Agroforestry Systems in North-Western Himalayas, India: An Overview

The Agroforestry systems practiced traditionally in Himalayan region are witnessed by the trees retained by farmers on their farmland. This traditional sustainable land use may be driven by topographical features, socio-economic conditions, cultural and aesthetic values in the region. For the development of any location-specific agroforestry technology, understanding the basis as well as goals towards which it is to be directed plays an important role. With the time human population has increased, rapid urbanization and industrialization increasing demand an alternate land use system tending to cope with the developmental activities in a sustainable manner. Agroforestry technology acts as a cushion against the ecological hazards associated with the developmental activities. The present article is an overview of the various agroforestry practices prevalent and their structural composition in different agro-ecological zones, along with their potential bio-economic productivity, in Himachal Pradesh of North-Western Himalayan region. Agri-silviculture, agri-horticulture, agri-silvi-horticulture, agri-horti-silviculture, horti-silviculture, silvi-pasture, pastoral-silviculture, agri-silvi-pasture, pastoral-silvi-horticulture, etc. are among different agroforestry systems in the region with structural composition varying as per needs and preferences of the farmers and suiting ecological conditions. The production potential in terms of biological productivity ranged between 5.13ton ha^-1 and 198.20 ton ha^-1. Economically, the benefit and cost ratio of the systems varied from 1.23 to 5.77 depending on the nature of the components associated, expenses incurred, and the returns obtained from the systems. Further, being economically viable the important advantage associated with the agroforestry is the carbon storage potential helping in mitigation and adaptation to the changing climatic conditions. The carbon stock potential among different agroforestry systems varied from 29.72 ton ha^-1 to109.93 ton ha^-1.