P. C. Goswami

Abstract

Shifting cultivation in Northeast india in pre-independence era was looked upon as only a forest problem causing floods and siltations. It was put in its proper perspective as a land use and socio-economic problem only after independence. The system now provides mere sub-standard subsistence. Neither it is any more compatile with present day social goals. The yield under shifting agriculture has dwindled beacause of much shorter fallow perod whereas the population has greatly increased. From the early fifties, the Government of Assam which then included the States of nagaland and Maghalaya and the Union territory of mizoram, has been undertaking projects to cashtackle the problem first through its forest Department and later, by establishing the Soil Conservation Department. The approach was based on steepness of slope; terrace cultivation was recommende for gently sloping land and afforestation for the very steep sllopes . For commercials crops - coffee, rubber, cashew-nut and black pepper were introduced in the moderate slopes. Because of the promising performance(expext cashew-nut), large area were sought to be converted to commercial plantaion through very liberal cash subsidies. Even a Corporation was formed for creating coffee and rubber estates. Large area were also reclaimed and terraced Departmentally for permanent agriculture. But the reults are far from commensurate with money spent and time elapsed. The general tribal population of Northeast India has yet to accept the alternatives though these are based on sound land-capability principles. The reasons for such failure are now seen as over ambitious targets, too generous cash subsidies which lured the farmers initially, land development programmes not based on identification of farmers willing to accept this new form of agriculture, processing and marketing difficulties of the newlly introduced commercial crops and many other socio-economic factors. These failures also have made Government sponsored programmes loss credibility. To prevent such costly failures, socio-economic surveys are needed prior to project formulation and decision on targets. Objectives of such surveys should br to identify development, aspiration, perception of forestry and soil conservation, attituded towards recommende practices, constraints in adoption of advocated measures, role of incentives and necessity of infra-structures. The forestry components plantations,. Companion projects for roads, vocational training etc, are also essential. The age-old system of shifting agriculture cannot be replaced overnight. Programmes based on people's attitude, perception, capacity and preferences will only succeed. A policy of 'hasten slowly' is expected to achieve the objectives better than over-ambitious schemes which ignore socio-economic constraints.

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P. C. Goswami

Abstract

Agro-forestry is the new name for an old practice which has come into prominence once again because of increasing demand for land for growing food crops and scope for production of food crops and trees together on the same land. The concept has now broadened to include forage production for live stock. A suggested definition for agro-forestry on the basis of generally accepted practices in most countries is-multiple land-use practices involving trees, food and forage crops and Iive-stock raising, simultaneously or sequentially in a singe farming system. Agro-foestry has now received added impetus with the establishment of the International Council for Research in Agro-forestry at Nairobi in 1978 under the auspices of FAO. The paper describes common agro-forestry practices of some countries of the humid tropics. The laungya system is the earliest example of adoption of agro-forestry by Government Forest departments in many countries. But the system as applied in the past was inadequate for solving some of the basic problems of the forest dwellers who were engaged to raise taungya plantations. Taungya has now been modified in some countries for meeting the requirement of agricultural land and at the same time for preventing forest destruction. Agroforestry now plays an important role in settling shifting cultivators. In Thailand, it is now accepted as an instrument for rural development. Research has been in progress for centuries for crops and trees grown seperately. But answers are needed for many questions which arise when corps and trees are grown together. Silviculture of "non-forest species" also needs to be studied. Agronomists also have to be conversant with non-food trees and accept that mono-culture of food crops is not the best way in all circumstances. Agro-forestry system is now a viable alternative for meeting apparently conflicting demands and obtaining maximum benefits from the land where it is scarce.

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P. C. Goswami

Abstract

Afforestation of highly eroded areas in the upper Damodar Catchment, Bihar, has been taken up only recently. The Soil Conservation Department of the Damodar Valley Corporation started afforestation work in 1952 and now follows a programme of 1,000 acres annually. The paper describes the technique followed. Topography, climate and soil of the region is described. Areas for afforestation are selected generally on the basis of land capability and are fenced with barbed wire. Gullies are treated by diverting water from the heads and putting check-dams. The greater parts of the areas are transplanted with seedlings, 2 feet or more in height, in specially prepared pits to establish plantations quickly. Sowing is done only on selected locations using species that do well by direct sowing. Contour trenching in most areas is found unnecessary as run-off and sheet erosion is largely controlled by heavy grass growth resulting from closure and fire control. Contour trenching has not been found effective in increasing growth and is done only in areas where vegetative measures alone are not sufficient. Species used are listed. Sal has been raised successfully by direct sowing in 1956 and more extensive trial will continue. Need for further trial and observation on methods of soil preparation, species to be used, economics of the plantations, etc., are stressed.

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P. C. Goswami

Abstract

The Lower Damodar Valley region is of vital importance to the Nation. As a result of the D.V.C. undertakings; availability of cheap electrical power, abundance of mineral resources and proximity to the city and port of Calcutta, it has already developed into a highly industrialized region of the country. The continued prosperity of this region is dependent on steps taken to augment the life of the D.V.C. reservoirs and the irrigation canals. The Lower Valley is situated within the State of West Bengal and the Upper Valley where all the forests are, lies within the State of Bihar. The Lower Valley is dependent on the protective functions of the forests of the catchment areas in the Upper Valley, while the main function of the Upper Valley is to generate power. The forest policy for the Damodar Va11ey must recognize and reconcile these somewhat divergent demands. It is seen that about 35 per cent of the total land surface of the Upper Valley is now covered with forests. Because of fire, premature and over exploitation and uncontro11ed grazing, these forests areas are highly eroded and annual increment is very low. If these forests are properly managed, not only can the local demand be met and silt discharge into the reservoirs considerably reduced, but forest products can be supplied to other deficit areas also. Protection and scientific management of the existing forests in the catchment should, therefore, constitute the main plank of the forest policy for the Damodar Va11ey and this work should receive topmost priority. A positive approach to the vexed problem of forest grazing is suggested in the form of pasture development works in parts of the unculturable waste lands. To enable adoption of a longer rotation for production of timber, encouragement to farmers to grow rapid growing trees on their own land is needed. Not more than 2 per cent of the total area of the Upper Va11ey is expected to be available for afforestation. Emphasis, therefore, should shift from afforestation to protection and scientific management of the existing forests. The Government of India, the West Bengal Government, the Damodar Valley Corporation and the Bihar Government have a11 a stake in the forests of the Damodar catchment. It should be their joint effort to adopt and implement a forest policy in conformity with the requirements of the region as a whole.

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P. C. Goswami

Abstract

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P. C. Goswami

Abstract

No abstract

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