Agro and Social Forestry in UP

As per the Indian State of Forest Report 2023, Uttar Pradesh recorded the second-highest increase in green cover in India, with an addition of 559.19 sq km during 2021–23, raising its total green cover to 9.96% of the state’s geographical area. This achievement underscores the growing importance of tree-based land-use systems, wherein agroforestry and social forestry have emerged as key drivers.

Social Forestry

• Social forestry refers to the plantation and management of trees by the community for collective welfare. It is commonly described as “forestry of the people, for the people, and by the people.”
• The importance of social forestry was clearly recognised in the National Forest Policy of 1952 and 1988, which emphasised meeting local needs and increasing people’s participation in forest management. The term social forestry was formally introduced in 1976.
• In Uttar Pradesh, the Social Forestry Scheme was launched during 1979–80, based on the recommendations of the National Agriculture Commission, with financial and technical assistance from the World Bank.

Objectives of Social Forestry

• Green Cover Expansion: Increasing tree cover and maintaining ecological equilibrium.

• Fuel and Fodder Supply: Promoting eucalyptus for firewood and subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) for animal fodder.

• Industrial Support:

  • Arjuna for the matchstick industry

  • Sayjan and reyan for paper and pulp industries

• Agro-based Industries:

  • Mulberry cultivation for silk production

  • Kangi for oil extraction

  • Acacia for the leather industry

• Soil Conservation: Preventing soil erosion and loss of fertility.

• Biodiversity Protection: Conserving ecosystems and native species.

• Employment Generation: Creating livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

• Rural Industrial Growth: Supplying raw material to cottage and small-scale industries.

Components of Social Forestry

Social forestry is implemented through three major components:

• Agroforestry

• Community or Public Forestry

• Urban Forestry

Implementing Agencies

• State Forest Department, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• These agencies provide seedlings, technical guidance, and institutional support, while ensuring community participation.

• Special implementation mechanisms include:

  • Special Component Sub-Plan in Scheduled Caste-dominated areas

  • Tribal Sub-Plan in Scheduled Tribe-dominated regions

Impact of Social Forestry

• Increase in Forest and Tree Cover: Expansion of green cover in agricultural and public spaces.
• Environmental Improvement: Better soil health, water conservation, and microclimate regulation.
• Livelihood Diversification: Additional income sources for farmers through timber, fruit, and non-timber forest produce.

Major Social Forestry Schemes in Uttar Pradesh

• National Afforestation Programme (NAP)

  • Continues in a limited form.

  • Since 2021, emphasis has shifted towards CAMPA, Green India Mission, and the Green Credit Programme.

  • Contribution: Strengthened community participation in degraded forest regeneration.

• Nagar Van Yojana (Urban Forest Scheme)

  • Objective: Development of urban forests in cities and towns.

  • Benefits:

    • Improved air quality

    • Urban biodiversity conservation

    • Recreational green spaces for citizens

• Green India Mission (GIM)

  • Part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

  • Target: Afforestation of 5 million hectares

  • UP Focus Areas: Bundelkhand and Vindhyan regions

  • Outcome: Climate mitigation, carbon sequestration, and livelihood support.

• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

  • Fund Utilisation:

    • Compensatory afforestation

    • Treatment of degraded forest and non-forest lands

    • Maintenance and protection of plantations

  • Shift in Approach: From mere mass plantation drives to quality plantations and survival management.

Agroforestry

• Agroforestry is a sustainable and integrated land-use system that enhances overall productivity by combining agricultural crops, tree species, forest plants, and livestock on the same landholding. The system is designed in harmony with local socio-cultural practices and traditional knowledge.
• Under agroforestry, individual farmers raise trees on their own land along with fodder crops, grasses, and legumes, treating trees as productive crops rather than competing elements.

Nature of Agroforestry Practices

• In agroforestry, tree plantation is undertaken simultaneously with crop cultivation. Common combinations include: Crops + fuelwood trees, Crops + fruit-bearing trees, Crops + trees + pasture (silvi-pastoral systems)
• Trees are planted in a scientifically planned manner to ensure that crop yield and land productivity remain unaffected.

Major Agro-Forestry Systems in Uttar Pradesh

• Agri-Silviculture

  • Combination: Trees + agricultural crops

  • Examples:

    • Poplar with wheat and sugarcane in Western UP

    • Eucalyptus with pulses

• Silvi-Pastoral System

  • Combination: Trees + grasses/fodder crops

  • Example: Acacia nilotica with fodder grasses in Bundelkhand, supporting livestock-based livelihoods.

• Agri-Horti-Silviculture

  • Combination: Trees + fruit plants + crops

  • Examples: Mango and guava orchards with intercrops in Central UP.

• Boundary Plantation

  • Practice: Trees planted along field boundaries.

  • Common Species: Neem, Sisham, Babool

  • Advantage: Income generation without reducing cultivated area.

Community Forestry

• Community forestry refers to the plantation and management of trees on public or community-owned land with the primary objective of fulfilling the collective needs of local people. Such plantations are commonly carried out on Panchayat land, village commons, barren or wastelands, and along roads, railway lines, and canal banks.
• Community forestry is an integral component of social forestry. Under this system, tree raising is undertaken on community land for the shared benefit of society rather than individual profit. While seedlings and technical support are provided by the Forest Department, the responsibility for protection, maintenance, and survival of plantations largely rests with the local community, promoting participatory governance and ownership.

Urban Forestry

• Urban forestry aims to encourage tree plantation in cities and towns, particularly in vacant plots, residential surroundings, parks, and along roadsides. The primary objective is to enhance urban aesthetics while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns such as air pollution, heat stress, and declining green spaces.
• By integrating greenery into urban planning, urban forestry contributes to improved environmental quality, better public health, and enhanced quality of life for city dwellers.

Forest Development Programmes and Schemes in UP

• Uttar Pradesh Forestry Project (UP Vaniki Pariyojna)
  • The Uttar Pradesh Forestry Project was launched on 19 March 1998 with financial assistance from the World Bank. This project marked a major shift towards participatory forest management in the state, located near Dudhwa National Park and the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Participatory Forest Management (PFM)
  • Operational since July 2010 with cooperation from the Government of Japan, covering 16 districts across the Terai, Vindhya, and Bundelkhand regions, to promote participatory forest management and livelihood-based poverty alleviation.

  • Formation of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) in forest-fringe villages.

  • Belhathi village (Sonbhadra) was declared the first Van Gram (Forest Village) of Uttar Pradesh.

• Composite Forest Development Scheme
  • This umbrella scheme includes multiple targeted forestry interventions: Industrial and Pulpwood Plantation

  • Species Planted: Gullet, Semal, Khair, Amaltas, Walnut, Alanthus, Poplar, Eucalyptus, Bamboo.

• Roadside Plantation: Trees planted along state highways and rural roads to improve aesthetics, provide shade, and enhance environmental quality.
• Ravine Afforestation: Problem Areas are Agra, Etawah, Mainpuri, Jalaun and adjoining districts

Other Important Schemes and Awards

Challenges associated with Agroforestry and Social forestry

Agroforestry

• Monoculture & Exotic Species Dominance: Excessive preference for poplar and eucalyptus leads to groundwater depletion, soil nutrient loss, and ecological imbalance.

• Small Farmer Exclusion: Benefits are skewed towards large farmers and absentee landlords, while small and marginal farmers face income and employment risks.

• Food Security Concerns: Diversion of fertile agricultural land from food crops raises concerns over cereal production and raw material availability.

• Scientific Gaps: Lack of proper spacing, species selection, and agroforestry extension services reduces productivity.

• Market & Policy Constraints: Absence of assured markets, MSP-like support, and easy credit discourages long-term adoption.

Social Forestry

• Low Survival Rate of Plantations: Emphasis on mass plantation over maintenance results in poor sapling survival.

• Community Participation Deficit: Inadequate ownership and awareness weaken protection of community plantations.

• Institutional Fragmentation: Limited coordination among Forest Department, Panchayats, and NGOs.

• Urban Pressure: Rapid urbanisation restricts availability of land for urban forestry and Nagar Vans.

• Monitoring Issues: Plantation success is often measured by numbers planted rather than ecological outcomes.

Way Forward

• Native & Climate-Resilient Species: Promote neem, mahua, arjun, karanj, bamboo, and fruit trees over water-intensive exotics.

• Farmer-Centric Incentives: Introduce credit support, insurance, and market linkages for agroforestry produce.

• Integrated Land-Use Planning: Encourage boundary plantations and agri-horti-silviculture to protect food security.

• Capacity Building: Strengthen training, extension services, and ICAR–state research collaboration.

• Region-Specific Models: Tailor agroforestry systems for Bundelkhand (silvi-pastoral), Western UP (poplar-based), and Central UP (horti-agro systems).

• Community Ownership: Strengthen Joint Forest Management Committees and Panchayat-led monitoring.

• Urban Forestry Expansion: Scale up Nagar Van Yojana to improve air quality and urban resilience.

• Convergence of Schemes: Integrate CAMPA, Green India Mission, and Green Credit Programme for sustainable financing.

• Technology-Based Monitoring: Use GIS, GPS, and social audits to track plantation success.

Conclusion

Agroforestry and Social Forestry in Uttar Pradesh represent integrated strategies for ecological restoration, climate resilience, and livelihood enhancement. Through participatory forest management, region-specific agroforestry systems, and climate-aligned schemes like GIM and CAMPA, the state is moving from plantation-centric approaches to sustainable forest governance, benefiting both people and the environment.