CONTRIBUTION OF AGROFORESTRY IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST/TREE COVER OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR WITH PROBLEMS RELATED TO IT

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1 CONTRIBUTION OF AGROFORESTRY IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST/TREE COVER OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR WITH PROBLEMS RELATED TO IT ABDUL GANI Conservator of Forest Joint DIRECTOR IWDP Jammu & KASHMIR IGNFA MCT IV

2 2 TITLE:- CONTRIBUTION OF AGROFORESTRY IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST/TREE COVER OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR WITH PROBLEMS RELATED TO IT. Name:-Abdul Gani Hajam Conservator of Forests, Presently Joint Director IWDP Jammu and Kashmir ABSTRACT:- Agroforestry in Jammu and Kashmir with implementation of world bank aided social forestry project in eighties has played an important role in the increase/enhancement of forest/tree cover in the state. The said project among various other species introduced Populas deltoids as well, which within a short period was adopted by farmers and other people because of its fast growth and demand in wood based industries. The specie which is thriving in Agroforestry Sector since last more than 25 years is creating lot of environmental pollution through its seed dispersal in April-May every year. The seeds are carried to far and wide areas by its cotton which is the carrier of germs and pollens of other trees causing health hazard all over Kashmir valley. The paper concludes that there is no doubt that Agroforestry has played and is playing key role in the enhancement of Forest/Tree cover but care needs to be exercised for proper selection of species. Key words:-agroforestry, Populas deltoids, Cottony seeds.

3 3 Introduction:- The Jammu and Kashmir State lies in the North West of the country, having geographical area of sq.kmts. excluding sq. Kmts under the illegal occupation of Pakistan and China. The forest area in the state is sq. Kmts which forms 15.95% say almost 16% of the geographical area. Ladakh region of the state is devoid of any forests contributing 0.06% to the state forest area. Since about 59% of the geographical area of the state is under permanent snow cover, glaciers and cold desert therefore unable to support tree growth. State Forest Policy:- At the National level the goal is to have at least two thirds of the total land area in the hills and mountainous regions under forest and tree cover. In Jammu region and Kashmir valley forests account for 47% of the geographical area. Ladakh region is mostly devoid of tree cover. In year 2011 the state of Jammu and Kashmir adopted its own forest policy to maintain adequate forest/tree cover in various regions of the state. Role of Agroforestry:- Though the forest department in Jammu and Kashmir used to do plantation under different schemes including farm forestry but in world bank aided social forestry project was launched. It worked vigorously up to after which the world bank stopped its funding. The project is now running on state budget. Over the period the project has done plantation on degraded forests, village common lands, road side strips, in institutions, wet lands and under farm forestry. It distributed fast growing short rotation Poplar species among the farmers for Agroforestry purpose. The Poplar species especially the Populas deltoids introduced by the project was well taken by the farmers and other people because of its

4 4 fast growth. Harvesting at the rotation age of years has provided good returns to the farmers with the result large scale plantation was done by the farmers under Agroforestry. These fast growing Poplar species on farm lands and on other sites has increased the forest/tree cover in the Jammu and Kashmir State. Estimation of trees outside forests:- The Forest Survey of India in collaboration with the social forestry Department of the State during the year conducted survey for estimation of trees outside forest. The survey report was published in year As per said survey trees having volume of 51,78,825 cums have been estimated in Kashmir valley. The forest survey of India in its annual report of year 2011 has reported positive change of two square Kms against base line data. Benefits of poplar: Almost all the above mentioned poplar species are grown by people in Kashmir Valley, however,populus deltoides (Rouseefras) has adapted very well and is found in abundance. Its large scale plantations were taken up in early eighties with the advent of World Bank Funded Social Forestry Project in the State. Being fast growing species, it becomes ready for harvesting between 8-12 years, thereby a boon to the rural economy. On the said short rotation it may provide high production of cum/ha/year, thus being one of the important carbon sequestering species. This species has become part and parcel of life in rural Kashmir and source of livelihood. The importance of this species is given as under: a)poplar is the backbone of fruit industry as almost all fruit produced in the valley is exported in shooks made out of poplar timber. Thus, the fruit industry which is the main stay of locals entirely depends upon Poplar wood. b)the ply wood and veneer industry of Kashmir solely depends upon Poplar timber.

5 5 c)poplar timber is now being used mostly as trusses, beams and poles in construction work. d)the saw mill industry of Kashmir primarily depends upon Poplar timber. e)poplar lops and tops are used as fuel wood and charcoal making which provides vital support for sustenance during winter months. f)poplar trees being deciduous in nature shed large quantities of leaves which decompose thereby enriching soil fertility. g)the Poplar tree crown intercepts rain, acts as wind break and shelter the agricultural crops from wind. h)the extensive use of Poplar timber in packing boxes and construction work has reduced the burden on our natural conifer forests, especially fir forests, thereby conserving forest biodiversity and environment. i)thus, the use of poplar is complete and it is a multipurpose species as well as a cash crop and hence has integrated into day to day life of the common people of the valley. Problem:- In the initial years of its planting the species did not pose any problem but soon after its maturity it mass production of cotton bearing seeds cause environmental pollution during

6 6 April May every year. The production of cottony seeds by female trees of this specie being diocious, has become source of nuisance when their cottony appendages spread far and wide as a result of natural phenomenon during April May. These cotton tufts pollute the Mature Seed Seed ready for dispersal atmosphere and are said to be the carrier of different kinds of germs and pollen which cause respiratory disorders, allergies, irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Every Tom, Dick and Harry posing themselves as environmentalists jump in exploiting the problem during the mentioned season. Since the species cover almost all the parts of Kashmir valley, therefore the problem of flying cotton which looks like snow fall in clear weather conditions needed immediate attention of the Forest Department and that of the state Government. Action by State Government:- The State Government constituted a committee of high level officers of which I was also a member to look into the problem and give recommendation for its mitigation. The committee after thorough study of the problem made recommendations as under :-

7 7 Ban on avenue, urban and habitation plantation of female Poplar plants. Identification of male poplar plants in the existing plantations. Gradual replacement of female poplars with male clones. Lopping of cotton producing female Poplar trees which cannot be immediately removed. Awareness programme for people and Government departments regarding planting of male Poplar plants, their identification, multiplication and related issues. Mass propagation of identified male Poplar clones. Legislation for regulation. Establishment of identified germplasm bank. Establishment of Populatum of existing species and varieties of Poplars. Release of right mix ratio of male /female poplars in future. Biotechnological studies. Encouragement of Industry utilizing juvenile poplars. Conclusion:- There is no doubt that Agroforestry has played and is playing a key role in the increase of Forest and tree cover but great care needs to be exercised in the selection of species to be adopted for the purpose. Before introduction of any tree species for Agroforestry its complete study is must so that it does become nuisance in years to come