M. K. Brahmi , R. N. Sehgal

Abstract

Four Forest Divisions were selected from four districts of Himachal Pradesh representing different agro-climatic zones. The Common Property Resources (CPRs) of the study area included forests, village common lands, panchayat lands, ponds, irrigation water channels (kuhl), bowari, village paths, temple and river banks. Different incentives were given to the people for the conservation of these resources. In total, 12 factors were identified in all the Forest Divisions under study, responsible for poor participation of the local people. The prime factor which influenced the people's participation according to their importance are: lack of awareness and knowledge about CPRs, lack of training and visit programme, poor economic status, self interest of people, low land holding, illiteracy in aged groups, village politics, lack of interest in money contribution, prevailing perception for getting subsidy from government programmes, lack of transparency in the project activities, lack of coordination with staff and local people and improper usufruct sharing (in descending order of rank distribution). Policy and development emphasis on these factors would increase the participation in the similar projects.

Keywords

Conservation, Factors, CPRs, People's Participation, Himachal Pradesh

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M. K. Brahmi , A. N. Kaushal , K. R. Sharma

Abstract

In the present study it was found that resin yield increased with the increase in diameter class D4 (20-22.5cm) to Dl (27.5-30cm) and the group of blaze width from Bl (8, 10, 12 and 14cm) to B4 (14, 16, 18 and 20cm). The resin yield also increase as blaze width increased within blaze group itself. The tree in diameter class D4 (20-22.5cm) yielded resin less than 2.0 kg per season so it is not feasible to commercially tap the trees of this diameter class. The trees of other three diameter classes viz. D3 (22.5-25cm), D2 (25-27.5cm) and Dl (27.5-30cm) are feasible for commercial resin tapping because they yielded more than 2.0 kg of resin per season. The maximum resin yield was obtained in the month of May (hottest) and the lowest in the month of October (coldest). The eight month tapping period showed the average resin yield of 2.30 kg per tree per season.

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M. K. Brahmi ¹, Bhupender Dutt ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP)-173230, IN
2 Department of Forest Products, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP)-173230, IN

Abstract

The study examined the various factors affecting cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in Rampur block of district Shimla in Himachal Pradesh by surveying of 213 farmers (61 female and 152 male) in January, 2010. The findings revealed that a total 10 factors were perceived by the farmers which pose hindrance in the cultivation of MAPs in the area. These factors were ranked as: Lack of awareness about medicinal and aromatic plants, lack of knowledge about cultivation practices, lack of marketing awareness, non availability of local market, subsidy culture, lack of training and visit programme, lack of demonstration of modern technologies, lack of value addition knowledge and facilities, no storage facilities, migration of people to urban areas for wages. Therefore it is recommended that the policies and programmes emphasis on these factors will gear up the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in these areas.

Keywords

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Cultivation, Marketing, Subsidy Culture, Modern Technology

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