Analytical conceptual plan to reforest central Himalaya for sustainable development |
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Authors: | Surendra P Singh Jamuna S Singh |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Botany, Kumaun University, 263 002 Naini Tal, India;(2) Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, 221 005 Varanasi, India |
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Abstract: | The Central Himalayan region is suffering from severe ecological problems as a consequence of deforestation and that threatens
the subsistence population of the region. We analyze this problem and propose a plan for ecologically sustainable development
for the region based on an analysis of the interrelationships of various ecosystems, particularly cropland and forest ecosystems,
around which most human activities are concentrated. Each energy unit of agronomic yield leads to expenditure of about 12
energy units of forest/grazing land energy. Because with rapidly declining forest area, this form of agriculture is no longer
sustainable and cannot be converted into a fossil fuel-based agriculture, we propose that agriculture in the mountain region
has to be largely replaced with farm forests to revitalize the environment and to generate the basic needs of the subsistence
economy of the hill population whose food grain needs can be met from the plains. We conclude by describing the advantages
that are likely to accrue to the people for their long-term future. In terms of both energy and money, the value of resources
collected from the forest to support agriculture in the present systems far exceeds the value of food grain that would be
required to enable the proposed farm forest-based systems to function. At regional level, the proposed system would generate
more energy than the existing systems, not only because the productivity of forest is about tenfold greater than that of cropland,
but also because the proposed plan promotes recovery of various ecosystems. |
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Keywords: | Central Himalaya Sustainable development Deforestation Subsistence economy Ecosystem linkages Energy Agriculture |
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