabitants and on the
availability of resources in their village vicinity. Informants reported on an average 6–10 kg/day of fuelwood requirement and collection by locals during summers
(May–July) and 15–20 kg/day during winters (November–March) irrespective of
collection (Table 4). Fuelwood requirement and utilization was reported to be higher
because of less availability and high cost of alternative energy source available such
as biogas or L.P.G. cooking gas in the study areas. Temperature maintenance was
an important reason for high fuelwood demand during winter months. Household
size was an important criteria for understanding fuel wood demand and extraction
rates per household. Fodder and leaf litter extraction was observed to be dependent on livestock holding/household. Fodder demand and supply in all the study
Fig. 4 The results of a Seasonal Calendar of biomass removal from nearby forest areas derived
from people’s consultation (Misra 2009)
S. Dhyani and D. Dhyani
to encroachment of invasive species due to degraded habitats. The average family
size in all the sites of the study area was observed to be 6–8 individuals/household.
Local communities in the study area utilize a large number of plants from forests in
their day-to-day life. Plant species used by locals besides timber yielding are also
oil yielding, fodder yielding, species supporting livestock rearing, agriculture, spices
and many other wild edible species.
During the survey, data on biomass demands and extraction by locals around the
year was collected to understand quantities of forest resources in specific seasons
(Fig. 4).
Informants reported variations in biomass collection from forests, and it was
observed to be dependent on socio-economic status of local inhabitants and on the
availability of resources in their village vicinity. Informants reported on an average 6–10 kg/day of fuelwood requirement and collection by locals during summers
(May–July) and 15–20 kg/day during winters (November–March) irrespective of
collection (Table 4). Fuelwood requirement and utilization was reported to be higher
because of less availability and high cost of alternative energy source available such
as biogas or L.P.G. cooking gas in the study areas. Temperature maintenance was
an important reason for high fuelwood demand during winter months. Household
size was an important criteria for understanding fuel wood demand and extraction
rates per household. Fodder and leaf litter extraction was observed to be dependent on livestock holding/household. Fodder demand and supply in all the study
Fig. 4 The results of a Seasonal Calendar of biomass removal from nearby forest areas derived
from people’s consultation (Misra 2009)