Afforestation and Pastureland Development

Seva Mandir’s Afforestation and Pastureland Development Program aims to

  • Regenerate degraded sites
  • Promote Soil-water conservation
  • De-colonization of commons
  • Enhance bio-mass production
  • Offset carbon dioxide emissions through the tree plantations
  • Empower & strengthening village communities

 

The need-

1)    68% of the population of the Udaipur and Rajsamand districts comes from tribal or other disadvantaged communities and has severely limited resources.

2)    The majority of the land in Seva Mandir’s work area is severely degraded, undulating, low in vegetation, and prone to soil-water erosion with wide spread encroachment on common property land.

3)    Nearly 73% of the land in the region is owned by the state in form of common property land.

 

Impact

  • Pasturelands have been developed to help in reforestation, reduction of soil erosion and revitalization and regeneration of the land.
  • Check dams and contour trenches have been built to help in the conservation of soil & water, and bring about the natural regeneration of vegetation.
  • To support the development and growth of saplings for the plantations, Seva Mandir assists villages in developing and maintaining yearly and half yearly bamboo nurseries.
  • Apart from its environmental benefits, afforestation also helps in strengthening social cohesion.

 

Current situation

  • In 2010, 199 sites of common pastureland covering a total area of 3133 ha. were developed.
  • The total area covered by plantation from 1986 to 2010 on both private and common lands is 15,333 ha.

 

Future challenges

1)    The generations of sites for plantations need sustained and continuous efforts from community in the prevention of encroachment.

2)    The high amount of degradation that already exists will require a lot of hard work and effort to succeed.

3)    The majority of the plantation work requires favorable climate conditions, which are impossible, predict especially given the current climate change issues.

 

If you would like to support our Natural Resource Development Program or any of its specific interventions please visit our Donation Page

For more information please Contact Us