Reclamation of flood-damaged areas through community based agro-forestry: A case study from Nepal

More than 400,000 ha of land have been damaged by river floods in Nepal. Agro-forestry activities were implemented in those areas with the twin objectives of countering land degradation problems and meeting the demands of local people for fuelwood, fodder, and small timber. This study assessed the effectiveness of such practices in the riverside areas of the middle hills region in reclaiming the flood-damaged lands, considering vegetation establishment, land productivity and control of weed infestation (Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum munja) as the bases for evaluation. Data were gathered from the field measurements and observations. Results of two years’ study showed that Dalbergia sissoo could be successfully intercropped with Zea mays, Solanum tuberosum, Cajanus cajan and Phaseolus vulgeris in flood-affected areas. There was no significant difference in growth performance of Dalbergia sissoo planted in river-affected areas and unaffected areas. Yields of various crops have also been documented. Species composition was found to have changed in
silvipasture plots. The study reveals that agro-forestry practices have been effective in reclaiming the flood-damaged areas.