Oral Abstract Details

Author(s):
Mohan K Balla and Rabin Kadariya

Affiliation:
Tribhuvan University, Institute of Forestry

Presentation Type:
Oral

Topic Area:
Human influences on ecosystems (direct and indirect stressors)

Abstract Text:
This paper analyzes effects of socio-economic factors on diversity of farm trees and contribution of agroforestry in meeting forest products needs of rural households (HH) in Pokhare Khola watershed (536 ha), Dhading district, Nepal. Questionnaire survey, key informant interview, direct field observations and group discussions were conducted to gather required socio-economic data and ANOVA used to analyze data. Home garden, agrisilviculture, agrohortisilviculture and silvopastoral system are the agroforestry systems practiced to meet diverse needs and to uplift socio-economic condition of the people. Number and species of trees in farms depended on socio-economic and environmental factors. Larger land holdings (40.6 species per HH), more livestock (34.2), less fragmentation of lands (33.3), Brahmin/Chhetry ethnicity (31.9) and commercial farming system (30.7) were associated with higher tree diversity. Farmers have protected and managed natural or planted fodder trees in -and –around their homesteads and farms and have planted species with multiple uses. Quantity of tree products collected from agroforests depended on households’ socio-economic condition as rich collected more than poor due to their large livestock and land holdings. Dependency of rich households was more on agroforests (75.1% for fuelwood, 88.8% fodder and 26.9% timber) whereas poor on community forests for most forest products. Appropriate scientific management of trees creates positive influence on crops and also, helps conservation of watershed by reducing pressure on it and therefore, is recommended.