Carrying Capacity of Tree Fodder Species in Silvipastoral Systems in Himachal Pradesh, North Western Himalaya

Swaran Lata; Vivek Chauhan; Tanay Barman; Shiv Paul

doi:10.36808/if/2025/v151i5/170056

Carrying Capacity of Tree Fodder Species in Silvipastoral Systems in Himachal Pradesh, North Western Himalaya

Authors

Swaran Lata ICFRE-Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171013, Himachal Pradesh
Vivek Chauhan ICFRE-Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171013, Himachal Pradesh
Tanay Barman ICFRE-Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171013, Himachal Pradesh
Shiv Paul ICFRE-Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171013, Himachal Pradesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2025/v151i5/170056

Keywords:

Agroforestry, Carrying capacity, Himachal Pradesh, Productivity, Tree fodder, Silvipastoral system

Abstract

The primary woody elements of the silvipastoral system, fodder trees are crucial for providing fodder for animals, particularly during dry seasons when herbaceous forage is unavailable. Along with this the leaf fodder from trees also provides fuel wood as a by-product to local communities. In Himachal Pradesh, there is a net shortfall of green fodder (26%) and dry fodder (54%) due to which the livestock population is decreasing continuously for the last two decades. Increasing the production of fodder per unit of land area is one of the potential options for meeting livestock fodder needs. Considering the huge potential of tree fodder species in livelihood security of Himalayan communities, present study was conducted in 12 representative villages of all four agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh. The present study revealed that there is a great disparity between the carrying capacity of tree fodder species in existing silvipastoral systems of Himachal Pradesh. The tree forage yield data showed considerable variation in forage yield varying from 169.74 to 2310 kg^-1 ha^-1 year . Maximum carrying capacity was recorded in Grewia optiva (0.823 ACU ha year ) with a capacity to feed livestock size (325.88) in Banalgi, Solan (zone-II). However, minimum carrying capacity was recorded in Bauhinia variegata (0.059 ACU ha^-1 year^-1 ) with a capacity to feed livestock size (16.21) in Jogipanga (Una) zone-I. Among all studied sites Shiun Khas (Kangra), Kundi (Chamba), Naun (Mandi), Jarsahi (Shimla), Keela Kalanj (Sirmaur), Muling (Lahaul & Spiti) and Bhakra (Bilaspur) has high livestock in comparison to carrying capacity. If this pattern continues, the available fodder trees will come under high pressure which will impact the long-term sustainability of silvipastoral land use systems in the future. Therefore, for the sustainable management of silvipastoral land use systems assessment of tree forage carrying capacity is very important.

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