Experimental Afforestation of Rocky Refractory Sites in the Arid Zone

On a rocky, refractory site adjoining the city high level water distribution tank covering an area of about 12.55 hectares (31 acres) an experimental afforestation work was undertaken in 1959. The site was practically devoid of soil and vegetation. Sprouted stumps of Prosopis juliflora were planted and seeds of Acacia senegal were sown in pits half filled with mixture of manure and transported soil from elsewhere. At the end of the first growing season with periodical watering, fairly good survival and growth in height of seedlings were observed. Closure resulted in the appearance and spread of annual and perennial grasses. The paper briefly describes the techniques of afforestation, results achieved therefrom, and the cost of plantation, as a guide for afforesting of such sites.