Mehraj A. Sheikh , Munesh Kumar , M. S. Gusain

Abstract

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N. S. Bisht , Abhishek Naithani , M. S. Gusain , C. J. Singh

Abstract

The goods and services provided by forest plantations contribute significantly to human welfare, both directly and indirectly. A study was undertaken for quantification and valuation of plantation based provisioning services in Haryana. Group preferences and individual preferences for different landscape units were assessed through community meetings, PDM and household survey. Results indicated that the dependency of local people for fodder, fuelwood and timber was more on private lands, which met 92% of their demand, while plantations provided merely 8% of their total requirement that too to the landless people mainly.

Keywords

Provisioning Services, Tree Plantations, Quantification And Valuation, Haryana

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N. S. Bisht , Mohit Gera , Zafar Sultan , M. S. Gusain

Abstract

The status of collection, cultivation and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants was studied in Pithoragarh District of UttaranchaI. The primary information was collected as per structured questionnaires from collectors/cultivators belonging to twelve villages spread over two blocks namely Munsiyari and Didihat. The important species being collected were observed to be Jhula, Reetha and Tejpat. The cultivators seem to be growing greater quantities of Atees, Gudhvach, Indrayan, Jambo, Jatamansi, Kalajeera, Kutki, Pashanbhed, Reetha, Same va and Tejpat. The most favoured market channel was observed to be Producer Middlemen Trader Consumer which was being adopted by 50% collectors and 90% cultivators. The producer's share in consumer's rupee in case of collection varied between 45.76.47% for different species with an average of 56.22%. Similarly the producer's share in consumer's rupee for cultivated species varied between 32.67- 89% with an average of 60.88%. The paper also discusses thc recent changes introduced by Uttaranchal Govt. in markcting of these medicinal and aromatic plant species.

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Mohit Gera , M. S. Gusain , M. Y. Ansari , N. S. Bisht

Abstract

Agro technologies for cultivation of a number of medicinal plant species have been developed but large-scale cultivation on farmlands is yet to begin. Amongst other causes for this gap, lack of reasonably correct information on economics of cultivation of these species is one important cause. The economics of cultivation of five medicinal plant species, viz., Kalmegh, Buch, Safed musli, Ashwagandha and Akarkara was studied on farmer's field in Haryana. The net benefits calculated for each species were also subjected to sensitivity analysis in relation to fall in price by 25%, 50%, 75% increase in wage rate by 10%, 20%, 30% and increase in rental value of land by 20%, 40% & 60%. The results showed that maximum net benefits of Rs 36,140 and Rs. 19,016 per acre could be received by cultivation of Safed musli and Kalmegh respectively. The cultivation of Kalmegh and Ashwagandha were observed to be more resilient to the adverse factors of price fall, increase in wage rate and rental value of land, compared to other species. On the basis of initial investment involved and resilience to adverse market conditions, the cultivation of Kalmegh and Ashwagandha is recommended for small farmers. The large farmers who can afford greater risk may cultivate Buch and Safed musli and Akarkara for higher returns.

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Munesh Kumar , Sanjay Kumar , Mehraj A. Sheikh , M. S. Gusain

Abstract

The study was carried out in the transitional zone of Anogeissus latifolia and Pinus roxburghii forests to understand the forest community structure, species niche width and soil characteristics. Three different forest types i.e., Pure Anogeissus latifolia (PAL) and Pure Pinus roxburghii (PPR) and mixed forest of Anogeissus latifolia and Pinus roxburghii (M.AL&PR) were reported in the study area. The soil pH was alkaline (7.26) in PPR forest followed by neutral (7.0) in M.AL&PR forest and acidic (6.76) in PAL forest. Soil organic carbon was 0.52±0.05 % highest in PAL forest followed by M.AL&PR forest (0.50±0.17%) and lowest in PPR (0.41±0.02%) forest. The phosphorus (31.68 kg/ha) and potassium (196 kg/ha) were the highest in M.AL&PR forest followed by PAL (31.58 kg/ha for phosphorus and 167.63 kg/ha for potassium) and PPR (23.09 kg/ha for phosphorus and 153.07 kg/ha for potassium) forests. Among the trees, the highest niche width was reported for Anogeissus latifolia (1.98) followed by Pinus roxburghii (1.96) and in shrub layer the niche width of Carissa opaca (2.45) was quite high compared to other shrubs species. The soil conditions in transition zone favoured the growth of diverse species composition.

Keywords

Species Niche Width, Transitional Zone, Sub-tropical Forest, Anogeissus latifolia, Pinus roxburghii

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N. S. Bisht , M. S. Gusain , C. J. Singh , A. K. Hooda

Abstract

A study was conducted in Haryana, India to estimate the value of regulation function of planted forests related to the prevention of damage caused by wind erosion. The region is dry, sandy and barren with low rain fall. The crop production is adversely affected due to wind erosion. Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was applied to assess local's willingness to pay (WTP) for raising plantations and its maintenance for mitigating the impact of wind erosion. The mean WTP was estimated @ ₹448.00 per house hold per annum, while the collective WTP of respondents for raising plantations was estimated @ ₹ 3049.00 per hectare per year.

Keywords

Wind Erosion, Ecosystem Services, Willingness to Pay (WTP), Plantation, Household

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