Vol. 11, Issue 3 (2022)

Author(s):
Kushmita Dhan, Firoz Ahmad and BC Oraon

Abstract:
Tree growth is reported to exert an ameliorative effect on wastelands by improving their physical, chemical and biological properties. Several tree species and tree planting techniques for Agroforestry have been described, which can go a long way in greening barren undulating areas. The paper examines the possibilities of afforestation as an alternative for development of wasteland. The paper describes the use of agroforestry as a holistic approach to waste land management, and the steps in the application of agroforestry principles to waste lands. Appropriate techniques are identified as energy farms (fuel plantations and shelterbelts), silvopastoral systems, agrosilvopastoral systems with plantation crops, fish culture in dammed sites, and the use of multipurpose trees. Agroforestry has potential to contribute to restoration and conservation alongside productivity of land has been expressed in many ways, emphasizing soil conservation, land degradation, food security, land use for integrated natural resources management, or biodiversity conservation and also has played a significant role in the rehabilitation of wastelands, desert and lands degraded by salinisation, water and wind erosion. Wise management of Agroforestry puts forward a suitable substitute to control deteriorated asserts to increase yield and to protect environment. Providing vegetative cover to such lands with woody and herbaceous species can put these lands to optimal use and also increase the forest cover of the country. Yield potential of these degraded lands is quite low and these lands are best suited for silvopastoral and other tree-based system.