Agro and Social Forestry in UP

Introduction

Agroforestry represents a land-use approach that combines trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock on the same land, promoting dynamic, ecologically-based natural resource management. By integrating woody perennials into farms and agricultural landscapes, agroforestry enhances production diversity and sustainability while fostering social institutions.

Social forestry involves managing forests and trees for the well-being of local communities, emphasizing a people-centered approach. It aims to meet the needs of individuals, especially those who are economically disadvantaged. Social forestry can be implemented in diverse environments, including farms, villages, and urban areas.

Social Forestry

Social forestry refers to the forests (trees) planted by the people of a society. It has been defined as the forestry of the people, for the people by the people. The significance of social forestry has been emphasised in the National Forest Policy 1952 and 1988. This term (social forestry) was first used in 1976.

Social Forestry Scheme was started in the state in 1979-80 with the initiative of the National Agriculture Commission and the assistance of the World Bank.

Objectives :

1. Expanding greenery and maintaining ecological balance,
2. Producing eucalyptus for firewood and Su-Babul (Leucaena leucophala) for fodder,
3. Planting Arjuna trees for the matchstick industry and planting sayjan and reyan trees for the paper and pulp industry,
4. Cultivating mulberry for silk, Kangi for oil, and acacia trees for the leather industry,
5. Assisting in land conservation and preventing soil fertility loss,
6. Conserving the ecosystem and biodiversity,
7. Creating more employment opportunities in rural areas, and
8. Supplying raw materials for rural cottage and small-scale industries.

Social forestry has the following three components –

1. Agroforestry
2. Community or public forestry
3. Urban Forestry

Under Social Forestry, the Special Component Sub-plan operates in Scheduled Caste-dominated areas, and the Tribal Sub-plan operates in Scheduled Tribe-dominated areas.

After reviewing the campaign/program, it was discovered that among the trees included in this scheme, Eucalyptus has a detrimental impact on underground water and soil fertility. Consequently, it has earned the label of an eco-terrorist.

Agroforestry

Agroforestry represents a sustainable land management approach that boosts overall production by integrating agricultural crops, tree crops, forest plants, and animals simultaneously. It employs practices that align with the cultural norms of the local population. Within agroforestry, individual farmers engage in tree farming on their own land, cultivating fodder plants, grasses, and legumes. In this system, trees are viewed as crops and seamlessly integrate into various crop combinations.

In agroforestry, tree plantation is carried out alongside crop production. For example, crops + fuelwood trees, crops + fruit trees, and crops + trees + pasture, among others. Tree plantation is done in a manner that ensures no impact on yield and land.

Agroforestry encompasses both large-scale and small-scale farmers, offering them additional income, enhancing their overall earnings, elevating their living standards, and providing employment opportunities during agricultural lean periods. Typically, these trees are harvested 6 to 10 years after planting, tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the farmer. The main advantages of agro-forestry are:

1. Absentee landlords adopt agroforestry to maintain land ownership and boost income.
2. Agroforestry enables effective agricultural land management even in the absence of family labor.
3. It ensures optimal land utilization and management.
4. Agroforestry creates employment opportunities.
5. It conserves soil moisture, promoting sustainable farming practices.
6. Agroforestry fulfils the demand for fuelwood, fodder, and timber.
7. It safeguards arable land from wind and water erosion, preserving fertile soil.

Although agroforestry offers several material and geo-climatic advantages, it also has negative effects on agricultural land. Some of its shortcomings are given below :

1. Farmers should opt for planting trees like Neem, Mahua, Karanj, Arjun, and acacia instead of market-oriented varieties like poplar and eucalyptus to preserve the ecosystem.
2. Unfortunately, fuelwood and fodder trees are often overlooked in agroforestry practices.
3. Exotic tree varieties chosen by farmers in agroforestry tend to deplete soil moisture and water resources, negatively impacting the underground water table.
4. Agroforestry land can become unproductive due to densely rooted trees, making cultivation challenging and requiring substantial investment in root removal.
5. Productivity per unit area decreases near trees in planted fields, as soil moisture significantly diminishes within about two meters from the trees. Moreover, these trees become breeding grounds for pests and diseases, harming crops.
6. The unscientific spacing of trees hampers their growth and mass.

Agroforestry is a comprehensive agricultural land utilization system that not only provides fuelwood, fodder, and grass but also promotes forest growth and conservation. Collaborative efforts by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Forestry Department are essential to conduct agroforestry research. This research aims to develop effective land management strategies integrating silviculture with horticulture, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Agroforestry encompasses agri-silviculture, silvi-pastoral systems, and medicinal plant cultivation.

In agroforestry, farmers typically use degraded or unused land to plant trees for domestic or commercial purposes. Common tree species planted include eucalyptus, poplar, and casuarinas. These trees serve various purposes such as fuelwood, plywood, paper, pulp, and matchstick production.

While agroforestry has primarily benefited large-scale farmers and absentee landlords, it has posed challenges for small-scale farmers and agricultural labourers who face unemployment due to land diversion. Additionally, diverting agricultural land from cereal and commercial crops raises concerns about food and industrial raw material scarcity. Thus, the program requires a new strategy and reorientation to fulfil its intended objectives.

Agroforestry Growing trees and shrubs around or among crops or pastureland. Benefits : Improved Soil Fertility – Trees add nutrients to the soil. Reduced Soil Erosion : Trees act as windbreaks and prevent soil erosion. Improved Water Conservation : Trees reduce evaporation and help rainwater soak into the soil. Increased Biodiversity : Supports diverse plant and animal life, enhancing ecosystem health. Increased Farmer Income : Farmers earn from timber, fruits, and forest products.

Community Forestry

In this practice, trees are planted on public or community lands to meet the needs of the local community. Examples include planting trees on Panchayat land, barren land, and areas along roads, railways, and canals.

Community forestry is a part of social forestry. It involves the raising of trees on community lands with the set objective to provide benefits to the community as a whole. Although the plants and seedlings are provided by the forest departments, the protection of planted trees is primarily the responsibility of the community as a whole.

Urban Forestry

The objective is to encourage city residents to plant trees in vacant spaces around their houses and on roadsides. This initiative aims to enhance the beauty of cities while simultaneously improving the environment.

Social Forestry Planting and managing trees for people’s benefit on public or private land. Goals : Rural Livelihood Improvement : Enhances the lives of rural communities. Environmental Benefits : Promotes conservation and environmental well-being. Implemented by : State Forest Department and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Specific Examples in Uttar Pradesh : Agroforestry Practices : Farmers plant trees (like mango, neem, tamarind) around fields. Benefits: Improved soil, reduced erosion, higher crop yields. Social Forestry Initiatives : Trees planted on public land (roadsides, railwaysides). Support from the Forest Department: Provides seedlings and technical assistance to farmers and rural communities. Impact : Increased Forest Cover : More trees planted in agricultural and public areas. Better Environment : Soil and water quality improved. Enhanced Livelihoods :  Diversified income sources for farmers.

Forest development programs/schemes

UP Forestry Project

Uttar Pradesh Forestry Project ( UP Vaniki Pariyojna ) was started in the state on March 19, 1998 with the help of World Bank. Under this scheme, for the first time in 40 villages adjacent to Dudhwa National Park and National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, micro-plans were prepared on co-participation basis and implemented through village eco-development committees under eco-development.

Participatory Forest Management

UP Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation Project is being run in the state from July, 2010 with the cooperation of the Government of Japan. In this, 20 forest divisions falling under 16 districts of Terai, Vindhya and Bundelkhand have been included.

Under this, Joint Forest Management Committees are formed in the villages situated on the banks of forests and the following works are being done by them —  To plant trees, to increase the income of villagers from forest produce, to provide loans to them, to conserve soil, to protect forests from deforestation and fire, etc.

Its monitoring is done through Global Positioning System (GPS).

Under this project, Belhathi village of Sonbhadra district has been declared as the first village forest ( वन ग्राम ) of the state.

Composite Forest Development Scheme

Many programs are included under this, which are as follows —

Industrial & Pulpwood Plantation —

• Under this, trees like Gullet, Semal, Khair, Amaltas, Walnut etc. are planted to meet the requirements of wood-based industries.
• These wood industries include-matchbox, plywood, hardboard, particle board, packing, case, katha, furniture etc.
• Alanthus and poplar are planted for pulp and rayon industries. Eucalyptus and bamboo are planted for paper.

fuel plantation —

• Due to lack of forests in the plains of the state, people use cow dung cakes, which are a good source of manure.
• To prevent this wastage, emphasis is being laid on planting fuel trees in these areas.

Plantation along the roads —

• Trees are being planted along the roads to make the state roads shady and beautiful and to improve the environment.

Afforestation of ravines —

• The problem of soil erosion is very serious in the areas of Agra, Etawah and Mainpuri, Jalaun etc. districts of the state, which fall on the banks of the tributaries of Yamuna, Chambal and Betwa.
• Therefore, works related to tree plantation and land conservation are being done in the catchment areas of these rivers.

Ram Ganga Valley Area Plan —

• The programs of land conservation, pasture development, and tree plantation are being run by the Forest Department in the outer area of ​​Ramganga.

Other Important Schemes & Awards

Operation Green Scheme —

• Operation Green scheme was launched on July 1, 2001 to increase tree plantation in Uttar Pradesh.
• In this scheme, tree plantation work was done with the help of general public, various government departments, schools and private organizations.
• Under the 11th Five Year Plan, Operation Green has been started again for the expansion of Haritima and upgradation of Chetna Kendras/Forest Parks in the state from the year 2007-108.

Plantation Extension Scheme —

• This scheme has been implemented in selected 48 districts of the state since 2007-08.
• Under this, plantation has been done on the land of the village society, forest department and on the side of the tracks.

Tree-Bandhu Award Scheme —

• This scheme is being run from 2007-08.
• In this, citizens/institutions are rewarded for promoting tree plantation and wildlife conservation.

Veer Abdul Hameed Forest, Wildlife and Environment Protection Award Scheme —

• This scheme is being run from 2012-13 to increase tree plantation, reward individuals/organizations working in the field of wildlife and environment protection.
• Under this, every year one selected person and one organization is awarded. The selected person is given ₹ 1 lakh and a memento. The selected organization is given a prize of ₹ 2 lakh and a memento.

Total Forest Cover Scheme —

• This scheme is being implemented from 2014-15 to make 14 districts of the state completely green.
• The districts included in this are – Mainpuri, Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, Badaun, Rampur, Kannauj, Etawah, Lucknow, Unnao, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Lalitpur, Chitrakoot etc.

Green Belt Development Scheme —

• This scheme is being implemented since 2012-13 for environmental improvement in the state.
• Under this scheme, trees like rosewood, amaltash, gulmohar, siras (shady tree), mango, chitwan, peepal, pakad, kachnar, tamarind, bel, mahuva, banyan, kanji etc. are planted at public places.

Tree Guardian and Tree Friend Scheme —

• It is being run to promote tree plantation in villages and cities.
• Under this scheme, a retired teacher or other employee or any other person, who is interested in trees and plants, is selected as a guardian at the village/locality level and Vriksha Mitra at the range level.
• Guardians and Vrikshamitras do the work of encouraging tree plantation at their own level, making new plans, taking care of trees and giving various types of information and advice to the department.

“Green UP, Clean UP” Campaign —

• On 11^th July, 2016, the record of plantation more than 5 crore trees was set by the Uttar Pradesh government under the “Green UP, Clean UP” Campaign.
• It is noteworthy that the “Green UP, Clean UP” Campaign was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government on 7 November, 2015.
• Under this campaign, 22,42,125 saplings were planted under Unnao Forest Region.
• A target of plantation of 22.5 crore plants was set in the state in the financial year 2019-20.

Conclusion

In summary, Agro and Social Forestry in Uttar Pradesh involve planting trees with crops and for public benefit. These practices improve the environment, support biodiversity, and boost the income of farmers and rural communities.

Natural Vegetation : UP

UP New Forest Policy (2017) : Comprehensive Overview