Socioeconomic and ecological niche of khejri (prosopis cineraria) in traditional farming systems of arid India

Toky, O.P.. Department of Forestry

Socioeconomic and ecological niche of khejri (prosopis cineraria) in traditional farming systems of arid India

2004

Toky, O.P.(CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana (India). Department of Forestry)

Prosopis cineraria, commonly called khejri or jand, is of great importance to Indian desert communities. It provides fuel wood, fodder, ood, small timber, and medicines as well as improves the soil and helps i sand dune stabilization. It is highly compatible with agricultural crps owing to a deep root system, nitrogen-fixing ability, and high effciency of recharging the soil with organic matter. Farmers give this treespecial protection, often on lands cleared for settlement or agriclture. This review summarizes the role of this species in sustaiability of the fragile arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Large variabiity in tree forms and growth could be one of the reasons for its adaptatin in arid regions. Based on the experimental data, we have emphasize that P. cineraria should be given first priority as a species for the deelopment of degraded landscapes in drier areas. In the recent past due toheavy pressure on this species its natural regeneration has been checkedto a great extent, and therefore planting of seedlings of khejri by thefarmers has become essential to conserve this important native tree.SV05-10-04SU

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