1

Name of the Division

Agroforestry & Extension Division,

Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla

Head of Division

Sh. K.D. Sharma, IFS


The practice of 'agroforestry' in the hills has been considered ecologically and socio-economically viable and has held the farmers in good state over the yearsbecause a major part of their fuel wood and leaf fodder requirements were being met from this resource. This system has a great impact on the socio-economic status of the people of this region. Lower hills of Western Himalayas are characterized by high human, cattle population and highly disturbed forests. Therefore, the practice of agroforestry in this zone has great significance.

3.	Objectives of Division
	To study traditional agroforestry practices and tree crop interactions. To conduct trials and introduce commercially important fast growing species in agroforestry To evolve appropriate agro-forestry models for different agro-climate zones and establish agro-techniques. To study the economics of various agroforestry models To develop appropriate extension strategies for dissemination of research findings to target groups
4. (A)	Projects under Plan:
I)	Title of the Project:	Diagnostic survey and appraisal of existing agroforestry systems in mid and high hills of Himachal Pradesh
	Duration:	3 years (April 2005 to March 2008)
	Principle Investigator	Sh. Jagdish Singh
	Objectives:
	To identify existing agroforestry systems To find out biological yield and economic return from the existing agroforestry systems To find out gaps in existing systems / practices and suggest major ways to remove the gaps.
	Progress achieved up to March, 06
	Survey is being conducted in Mid and High hilly region of the Himachal Pradesh through semistructured questionnaires. Secondary data was collected from forest department Socioeconomic data of the region has been collected and compiled
II)	Title of the Project:	Introduction and performance trials of Paulownia species for agroforestry in different agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh
	Duration:	5 years (April, 2003 to March, 2008)
	Principle Investigator	Sh. Jagdish Singh
	Objectives:
	To intoduce Paulownia species in different agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh To evaluate the growth performance of Paulownia speices in different agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh To screen out and evaluate the growth performances of Paulownia species in different agroclimatic zones of Himachal Pradesh. To impart training and dissemination of research findings to the target groups.
	Progress achieved up to March, 2006:
	Established a trial of Paulownia species in 0.75 ha area at Khaniyara Dharamshala during March, 2005 Paulownia plants were raised through seeds in polybags (2000) and root cuttings in nursery beds (500) at Model nursery Baragaon Established a Paulownia species trial in 0.25 ha area in farmer's field at Baragoan, Shimla during March, 2006 Distributed 500 ETP's and polybag raised seedlings) to progressive farmer of Nagri, Palampur (HP) for raising demonstration plantation of Paulownia in tea garden Maintenance of already laid trills at Dhaja, Solan (0.75 ha), Johron Poanta (0.25 ha) and at Basanterbela - Sambha (J & K) in 0.75 ha.
4. B	Extermal Funded Projects
	Title of the Project:	Development of Suitable model for intercropping of commercially important medicinal plants with horticultural plantations in the temperate region of Himachal Pradesh (DBT Funded)
	Duration:	3 years (July, 2004 to August, 2007)
	Principle Investigator:	Sh. Jagdish Singh
	Objectives:
	To develop suitable models for intercropping medicinal plants viz Aconitum heterophyllum, valeriana jatamansi, Picrorhza kurrooa., Polygonatum verticillatum and Angelica glauca with horticultural crops i.e. primarily focusing on an apple crop and secondly on plum, peach and Badam. to determine the change in level of active principles of medicinal plants under studied models vis-a-vis natural habitat, To investigate tree crop interaction, soil fertility status etc. in intercropping models.
	Progress achieved up to March, 2006
	Establishment of different intercropping trials at Brundhar, Kullu district and Shailaroo in Shimla district of HP Collection of root samples of all five medicinal plants from natural habitat for active principle analysis Root sample have been analysed for active principles Maintenance of laid intercropping trials.
4.	Title of the Project:	Promotional of medicinal plant cultivation among rural communities for sustainable income generation (HPFSR - GIF Funded)
	Duration:	1 year (March, 2006 to Feb. 2007)
	Principle Investigator:	Sh. K.D. Sharma, Sh. Jagdish Singh and Dr. V.P. Panwar
	Objectives:
	To establish demonstration plots (3 nos.) of important medicinal plants in different altitudinal zonations (lower, Mid and high zones) of Sirmour district To organize training and demonstration programmes (8 nos) to different target groups on cultivation of medicinal plants. To develop user friendly extension materials for cultivation of medicinal plants.
	Progress achieved:
	A project launching meeting was organised at district Headquarter at Nahan with the various stakeholders viz., SFD personnel's, Farmers, NGO's VFDC's etc., representatives of UHF Solan etc., for site and selection of important medicinal plants. Selected three different sites for raising of demonstration plots of commercially important medicinal plants at Didag (Ragharh Forest Division), Kaalth (Renuka Forest Division) and Salani (Nahan Forest Division) representing different agro-climate of the district Sirmour. Establishment of the above selected sites for setting up demonstration plots is under progress.
5.	Other achievement of the division during the year 2005-06
	Extension Activities
	A Regional workshop on "Forestry Extension Strategy Review" was organized on 27th December, 2006 at HFRI, Shimla Imparted training on cultivation of medicinal plants to 50-60 employees of SFD and farmers of GP dhalwan in district Mandi on 14th March, 2006 Conducted various visits of Students, SFDs trainees from various states. Developed extension material for the institute.
6.	Lab and Facility:
	Lab:	No laboratory
7.	Equipments
	Steady state porometer Digital vernier calliper Lux meter Altimeter Digital balance
Publications:
1.	"Agroforestry species different agro-climate zones of Himachal Pradesh: The packages and practices. An institutional publication - by Jagdish Singh, K.D. Sharma and Surinder Kumar
2.	"Effect of spacing on pre-harvest Agronomic growth Characteristics of Valeriana jatamansi Jones and Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle Ex Benth. as Intercrop with Apple Orchard" Proc. of "National Workshop on conservation and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants" held on 15-16 February, 2006 at Pinjore, Haryana - by Jagdish Singh, Surnder Kumar, K.D. Sharma, Silbhadra Brahma and Sandeep Sharma.
3.	"Ethno-medical study of commercially important medicinal plants of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh." Proc. of XII Silvicultureal Conference held at FRI Dehra Dun on 1-3 February, 2006 - by Silbhadra Brahma, Jagdish Singh and K.D. Sharma.
4.	"Role of Information Technology in Forestry Extension". In proceedings of the 'Regional Workshop on Forestry Extension Strategy Review organized by Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla (HP) on dated 27th Dec. 2005" - by Vijender P. Panwar and Jagdish Singh (2005).
5.	“Extension Strategies for Increasing the Adoptability of Agroforestry Technologies”. In proceedings of the ‘Regional Workshop on Forestry Extension Strategy Review’ organized by Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla (H.P.) on dated 27^th December, 2005. -- By Jagdish Singh and Vijender P. Panwar.
6.	“Extension Activities of Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla and Benchmarks for Effective Future Extension”. In proceedings of the ‘Regional Workshop on Forestry Extension Strategy Review’ organized by Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla (H.P.) on dated 27^th December, 2005. – By K.D. Sharma, Jagdish Singh and Vijender P. Panwar.
7.	“Forestry Extension - Principles, Features and Practices” In proceedings of the ‘Regional Workshop on Forestry Extension Strategy Review’ organized by Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla (H.P.) on dated 27^th December, 2005. – By K.D. Sharma and A. Rajasekaran
8.	“Intercropping of medicinal plants for augmenting income of rural people”. Proc. of National Conference on Resource Conserving Technology for Social Upliftment, organised by Indian Association of Soil and Water Conservationists, CSWCRTI, Dehradun, held at NASC complex, New Delhi.

1.	Name of the Division	Division of Participatory Forest Management Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla HP
2.	Head of Division	Sh. K.D. Shamra, IFS
Participatory Forest Management has gained much importance after the National Forest Policy, 1988 and subsequent Government of India guidelines. Accordingly various states have notified the procedures and rules for Participatory Forest Management and involvement of people/users and particularly women in forestry planning and management. The division of PFM have been created to evaluate the progress of Participatory Forest Management and analysis of development of institutions and change in the attitude of front line staff of the forest department.
3.	Objectives of Division
	To study and document traditional participatory systems. To evaluate the various approaches of participatory forest management. To find out the success and failure in the participatory forest management. To document best suited approach for future adoption to the forest departments.
4. (A)	Projects under Plan:
i)	Title of the Project	Diagnostic study of indigenous and institutionalized participatory forest management in Himachal Pradesh
ii)	Duration	3 yars (April 2005 to March 2008)
iii)	Principle Investigator	Sh. K.D. Sharma
iv)	Objectives:
	To prepare a list of plant species that are most liked/ preferred by people in different location for planting in PFM approach. To study the role of gender involvement (particularly women) and its success in PFM in HPFD. To study and analyze the attitudinal changes in the front line staff of HPFD. To identify the constraints of progress of PFM in HP. To collaborate with forest department, NGO’s and investigate and document indigenous method of people participation in forest management in HP. To study management prescriptions i.e. component of PFM programmes in selected locations in various projects of HPFD as IWDP Kandi, DFID, IGDP, IGCP and Sanjhi Van Yojna, etc. and come out with most successful/liked approach for recommendation to the HPFD for future success.
v)	Progress achieved up to March, 2006
	Preliminary survey has been conducted to collect the data regarding PFM in HP. Questionnaires for field staff and members of institutions involved in JFM has been developed. Liaison meetings held with the staff of two forest circles of HP. Abstracting of the collected data.
5.	Other achievement of the division during the year 2005-06
	Trainings/Lectures:
	Lectures on “participatory approaches in JFM” were delivered to the Forest Guard trainee’s at Forest Training Centre Sunder Nagar, Mandi and Forest Training School Chail, District Solan.
6.	Lab and Facility:
	Lab	No laboratory
7.	Equipments	NIL