Fodder, fuelwood consumption pattern and energy dynamics along elevation gradient in Giri Catchment, Himachal Pradesh, India

MATBER SINGH; B GUPTA; SUBHASH BABU; R K AVASTHE; S K DAS

doi:10.56093/ijas.v87i2.67661

Authors

MATBER SINGH Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh 173 230
B GUPTA Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh 173 230
SUBHASH BABU Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh 173 230
R K AVASTHE Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh 173 230
S K DAS Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Himachal Pradesh 173 230

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v87i2.67661

Keywords:

Elevation gradient, Energy, Fodder, Fuelwood, Giri catchment, Socio-economic condition

Abstract

The present study was carried out to understand the fodder and fuelwood consumption pattern, energy dynamics and problems related to fodder biomass removal in existing traditional hill agroforestry systems prevalent at different elevations of Giri catchment of Himachal Pradesh. The result showed that average number of villages were varied from 5-8, whereas 51-52 households and 6.85-7.09 average family size at different elevation ranges and average litreacy rate is 85-87%. The average landholding varies from 0.99 to 1.23 ha, from which they produce and collect fuelwood and fodder for their daily needs. Study comprises three elevation zones for further investigations, viz. elevation E1 (900-1 300 m), E₂ (1 301-1 700 m) and E₃ (1 701- 2 100 m. Green fodder consumption was highest at elevation E₃ (60.2±1.54 kg/household/day) and minimum at elevation E₁ (49.34±2.00 kg/household/day). Similarly, dry fodder consumption was highest at elevation E₃ (80.6±1.80 kg/household/day) and minimum at elevation E₁ (67.7±1.64 kg/ household/day). Similar trends were also observed in fuelwood consumption, highest fuelwood consumption was noticed at elevation E₃, i.e. 30.9±2.08 kg/household/day and minimum 22.±1.02 kg/household /day at elevation E₁. Energy consumption was also increased with increasing the elevation; maximum energy consumption was observed at elevation E₃ (1 701-2 100 m) and minimum at lower elevation E₁ (900-1 300 m). In hilly region of Western Himalayas the farmers should be motivated and educated toward for better utilization of fodder as stall feeding options.

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