Diversity, Availability, and Pattern of Use of Tree Stratum Forage in the Western Himalayas

Abstract

The present study explores the diversity, availability, and pattern of use of tree stratum forage in the western Himalayas. Trees have been used for centuries for fodder globally. Tree foliage is a substantial source of feed for livestock. Several species of fodder-yielding trees are distributed in different elevation zones in the mountains of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. As in many other regions of the world, farmers in the Himalayan region depend largely on this practice for sustaining their livestock during the winter and summer seasons for almost half of the year. The Himalayas are remote and inaccessible; people depend mainly on forest resources to fulfil livelihood services. The availability of fodder in the hill villages of the Uttarakhand Himalayan region is insufficient, and some of this food is supplemented through the lopping of tree foliage. Most of the fodder species were used in summer due to the availability of deciduous species; however, the availability of fodder was scarce during winter. The dependency is very high (>70%) during the period beginning from October to February. Owing to changing climatic conditions, a farmer’s preference for a particular tree species is also variable, depending on where he lives, according to the low, middle, and high hill regions. The present study deals with the diversity, distribution, availability, and community preference of fodder trees in Uttarakhand. For the present study, a questionnaire survey was administered in different districts of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand. A total of 41 species of fodder plants representing 24 genera taxonomically belonging to 18 families were enlisted and documented. Protected plantations of potential multipurpose fodder species are needed in the wasteland and need to initiate programs like afforestation, reforestation, and forest rehabilitation with participatory approaches.