Community Plantations with Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii (Sarg.) in Eastern Bhutan: The Role of Community Preferences, Site Condition and Site Location Factors

Bodt T.A. 2007. Community Plantations with Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii (Sarg.) in Eastern Bhutan:  The Role of Community Preferences, Site Condition and Site Location Factors, Sherub Doenme (2007) Vol. 7(1): 31-58.

This article is based on a research conducted in Bhutan in 2002 for fulfilment of Master Degree requirements. Due to time constraints the result has not been published before. In the light of the developments that are taking place in the Community Forestry sector in Bhutan, publication of the results to reach a wider readership is considered beneficial for future developments.
Community plantations have been established in various locations of Eastern Bhutan in response to increasing forest degradation and forest product shortage. Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) is the most widely used reforestation species in these plantations. This not only reflects the natural vegetation in the areas where these sites are located, but also the soil condition and site location factors and the preference of the local people.
Chir pine forest is the dominant vegetation type on the steep, dry slopes in the V-shaped valleys of Eastern Bhutan. The characteristics of the species contribute to this dominant presence. Site conditions combined with the location of the sites, greatly influence the ability of the local community to prevent cattle grazing and forest fires, two of the main detrimental factors for site
success. The most pressing needs of local people pertain to timber, fuel wood, fodder and shingles. Except fodder, chir pine plantations are able to provide these products within a relatively short span of time. Therefore, chir pine is recommended as the main species for plantation on degraded sites in Eastern Bhutan.