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S. Dhyani and D. Dhyani
deforestation. The have formulated various policies and regulations that are intended
to encourage sustainable management and use of forest resources so they can improve
local livelihoods and contribute to regional, national and global goals of conservation.
• Harvesting of timber is banned anywhere even in a community owned forest and
cannot be carried out without written consent from District Forest Officer. As
a measure to control illegal logging, illegally harvested timber is stamped and
auctioned by forest department. A forest product declaration form is issued to the
timber owner that includes details of timber volume, forest of origin and also tree
species.
• Promotion of agroforestry practices
Agroforestry is a prominent part of agriculture fields as all the study areas are maximizing benefits from agriculture. In the region agroforestry continues to contribute
significantly to the supply of tree products and ecosystem services. Agroforestry
has evolved from traditional retention of useful trees to promotion of fast growing
multi purpose trees providing and improving soil fertility, fuelwood, fodder etc.
Recently, sink potential of agroforests has attracted a lot of attention of international communities. Agroforestry practices reduce pressure from forests and also
helps in supporting and fulfilling green fodder demands during lean winter months.
Some of these trees are Carpus vimnea (Chamkhadik), Celtis australis, Grewia
optiva (Bhemal), Sapindus mukorossi, Ficus neriifolia (Thelak,), Debrgeasia salicifolia (Syanru), Boehmeria japonica etc. While, at lower elevations banana and
papaya trees are planted on the bunds of kitchen gardens to check soil erosion that
helps in food security and fulfills nutritional demands. India is the first nation in
the world to adopt and implement an agroforestry policy. National Agroforestry
Policy, 2015 was a farsighted effort to support integration of trees, crops and
livestock in agriculture fields. The policy addressed issues related to agroforestry
sector and also includes policies, weak markets and a dearth of institutional finance
affecting agroforestry in the country. Agroforestry policy is a key step forward to
achieve sustainability by harnessing the potential of agroforestry by optimizing
agricultural productivity and addressing climate change adaptation.
• Promoting sink potential of forests involving locals in carbon trading
The Van Panchayat-managed community forests are reported to have carbon stocks
worth 200–280 t c/ha and are potentially sequestering 2–4 tc/ha/yr (CHEA 2009).
In present circumstances conserving forest sinks in community forests of the area
has not been recognized as a livelihood option. This important regulating ecosystem benefit can help locals to get better benefits in long run under REDD and
REDD+ implementation programme. Meeting the targets of Paris COP, 2015 by
communities partnering in carbon trading will enhance sink potential of community forests and also help improving socio-economic conditions and addressing
conservation targets. Linking the approach to opportunities by making sustainable
use of NTFPs and forest biomass for enhancing livelihood for supporting livestock has potential to address out migration as well thereby helping and facilitating
organic agriculture in the state.
S. Dhyani and D. Dhyani
deforestation. The have formulated various policies and regulations that are intended
to encourage sustainable management and use of forest resources so they can improve
local livelihoods and contribute to regional, national and global goals of conservation.
• Harvesting of timber is banned anywhere even in a community owned forest and
cannot be carried out without written consent from District Forest Officer. As
a measure to control illegal logging, illegally harvested timber is stamped and
auctioned by forest department. A forest product declaration form is issued to the
timber owner that includes details of timber volume, forest of origin and also tree
species.
• Promotion of agroforestry practices
Agroforestry is a prominent part of agriculture fields as all the study areas are maximizing benefits from agriculture. In the region agroforestry continues to contribute
significantly to the supply of tree products and ecosystem services. Agroforestry
has evolved from traditional retention of useful trees to promotion of fast growing
multi purpose trees providing and improving soil fertility, fuelwood, fodder etc.
Recently, sink potential of agroforests has attracted a lot of attention of international communities. Agroforestry practices reduce pressure from forests and also
helps in supporting and fulfilling green fodder demands during lean winter months.
Some of these trees are Carpus vimnea (Chamkhadik), Celtis australis, Grewia
optiva (Bhemal), Sapindus mukorossi, Ficus neriifolia (Thelak,), Debrgeasia salicifolia (Syanru), Boehmeria japonica etc. While, at lower elevations banana and
papaya trees are planted on the bunds of kitchen gardens to check soil erosion that
helps in food security and fulfills nutritional demands. India is the first nation in
the world to adopt and implement an agroforestry policy. National Agroforestry
Policy, 2015 was a farsighted effort to support integration of trees, crops and
livestock in agriculture fields. The policy addressed issues related to agroforestry
sector and also includes policies, weak markets and a dearth of institutional finance
affecting agroforestry in the country. Agroforestry policy is a key step forward to
achieve sustainability by harnessing the potential of agroforestry by optimizing
agricultural productivity and addressing climate change adaptation.
• Promoting sink potential of forests involving locals in carbon trading
The Van Panchayat-managed community forests are reported to have carbon stocks
worth 200–280 t c/ha and are potentially sequestering 2–4 tc/ha/yr (CHEA 2009).
In present circumstances conserving forest sinks in community forests of the area
has not been recognized as a livelihood option. This important regulating ecosystem benefit can help locals to get better benefits in long run under REDD and
REDD+ implementation programme. Meeting the targets of Paris COP, 2015 by
communities partnering in carbon trading will enhance sink potential of community forests and also help improving socio-economic conditions and addressing
conservation targets. Linking the approach to opportunities by making sustainable
use of NTFPs and forest biomass for enhancing livelihood for supporting livestock has potential to address out migration as well thereby helping and facilitating
organic agriculture in the state.