Vol. 11, Special Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
Bojja Harish Babu, Mothi Kumar KE, Sandeep Arya, Bimlendra Kumari and Krishma Nanda

Abstract:
Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar, the districts of Haryana in India are considered as the model districts for the adoption of agroforestry and are dominated with eucalypts and poplar based agroforestry systems. These systems has an important ecological role which prevent high surface runoff and reduce soil erosion, minimize the flood hazards and protect crops from strong winds. Poplar and eucalyptus based agroforestry system has been found to produce higher economic returns than sole annual crops. With the help of on screen digitization techniques, an attempt has been made to delineate areas such as fallow lands, scrub lands and piedmont zones. These additional areas in conjunction with the help of other resources such as Soil type, Groundwater quality and Rain fall pattern etc. were suggested to practice the agroforestry in the study area. In Panchkula district, potential agroforestry sites such as scrub lands, fallow lands and piedmont areas were identified and mapped for future practices of agroforestry. An area of totally 4,023.45 ha of the wastelands (Scrub lands, Fallow lands and Piedmont areas) in the Panchkula district was suggested for additional potential sites for agroforestry cultivation. Satellite data for 2019 driving forces behind agroforestry changes have also been investigated by GPS (Global Positioning System) based Ground Truth verification.